La Vie en Curlsz Part One

YIKES! I'm sure the neighbors of this older, wealthier community love this!

Finally a sunny day today!!! Check out these Austin rain stats.
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Days since rains began: 44

Homes destroyed by flooding: 1,000

Flood-related deaths: 11

Estimated cost of damages in Burnet County alone: $30 million

Number of emergency Texas National Guard soldiers activated by Governor Perry throughout the state: 250

Total impacted area, spanning North Texas to the Rio Grande Valley, in square miles: 48,000

Height, in feet above sea level, of Lake Travis when considered "full": 681

Height of Lake Travis on July 4th: 701

All-time record height, from Christmas of 1991: 710.44

Floodgates currently open at Mansfield Dam: 4

Discharge capacity of each floodgate, in gallons per second: 35,682

Total inflow of floodwaters through Highland Lakes and Lake Travis, in gallons: 228 billion

Taken from The Austinist

Yes we've got fun and games...

So it has become a habit of mine to walk occasionally jog through my neighborhood park - it is a gorgeous park complete with creeks, caverns, trees and apparently adventure. (Park pictured here)

I've walked this park for years, but recently it has become routine for me to see the most bizare acts of nature. For the longest time it was just a homeless guy on a bench - no worries, he was asleep and in no condition to chase me down - so I moved on. Then it was a snake - a very large water snake in the creek I have to cross by jumping rock to rock.

Ok I can deal with that - it is a creek after all. THEN the freakshow hit. As I was crossing a very low bridge one day I saw a giant rodent of some sort. Now anyone who's known me for 5 minutes or longer knows I am deathly afraid of anything rodent. But this time I was more amazed and confused. I could not for the life belive what I thought I was seeing - is it a beaver, is it an otter?? We were very close but I couldn't stop staring as he stared at me, each of us weighing our options. We slowly passed each other, each afraid of any sudden movments. Then he swam under the water crossing. So of course I tell everyone "I saw a beaver" - everyone belived I had seen something but are there beavers in Texas? Ok an otter maybe? Are there otters in Texas - I don't know but I know I saw something.

So today my brilliant friend Amanda says "Maybe you saw a Nutria" - A nutria??? I don't know what those look like - no one else has thought of this - maybe she's right - so I google it.

Yeah she was right - it was a nutria - YIKES - LOOK AT THAT GIANT RODENT!!!! If I had known that is what I was seeing - I would have run the other way.... Geeze this picture alone is causing me to sweat! I can not believe I did not freak. Look at that tail!!!!

Well in addition to this I have seen a grackle eating a lawn snake, and most recently a turtle swimming with a dead squirrel on it's back - I think the squirrel was stuck on his back.... Welcome to Austin's wild kingdom...

Recently every outing with the gal pals has started to resemble a sitcom - We have decided the show will be called "Disgruntled: Single, Sassy and Screwed"

The pilot will include various antics the characters find themselves in

• spraying chloroseptic spray at a baseball game when she can't get to the snack bar for a drink
• daily battles with the apartment maintenance men - including the one that thought it's ok to leave explosive diarrhea behind in a tenants toilet
  
• hoping to meet single guys at a game to then be surrounded by geriatrics
  
• exclaiming to the printing guy "just don't screw me"
  
• dealing with an apartment neighbor that has insisted on making the common grounds her front yard
  
• announcing to the coffee shop workers that their system of business is inefficient and ridiculous
• not understanding bean is a symbolic phrase for lesbian thus exclaiming she loves black beans

The pilot ending with the girls enjoying gelato only to then be attacked by a giant flying roach thus ending the evening as they scream and scurry away to their cars - the one friend having been inside and missed the incident has not a clue what happened or why the evening is now over. Cut to credits and music.

No not me - my fish...

Yes I have a fish - a beta fish - my co worker thought it would be really cute to get us Beta's - mine is red - her name is Roja or sometimes Rouge - depending on my mood. This fish has been an investment - quite a bit more than what I wanted in life.

She is a feisty one - which is fitting considering her owner - my other co worker got a blue one and she is pretty mellow - which is also fitting.

So my fish is filthy - she dirties her water daily - while the other fish (Easy E) keeps her water sparkling clean - I don't get it. So yesterday I had to change her water it was disgusting. I put these drops in vs the tablets I normally use. All of a sudden the feistiness was gone. She barely swam around - she was dying.

Oddly enough I actually freaked out - over a fish - but I have gotten somewhat attached. I didn't want her to die. So I got her out of there and changed out her water - fully expecting her to go belly up any moment. It took about half an hour and she began to come back to life - I was so relieved. Today she is her normal feisty self.

Did you know Beta's recognize their owners? I know it's odd - but every time I come to work and sit down she gets so excited - she just wants more blood worms (yes I said it, she eats blood worms ...mmmm mmm right?)

So that was the near brush with death - Of course today her water is already dirty!

