Back in A-town

This is just going to be a quick little bloggy. So, the weather was far too overcast for star-gazing or alien encounters in Roswell, so we just watched True Blood and vegged last night. After getting coffee, we got an early start on our way back over to stay in Austin for the night. The weather on the drive was some rain, mostly not. We stopped for a quick-nic lunch on the highway. It was cold and windy.

We are now back in Austin. The cute puppy Elliot welcomed us dearly. When Emrys gets off of work, we are going for a late night dinner at Kerby Lane. Oooh sweet potato fries!

Kind of an uneventful day, and tomorrow will be filled with an oil change and then more driving back over to the Big Easy.There was some nice scenery where we were driving And so many wind turbines and oil rigs! I'm looking forward to a swamp tour on Sunday! Alligators, oh my!

!!!!!!!!!!

Roswell, NM= aliens, aliens, ALIENS!!

Really. They do have "aliens welcome" signs, or no aliens welcome signs. And the locals, are kinda weird. We are hoping the weather clears so we can stargaze tonight. Maybe see some UFOs. But, going to enjoy my tofurkey wrap and see what happens.

Colorado was amazing! Painted pianos in the streets of Denver, impromptu trips to Red Rocks to here a concert and climb up a mountain in our flip flops, and off-roading up in Webster(10,000 ft up in the mountains!) Thanks to good people for showing us a good time! And all the medical marijuana dispensaries everywhere, now that's a hoot! :P

Tomorrow we head back to Austin for a night after getting some pictures with weird campy alien stuff. I am looking forward to some Toy Joy. (vegan soft-serve) Yum!

I miss people, lots and lots. And I have some decisions to make. But, clarity is starting to kick in, so I think I'll be able to trust my judgement now more than ever.

Adieu!

Mountain Pies

Heather and I had wonderful vegan pizza at this place called Beaujos yesterday. Shortly after, we went to the Denver Aquarium where we saw sharks, jellyfish, a tiger, and other marine life. I had some really great pictures of the scary shark on my iphone, but when trying to get pics off of my iphone I lost all my pics and restored the phone. Kind of sad, as I had some awesome pictures, but there are others. I now have a blackberry.

Today we are going to a Japanese festival in downtown Denver. That should be fun and interesting. Other than that, we will probably be playing with fire later tonight, and hanging out. Tomorrow we might do a photo shoot. Playing it by ear right now.

The mountains are beautiful, and it was a little chilly last night. More pictures will ensue.

Texas

Well, not in Texas anymore. I know this because I do not see the state of Texas all over every single thing that I see. (or a giant star, or flag).

Yesterday brought us to New Mexico, where the scenery was just beautiful and driving through the middle of nowhere was amazing. We were on our way to go have dinner with Amanda Bouldin (my old roommate and friend), and we ended up on a road that closed, in the middle of nowhere, New Mexico. Suicidal jack rabbits and birds jutted out in front of our car continuously. But alas, we found our way, and got Chinese at a place called Yu Garden in a town called Angel Fire. The canyon drive was fun and beautiful. Then we dropped her back off at Philmont, the boyscott ranch she worked, and continued on the road again.

Heather and I had changed our plans earlier that day to go see her friends in Colorado, A) because I have never been to the CO and wanted to go B) because since she was lasered we really couldn't hike the Grande Canyon now, so we figured we would do that sometime in the future. Upon entering "Colorful Colorado" we saw signs of all sorts, including bear crossing signs. Scary! They really should have been chair crossing sings, however, as we hit a chair that was sprawled all across the road. It only slightly damaged my front bumper(aesthetics), thank goodness.

We arrived at her friend's place in Ft. Collins late. Now we are going to go explore Denver and go to an aquarium that has tigers apparently. Good stuff. I will keep you posted on our Colorado adventures. :-)

I need coffee

Or chai tea. Which is sad, but I really need a boost today.

We are going to eat at a place called the Cosmic Cafe. They say it's an Indian food/fusion sort of place. Sounds good. We ate at the Krishna temple yesterday. That was yummy. Hung out, watched True Blood and just poked about in some shops in Dallas. Had yummy coffee. Oh, goodness, me and my coffee!

We slept in a bit longer today, so no aquarium. Heather is getting l lasered later on today, and then we are headed up to New Mexico where we will stay over night. We plan on making it over to Flagstaff tomorrow, but I need to research into the brush fires that have occurred because of a camp fire. Always some sort of disaster. :-)

Oh, Courtney ( the lady of the house) had a bag of bras that she is getting rid of, so I rummaged through it. I now have a bra that was Angela Ryan's. If you don't know who she is, google her. Pretty cool. :-)

dallas/ft. worth= oil tycoons

Well, there must be. Because there are oil rigs all over the place. Today was pretty simple. Slept in, we went to eat at a vegan restaurant called the Spiral Diner( amazing food). I had a Jamaican jerk sandwich made with seitan. Then we went and got a few things from Whole Foods, came to the place and hung out, and then went out to explore the city for a bit. Not much more than some chi-chi shops and a couple cool bars. Overall, Austin is better.

