La Vie en Curlsz Part One

So apparently Austin's very own and very beloved Whole Food's is selling wind - or rather wind cards!

Apparently WF's "purchased the largest share of wind energy credits in the nation. They became the first major national corporation to buy enough renewable energy credits to make up for all of their energy usage." So now you can buy $5 & $15 wind cards - what do the cards do - not a dang thing - but blow through your money apparently. They are supposed to represent 'credits' - but you don't get anything - but a plastic card to stick on your fridge... hey thanks Whole Food's I have NOTHING to do with my money - I'm so glad you are here to help me figure out a complete waste of it!

OH WAIT - I have it all wrong you say? The money I spend on this card will go towards marketing wind power? Oh my bad!!! Here let me give more to your marketing cause then - what was I selfishly thinking???? I'm so glad someone is getting use of my money!

Hey Whole Food's, stick to feeding the world - one health nut (including myself at times) at a time! Oh but hold on I'm thinking about printing out a bunch of card board cards selling time - for every $5 you give me I'll sell time - just give me your money... I promise I'll do it, and then one day you'll look up and say, "wow look at all this time I have, thanks Malita for helping the world save time by your marketing scheme".... Or maybe I should sell gravity hmmm I'm on it!

Tonight I was having dinner with a friend at Whole Foods - it's always a fun easy spot for dinner - we were eating and enjoying the mild October weather and discussing selfishness and how it is a daily struggle in our life. The conversation went on and we began to talk about vacations - he had thought about going to Africa this next summer. This woman sitting at the table next to us spoke up saying "I couldn't help hearing your conversation about Africa, have you been" Neither of us had but we fell easily into conversation with her.

Her name was Cory and she was a writer and producer, she recently moved here from L.A. She does medical relief work and works with orphans in West Africa. She proceeded to tell us how she got started and the different projects and people she had encountered. It was great talking to her - so we got her website did introductions and went on with our evening. In our world of cell phones, computers and highways we are so disconnected with the general public. As we walked away Brennan pointed out that really we are so connected in a way - everyone has a story and we are not that different, it just takes us taking a minute to say hello and listen. He's right, as I read her blog I realized there were more similarities than differences.

On her sidebar she quotes George Bernard Shaw and then speaks of struggling in her daily life against selfishness. The very topic Brennan and I had just been discussing. The Shaw quote speaks of living life with a purpose and finishing life exhausted. The very things that as a Christian I struggle and pray for in my own life.

I love Texas and I love Austin for this very reason, you don't have to be a stranger to anyone.

You too can look like an oversized toddler: I mean if Rosie is their fashion icon, it's time to bail...

I do not heart crocs! What in the holy sam hill has happened to this world - apparently Mickey Mouse has taken over the fashion footwear and it is ok to look like a clown! I mean on a child it's fine - just like bibs, diapers etc - but on an adult it's just sad!! (oh and nurses walking halls all day long.... ok, but after hours out of the toddler shoes please)

Thankfully the "hard working" blog community has also taken up this stance and is pumping out some pretty hysterical info on the anti Croc stand.... but when I start seeing wedding parties being fitted for the mickey mouse clown shooes I just have to shudder...

Wedding Croc? Croc's with Socks? (this is what pushed me over the edge)

The Gallery of Horrors Indeed!

I HateCrocs.com - Me Too!!

This came across my desk a few days ago - deed restrictions for Sunset Valley - for those that don't know Sunset Valley is just off Brodie and Hwy 290 (South Austin) it used to be it's own little town but Austin swallowed it up - however it is still a township so if you live there you don't pay Austin city taxes, they have a separate Police Dept etc...

So these are deed restrictions (tells you what you can and can not do with the land/lot in a particular subdivision) - the problem was this area really doesn't have subdivisions the way Austin does so you just get deed restrictions from the town as a whole - and they are VERY dated - these particular restrictions were dated June 14, 1947

"No part of the premises here conveys shall hereafter be conveyed to, owned by, held for, or rented to any person EXCEPT of Caucasian descent; provided, however, that the plause shall not prevent the employment of persons or other descent to work on the premises herein conveyed."

