From me to you, with apologies.

Dear Austin Public Library,

I know, I know. I had that book (Tender is the Night) for more than a month past its due date. I could have renewed, but I kept thinking I'd get in to return it and we'd be fine. Just fine.

But I didn't, and you sent me that lovely note to tell me that I owed you $35.25 for my "lost" book.

So I hopped on my bike and pedaled down to see you as fast as I could. After stopping at not one, but two gas stations along the way. And you were so kind as to only charge me $9.25 for the book. But there were all those other books I had out too...less overdue, but overdue nonetheless.

So, APL, I wrote you a hefty check and walked out with no books and a sad bank account.

But seriously. 25 cents a day? That's torture. We can't make the fines a little more bearable?

Please? With what I paid you today, I'm certain I ought to have some say in the matter.

Okay, maybe not. But just consider it.

Love always,

Carolyn

Twinkle, twinkle, holiday tree...

I'm in a fantastic mood tonight.

Which resulted in me getting sushi from Whole Foods Market.

Which resulted in me eating too much.

Which resulted in me laying motionless on my bed watching movies and digesting.

Huzzah.

I'm excited tonight, because I normally just tell y'all about the Austiny things I eat, which is interesting, but kind of repetitive, especially because I'm starting to find my faves, and that's really not something worth reporting on at all.

Though, on that topic: Earlier this week I had the absolute worst falafel I've ever had in my entire falafel-loving life at this terrible, over-priced Greek place in northwest Austin. It was salt in an open wound; I went in there hoping for a little taste of happiness while waiting for my tire to be replaced. Also, if you don't know what falafel is (ahem...Madre), click here.

Anyway, so, Christmas was yesterday. I was here in Austin, but I got skyped into my parents' living room to open presents, and, unfortunately, had to witness my dad doing a ridiculous dance. Then I made brunch for a fellow far-from-home friend, and then scooted off to spend a few hours at the home of some church friends. Then I fell asleep at quarter to nine because, despite being on vacation, I can't seem to sleep past 6:30am. It was a great day.

Today, however, was this:

(via)

Remember now, I haven't run in a while. A couple of weeks, or so, thanks to a sinus infection/allergies/whatever is making me all snotty and tired. I signed up for this race a while back because I knew I would be in Austin and hey, why not? So today, still a little stuffy, I strapped on my vibrams, bundled up (high of only 51 today!) and ventured out to Zilker Park.

Apparently I've gotten a little better since my first 5K, nearly a year ago along the Galveston Seawall. This is me, coming up to the finish line:

(via Lukey)

It was the first weekend of Mardi Gras, and yes, I'm wearing beads. And yes, I totally was passing that old lady for the win.

Anywho, I ran that race in 34:12. Not an amazing time, but I did it. All 3.1 miles. So take that, high school self.

Today, with KILLER hills flanking the start and finish, I ran 30:39.

I plowed through the first two miles in less than 20 minutes, but my pace fell apart as I climbed, climbed, climbed to the top of the last hill, and then attempted to restore normal breathing on the way back down.

I really wanted to finish it under 30 minutes, but alas, I'm a little more than a sneeze away. And my average pace was still under 10 minutes per mile (9:53!).

Next time I will conquer.

I forgot my camera AND my phone when I went out, so there are no pictures from the race. Afterwards, I sat around recovering until I started to get cold, then came home, warmed up, showered, and headed back out to Zilker Park. By then, the band was done playing and nearly everyone was gone.

But the tree was still lit up.

You're supposed to spin once you're under it like that. You get super dizzy. I wasn't feeling it. Too many small children running around.

But this is me rocking my race tee and giving the thumbs-up for the whole day:

Win.

Oh, P.S. I blew a seam on the pinky toe of my Vibrams (sad panda). But I think I might call the thrift-store experiment a success and consider replacing them with a new pair. I don't run in anything else anymore.

Oh, hey, my birthday's coming up....anybody? Anybody?

