My Texas Valentine

(LLANO, Texas) — As I not-so-seamlessly dive into busy, crazy-hip Austin, I keep unconsciously naming things I don’t like. It’s not that I’m trying to complain; it’s more that I’m silently announcing my standards as I learn them. It’s as though I have to lay down my own law. It turns out that I don’t [...]

I promise, I’ll come back for you

(AUSTIN, Texas) — At this moment, I’m watching the most painful scenes of the English Patient. By the way, if you’ve never seen it, I suggest you stop reading now.

This is the part when the woman is dying, slowly, alone in a cave while her guy is trying so desperately to get back to her. [...]

Feeling a little lost in America

(AUSTIN, Texas) — I am looking at my last post and smiling at how quickly things change. It’s amazing how, when you’re full, you can’t imagine hunger, and when you’re hungry, you can’t imagine satisfaction. Right now, I know what side I’m on.

I won’t get into it much, except to say that my financial situation [...]

Who dat?

(NEW ORLEANS, La.) — I’m not a football person, but Sunday night was pure bliss. I don’t always like crowds, and block parties only float my boat about half the time, but as I stood on Frenchmen Street after the Saints’ win, I felt so lucky to be right where I was.

“Who dat? Who dat? [...]