No excuses!

I just got back to Austin after attending a great fund raising conference in Dallas. I won't bore you with the details of the seminar, but I did want to share with you one of the things I learned....

Non-profit workers have clearly not seen a magazine in the last decade and have no idea how to dress. Now, I'm no fashionista, but these people are in a league of their own.

Panty hose?!?! Really, panty hose? I contend that only drill teamers should have their legs anywhere near a pair log Leggs Suntan panty hose, but clearly this group disagrees.

Oh, and the orthopedic black loafers?!?! Are those a requirement of the job? Who knows maybe they were secretly judging my leopard Tori Burch's.

The purses....can I even call them purses? Those horrible thin strapped down to the waist bags that look like a knock off Dooney and Burke. Wow....the snob in me was festering all day.

Last but not least, I couldn't get past the hair color!!! I mean these people could give Tedder Vance a run for his money!

I will concede that these over-worked non-profit employees are indeed underpaid, but I declare that we should use this as an excuse for bad shoes, the unnecessary use of hosiery and hair color that is not a color found in nature!!!

Sushi & Champagne....sans Sushi

For more on February's "Sushi" & Champagne click here.

Listen Up

Anyone who has spent any time with me would know I have an addiction to my iPod. I can hardly go anywhere without it. I have a player in the car and a portable speaker set that travel with me everywhere (see My Favorite Things entry form November). Since me and my pod are attached at the hip today I thought I'd share with you a few songs that I can't get enough of. Oh, and by the way....I'm strickly enforcing the "no judgement" rule on this one.

Low, - Flo Rida

(since it was our theme song from New Orelans)

Famous In A Small Town, - Miranda Lambert
(a rocking good country sing alonger)

Nothin' Better To Do, -LeAnn Rimes
(seem to be on a rockin' female country kick)

And We Danced, -The Hooters
(Ash can attest to this one)

Taking Chances, -Celine Deion

(what did I say about the judgement?!?!)

anything by Randy Rogers
(no relation to Kenny....I heart his voice)

The Cha Cha Slide
(again with the no judgement)

Small Town Southern Man, - Alan Jackson

(I'm sure if my mom had a pod this one would be in hers)

Til We Ain't Stangers Anymore, - Bon Jovi and LeAnn Rimes
(an unlikley pairing, but a fabulous nonetheless)

and last but not least....

Sneakin' Around, - Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds (from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas)
(if your really good Tedder Vance and I will perform it for you after a couple of cocktails)

Happy listening!

Laissez les bons temps rouler...

...and let the good times roll we did!

I got back late last night from a girl's weekend in New Orleans. I was just there back in November with my mom for my birthday, but I certainly can't get enough of The Big Easy....one of my favorite cities.

This particular girls trip is made up with 4 best pals from college...and me. No, I didn't even go to college with any of them, but seeing as I'm the "Captain of Fun" why wouldn't they want to drag me along. The truth is....is that Jennifer....my best pal from elementary school went to W&L and made friends with Callie, Alicia, and Ashley. I met the other girls in Jenn's wedding in the summer of 1998 and we all hit it off instantly. So, now we have an annual girl's trip. We've hit everything from Ashley's Ranch, Santa Fe, New York, New Orleans, and more. We immediately fall into our old routines and banter and always have a great time. We settled on New Orleans for this trip to visit Callie...whose family has recently settled there. What we didn't know when we planned the trip was that the NBA All Star game was to be in town this weekend as well...let's just say we had no idea what all that entailed. So, enough about the back story and on to the fun.

Ash and I arrived mid-day and waited for Alicia to arrive from Richmond a few minutes behind us. After a couple of slight issues in the cab stand line and our being asked to "get out of that van" we headed into the city that I love. We arrived at the Montelone in the Quarter, checked into our room and immediately hit Charters House Cafe....one of my fave spots for a po boy and some gumbo. We waited out the rainy afternoon and after some great grub and a couple of inaugural bloody mary's we headed back to the hotel to gussie up and meet up with Callie, Jenn, and Andy (Callie's husband who was joining us for dinner on Friday night). After catching up over a few drinks in the Carousel Bar we hiked (and I do mean hiked) across the Quarter for dinner at Stella. Now Stella is not the kind of place for a quickie meal...no sir...we spend over three hours dining over fabulous fare and wonderful wine.



One of the best parts of our meal though was our celebrity sighting for the weekend. At the table just behind us there sat Anderson Cooper...you know from CNN. Very exciting. After dinner, with our full bellies and aching feet, we decided to head back to the hotel for a night cap and a recap.