Well, now, that was quite an adventure.

Remember Monday, when I ventured far, far away to the distant land known as Northwest Austin?

I did it again.

[this has nothing to do with anything, but it's pretty (via via)]

I'm filling in for a couple of days at an office up there, pretty close to where I got my hair cut.

Today I got the grand tour of the area.

Unwillingly.

I had a flat tire.

Which is now fixed, but I had to go to two different repair shops. Three, if you include the one who's parking lot I used while I figured out where the deuce I was trying to go.

Because I don't know Northwest Austin at all, you see.

And now my silly old car has a brand new tire, which is a bit like putting shiny chrome hubcaps on a rusty old lawnmower, but unfortunately a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

And this girl had to get to home.

To ask all you blog lurkers out there (blurkers?) a question:

(via)

So, that 1/2 marathon I was training for?

Well, I haven't run in a week and a half.

It's not my fault!!

As mentioned, I've been sick with allergies/sinus infection, which seems to be on it's way toward clearing up, but prevented me from, you know, breathing for a while. Thus, no running.

Except now I'm not sure what to do. I didn't progress like I should have last week, so when I get back on the trails I probably can go back to the level where I left off, but it'll still put me about two weeks behind where I should be, which makes for a projected training plan finish two weeks AFTER the race I intended to run.

No bueno.

Here's the question: should I suck it up and do it anyway? Or should I pick another race a little later in the spring to account for this and/or any other pending derailments? I need your advice, blurkers!!


P.S. I'm running the Zilker Holiday Tree 5K on Sunday. This, I'm not worried about. 3.1 miles? Meh, no big deal. :)

Huh. You learn something new every day.

Today, I did something new.

I read the newspaper.

I've never been a news buff. I try, and then I get distracted by shiny objects.

Ooh, look, tinfoil!

Just kidding.

Whee! Glitter!

Just kidding again.

So the other day I was thinking to myself, "Carolyn, why are you so clueless about the world?"

I blame my lack of television.

But seriously, that whole Chilean miner thing? I knew when they on #13's rescue. Because I happened to pop into the gym that day and it was on the telly.

That's sad.

So my now-resolution (why wait for January 1?) was to be better informed.

It's way more fun to debate things when you know what the hell you're talking about anyway.

(via)

Today I learned that the National Weather Service has an official benchmark for determining whether a Christmas is "white" or not (1" on Christmas morning). I found out that the newest campaign against President Obama is centered around his alleged lack of American pride (the word "exceptionalism" was used 21 times), and that there's a really cool organization helping Iraq and Afghanistan war vets find a new purpose and a life-long career. I also read a totally inconclusive article about the benefits of organic foods, made a list of produce to always always buy organic, and was inspired to look up the locations of farmer's markets in Austin.

Oh, and BP claims that the oil spill is all better and there will be no long-term damage.

To which I say, "Bull."

But that's just my little disaster geek/environmentalist talking.

Turns out the world really is an interesting place. Huh. Who knew?

A Handful of Dusty Platypi

Okay, let's talk books.

I finally finished A Handful of Dust, and let me tell you something: it was terrible.

Absolutely horrible.

(via)

Supposedly it was full of biting wit poking fun at British society in the 20s or 30s or some such decade, but such delights were lost on me.

It started out interestingly enough, both times I read it, but got boring murky in the middle, and ended rather unsatisfactorily. Oh, and there was an alternate ending. Which MADE NO SENSE AND WAS EVEN WORSE.

Thus, to augment my lack of impression, I turn to SparkNotes for some clue as to why this book is a classic.

...oh bugger, apparently SparkNotes doesn't like it either. It's not in their database. I am vindicated.

No matter, there's also Wikipedia. Where I just learned that Mr. Evelyn Waugh (oh, yes, it's a man) was married to a Ms. Evelyn Gardner, and the two became known as "He-Evelyn" and "She-Evelyn" among their friends. That's awkward. But she cheated on him, causing their marital demise. She-Evelyn, how could you?

