Relationships

Ok, on a lighter note from that last post, let me tell you about Bob and Jer's trip. First, I can't even tell you how great it was to have them here. Since Michael and I work at home and it's hard to meet new people, we really don't have any friends yet here in Austin outside of family. All of our other relationships have indeed become "long-distance."

Michael and Bob became friends while playing on the same little league team together in '91. Maybe it was their pitcher/catcher relationship that predestined them to remain friends for life. Michael met Jer during his freshman year of high school when they ran track together. By then, I had entered the picture, so in a sense I grew up with all three of them.

Bob and Jer are like the brothers I never had. There is something unique and irreplaceable about the friends you make during that phase of life - as teeanagers. No other relationship will ever compare. If I were to try to recollect all of the memories and life experiences we shared together it would literally take years. But it would be a blast ...

Anyway, back to the trip. We picked up Bob Friday morning (Aug 24). That night we took him to one of our favorite places, The Oasis on Lake Travis. Saturday we went on a short hike down the Barton Springs greenbelt then spent the day on the water watching Bear swim. (I have some pics from my waterproof camera, but I need to scan them). That night we made our surprise pick-up at the airport and Jer joined the gang. We shocked their senses by taking them down to Sixth Street.

Sunday morning we went to the legendary Gospel Brunch at Stubb's BBQ. The entertainment left a bit to be desired, but the food was great! That afternoon we introduced the boys to the Alamo Drafthouse (one of our favorites) and Texas' own Central Market where we enjoyed a wine tasting.

Monday night we celebrated Bob's 30th birthday with some more delicious BBQ from Bone Daddy's House of Smoke. Another memorable event, especially for me as I felt a little out of place as the only female patron.

The rest of the week we sort of laid low around the house, working, watching movies, playing guitar hero, playing real instruments, and having our own brand of bbq's.

Thursday we spent the day at my parents' palatial pool, channeling our inner-children again, and eating, um ... more bbq. I guess we're not very creative.

That night we took the boys out to the property, and I think things began to make a little more sense, in terms of why we would decide to move here. It's difficult to get a feel for the city in such a short time, and the fact that our current rental home is in what we like to call the "barrio" doesn't give the best representation of what things will eventually be like. All in good time.

We concluded the week with dinner at the Hula Hut on Lake Austin on Friday night. This time it was a "Mexonesian" theme instead of bbq. Just so they wouldn't miss out on the full extent of our legendary Texas weather, a good thunderstorm rolled in while we were finishing up, dumping what seemed like 3 feet of rain in about an hour, and treating us to a memorable lightning display on our drive home.

It was a really fun week, and one we won't soon forget. As always, pictures are at the gallery.