The Opposite Of Euphoria

Unrelated TxCSM Poster - wallpaperhere.com

Remember at the beginning of the month when I posted this update (load of crap) about how everything is just so wonderful?  Well, I suppose I jinxed myself because, overall, the month of October, typically my favorite month, has been an absolute disaster.  (Random side note: as soon as starting typing up this entry, the song "(Things are) Lookin' Good" by Say Hi To Your Mom came on Spotify. How ironic.)

(Warning:  If you don't like to listen to and/or read rants on soap boxes, please discontinue reading and move on to something else.  Don't want to ruin your day.)

Jason lost a family member quite suddenly.  Our search for a rental house has proved to be way more challenging than we were expecting.  We are both rather broke.  Just found out I'll be working the evening shift on my birthday AND halloween.  And speaking of work, it's been a nonstop wreck for the past couple of weeks.  I have encountered some of the worst people on this planet just in the past few days.  I'm talking cold-blooded, soul-sucking narcissists that feel like it is their personal quest to destroy the self-esteem of others.  I know, I know.  I'm not supposed to take things people say personally.  "They're just venting."  "They just want someone to hear their frustrations."  "They're not mad at you. They're mad at the situation."  I DON'T CARE.  There is an appropriate way to voice your problems/concerns/opinions/criticism, and it's not screaming at someone who has nothing to do with the real reason you're such a black hole of death.  You don't talk to someone like they are the trash you stomp on.  A few weeks ago, right after someone finished up a malicious yelling fit directed at me, another guest leaned toward me and quietly said, "I think everyone should be required to work in customer service for at least six months to see what it's like to be treated like that."  I totally agree, sir.  This job has seriously changed me.  It has made me realize how many self-entitled jack-bottoms are out there.  Now, I just automatically expect the worst in people.  What fun.  It also doesn't help that I am a scorpio through and through.  I am super passionate about everything.  When I like something, I am obsessed.  When I hate something, I hate it with every ounce of my being.  When I'm happy, I am ecstatic.  And when I'm mad, you better run.

End of rant.

Have a lovely week, friends!

Lots of Work & A Little Play

I would say this past weekend consisted of a nice balance between work and play.  I worked from early morning into mid-afternoon Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but each of my days had a sweet finish.  On Friday, I came home to Jason and my aunt Kandace, who had dropped off my cousin Kody and some of his friends at a nearby state park for a camping trip.  Instead of driving all the way back to Houston that same day, to my delight, she decided to spend some quality time with us.  We chatted about this and that for a few hours (as per usual) before Jason served up a most delicious supper for the three of us - pulled pork sandwiches with baked beans and homemade potato salad.  After gorging ourselves and indulging in a little fresh-from-the-box Beer of the Month Club craft beer, aunt Kandace introduced us to the newest Netflix original series, Orange Is The New Black.  We watched the first two episodes and decided we'll have to continue watching, whenever we have time that is.  (Side note:  Both of our schedules are insane and all over the place right now.  We rarely see other for more than a few hours at a time these days, and it's the absolute worst feeling in the world.  We've been sitting on two Netflix DVDs for two weeks now, and we're falling behind on our weekly shows!)

femmeandfortune.com

On Saturday, we both got home from work around the same time and quickly got ready to drive up north to meet some friends for dinner in celebration of Corey's 29th birthday.  We were all first-timers at Foreign & Domestic, a little neighborhood restaurant in North Central Austin off of 53rd Street.  The food was pretty pricey, but overall very enjoyable.  We ordered a couple plates of crispy beef tongue which was actually really good, and I ordered corn soup with pickled shrimp, which was interestingly served cold.  That was my first time to try cold soup, and I'm still not sure that I liked it.  For my entree, I got braised goat over corn pudding and pickled cherries.  I wasn't a fan of the cherries, but the goat and corn was a brilliant combination.  Jason and I shared the rocky road sundae for dessert, which was pretty tasty.  My favorite part of the whole meal was probably the cocktail I ordered three times - The Cyclist, a lethal mixture of Session lager, preserved lemon and ginger beer.  SO delicious.

tastytouring.com

Yesterday,  Jason and I both got off work about an hour late and came home exhausted.  After sharing our unpleasant work stories, we brushed off the day and made another trip northward to see his parents and grandpa where we enjoyed some light conversation and a light dinner of Thundercloud Subs.  Despite our exhaustion, we decided to power through and see a movie at Alamo Drafthouse since it had been quite a while.  We chose Only God Forgives, the new Nicolas Winding Refn film starring Ryan Gosling as a quiet maniac.  It was a really pretty movie that showcased brilliant cinematography akin to that of Lynch and Kubrick, paired with a beautiful score that I would gladly sit and listen to all day long.  The story was pretty basic and the dialog wasn't much to be desired, but overall I found it entertaining, which is indeed the whole point of a film.

Forbes.com

Busy Body!