Okay, back to this magical book which I went to great lengths to read (twice). If you'll remember, I first started the book back in June, on a flight to Detroit by way of Atlanta. It was in Atlanta that I left the book on the plane.

Apparently someone really wanted that book because Delta couldn't seem to find it. So I paid my fine to the Rosenberg Library, and moved on with my life.

This time around, as I picked up the book from the Austin Public Library, I found an airline ticket stub tucked inside. Thank you, Ms. Melissa P., for haunting me with your cruel irony. I hope you know the pain you've caused me.

Anywho, here's the gist of the story: There's this really boring guy, who tends to awkwardly insert himself into other people's lives. A really bored lady fancies herself in love with him, requests a divorce, and pisses off her husband, who, to spite her, goes off to the jungles of Brazil on an expedition where he dies...or does he? There is an alternate ending after all.

I know, you're just chomping at the bit to read it, aren't you? After that glowing review, I wouldn't be surprised if the publishers wake up the sleepy machines that first printed it and send out at least two more copies.

Oh goody, there's a movie too!

Now, on a more interesting note, let's talk about my sinuses.

Just kidding. Or not.

I'm getting better, but I still didn't go to yoga like I'd planned today. I had this feeling that all that bending and stretching was going to turn my drippy schnozz into a uncontrollable faucet of germs. I wasn't okay with that. I really want to go, though. It's one of the things I've been meaning to try since moving here, and the one thing I still haven't done.

Oh, well, that and the botanical gardens. Whoops.

I told y'all I was getting boring.

Today, I did venture out into the city to get my hairs chopped off, and I also bought some pretty great gifts for little Miss Bennet, which are now in our stockings.

She's super spoiled, but you have to keep your sidekick happy, you know?

Even when she decides to cozy up on your clean laundry. Hmph.

For these adventures, I went all the way up to Northwest Austin, which is pretty much uncharted territory. It was quite suburban. Not my new hang-out, that's for sure. But my new stylist came highly recommended and happens to go to church with me, so it was worth it, I think.

Oh, and I've started a new book! Per my rules (which, admittedly, I tend to uphold and/or dismiss based on my own whims), I've moved Off List to enjoy a little light reading:

(via)

It's been a few years since I finished college (officially three now...oy!), so I thought I should catch back up with my education. You know, for funsies.

Mmkay, bye.

Annals of Uneventfulness.

I'm a terrible blogger. Really.

The thing is, I haven't had a lot of time to write lately, and even if I did it would be terribly boring. I guess I'm settling into a routine here; you can only talk about the dog park so many times.

Today, I'm kind of sick. I'm not sure if it's pollen or virus, but my head is so full of gunk that all I want to do is lay in bed with a mound of kleenexes and sappy movies. I'll probably go out in a little bit to pick up some decongestants, but I won't venture much further than that. I hate the almost-Christmas crowds even in the best of moods.

In the meantime, I'm doing some cleaning, reading, and, hopefully, some Christmas decorating. The holiday is only a week away.

I wish you all a wonderful December Saturday!

Greetings from Houston, TX. Wish you were here.

I've been a very bad blogger indeed.

The past week has been busy, which hasn't left me much time to think or write or put away the massive piles of dirty/clean laundry that cover my floor at home.

Right now I'm sitting at the kitchen table belonging to two of my good friends, waiting for the three other people in this apartment to wake up so that we can get breakfast. I'm one of those strange people who wakes up early; this does not make me the cool kid at slumber parties. I always end up sitting around twiddling my thumbs and getting impatient and sometimes picking up a book, but always wondering why nobody is up to play with me. I am awake, people. It is time to resume the party that ended when I fell asleep on the couch way earlier than anyone else last night!

There's a cat sitting on the chair across from me. His name is Oscar, and he's sitting up all proper and looking quite curious. I feel a little like we're having a tea party. Minus the tea.