Saturday morning met us with clear and crisp weather. Callie hosted us at her house in Uptown for a delicious Saturday brunch. I loved seeing her home and getting to meet her children...James and Gracie. Brunch was delish and was showed Callie's true southern hospitality. We dined on quiche and grits. Yummy!!! We were also all introduced to Milk Punch, which sounds sketchy, but is truly yummy and I love that it's served in themey mint julep cups.


After brunch and some bloody mary's for the road we hit the shops of Magazine Street. We didn't do any damage, but enjoyed browsing some great little shops along the way. Callie also took us on a tour of the Garden District and Uptown. After all the hard work we treated ourselves to some late afternoon cocktails on the porch of the historic Columns Hotel on St. Charles.


From there, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. Now, this seems like it would be an easy task...but I assure you it was not. Due to our friends in the NBA and the ever so festive All Star weekend activities it took us over an hour to drive about 2 miles. CRAZY! The tour buses, the blocked off streets, the crappy drivers, the people milling through the streets....all of this did cause this control freak to lose a bit of my charm on our ride home. After our touch and go car ride back to the hotel we headed to dinner at Herbsaint in the Central Business District. Dinner was of course delicious, but I'm sorry to say we had no celebrity sighting on Saturday night.


After dinner it was time to hit Bourbon Street. We started with drinks at the Old Absinthe House...my favorite bar on Bourbon. Here we enjoyed Jager shots, met our creepy friend Scott, and enjoyed some great people watching. After a few cocktails we decided to brave the crowded streets of Bourbon....but this was short lived. Bourbon was more crowded than I had ever seen it...thanks again to the NBA....and we quickly decided that it wasn't really our kind of crowd. So, we wandered back to the Charters House Cafe for some more cocktails and storytelling. Saturday night ended back at the hotel with some late night DJing and iPoding.

We slept late on Sunday and begrudgingly woke to some massive thunder (or the cannon blast of The Black Pearl). The rain stayed away as we trudged through the quarter in search of our last po boy at Johnny's. After lunch we forced ourselves to down a beignets at Cafe Du Monde.

The theme song of the weekend was Low by Flo Rida. We were haunted by the song. Every time we got in the minivan...it was on. As cars passed us on the road....they blared it from there windows. Bars...played it over and over. It was indeed the song of the weekend. It is even the favorite tune of little James and Gracie Daters.

We all made it home safely...although some of us made it a little more smoothly than others. (Sorry Alicia). Thanks for another wonderful weekend full of more laughter than I could ever imagine. Below you'll find insight to some of our fun. I have to apologize in advance for the length of the quote portion of this blog entry....when this group gets together...we just can't be stopped.

