Livin' in Generica

Man, I really plopped myself smack dab into some conspicuous consumption. I can literally walk from my house to the Home Depot, Borders, Ann Taylor...not to mention the Party Pig and the Dollar Tree!

Don't get me wrong, I love me some consumer goods. And who doesn't relish the convenience of a short stroll to the Macaroni Grill for some grub? But long have I groused about the strip mall-ing of America and how it strips away any sense of individualism and unique identity. Isn't that what this nation was founded on people?? I sort of kind of managed to avoid it back in DC. But there ain't no avoidin' it here.

So I'm caught in quite a conundrum. There's no way I'm going to be able to resist the charms of the Banana Republic within walking distance of my pad. (Precious, precious Harrison fit pants.) But I promise you this! I'll complain about it the entire way there.

Texas Thunder

One sure sign I'm back in Texas is the gigantic storm that just rolled through today. Fierce. Fast-approaching. Dramatic. As I unpacked today, it descended on the area with much fanfare -- lightning seemingly inches away followed by the loud clap of thunder. I swear one hit the ground one building over. Then the electricity went out. Mother Nature was doin' it up right.

Now, hours later, the storm has moved to the east, but the lightning is still flashing in the night sky like some scene out of a movie.

I am home.

Backwards in High Heels

Photo by Jack Plunkett-AP via Washington Post

Anne Richards is gone. She was such an inspiration. She kicked ass and took names. She was full of gumption. And she gave the ole Texas boys club a run for their money. She will be greatly missed.

Really?

Photo via celebrity nation

Is it me or does this kid look like she's from outer space? (totally possible!) Or as my friend Nicole suggested, Vietnam? Is she or isn't she the fruit of their (ick) loins?

The saga continues...

Ah, the Writing Life

It's 2 AM and even the half an Ambien I took hasn't knocked me out. Instead I'm writing horrendous poetry and trolling the Internet for celebrity gossip and potential clients who will hire me to write for them...in that order. I have my priorities straight.

This article basically sums up my journey from whiny, unfulfilled, wanna-be writer, to sort of kind of making it as a writer. Next stop: full on business card toting WRITER! That's next month. Or the one after. Definitely by Christmas...

T-Minus Twelve and Counting

Not that I haven't made enough changes in the last few months, but the BIG ONE is about to arrive...I'm leaving the steamy, sordid bowels of DC for, hmmm let's say the calmer climes of Austin, TX.

What have I learned in my seven years of DC habitation? Where to begin? I learned that life has no predictive dialer. Paths are chosen, dead ended, rerouted, tracked back. But I think I needed, and appreciated the experiences I had here. They brought me to a place where I'm not afraid to listen to my heart and my gut and go after the things I want. To be truer to myself than I've ever been. That's a gift.

And I have met more people here who are full of passion and fire for what they do and what they believe than ever in my life. I feel lucky to have made friends here who are moved to fight and demand and care and love bigger than I imagined you could. I hope at least a little bit of that passion rubbed off on me.

Now, does anyone want to help me pack?

It's So Hard Being This Cool