I came to Houston last night by way of Galveston. No, Galveston isn't on the way. I went there on Friday night, leaving Austin around 7pm, and arriving on the island four hours later. The trip was intended to be practical (I picked up my Christmas tree and a new-to-me digital camera), but it turned out far better than I ever expected.

I was welcomed into my former home with cheering and a standing ovation.

Well hello. I'm pretty excited to see y'all too.

I dropped a curtsy and my bags, and then the party really began.

Yesterday morning I woke up before the sun, realized as the sun came up that I didn't have a prayer of going back to sleep, and ran jogged (a former state-level track star has taken issue with my liberal use of the term "run") four miles up to and around the seawall to get to the center where my old office is. About halfway through the run, my body realized that it hadn't had enough sleep, resulting in a short period of intermittent walking/runningjogging. Oh well.

Because normal people don't go to their old office on a Saturday when they happen to be in town, I should explain. I spent a year working for an organization in Galveston that rebuilds homes damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008. I did all the emergency preparedness programming and planning for the group, and it was part of my service as an AmeriCorps*VISTA.

The organization is one of the few still working on the island, and will be the last group standing after the new year. Because I spent so much of my year there in the office, I didn't have a whole lot of opportunity to go out on site and volunteer. Being in town on Saturday, I had my chance.

The house of the woman we worked at had paid a contractor to fix her damage from the storm, but, like so often happens in vulnerable disaster areas, the guy took her for a ride. He did shoddy work that wouldn't pass inspection, and then he disappeared. Now they're cleaning up the mess he made, truly putting the house back together, and doing it in a way that will both pass inspection and last.

I got to set nails and caulk trim. It was pretty great.

When we broke for lunch, we swung by one of the churches on the island for a barbecue fundraiser.

Now, let's chat. I'm (sort of) a vegetarian. Barbecue is not good for my brand of diet. But I love the church people who were putting it on, and so I figured, why not? I did eat just a little chicken, and then I handed off my hunk o' fowl to the vultures with whom I shared a table and munched on the coleslaw, bread, and beans they cast off. Win-win situation, really.

I came up here to Houston after work and a shower to scrub all the caulk off my hands and out of my hair, and party 2.0 began. Different friends, equal level of awesome.

It's funny...three months ago when I finished my work in Galveston and prepared for Step Next, I would have given anything to leave this area of the state. I don't regret that for a second. Austin has done wonders for my spirit. I'm truly happy there.

But I do miss the friends I have here. For all the bad and the ugly, Galveston particularly was very good to me. As I drove in on Friday, I had the feeling of coming home. It will always be my "Texas Hometown" in a way, being the first place I felt real attachment to and the first place that allowed me to begin sinking my roots here.

 This afternoon I'll pack my car back up, give my dog dramamine, and head northwest to my new home of Austin. There's laundry to put away, dishes to wash, and other things to do. But maybe I'll also have time to tell you about some other things from this week.

Until then, live long and prosper.

Hit the switch for holiday spirit.

When I broke my camera, I only actually broke the screen. So while I can't see what I'm taking pictures of, I can still take pictures.

Thus, I bring you, the blind, mostly flash-less, and slightly edited photographic rendition of Christmas on Congress:

The actual tree-lighting was anticlimactic. First, the lights were off, and then there was a countdown, and then they were on.

That's it. Well, and then everybody sang "O Christmas Tree."

The more exciting part was finally finding my friend Emily in the crowd.

Since nothing else was happening at the Capitol, we wandered down Congress. We heard some great live music of various flavors (including an accordion, which Emily was super excited about), watched some dancing, and got free spiced cider in front of The Hideout Coffeehouse.

We didn't actually know what we were getting, and we both thought it would be hot cocoa. Spiced cider tastes funny when you're expecting chocolate.