Overheard in New Orleans...
If you’re really concerned about losing your luggage you should just take a private plane. - Ash
I feel like I'm in Auschwitz....dragging all my possessions. - Leigh
Hey Lady....get out of that van! - Aggressive cab lady
He's f-ing up my contentment. - Alicia
I just sit there and drink. - Alicia
It’s not like either of you are getting off. - Leigh
I did pee a little....but I brought lots of jeans. - Leigh
I can't take them when I drink. – Ash…That's a problem. –Alicia….When would you take them. - Leigh
It’s not my place on this planet to be an angel. - Alicia
Those guys look like a bunch of date rapers....but I think the bearded one is cute. Leigh
Those are f@%^ me shoes and black people like shiny things. - Ash
I was busy extracting my shoe and getting raped from behind. - Alicia
They’re premium black denim....like for African Americans. - Callie
I'm resenting the NBA the more and more. - Alicia
It’s not like I say things and don't mean them. - Leigh
Don't make me pee....I don't have any more dressy ones. - Leigh
I like the way stumpy feels in my hand. - Jenn
I hope it amuses my buush. – AliciaHello stumpy. - Jenn
I'm nervous that you're going to do something mean to me. - Ash
I'm responsible for that askewment. - Callie
No....it will never, never, never be us again. – Andy
I have a vivid memory of my dad laying in the bed with an ice pack on his balls. - Leigh
I think they've come a long way since then. - Andy
Quit kicking my balls. - Leigh
We’ve had a presentation malfunction. – waiter at Stella
I feel like I'm about to have a wine malfunction....let's talk about that. - Alicia
I am taking a poll on phone sex by the way. - Alicia
Why am I spraying shout on your crotch? Callie
I fell on a bike....I fell on a bike. Callie
Don't jostle my bladder. - Alicia
Do you want to go skiing? - Alicia......I’d love to go to an environment where I could watch you. - Leigh
I'm sore in places I've never been touched. - Leigh
I'm sorry I just can't do campus massacre right now. - Jenn
I like to please my man. - Leigh
That reminds me of the anal beads that the “Smiths” gave us for our wedding. - Jenn
You don't strike me as the type that likes to please. - Alicia
I warmed it with my rump. - Jenn
I want the cream to coat my tongue. - Jenn
Why was the goo green last night? - Jenn
It’s for my pleasure. - Leigh
I don't drink anything cold except champagne. - Leigh
I forgot that you're half Jewish. - Jenn
I guess she got aggressive with me. - Leigh
I didn't start fondling it till you told me to. - Ash
I've never seen you move so fast. - Leigh
I'm not being racist...I'm just being descriptive. - Leigh
I guess I'm just gonna have to let the love handles hang. - Alicia
I feel like if I could poop if feel a lot better about myself. - Alicia
I use my fingers so I like to wipe my hands. - Ash
I could be drinking and blow drying at the same time. - Alicia
I know this is gonna sound inappropriate, but if admire Alicia’s short crotch. - Jenn
I know, but it kinda looked like a cock block. - Leigh
I don't leave things undrunken. - Leigh
I lubed it up. - Leigh
You need to rub her balls.....time is of the essence. - Leigh
Don't put your gypsy spells on her. - Jenn
You can rub my balls anytime. - Callie
I think I'm gonna have some oozage. - Jenn
You just showed them your loins. -Leigh
That's a ho if I ever saw one! - Alicia
What kind of an STD do you get out of that? - AliciaIt’s nice to party with y’all. – Scott
I don't like it when a 50 year old man says it’s nice to party with ya’ll. AliciaAm I bothering you? – Scott…..If you think to ask it, then yeah, you probably are. - LeighThere's a black man with bulbous balls hitting on Callie. - Leigh
That looks more risqué than it is. - Alicia
You all weren't listening to me....I was almost involved in a brawl. - Jenn
I've never felt more out numbered. - Alicia
The lead singer looks like a hobbit. - Ash
He looks like the guy that worked on my porch. - Callie
I just want my balls rubbed. - Jenn
There was a lady on the elevator this morning that gave meaning to the term junk in the trunk. - Jenn
I mean....we've all been there. - Leigh
I think it was that last Jager shot. - Alicia
It was either that or a cannon. - Leigh
I learned on a boy. - Callie
I don't know what to do with that extra member. - Ash
We've seen a lot of sausage today. - Leigh
We had to keep that mangy puss out of the car. - Jenn
I'm glad I'm not an albino. - Jenn
If I have to get raped you do too. - Leigh
He's an infectious disease waiting to spread. - Leigh
I don't know if I should suck on it a little before a chew it. – Callie
I don't remember that...that might have been when I was throwing up. - Alicia

So, that's the weekend wrapped up in a nutshell. For more pics from the weekend visit my phanfare site. And, for the dos and don't of a weekend in New Orleans be sure to visit Jenn's blog.

Happy Valentine's Day

I receieved this in an email from my friend Wendy today. I think it is great and gives us all a different perspective on the holiday that so many people love to hate.

In his book The Radical Leap, Steve Farber writes, "Love is the ultimate motivation of the Extreme Leader: love of something or someone; love of a cause; love of a principle; love of the people you work with and the customers you serve; love of the future you and yours can create together; love of the business you conduct together every day."

I think so often we think of emotional or sensual love only. And yet as Farber reminds us we use the word in lots of other ways. "I love what I am doing." "I would love to invite you to talk to my team." "I love the way you speak the truth." "I love to read." Get the idea?

Love is an intention, an energy to pursue great ideas, noble principles, exciting challenges a compelling vision. As leaders we might not do what we are gifted and talented to do without love. It reminds me of the heart word from the Latin which is cor, which is also the root word for courage. So, without heart and without love we have not the courage to be the best we can be.

"As you may know, today's holiday was originally named for two early Christians who died for their faith. Valentine of Rome was a priest in the Eternal City who was executed around AD 269; Valentine of Terni became bishop of his city around AD 197 and was killed for following Jesus, probably during the persecution of Emperor Aurelian. Today's celebration may have started as a way to honor their memory. And it may be related to Lupercalia, a Roman rite observed on February 15 and connected with fertility."

--Dr. James C. Denison, Pastor for Teaching, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

Love to you all. How's that for having "feelings in my heart." Ha.