I think we are possibly going to an aquarium tomorrow. We will see. Being on this late schedule makes our days a little up in the air. I don't even know how we got to being up so late. Must have been the late night chats and movie marathons when we were in Austin.

I am tired though, so off to dreamworld. Good night!

The great country of Texas..err, um, I mean state

Today put us in Dallas, TX. And the Fort Worth area. So, nice city. It is called the "L.A." of Texas. The city does light up beautifully at night. And apparently is full of vegan restaurants! Joy!

After bidding fair-well to Emrys and Elliot today, we hit the road. We ate at Chili's for lunch (guacamole, beans, and rice).We are staying with Heather's friend's Alan and Courtney. Very nice couple. The downstairs studio is very nice. I wish I had a trapeze to rig, because there totally is rigging down here! I have a nice cozy bed to sleep in. Shall be different from air mattresses. We did a bunch of hanging out and got dolled up to go out for cocktails. It was nice.

Apparently had our host known I was an aerial performer of sorts, I would have had a gig here at a restaurant. Oh well! More fire shows to come hopefully. Made a little money so far. Keeping it simple on the road, so that helps to save.

Watched The Last Unicorn today. Must say, wasn't as impressed as I was when I was five years old. And, Jim-Jim's in Austin, ftw. I could totally go for some right now!


It is rather late. Good night, moon.

Fireflies

Today was another fun day in Austin. Started out with some sleeping in, and then when Heather and Emrys went to a suspension meet, I ventured out on my own. I went to Thrift Land, where I found more awesome clothes than I knew what to do with! A few outfits later, I came back and played with Elliot, the puppy, for a while. I also went through my things. I have been leaving things everywhere I go, and will continue to do so on this entire trip. It is a cleansing process for me, and really feels good. Example, I left a pair of jeans that barely fit me at the hotel in Mississippi. I was hoping the maid would like them and they would fit her. Or her daughter.

This evening, we returned to Bowl Creek with the puppy, for some rock climbing. I saw fireflies for the first time in a great many years. Then we went for vegan soft serve at this place called Toy Joy. Amazing! The flavor was Cafe Cubano, so I got it with a vanilla swirl. Cutest store ever as well, it had Hello, Kitty, and Monchichi's (yes, Courtney, Monchichi's!), and weird toys, books, and games of all kinds.

After that, we went to the shop where Heather and I got some new jewelry. I have a sparkling naval ring, and she got some ear accessories.

Now I am eating left over tacos, waiting for laundry to finish, and hanging out. Tomorrow we head to Dallas. I hope to see more than cowboys.

Austin is a beautiful place.

It really is. Today's activities included breakfast at Bouldin Creek Coffee house, which was a wonderful tofu scramble with hot sauce, spinach, tomatoes, and rye toast. Iced soy chai to drink. Then we went thrift/vintage shopping in a cute, little trendy area. Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds quite possibly had the best costume selection I've seen in decades. One reason why living in Austin would be dangerous for me.

After being girls and shopping, we went to Bowl Creek with Emrys( who we have been staying with). Beautiful area with boulders, running water, and fauna. Cactus growing out of rocks. And daddy long legs spiders for days. Literally. Did a little rock climbing, and then had Jim-Jims (wonderful Italian ice with puree'd fruit- some secret Austin recipe).

Then we went to an amazing archaic-like video rental. Another reason why living in Austin would be dangerous for me- I would give up my life as a circus freak to become someone who just rents awesome films everyday and stays at home watching them! They had two levels, and the best selection of every kind of film imaginable!

Now we are making tacos and going to have a movie-marathon. Until next time, keeping it real in Texas.

Sunshine and Austin

It is very bright and sunny here. Well, it rained for minute-long increments yesterday, but that was it.

It has been pretty simple. Saw parts of the city. 6th street, where all the music happens. Ate at Kerbey Lane and had the best veggie burger and sweet potato fries! Also had a vegan cupcake at a cupcake shop. Yum!

Tonight will be going out on the town somewhere. There is also the Congress Ave. bat bridge to see, and locals say Travis Lake is nice. I guess we will see what we want to do!

Tomorrow night we are cooking dinner for Em, Heather's friend we've been staying with. I believe we have a fire gig as well, so that should be fun.

