For the big 4th of July weekend, we took off to the capital to hang out old friends and watch the fireworks over Town Lake - which I believe is now called Lady Bird Lake. There was dinner at Mangia's and scary moments with bees and other winged creatures.

Nicholas and I stayed at a hotel by the lake and we brought Wilson with us. He's a pretty good traveler and got to meet a couple of other doggies at the hotel.

I really enjoyed the view in the morning and then getting to finally watch the bats come out of the Congress Street bridge when the sun went down.

And there was the awesome fireworks show over the lake.

Labels: austin, vacation, Wilson

Cafe Du Monde!
Originally uploaded by Tygriss.

A week ago today, we were in New Orleans, LA enjoying the sights and smells of the French Quarter. Nick hadn't been to my favorite city, much less enjoyed real live showing of boobies on Burbon Street. And I was due for another trip.

We stayed at the Iberville Suites and got to walk around the quarter to all the must-see spots like the St. Louis Cathedral, Broussards, the Gumbo Shop, the random gift shops, art galleries, the above ground cemeteries, and Cafe Du Monde. There were a few parades that went by the front of our hotel through out our stay. We saw Kevin Costner who was this year's Grand Marshal for Endymion. And Friday night, Hulk Hogan made an appearance on a balcony on Burbon Street. As a result, so did a few boobies.

It would have been much more enjoyable if I had not been recovering from a horrible dual shot of the flu. Yes. I was sick. Again. Nick brought home some debilitating SAR's like virus that knocked me out on Sunday, and roundhoused me in the face on Tuesday. By Friday I had lost 10 lbs, hadn't eaten more than chicken broth and jello, and had undergone a set of pills that resembled near-death-organ-failure type pain. Pain I hope never to ever feel again. Ever.

So, we will be going back again so we can enjoy more of the excellent food, art, and live music.

Labels: vacation

Me & Munkie
Originally uploaded by Tygriss.

This weekend was probably one of the best weekends I've had in a long time. Munkie and I went to San Jose, CA. The hellacious flight from here took us through Phoenix and Ontario. Yes. Ontario. 12 hours later, we made it to our destination. Apparently, there's an Ontario, California.

The much needed trip to California was my first vacation, ever. I can't recall ever taking time off to go somewhere I didn't have to be. And it felt good. This trip was to visit my best friend from college, Seda. Amazing how people still look and act the same after what seems like forever. :-)

She drove me by Cupertino on the way to some really good sushi. Sushi that came by on boats. I had never seen that before. We had nan wraps from a farmers market for breakfast and then spent the day in San Francisco walking along the piers and up to a very closed, very under renovation Ghirardelli factory. We hopped a trolly and talked to some interesting people. We met fellow Texans going to culinary school, a couple of street wise kids doing really well in school, and the random ass-hats. Ones that like to freeze people with open windows. And Seda treated me to my first Arabic dinner ever. So much goodness. 

Labels: vacation