Activities

Well, this "vacation" has been quite different from the last. We spend more time in a car and less on our feet. Thursday we picked up Dan's parents from the airport. We spent that evening (their 43rd anniversary) at the Texas Land & Cattle Restaurant. It was already late, so we just went back to the apartment.
Friday we spent the day driving around different areas of the city so they could get a feel for Austin real estate. We had an awesome lunch break at Fire Bowl Cafe. That evening, after a dinner at home, we went to the off-leash dog park to show them what a good time Bailey would have here. It didn't take much convincing. All types and sizes of dogs ran up to us, sniffed us, sniffed each other, offered their backs and ears for scratching. It really is a doggy haven. Saturday we checked out the Austin Farmer's Market in the morning, then met up with long-time friends Sharon and Larry, who drove in from Durant, OK. We had a pleasant lunch at Jo's on 2nd street. After some catch-up, we headed back to their hotel and hung out with some drinks at the resident TGI Friday's. Lovely. They turned out to be really funny people. Larry entertained me with his dry humor. A few times I wasn't even sure he was joking because he keeps his expression absolutely still, but only until I would crack. Then you could see his smile appear in the middle of his beard. Anyhow, we split to wash up and get ready for dinner, which was at IronWorks. The bbq was amazing, even with a full stomach. Luckily they all were as impressed with the meal as Dan and I were the first time we visited. We headed over to the Velveeta Room for a comedy show. The Middle Eastern/bomb-joking MC was way funnier than most emcees, followed by a sub-par hippie who kept forgetting his lines, a chubby gaming nerd with pretty good schtick (who will return in September as headliner) and this dude on crack who no one got except for Dan and me. In fact, I have yet to find many people who appreciate dead baby jokes quite like we do. The main event was a Cuabn-American Air Force pilot who got raunchier than his pretty face originally let on. He kept calling Larry "Grandpa" and soon ate his own words when Larry used Jose's own joke against him. It was one of those 'you had to be there' times and it was brilliant. A few younger women from the show came up to Larry on the street afterwards and congratulated him. The comedian was at first in shock, then picked back up and finished on a high note. It was a great stroll back to the hotel/car and a great evening. OK, getting wordy.
Sunday we drove around different areas of the city again, had a nice fatty lunch at Threadgill's, and saw a brass quintet from the Austin symphony play one of their summer evening series shows. I guess things don't sound so bad when you take a step back.