I have officially lost my zipper naval ring. :-( I guess the ball loosened and it is now somewhere here in Austin. I want to do some thrifting tomorrow, and so I guess I'll also be shopping for some jewelry. Le sigh. We also might rock climb tomorrow. o.O

Ok time to play with the ridiculously cute Boston Terrier. :-)

day to night, Houston to Austin

Today was a bit of a different day. It started out a little rough, as my time of the month promptly arrived, and Heather received some sad news that her grandmother has passed at 91. We decided to check out of the hotel and have a simple day. Well, if Houston wasn't full of crazy drivers who lack the skills to use a blinker, love to cut you off, and the insanity of interstate on top of freeway, on top of toll roads, then it could have been simple. But, it got better.

We found Rice University where we had a picnic snack. Then we found an art installation that was amazing! When we start getting pictures up, I will post those here! It was like twisted dreams of the sea and fairies meets a burn, meets wonderland full of caves. After seeing some of this great exhibit, we hooped outside for a bit, and were off to meet Heather's friend Rory to go to dinner.

We had dinner at a Vegan restaurant called the Loving Hut. Amazing! Pictures shall once again ensue. Good conversation and fun, and then we headed out on a late night drive to Austin. Made it here in about three hours, and now I am comfy on two air mattresses and in the home of a good friend of Heather's. And the puppy , Elliot Nibbler is adorable!

Not sure what tomorrow entails yet, but I know we have a show coming up, which means mula. :-) Probably will practice and explore the town.

My beau leaves with his father on his adventure tomorrow. That is exciting. I wish them well!

Until next time. This is Marla Mae, signing off.

Houston

Everything is bigger in Texas. Including billboards.

Today was lunch at Chelsea's in Baton Rouge, and driving. Hooped and did some exercise at a rest stop. Silliness ensued on the road as a guy tried to gain Heather's number. Fun day.

More later. Time to chill out and get some rest.

Rainy day in New Orleans

I just woke up. Yesterday was taking our time getting started, yummy vegan chicken sandwiches at Hey! Cafe, seeing a Zor Bird, a little shopping excursion at the local Whole Foods, and going back to trashy diva to get the best leggings ever! Just pretty much hung out around the hotel most the rest of the day, and then went out for a bit later on.

Well, when we were in this little lingerie boutique, the skies decided to open up and unleash their wet demise. Needless to say, if we were stuck in the store any longer we would have spent oodles of money, so we ventured to go. It's rainy hard, the run-off is bad, and it's thundering loud. I almost fell off my wedge shoes earlier making a sharp turn, but in the rain, Heather had slippery sandals, or well, let's just say, brick surface is rather slick. From keeping herself from falling, she takes off her sandals, and begins running barefoot down Bourbon Street. It was epic. I could use that word in this instance.

We were a little soggy, but met some interesting people from England. The one is a TV director and told me I should move over there and work for him. I said cheers, and declined the offer.

A good few days in New Orleans, and now I just bid you adieu as we get ready to check out of our hotel. And it's off to Texas. Oh my.:-)

The BIG easy

So, a quick update as I have things to do. Arrived in New Orleans today. Not staying in the Queene Anne, but rather Prytania Park, which is right next to the Queene Anne. It is amazing! We had a free upgrade to a room with two queens and it has a spiral staircase that goes up to the other bed which is lofted. I'll be sleeping up there the next two nights.

Heather and I walked all throughout the French Quarter today. We went in many shops, a Voodoo museum and an Absinthe museum. We had coffee, saw multi-tasking street performers, and got heckled by people on the streets to come and booze in their bars! Well, being that we don't really drink, we had to blow them off. They gave us sad puppy eyes.

Not quite sure where tonight's adventures will take us, as we want to avoid Bourbon, so we'll probably just meander in the Garden District. Who knows.

I'll update more later! Ciao!

No Vacancy

So, our first day in travel mode has ended us up in Mississippi. We started our day off with a wonderful going away breakfast from the wonderful women of the household, Celesta and Joy, that Heather and I have been staying with for the past week. We dropped Heather's car off at her dad's shop, and scored an extra bag of zip ties! Then we went to Tallahassee (aka Talla-classy or Talla-nasty!) where we viewed zombie ducks, domestic violence in the streets, and had Soul Veg (wonderful vegan cusine). Then as we drove on, we had decided earlier in the day that it would be smart to stay about an hour outside of New Orleans and get there in the morning, but due to the oil crisis, no vacancy for us spread from Alabama until somewhere in Mississippi where we got lucky. Kinda.

At a gas station, I had to demand the clerks to take my money so I could pump gas as they argued over who closes their till first. In Florida there is something called Mayhaw jelly (?) There are 700 workers in between the hotel we are staying and the one next door (to clean up oil). We have free hot breakfast in the morning. We better have free HOT breakfast, damnit!

I am quite exhausted, so I'm going to shower and go to bed. Tomorrow morning we are off to New Orleans and we'll be checking into the Queen Anne. As long as there is a vacancy!