WOW - if you have difficulty reading lawyer jargon basically it says only white folks can own or rent the land - unless you are working for said white person and you need to live in the back house...

HYSTERICAL - obviously these are not valid anymore but apparently the person that sent them to me didn't read them before they sent them. Think I'll be shreading them before I get a call from Jesse Jackson.

1. The Great New Wonderful - mmmm ????? - not much else to say on this one - it was very very odd (and not in a great indie sort of way) - now I love thinkers I love to finish a movie and be able to ponder on it for hours, days even, peeling away the layers of the onion - those glorious aha moments - but this one was so disconnected that we literally found ourselves talking over huge chunks of dialogue and not needing to rewind once - ps I swear my co horts and I could work for mystery science theater - and this would be a great MST flick.
2. Love's Long Journey - Michael Landon JR produced this Jannette Oak series - she is a Christian author and is fabulous - this series is so wonderful - much more of a female driven audience by far - but it is a beautiful series that tugs your heart - they hit a home run in expressing Christ's love, faith and endurance. And it has cutie men's in it, including James Tupper from the new cute TV show Men in Trees.
   
3. The Lake House - Oh my gosh, I have heard so many mixed reviews on this one - and at first I thought this is going to be just like the Message in a Bottle which I hated - but it wasn't and I loved it, definitely one of those films you can ponder on discuss, dissect and mull around hours later. And the music was great.
   

*All reviews are in my humble opinion of course - give or take them.

Thank you Gil - whom I have known since the wonderful awkward Jr High days - referred me to Elliot for a haircut and he was great - very fun to, definitly a character - I see why they are friends... But hey $40 for a wash cut and style - HOW can you beat it???

So Gil wins the $10 gift certificate of his choosing - he chooses Starbucks

On another note - Two thumbs up to this weather we are having, actually feels like fall. Which with the lack of rain and everything dying it has looked like fall since August - glad the temp has caught up with the scenery....

One last note - I LOVE THIS CITY - It's so great to come home to a city this cool and gorgeous after being in fabulous San Diego - Hopefully I'll remember to grab my camera on my walk today and you'll too see why I heart Austin! Stay tuned...

Turning 30 YIKES - Going to San Diego with awesome friends for your bday - AWESOME!

Highlights...

• Staying downtown in a 1913 hotel - with the original elevator, used to be fastest in world - wow how the world has changed, we aged waiting on it...
• Three girls in a cracker box room with ONE bed - and a cot - hotel sold out of rooms b/c of skateboarding convention - down with HOTWIRE by the way!
• Enjoying wine and jazz at Croce's
• Happy Birthday serenade by Italian waiters
• Buying 25 avacado's for $5 and 6 Mangos for $2 - hope the people in Phoenix airport enjoy what we accidentially left behind.
• House hunting with Ash and ending up in the barrio - no wonder this is so cheap look there is the border!
• Cute guys everywhere, and so friendly - why are Austin guys such snobs we ask
• Realizing how much we say ya'll when everyone points it out to us - what the heck does the rest of the world say instead?
• Seals, so cute!
• Locking the keys in the car after changing in the car to go to the beach
• Ukrainian locksmith
• Driving up the coast listening & singing along to the music
• Food food food - we found some incredible local spots!

Seals at La Jolla











Incredible HUGE flowers everywhere











Incredible Coast

And 75 degrees Everyday!

We also discovered it's the mecca of cute friendly guys...

So this year I have gone through 2 hair dressers! Tragic!! I have always had problems with hair dressers b/c well if you have seen the beast of curly hair you'd know why.

First hair dresser was cheap and didn't give me a fro but she also wasn't imaginative - and there was at times a language/cultural barrier. Second hair dresser (I say this with sincere sadness) got too expensive. She was AWESOME and I loved her but after only going to her once she hiked up her prices to $70 for just a flippin haircut - argggggghhh! Thus my new delimma.

I need a new hairstylist - she must:

1. Be affordable - no more than $50 is my preference (I'd prefer $45)
2. Know how to handle natural curly aka kinky hair

If you can provide me a referral that I like you get a $10 gift card of your choosing!