My gosh Texas is hell in the summer.... I fondly dream of my time in California - 74 degrees in the day 54 at night - ahhhh!!!

In honor - I have FINALLY uploaded some of my pictures into the New Arrivals section of my website....

California Pictures

Every woman should have a pair of red shoes... Now it is no secret Amelda Marcos and I share a hobby... shoes - I think it is a part of my DNA - nevertheless I will pin this one on my mother as well for now.


Back to red shoes - there is something so beautiful about a pair of red shoes. And I believe it stems to a little girls child hood. Dorthy fought the powers of evil for her ruby slippers (I mean talk about fighting for your shoes, put her at a Nieman's season sale any day). And remember those great plastic clack clack shoes - you always ended up fighting over the red ones!

Yes this is pure fluff - but for some reason a great pair of red shoes will do you good! There is indeed no place like home.

No not Toyota - a short hair picture - only by request do I post pics of myself...

The before (long hair) was middle of the shoulder blades - dramatic change indeed but I love it!!

...and two helpings of the ridiculous for dessert....

Then may I suggest "The Fountain"? with Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz - it is sure to satisfy all of your depressing and unfulfilled needs - believe me there are no redeeming qualities to this menu.

Chalk - watch, love, LAUGH!

Really - Chalk is a mocumentary that closely resembles the TV show "The Office" but with teachers.

Having been a former teacher and having many many teacher friends including a roommate - Chalk hits the target, dead on.

For Austinites you can see it at the S Lamar Alamo Drafthouse the remainder of the week.

Check the website etc. For all other showings.

What is it about hair that we form a major attachment to? Samson's strength was found in his long locks, Crystal Gail fashioned an entire identity and career after it - I like that I just jumped from Samson to Crystal Gail. Jennifer Aniston single handedly created one of the most requested hairstyles from one look. And every white southern baptist preacher is identified with one "do"....

Hair is a major identity - and long hair is a source of comfort for many. I have been pondering chopping the locks for a while now and have resisted. This is unlike me - my hair has been every length under the son. It's just hair - it will grow back. It is currently the longest it has every been - and thank you to a few fabulous hairdressers it is no longer the poofy giant mess it has been in the past! It can go from frizzy kinky curly to a soft wave in zero to sixty, well zero to 15 minutes I should say.

So the decision was made to finally do it - while working out strangely enough. So I immediately called my hairdresser to make the appointment, before I chickened out. But it's odd, I find myself fixing my hair all the while almost saying goodbye to it - ridiculous I know. I'll catch a glimpse of my hair in the mirror and think, goodbye friend..... And every day I have found myself going back and forth over it - geeze!!! Maybe I'll just follow in Britney's footsteps - grab me the shears.

Sad goodbyes to the Gilmore Girls tonight- for 7 years I have defended my love for this quirky little TV series. Many times I myself was surprised I enjoyed the idiotic chatter as much as I did. Something about the oddities of the town and the pointless banter made me smile. But tonight was the tear filled series finale.

I was amongst the many that felt it was time to pull the plug - but never the less...Series finale's are often major tear jerker's - which at the end you are just begging for more - a good sign of a good finale.

So au revoir Gilmore's - it's been lovely. I too will miss these 7 things about Gilmore Girls.

So we went to see "Georgia Rule" tonight. At this point I had seen one preview, months ago, so I didn't really know much about it.

First off we are a bit alarmed - there were very few attendees under the age of 75 ... My neighbor to the left was trying to kill gnats that are only buzzing near her, could it be because she was holding a tasty little movie theater hot dog that was causing the theater to wreak? Are we at the ballpark?

Basically to sum it up - this movie gets an F. The story line was just off - the character development was lacking and in typical Garry Marshall fashion he threw in a lot of the same faces just f0r the nostalgia of it all - do these actors travel in packs with him (referencing Runaway Bride, The Princess Diaries, Raising Helen etc... )

It was even more sad to hear the others say things like "oh I get it, I was confused that she..." - it was one of the most simplistic idiot proof plots - what's not to get???

I have yet to watch one single episode of this season's Bachelor - she proclaims with pride - I banned the show a few years ago simply because watching one schmuck woo 20 emotionally unstable self centered women was more than I could handle. Only to get to the bottom I mean top 3 emotionally self centered women as they cry "I am falling in love with a man that may love two other women!" - Bingo genius - and this is what you volunteered for - take it.

However, this year I am now basically watching the show as a third party - My friend Casey replays the highlights to me (sorry to out you Casey). I have found this to be better than watching the show itself - she is indeed one of the best story tellers I know.... So no need to watch the show ... or so I thought... until she turned me on to this blog.

Enter the Bachelor Recap Blogger - A small town Texas girl with a HUGE sense of humor. I promise you this blog will not disappoint - It is packed with entertainment.