Whew!  My schedule has become super sporadic and all-over-the-place ever since I got this promotion. I just spent the last hour updating my calendar so I won't forget all of the upcoming things I have planned.  I've just been storing them in the file cabinet of my mind, trying to remind myself of everything on a daily basis so I don't forget, but this will be much easier now that it's all written down!  I always seem to underestimate the month of June.  It's just a silly little summer month; who knew I would have to cram so many things into those 30 days?  Let's see there's -- job training, Father's Day, my dad's birthday, the She & Him concert, new season premieres of The Killing, True Blood and Dexter, my girls are coming to visit, my grandparents' anniversary dinner, my best friend's birthday....and I really hope that's everything 'cause that's all I can think of.

Anyway!  Sorry I don't have time for a normal, lengthy post today, but I'll try to get one in tomorrow before work.

Hope everyone has a Saturday to remember! ;)

On Feeling Like I'm Finally Growing Up

Well, it came just in the nick of time.  In the midst of many unacknowledged job applications and unresolved phone interviews, I received an offer for a promotion at work, and I happily accepted!  I am now one of two Front Office Supervisors which means I am part of the management team and will have to play the role of Manager On Duty on several occasions.  It's a little nerve-racking, and I know it will be a challenge for me - yet another step out of my cushy comfort zone (eek!) - buuuutttt I know I can do it, and it can only be good for me, right?  Right.  So I began training for the new job exactly a week ago, and training continues through the end of this week and then I'll be on my own.  If I manage to get anything out of this, the management experience will be a wonderful new addition to my resume.  It's super nice to be making more money too!  To add to the good news, Jason also received a promotion that's been a long time coming for sure.  He even calculated that our new combined income is above the average household income in Austin, so that's pretty exciting!  It seems silly, but I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere in life, like I'm right where I need to be, and all will be well.  Everything is coming together in the best possible way, and it just makes me so so relieved and happy.  If all goes as it should, we'll be house-hunting in September!  Finally got a piece of the pie.

SXSW & Other Happenings

So sorry for no posts the past two weeks!  I guess I've been busy, huh?  Let's see, what to fill you in on...

Well, work has been crazy busy!  The Austin hotel industry takes a hard, yet prosperous punch during the South By Southwest Interactive, Film and Music Festival.  Things are slowly getting back to normal - at least for March.  Late winter/spring is always the time busiest for us.  Lots of conferences, weddings, family vacations, romantic getaways, SXSW and various smaller festivals such as Psych Fest, Reggae Fest and Eeyore's Birthday.

I actually got to go downtown and experience the music portion of SXSW for a couple of days last week.  Unfortunately I had no celebrity sightings!  I was so disappointed considering I was reading and hearing of all these amazing celebs invading the city - IAN SOMERHALDER!!, Justin Timberlake, Alexander Skarsgard, Paul Rudd, Anna Kendrick, Usher, Prince, Shaq, Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, the dude that plays Lip on Shameless and many more.  I did get to see some amazing live and FREE shows though including Brendan Benson, The Thermals, The Joy Formidable, Today Is The Day and Jason's cousin's band, The Longshots.  I walked all over the city and got some pretty gnarly blisters on my heels thanks to my combat boots.  At one point, Jason and I were eating and walking in one synchronized act across the city as fast as we could to catch some performances at the Brooklyn Vegan Day Party.  It was draining, crowded and a little annoying at times, but even still, much fun was had.  It brought back memories of the time me, Heather, Taylor and Jessica talked Heather's mom into taking us to Austin for SXSW back in 2006.  We got into every single show we wanted to with only a few lines to wait in, and we were only 17!  It was such a blast and definitely makes for some of my fondest looks back into the past.

I finally caught up on The Vampire Diaries and watched my first live episode last Thursday.  It makes me sad that I have to wait a whole week to see what happens next!  I'm so used to being able to just move right on to the next episode.  However, it does kind of make Thursday nights a treat for me.  :)

My dad and Rebecca are coming up to spend some time with Jason and I on Thursday and Friday so I'm definitely looking forward to that!  I don't think I've seen them since Christmas which is ludicrous.

If you've never been to SXSW, I encourage you to check out some of these pictures to give you an idea of what goes on: SPIN's Best Live SXSW Photos

Until next time, friends.

xoxo

"The Star" Presents MUSIC MONDAY

I was the "Star" employee today at work as part of Employee Appreciation Week.

Not going to lie - I'm pretty proud of myself.  I have worked hard for a year and a half, and it's so nice to finally be recognized and to know I'm making a small difference for people.  Now, topic change!  My Music Monday this week is a lovely cover of the beloved Daniel Johnston's "Some Things Last A Long Time" by dream pop duo, Beach House.  Close your eyes, imagine you're sinking into the white sands of a beautifully abandoned beach and enjoy these slow-churned, dreamy melodies.