Six more days till the big Black Horse Grim Reaper birthday - he's rounding the corner, nostrils flared, takes no prisoners - I can see his beady eyes.

I kid - kinda... But it is a bit freaky to think I'm turning 30. The passage of time couldn't be more evident to me as it is right now, I truly feel like I just graduated college a couple of years ago, heck highschool for that matter. I don't feel like I should be entering this stage of adulthood yet... C.S. Lewis said that we are truly eternal beings b/c we feel robbed by the passage of time, it's almost unnatural - injustice (paraphrased).

However!!! It is true, you do get better as you get older - well at least I feel like I have. I would NOT go back to my early or mid 20's for anything!!! Ugh - not having a clue what I want to do, people not taking you seriously - no thanks... Oh and not to forget the many pounds I have shedded over the years!

NO 30 isn't old, NO I don't feel old, NO I don't want to go back - it's just a bit surreal and as I reflect it is just very odd to think of myself in such adult terms....

Remember when you thought by the time you were 30 you would be SO old - I mean grandkids would just be around the corner - well maybe not that old but you get it... The only thing on my checklist that is not complete by the time I'm 30 is hubby, kids and house - I am TOTALLY fine not having a house or kids right now!!!!! In fact I'm grateful - and the hubby could come in the next few days - I mean I am going to San Diego next week.... KIDDING!!!

I care nothing about raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens...but I do love

• Freshly ground coffee - with cream and brown sugar...mmm yes I said brown sugar
• Wine - Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) or Ravenswood Zinfandel
• Beer - Heineken, Dos XX....
• Shrimp
• Sleep - and lots of it
• Staying up really really late - especially playing
• Falling in love with a new song
• Rainy days on the couch with a movie
• Walking the Northwest Hills - even the uphill part
• Hair Products
• jewelry
• Staying in new towns for an extended amount of time
• Epics or Sagas
• Bakeries
• Good cooks, cooking for me
• Hugs - strong hugs
• Cuddling with my nieces & nephew (singular on nephew b/c Jayce is a preteen and too big to cuddle anymore - sad)
• Taking pictures
• My bed (feather bed)
• Discovering new parts of my town (new to me that is)
• Reuniting with old friends
• Swings
• Sailboats
• Text Messages
• New Emails
• Getting my new Health Magazine

I think I could list favorites all day, and somehow it makes me feel so warm inside - give it a try.

I am completely a music snob - I don't just love anything....I say that so you will understand how much I truly LOVE this CD and this artist....the fabulous, wonderful and insanely talented Erin Ivey.

Erin departed Austin a little less than a year ago to go to Peoria....yes Peoria. The time there has done her well, NOTHING to distract you in Peoria, so she has written and written and has at last released her first EP. So I got the CD in the mail Saturday and popped it in the car CD. WOW - I was floored by what I heard. I mean I love Erin and know how talented she is but I was not prepared for the greatness that was streaming through my player.

So I highly recommend this CD - check it out you will not be disappointed. Oh and she got a feature on Ink - very cool.... You can also check out her MySpace Page

Ok many of you may remember the now infamous cell phone rant 2006 - the battle continues.

Part Deux is: DON'T, DO NOT - call me earlier than 9am unless you are bleeding, vomiting uncontrollable, being mugged, being held ransom, just won the lottery and want to share it with me etc. You get the idea...

#1 my phone will ring - I do not silence it b/c it is the only phone I have had for years and if there is an emergency I'd hate to miss it b/c I silenced it b/c some dumb A decided to call me at an UNGODLY hour like 7am!

#2 I will be incoherent -I am not a morning person and therefore can not be held accountable to what I say or do not say - in fact it will be a miracle if actual english words even come out of my mouth at that point.

#3 Really this can't wait - you can't call at a more decent time? Like 11?

DO NOT then leave a 10 minute message that I have to sit and listen to and then say "so..call me back". WHY? What else could you possibly need to say!!! Ever heard of paraphrasing? This is a rant in and of itself - why in the world are you still talking, shut up, I'm pressing 7 now delete delete delete!