She often begins an entry with...
The following information you are about to read is of personal opinion. If this e-mail circulates to friends, family, enemies...that is your business. However, if you or someone in your address book happens to personally know, sort of know, know the brother/cousin of, thought you saw in the grocery store buying Spring Oreos and Spaghetti O’s or have a spin instructor that looks exactly like one of the Bachelorettes on the show...none of this is personal and I'm sure they are all lovely people.

The best part - I in no way feel I need to watch this show to enjoy the humor of it all.

Me: Cheers to bailing on wedding receptions for South Congress dessert.

Julie: Yes Cheers (her glass in the air) cheers everyone

(all glasses, mugs go in the air and we actually cheers - even though I was speaking figuratively)

laughter all around

Julie: What I love to cheer!

Week's Loves:

1. Memoires Afffectives - aka Looking for Alexander - this film is not for everyone - I absolutely LOVED it - it truly is a brilliant film and is one of the most challenging films I have ever seen. And for cinematography junkies it is AMAZING!!! If you can get your hand on a copy and you like challenging non Hollywood films that DON'T spoon feed you the plot then grab it!

2. Blake's version of Bon Jovi's "Shot Through the Heart"- BRILLIANT!

3. Epiphany's - what a euphoric feeling when you figure something out - when the light bulb goes off and you receive insight!

4. Ebay - you can find the most rare and random of item's - great place for foreign films. You can even purchase the General Lee!!! For a mere few million!

5. Solitude - a dose 'ill do ya - it's a beautiful thing.

6. My living room - I have this great wall of window's - crank windows - with trees looming above - it's so green right now for all the rain - it makes a great view!

7. Spending time with the fam - nothing better than blowing bubbles with a two year old - listening to a 10 year old's rambling stories and bathing a baby - then being able to go home with NO children! Quote of the night - Cami showing me her freckle "wook at my wittle mowle".

Week's Not So Much...

1. Humidity - don't mind the rain but ugh the humidity
   
2. Dirty kitchen - good grief when was the last time this floor was swept - ick!
3. In fact my whole house could use a major cleaning and I am not motivated to do it - any volunteers?
4. Wedding Receptions - showers have been on the list for a while now - receptions just made it - no offense and not any one in specific - I'm just over them - an evening of forced fun for everyone - hours of small talk, mini foods and watching the bride and groom awkwardly make their way through the room.

I mean there is only so much of "hey how are you, good and you, yeah good, busy, yeah me too busy... well great to see you (awkward pause) yeah you too - bye - ARGH KILL ME!

I think I should like to share a week end review - the things that I have enjoyed, hated, done etc. Every week. PS this will be an assortment of frivolity, superficiality, depth and randomness... that I can always guarantee.

This week's loves:

• California weather - no humidity - pictures to come soon. Austin weather the last couple of days - pure treat!

• My new shoes (pictured below) - bringing the 1930's back - do you see why I hate Croc's?
• 
• Ugly Betty - great week - so cute!
• Working from home in the mornings - can it last?
• My fanny pack I use for run/walks - dorky no - it's a sports one - very useful!! Thank you Betty Sport - my favorite sports shop.
• Piperlime.com - new shoe site - like I need a new shoe dealer
• French - I am rediscovering my love for this language - I have had 8 official years of it and should know it better - after being burnt out on it for a while I am realizing I miss hearing it. My listening and reading abilities surpass my speaking abilities by far. Hopefully this won't end like the cello lessons did.
  
• French films - lately French Canadian - there are some amazing Quebecois films and actors. Particularly Roy Dupuis, mmmm mmm good! I feel like I discovered a huge buried treasure here with the French Canadian community.
  
• New fun blog - I Am Fashion
• Naughty Monkey - get your mind out of the gutter - it's a shoe brand - yes are you seeing the obsessed pattern. They are very comfy.
  
• The fact the African Children's Choir was on Idol the other night - I have seen these precious children perform - they are too amazing!! If you have any desire to learn about them and support them I encourage you too - it's an amazing program.
  

Hates of the week

• Izzy from Gray's Anatomy - ugh her character is too much for me. I do not like her. Have never really liked George.
  
• Gas prices - hello $2.75 in Austin - $3.75 and up in Southern California - insane!!! I'm walking.
• Food - I've been in one of those I don't want food moods. Nothing sounds good, I'd rather just take a pill that will expand in my stomach and provide nourishment to me - did George Orwell come up with that one or is that all me?
• The fact that "That Beautiful Somewhere" is not opening in the U.S. - at least not now.
  
• A love/hate with this one - Remainder by Tom McCarthy - it is so odd I couldn't even begin to describe it - yet parts of it I really enjoyed.
• Laundry - it has taken over my room
• Sunburned forehead - the peeling effects. Ick!

I'll just leave it at that for now.

I want you to get into the deep beautiful melancholy of everything that's happened.

"Claire" Kirsten Dunst - Elizabethtown