Write On!

It's official....the Writer's Guild of America has reached an agreement which ended a tumultuous 100 day walkout against Hollywood's producers. Woo hoo! Saynara re-runs and reality shows. And...thank goodness the Academy Awards will go on!

The Writers Guild effectively reached an agreement on how writers should be compensated when TV shows and movies are streamed over the Web. I won't bore you with the details of the winners and losers of the agreement, but I think we all can breath a sigh of relief that a resolution was indeed reached.

I do feel like my new found relationship with Netflix may suffer from this new development, but I'm thrilled to have my old friends back like....How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock, Grey's, Dirty Sexy Money, and more.

Write on writers!

The Rants

I have "a case of the Mondays" today. I feel like there is so much to rant about....so in the spirit of misery loves company I thought I'd share one of these said rants with you today.

Have you heard of the restaurant called Twin Peaks? I hadn't untill I passed a billboard advertising it yesterday. I must admit that I am a little horrified over it. Between The Landing Strip, Boine Daddy's and Hooters don't we have enough ways to objectify women?!?! Is Twin Peaks really necessary. I'm especially partial to their tag line...."A New Place To Pitch Your Tent!" I'm sure this is one classy joint. Argh!

License Plates Debates

It seems I have been in a braggadocios mood about the city in which I now call home, but you all know how I feel about my dear old state of Texas. I also have what I would call strong opinions on state license plates. As most of you know, I have been a card carying Personalized Plate fan since I got my drivers license many moons ago. I have since upgraded to "The State of The Arts" plate that is my all time fave license plate. Even Willie Nelson thinks so.


All in all Texas has pretty good plates. It really grates my nerves to see the ugly ass plates that other states seem to have. Take New Mexico for example...what were they thinking. That plate ruins a nice car. You know what I mean....you've seen it....a nice luxury shiny black car that pulls up with this stinking yellow plate. Ugh! But, I digress...


Texas is having to add a new license plate design and for the first time, Texans will help choose the plate design by voting for their favorite on the Internet. The traditional Texas plates only have six digits and it seems they are running out of those number/letter combinations. So, we are adding a 7th digit. You can vote for your favorite design on the TXDOT website....and as Aimee says "don't vote for the ugly ones." You can certainly vote for which one you want, but I hope you'll pick the "Traditional Texas" one. Voting ends in just a few days...at noon CST tomorrow...Feb 11th...so get your votes in now.

Bragging Rights

Austinites seem to have made a sport out of bragging about their city. After all, the capital city Austin provides us much to brag about....the lakes, the people, the atmosphere, the music, the nightlife, the tex-mex, etc, etc, etc.

I recently read an article in Austin Monthly about how Austin really does fare amongst other US cities. Conducted by Travelandleisure.com and CNN, the poll surveyed travelers and residents about the 25 top urban destinations in the US. Cities included were San Fran, NYC, Miami, Chicago, and Austin. 60,000 respondents put in their two cents on the towns they love (and love to hate). Fin out how Austin stacks up....

Austin touts that it is the Live Music Capital of the world...but, according to this survey Austin fell back to the number two slot when compare to the other 24 cities. Which city holds the title you ask? None other than The Big Easy....one of my fave cities!

Seattle took home the prize for the smartest residents....with Austin coming in with a respectable no. 7 ranking.

Austin did come in first in the finger lickin' good category...barbeque that is. No shortage of barbeque joints around here....The Salt Lick, Stubb's, Rudy's, The County Line, and a hand full of others in neighboring towns that Austinites like to make the occasional pilgrimage to.


Austin also snuck in behind New Orleans, filling it at the no. 2 spot for inexpensive grub. (Although after my dine around Austin last week, I might beg to differ). On the other end of the food spectrum, Austin comes in near the end of the line in when it came to big name restaurants (aka chains) and ranked at no. 23. Part of "Keeping Austin Weird" is supporting those mom and pop shops and local businesses.

Austin also reigned king of cities for singles....no, it's no coincidence that I'm in Austin....this single girl is no fool.

Other bragging rights for Austin...
no. 2 amongst fun people
no. 4 amongst attractive people
no. 5 amongst friendly people

All of this will certainly only feed our ego about the city we know and love. Fellow Austinites have much to be proud of....and I'm sure we won't hesitate to tell you all about it.

Congrats y'all!

Six more weeks of Winter?!

