I'm Still Here

I've been the recipient of a few worried emails, but no worries, we're still here and doing fine. I'm just not blogging much. Actually I've been scarcely using the computer at all in the evenings--a quick look at one or two snarky celebrity gossip sites, a cursory check on FaceSpace, and then back to compulsive reading. I'm making several runs a week to the library at this point. I've just been feeling antisocial and need to have my nose buried in a book once the kiddos go to bed. Poor Pod, I've practically ignored him.

But, just to assure you all that I haven't died, here are a few bullet points of note:

• I've spent the last few months planning a special event at work. I made all the food arrangements, planned a 45-minute long program, arranged for speakers, wrote speeches, oversaw the design and production of invitations/signage/handouts, made childcare arrangements, etc. and so forth. All of which culminated last night in a sit-down steak-and-rubber chicken dinner for 300-plus at a faintsy hotel. I'm pleased to report that the evening went well, and I was relieved and happy to be able to tuck into the hotel bar with a Sam Adams at the end of the evening. Special event planning is not my forte, but it comes with the new job description.
• With that in mind, I woke up on Wednesday morning feeling a tickle in my throat and the beginnings of a head cold/allergy attack/sinus infection/that thing that everyone else in Austin has. I willed myself not to get sick until after last night's event, and was successful -- I seem to be able to do this occasionally. But, last night, when I got home, it all fell apart, and today, dear readers, I am sick.
• Despite my hacking and coughing and sniffly nose, we decided to head over to the awesome (!) new (!) grocery store that has opened just three blocks (!) from our house today. Really, it's within walking distance, and we may have to walk there from here on out because parking was a freaking nightmare. Way too few spaces (as was pointed out by my blogging bud Karla May when we discussed news of this addition to the 'hood a few months ago). Nice store, though--it's as close to a Trader Joe's as I've seen in Austin. Not so big as Whole Foods or that other store, actually a little smaller than Sun Harvest (also close by), about half of the store is produce, a good meat section (we predict more grilling in the evenings), some interesting store brands, a moderate beer selection (not impressive, but adequate), a nice selection of wines for the cheapskate (but not for the wino), a little bit of everything else. It will be very easy for us to make it our local bodega. I'm glad to have it in the neighborhood.
• Speaking of the 'hood, can I give a shout-out to my favorite quickie mart--Live Oak Market? This place is the motherfucking bomb, and the place where I bought my new favorite bumper sticker: Keep South Austin Even Weirder. They have all kinds of locally produced foods, a great beer selection, and will make you a cinnamon roll the size of your fist. If you live in South Austin, and need to stop at a quickie mart occasionally, patronize this place. Not the Valero across the street, not the 7-11 about a mile farther south. Stop in--they will treat you like a friend. And they're always jamming some amazing music in there.
• I've downloaded a shitload of music lately. This includes albums by Army Navy, Mates of State, Andrew Bird, LadyHawke, The Weepies, Of Montreal, Flight of the Conchords, The National, plus some free compilations courtesy of EMusic. But what I want to know is: where did all the Tom Lehrer in my Music Library come from?
• I was part of a group that presented findings and recommendations to a joint meeting of the local school board and City Council members at City Hall a few weeks ago. It made me indescribably happy that, as I was walking from my office to City Hall for this important grown-up presentation, the song "Jizz in my Pants" came on my IPod. Perfect.
  

All caught up. I'm taking my sniffly ass to bed.