It was a beautiful night, and there was plenty of entertaining people watching. A dance party that busted out around the band playing Colombian music, and there was an entire family in matching sweaters and hats. We also laughed at the mother who, in response to the cool wind, remarked that a cold front had blown in (or it's just 9:30 at night, lady).

Then, as we headed back to my car, we examined the Capitol tree.

It's pretty.

But it's not actually that big.

I mean, it's big. Especially for a cut tree.

But I feel like I've seen bigger.

I thought everything was bigger in Texas.

Christmas trees should be no exception.


...


Okay, I can't figure out how to recover that so this post doesn't end on a sour note. Instead, I'll change the subject and tell a funny story:

Thursday I went to see It's a Wonderful Life at the Alamo Drafthouse. I took Mo-Pac home, and a van passed me with a menorah on its roof.

A menorah. WITH LIGHTS. In fact, with the proper number of lights lit up (I assume). I'm glad nobody else was on the road because I probably swerved a little laughing and reaching for my phone to take a picture before I thought better of it.

A menorah. That lit up. On a van.

Maybe you had to be there.

Mmkay, that's all I've got.

(Merry Christmas!)

From me, to you, with mixed emotions.

Dear Vibram Five Fingers,

I had never heard of you before that fateful day when AJ the FEMA VAL excitedly opened his trunk to show me his new freaky toe shoes. I thought he was a little crazy, and those things were just kind of weird.

But then people started talking about you more, and I was so proud for knowing what you were. Go me! I heard you were great for running on trails, that you allowed the natural foot muscles to strengthen and develop, and that they help slow runners go longer and faster.

"Hey, I'm slow!" I thought. And my curiosity was piqued. But at $90 a pair, it wasn't an experiment I was willing to invest in. I wasn't THAT curious.

And then I moved to Austin (where Five Fingers abound), and went thrift shopping for a jacket to wear while cycling. There, as I wandered unbidden through the shoe section, I found you: women's sprints, $14.99 IN MY SIZE.

Done.

I knew I had to get used to you, so I started wearing you to the dog park. It was like magic - I was barefoot, and yet I wasn't, but I could feel the grass and the rocks by the river and the cool water. And then one day Bennet and you and I went for a run. 2 miles, no problem.

Oh, that you would have continued to treat me so well, Vibrams.

This week, I took you to work, hidden away in a tote bag with shorts and a jacket. As the clock struck five, I changed from professional to athlete in the blink of an eye, and I slipped (wiggled/tugged) my toes into you. We drove to the trails, and off I went.

Three miles, and it was glorious! Sure, I noticed a little tinge in my calf muscles, but who cared? Together, we had conquered three miles of trail.

Well, I care now, don't I, Vibrams? Today, Saturday, FOUR DAYS after that run, I still feel the burn. I missed an entire day of running thanks to you. Not going to make me faster if you rip my legs to shreds, are you? Psh.

But I still believe in you, Vibrams. So today you, Bennet, and I hit the trails again. For a walk. A nice, long, heel-hitting, calf-lengthening walk.

It was pretty good. I think it actually undid some of the damage. Tomorrow I will be wearing real shoes. Don't be offended. I just need a break from you. Next week we might just try that running together thing again. On the short run day.

Much love and happy calves,

Carolyn




Some choice pics from Miss Bennet's and my walk on the trails today...we walked from 1st Street to Mo-Pac and back. Only got lost on the trail once, when it splits off to become the Zilker Loop Trail, which goes somewhere that I don't know. Bennet discovered the joy of chasing squirrels. It was quite an adventure.

(Appy polly loggies for the lack of quality. I'm picking up my new-but-not-new camera next Saturday. Until then...camera phone!)

It says: "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." -Benjamin Franklin

What will libraries smell like when all the books are gone?

From a journalistic standpoint, I'm a bit late in bringing this up, but I think there's still a lot of frenzy going on about it, at least here in Texas, and so I'm going to just put it out there for y'all to consider. Plus, this is a blog, not a newspaper, and thus it is my purpose to commentate on whatever I find intriguing.