It's official (even though I'm talking about it 2 days too late), on Saturday, February 2, 2008 Punxsutawney Phil indeed saw his shadow...so six more weeks of winter for us all. As reported on Groundhog.org:

Phil's official forecast as read 2/2/08 at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob:

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

On Gobbler's Knob on this fabulous Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2008Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators, Rose to the call of President Bill Cooper and greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths.

After casting a weather eye toward thousands of his faithful followers, Phil consulted with President Cooper and directed him to the appropriate scroll, which proclaimed:

"As I look around me, a bright sky I see, and a shadow beside me.
Six more weeks of winter it will be!"

Since I'm not quite sure us Texans actually ever get a winter....so I'm clear on how it can actually continue....as I write this we are "enjoying" a balmy 80 degrees outside (I say that with great umbrage). Yes friends of Leigh Leigh Land, I am one of those....one of those people who actually prefer winter to summer, cozy to sweating, and boots to flip flops. I am thrilled that we have six more weeks of winter although around here that might mean a 40 degree day every 10 days or so. We still haven't had that one major cold snap though. I predict it to be late February or even early March this year. Hopefully our dear old Phil will be correct and I'll get to stay sweat free for a few more weeks.

Gruene With Envy

Last night Ashley, Renee, Mike and I ventured about 45 minutes south of Austin to the fabulous little town of Gruene. Every time I pull into Gruene I am always amazed at just how adorable this little Texas town is. It never seems to lose its charm...and last night was no different. It turned out to be a beautiful (although a little warm for me) night.


We enjoyed a great dinner on the deck of the Gristmill overlooking the Guadalupe River and then ventured over to Gruene Hall for the Robert Earl Keen concert. REK did not dissapoint. We cozied up with the sell-out crowd to enjoy some news tunes as well as many of his old faves. It's hard to beat a beautiful Texas evening in Gruene listening to the sounds of Robert Earl....who always puts on a great show.


What a fun night...I am right at home in an old beat up dance hall with an ice cold Coors Light listening to great country music!!! Thanks to Big Mike for cheauferring all us girls around all night. Can't wait to do it again....soon!

Check out more pics from our night in Gruene here.

Bon Appetit

I have spent this week eating my way through Austin. I usually don't have the pleasure of dining at such gourmet restaurants, but for some reason this week was different that the usual trip to Maudie's, Santa Rita, or Bountiful. I thought I'd share some of my tasty treats with you today:

Tuesday afternoon I was supposed to go to a luncheon for the Austin Chapter of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals (a real rager, right?!), but my boss and I couldn't find a parking place so we ditched and he suggested Sullivan's. I'm as big a steak fan and the next, but I don't often have a big steak lunch. We treated ourselves to the "business lunch" which is a salad of your choice, a 6 oz. filet, mashed potatoes, and steamed veggies all for $17. Not bad for a Tuesday afternoon. I guarentee it was way better than whatever they served at the AFP Luncheon....which I am guessing was a varietal of chicken, rice pilaf and a vegetable medley (not my first luncheon).

Wednesday over a lunch meeting I had the pleasure of dining at Cafe Josie. Cafe Josie is one of those places I just never think of. The way they describe their food, just doesn't do it for me...."Cuisine of the American Tropics." But, it was delicious and I enjoyed the lunch special of the day which was an ahi tuna with wasabi over black beans and rice. It was yummy.

Wednesday is where things really heat up. I went with Ashley and her sister Erin to have dinner with their other sister's future brother in-law and his wife. (it's not as confusing as it sounds). We met them out at Hudson's On The Bend. I havent't been out there since my little brother was in college at UT and I've forgotten reeally just how fabulous it is. The price will set up back a bit, so maybe going once a decade is about all I can swing on my meager little non-profit salary. But back to the food....we went all out this night. I started witha pheasant tortilla soup which was delisch. For a salad I had the baked encrusted avocado. Holy cow....I drool just thinking about it. For my entree, I went with the smoked Elk backstrap with ancho chile mashed potatoes. Sooooo good. Definiely not your typical Wednesday night.

Last night, I enjoyed a happy hour filled tapas and bubbly at Fino. My work gathered several of its volunteers to toast them for their hard work at Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Thursday night at Fino is half price sparkling wine by the glass....which is really something I shouldn't know about. Technically I think it means you drink the same amount for half the price, but I think it means you drink double and spend what you usually spend. Either way I love me some bubbly.

And, I'm off tonight for dinner at Vivo. One of my favortie mexican restaurants in Austin. I heart their queso and their margos are dangerously strong. It'll be a nice (hopefully cheaper) way to round out the week. After what I've eaten this week, I think next week I'll have to fast.