And early morning texting is no better - why, b/c my phone still makes a noise that most likely wake me up!!!

I think I can almost forgive the drunk dial or drunk text over the early morning I'm up so the rest of the world should be too call!

And speaking of craziness and such this picture is too funny - it's titles employee of the month! And I thought the cell phones in the stall was bad.

I am a very determined person - when I have a goal nothing better get in my way. I obsess over it, plan it out in my head to the Nth degree and if there is a roadblock then watch out as I pull out the bazooka to get rid of it.

For instance - if I decide today I want a new camera, by this weekend. Then I research the hell out of it, think about it non stop, search high and low for the best deal and drive myself NUTS till I get it. Once I get it I'm fine, I can now go on with my life. This is called an obsession children - say it with me now O.B.S.E.S.S.I.O.N

Recent obsessions include: (in no particular order)

• New Coffee Maker - Not just any old coffee maker, I've been there and done that - I am shooting for the dream now - I'm about to turn 30 it's time I bought the coffee maker I have always wanted! The Cuisinart Grind & Brew - ahahhahah - And thank you eBay for such a wonderland deal!
• New Mp3 player for when I work out - something smaller than the one I use for everyday living
• Moving - my goal is to have a clean, efficient and speedy move - this has taken a lot of planning people
• Photographing my new "nephews" birth
• Email - this is a constant obsession
• MySpace - ugh this dammed addiction
• Work - 24/7
• Cell Phone (can you see I'm a gadget fool?)
• New Cable Service (the install took 4 hours!!!!)
• Finding new routes for walking the dog - oh this has been fun and gorgeous! Hour walks through the Northwest Hills will do a body pain - er I mean good
• Bluetooth Technology
• Laying out the design and furniture placement of our already over crowded new house.

If you will notice all of the following contribute in some way shape or form to my addictions

• Coffee
• Internet
• Internet Shopping
• Product Research
• Gadgets!!! (oh this is a big one)
• Walking - I know this sounds strange but I drive myself nuts if I don't at least go for a walk everyday - If it's bad weather I'll settle for the gym.
• Nesting (I have done this since I was a kid - I used to get catalogues and lay out new rooms)
• efficiency (I think I was an efficiency expert in my former life)
• Photography
• Certain TV shows that I have been without for 3 weeks - ughhh I'm melting - I see a bright light is that you Lord, can you come back when Project Runway is finished? (oh loosen up good Baptist it's only a joke!)

At some point I start to drive myself nuts - I am there now - they are coming to take me away... I hope they have TV, Internet and Coffee....

A few oddities of the past couple of weeks deserves some sharing... This is in somewhat of a list format as a tribute to my former roommate... Kim Rubsam Rama (LOL - that makes me smile) or KimaRama (that also makes me smile)

1. Taking the trash I notice a large VERY dead tree in the dump - pine tree with silver tinsel on it - could this possibly be someone's Christmas tree - would they just now be throwing it out???
2. Boudreaux's Butt Paste: I was subjected to a baby shower Sunday. 30 women sitting around eating chocolate and talking about three things - their own deliveries, their children and sales. Killing me softly... So Julie gets Butt Paste in one of her gift bags and she is SO excited! So me being not only the ONLY single person but most importantly the ONLY being without a child, innocently (but apparently stupidly) asked "what is butt paste?" Dead silence followed by giggling and a woman ACTUALLY saying "oh honey if you don't know I don't think we should tell you" --- Oh I'm sorry I mean I am a college graduate and have managed to have a career and be a responsible adult, but apparently because I have not birthed a child I couldn't possibly be let in on the butt past secret. So I said "is it for when the baby craps too much you can spackle the hole shut?" Luckily that got quite the laughter so I followed it by saying "I mean when I was a baby I think the mom's just used regular spackle from the hardware store, nice to see we have evolved". (I later remembered cyclist use this nifty paste for well you can figure it out - but I, unfortunately, didn't think of that at the time - I bet "they" don't know it's used for anything else than a baby's butt)
3. A small elderly Indian man coming out of his house to relax on his porch with only a long sleeved button down shirt on....
4. The movie "The Producers" - apparently the entire cast was on speed while making this film - it is the most HYPER movie I have ever seen.
5. Standing in church very close behind a man that smelled of onions and cigarettes - a bit distracting.
6. An elderly woman watering her yard in shorts, tshirt and black dress shoes
7. A boy riding down the street on a unicycle - Audrey (the dog) almost made him fall off - I laughed, hard, on the inside...
8. 15+ deer (and that really isn't an exaggeration) surrounding a car while the driver fed them by hand... all they did when we got there was stare us down -I thought the one with the largest antlers (huge rack) was going to charge us...
9. Odd commercials:

a. Hummer - feeling bad about yourself, someone make you feel small...bullying you around? Go buy a Hummer, it gets 5 miles to the gallon and gas is $3 a gallon and rising... but hey America you have money to burn and nothing better to spend it on...go for it! Wonder if oil companies own Hummer...

b. Little Richard and Charo selling Geico insurance - actually it's pretty friggin hilarious.

First it was the nasty wasp that flew up my dress and stung my hip - a week later my hip became swollen and itched like crazy - stinger painfully removed at last and life went on.

Then came the nasty spill in the shower that resulted in a injured elbow and disgusting bruise - oh and enough jokes about me needing a bar and grandma seat in the shower to last me a lifetime. Ps I am fondly reminded of the injured elbow each morning as I painfully have to stretch it out.

Next was the splinter in the finger that caused it to swell for two days.

Now an injured foot - from the bend in my toe to the ball of my foot I have some kind of sprain! How did this lovely incident occur - oh from me walking. Yep walking did me in - I walked a mile from the tire shop to a friend's house to get her car and then a mile back to get my car - in my flip flops. Yeah 2 miles in flip flops probably not the brightest but my brain is mush right now and I didn't think much of it. Till I woke up this morning with a slightly sore toe. By the end of the day I could barely walk. I prayed for a cain or walker as I painfully strolled in and out of church. And worst part, I can't wear any of my heels!!!! Yes that's the worst part - don't even argue!

Oh the journey of age is a fine one - if I was a horse I'd been shot and used for glue by now!

It's difficult to be a nomad when you have as much product, makeup and wardrobe changes as me... I remember this to be true even as a kid when I would get it in my head that I was going to run away! (This was at least once a week) I had this huge hot pink duffel bag - and I would start packing my stuff to live on the streets and next thing you know the duffel bag is so stuffed the zipper is breaking and so heavy I could barely lift it... why? Well life on the streets doesn't mean you should be without a clean pair of undies everyday, nor should it mean you shouldn't have a towel and washrag, shampoo/conditioner (I had crazy hair as a kid, oh and as an adult) and let's not be without the snacks people! I mean life on the streets should really just be my everyday life at home, with a new location!

So flash forward to today - I have no official home. I realized this last night when my niece Averie asked me "Malita, where do you live?"... I promptly began to answer her and then just kinda stammered "umm, ahh, well, actually...I'm in between homes at the moment."

I am in the process of moving out of the Taylor Draper Cove home (goodbye ridiculously long, difficult to communicate & hard to find/direct people to address) and into the Idlewild (hello hard to spell, hard to communicate and hard to direct people to address).... But along the way I'm staying at Steph's condo while she's in Zambia - taking care of Audrey (high maintenance dog)

So 1/3 of my stuff is at Taylor D, 1/3 at Idlewild and 1/3 at Steph's! Yes 1/3 is at Steph's - the journey required 3 large bags, 1 small bag and a huge makeup bag! Thus the flashback to my childhood and my many attempts to move to the streets. It's not easy!

And now is the moment when I start remembering all the stuff I left behind I need - phone charger, power cord for laptop etc. And oh I need ___ where is it, is it at house A, house B, in my car? And how is it possible that I landed here with 4 different bathing suits, 10 pairs of shoes, 2 curling irons and only managed to bring 4 pairs of undies (yes I still call them undies)? It's a mystery at this point!