A love letter to Austin, TX

Dear Austin,

I love you. I honestly love you. I moved here in 1995 with my best friend Kristin and together we moved in with another close friend Laura. We didn't live together for long, but we'd actually made plans to move to Austin back in 1990? 1991? We were kids, and also a bit angsty yet quirky. We would have been goth, except that makeup melts off of your face in south Texas. Anyway, we of course did that whole "ugh, when we get out of school we have to move to Austin to be free, man..." thing, and we actually did it.

The first day that we were here, I unpacked my car, and then went to Notorious Ed's underground piercing where I got my tongue pierced by Scott Ellis (Scott now owns Triple Crown Tattoo). After that, we drove around to see our new hometown....

Kristin and I had talked about stuff... which is what you do with someone you've known since before puberty. Yeah, we met in junior high, but I didn't actually hit puberty until I was 15 (and I started going grey when I was 20, how twisted). We had talked about how we'd move to New Orleans if Austin didn't work out, but I knew that weekend that I had found home. Something just clicked, and I knew it.

Over the past few years, I've only come close to moving twice. Once after a bad breakup I almost moved back home, but fortunately my friend Tami found me packing up and said "I refuse to let you turn around and go home, you hated it there. You're moving in with me and that's that." I owe that woman something big. Another time was about 6 years ago, with my partner Rich. We decided to stay in Austin so we could buy a house (the housing market in San Diego was INSANE). So yeah... Austin has a big spot in my heart.

There are so many things that I love about this city. I love that it can feel like a big city to me at times... SXSW is one of those times, as well as the Austin City Limits festival (which is going on as I type). I love the awesomely vibrant and diverse yoga community. I love how crafty and craft friendly this city is. One of things I love most about traveling is coming home. When I see the downtown skyline, I know I'm home. Thanks Austin for being here for me. I've met the most amazing people and been transformed by them. All the while, you were there giving them what they need too. You rule.

I've been thinking about this city a lot this month. I've given up on driving, even my scooter. I've been riding my bike and taking the bus everywhere, and while it might take a bit longer to get where I'm going, I do get there. I'm seeing things that I have missed over the past 14 years, and sometimes I'm seeing things I forgot and it's like seeing an old friend. I suppose I could have these observations anywhere, but the truth is that I love this city like no other place I've lived or visited.

I'm getting ready for a vacation in the spring. A whole month in Europe. It's weird, but I know that I'm going to miss my little house, and my job (I haven't gone more than 5 days without teaching a yoga class since 2002), and my pets, and my softball team, and the crazy bus folks too. But they'll all be here waiting when I get back, and I know it will feel so comforting to land. That's going to be awesome.