A good laugh

Here's a hilarious video for your blah blah Wednesday.

Where have I been lately?

See My-not-so-fun-February.

What are you going to do with your $600 big ones?

Clay Risen offers some suggestions in "Stimulating".

TCP - Cafe #8 - Cafe Caffeine

The name says it all. A straight up coffee house. Great menu with all kinds of sweet and savory fare, lots of drink options and a welcoming atmosphere. What struck me most about Cafe Caffeine wasn't the menu, but instead was the clientele. Within minutes of arriving, I had 2 strangers strike up friendly conversation which I felt almost reluctant to engage in. With The Cafe Project I have taken the role of the quiet observer. Strolling in with my mental notebook in hand and finding all the bits of enjoyment each place has to offer. My intention to interact completely and fully with the place rather than the people. Cafe Caffeine took me in like a new friend. This was local living at Austin's best. A truly refreshing experience. Turns out one of these 'strangers' was a friend of a friend. I've been envying my friend Shannon's business group called GOODNESS for sometime now... and here in the flesh was Bernadette from her group. We had a great time visiting which took my simple visit to Cafe #8 and created something so delightful and personal.

Amazing things to see

As I approached the Blanton Museum (my first time) to meet my 12 year old's art class... I came across this fun piece of art. So colorful and full of movement. Hundreds of yellow tubes hanging down.

As I waited for her class to arrive... I admired the 50+ foot ceilings with their amazing (key word) ability to let in massive amounts of natural light and be technically so beautiful.

I then noticed by the front door, a single mason chipping away at his work. Like yesterday, when I was transported to the 60's watching the space shuttle launch, today, I jumped all the way to Rome in the days of Caeser. I was struck that there still exists this AMAZING and also technically beautiful trade of chipping words into stone. I had so many questions for him but as you can see he worked with his headphones on. I was also super self-conscious of staring over his shoulder. The curve for making mistakes is a flat ZERO, I'm sure.

As we were leaving my 12 year old explains that you can actually hang on the yellow hanging tube display we came across on the way in. My first thought was "FUN!"... and "SHOW ME!"... and she did. My after thought was of my husband who continually catches me either getting TOO close or actually inside/on/touching artwork that is strictly forbidden. I walked away a little more quickly after that thought.

After the museum, we ventured up to the Dell Children's Hospital to visit Ayla's 7 year old God-brother. He had emergency surgery to remove a 6 inch piece of bamboo from his leg and abdomen. Seriously! I was just so amazed at his bravery and strength.

We took his little 5 year old brother outside to play. I took these of the outside of the hospital.

Amazingly beautiful architecture. I'm so proud to have such an incredible building in our city.

Our last amazing treat to see was this GIGANTIC round stone (maybe Texas granite?) that was literally floating within this water fountain. You could spin and spin and spin this rotating sphere around just like the earth. All the kids enjoyed the coolness of the water that clung to its giant mass.

Out of this world

Yesterday, I had an out of the world experience driving my step-mom's car complete with satellite radio. I'M SO HOOKED! I was a music fiend in a past life and apparently am easily resurrected when in the company of such an incredible collection at your fingertips. So, where to begin? Do I want XM or Sirius? Permanent system or portable? I need "a satellite radio 101" class.

On the same note as satellites and space... I wandered into Marye's gourmet pizza today for a quick bite after work. While waiting for my pizza, I watched the detailed coverage of the Atlantis space shuttle launch. Apparently this is the 121st space shuttle flight... can you believe that?! That's incredible to believe that we have been to space that many times. Watching it today felt like I was watching it back in the 60's; I was so filled with awe and inspiration. Exactly as I imagine it felt back then, except for the incredible footage they were able to view from the back of the craft during the entire launch. The most striking element I just can NOT get over is their speed. A display was in the corner showing their MPH, distance from earth, and something else. During the first 2 minutes they went from 0 to 2000 MPH... 2000 MPH in 2 minutes! The speed steadily kept climbing and climbing until around the 7 1/2 minute mark when the boosters separated and they had reached just over 6000 MPH... 6000!!!! Are you friggin' kidding me? The commentator was saying that was around 3G's. They go from 3G's to zero gravity in a split second. Can you even imagine what your body feels like accelerating like a speedball up to 6000 MPH then in 1 second going to nothing = completely nothing. What a ride!

nothing sweeter

Nothing sweeter than small hands and feet. I have been thinking about doing this since my son was born in June. It only took me 7 1/2 months, but I just LOVE how they turned out. Will post the final framed project when its done.

FAT Tuesday

We celebrated Fat Tuesday complete with homemade brownies. Well, it wasn't a true decadent splurge... I wanted to try out this new "light" brownies recipe from the newest everyday FOOD. Super yummy, but they turned out a little more like cake than brownies. No matter cause with anything chocolate doesn't last long in my kitchen. ;)

TCP - Cafe #7 = Caffe Medici

A trip to Caffe Medici today. 1101 West Lynn Street. An adorable espresso bar located in the heart of Clarksville. This family owned business opened September 2006. (They even have a coffee blog.) I ordered a straight up latte and got the most beautiful creation, complete with some kind of flower sewn in the foam (see photo below). Their menu is very simple, but I like that. No frills but they do what they do unbelievably well. Go go go and taste for yourself!

Get crafty! Kids reunion

You have no idea how my heart skipped when I heard that a special issue of Martha Stewart Kids was coming out last week. I just couldn't wait! I still have every issue of the original magazine from its 2002-2006 life. I was finally able to pick up a copy on Friday and I devoured every page this weekend. Sadly, this new Good Things for Kids issue is compiled almost entirely of re-runs from the original issues. I still enjoyed it all the same.

The big vote

This is the year we finally get to see a political change in our country. I'm so fascinated by this whole process, as well as discouraged and frustrated with our current state of government. I really appreciate when people take time to view our lives as its happening. The New York Times has put together a POLLING PLACE PHOTO PROJECT encouraging everyone to send in their photos of their local voting activity. See for yourself.

YES!

By 'bagging it', Ireland rids itself of a plastic nuisance