So, last week, the Houston Press wrote a post in their "Hair Balls" blog about some changes that Lamar High School, a public magnet school, recently made to their library.

Apparently they threw out all the books.

The way the article reads, they might as well have used them for an end-of-season bonfire out on the football field.

Now that all those silly books are out of the way, there's plenty of room for new laptops, e-readers, and yes, even a coffee bar.

My first thought was, "Why wasn't there a coffee bar in MY high school library? I might have actually gone in every once in a while."

(The answer, dear readers, is that I graduated 6.5 years ago, before the dawn of this "e-reader era," and I went to high school in the middle of a smelly, smelly corn field in Northern Michigan where the technology was definitely not on the cutting edge. Just saying. Much love, OHHS. Even though I can't find anything of value to link to.)

Okay, that wasn't actually my first thought. My first thought was, "OH MY GOSH. WHY DID THEY THROW AWAY THE BOOKS??? THE BOOKS, PEOPLE! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BOOKS?!?!"

And then I slowed down a little, remembered that the Houston Press, while an interesting and often entertaining piece of "journalism," is a very very liberal publication that, more often than not, publishes articles in a certain way for the express purpose of starting a fire.

Burn, baby, burn.

It has exploded, at least in my little world. People are FREAKING OUT. Is this a good thing? Is this a terrible thing? Why have they done this thing? But where are all the books? And why is the rum gone?*

And the question least asked: What exactly is this thing they've done?

After glancing through several articles on the topic, I have emerged without yet a clear understanding.

The new claim is that none of the books were thrown away, and there are even some books still in the library/coffee shop/land o' knowledge and turmoil. Most are, however, gone. Gone to charities or other schools or students or somewhere supposedly not a dumpster.

Whatever. Whether that's true or not, it doesn't change the question: Is this a good thing?

The school now has access to thousands upon thousands of titles -- way more than the building could ever hold, through a subscription service of sorts. Yes, that's amazing. I'd love to have access to that kind of knowledge.

OH WAIT I DO! It's called a library. And if they don't have the books I need, they can get it through this magical tried-and-true system called Interlibrary Loan.

Instead of ordering those books, you now have to have a laptop or internet access to reach them. Sure, almost everyone has that these days. Not everyone. But if you don't, there's always the library (ironic).

But what about checking out a book on bats, just to leaf through the pages and let their mysteries unfold? Or picking up a historical fiction novel and laying out in the hammock while you read? What about stacking up piles and piles of books to write that research paper that takes a very strange spin in the middle based on that one figment of fact you weren't even looking for but found on the page the first book happened to open to?

What about the legacy that we're leaving? If all our technology is someday wiped out, what will be left? What artifacts will future generations have to know and understand us? An empty screen?

To illustrate my point, I turn to my second-favorite little white terrier, a long-adored pup named Wishbone. You know you used to watch the show, don't lie. It was like the best ever. The episode in question is Bark to the Future, based on The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. Skip to 2:05 for the important part. You can stop it at 5:00. Or watch the whole thing (I won't tell).



We like search engines over card catalogs because they're convenient. They're easy. We like e-books because they put the world at our fingertips. The technology is incredible, the capabilities are astounding, and yes, the renewed student interest should not go unnoticed.

But is this better?

Is it actually better to bring the world to ourselves rather than search it out?

What are we losing in exchange?

And, truly the most important point, what about the smell of books? That delightful, wonderful smell that permeates every bookstore and library you've ever been set foot in, which at once accosts you and welcomes you?

That, my friends, is the smell of knowledge. Of mystery, of comedy, and of romance. Of fact, fiction, poetry, and how-to.

Take a great big whiff. It is glorious, and it may soon be extinct.



*They're not actually asking that. Captain Jack Sparrow is, though. And now I might be too.