Fresh Squeezed

I made ginger lemonade from scratch. It is amazing and looks beautiful. Feeling a bit like Lauren Michelle right now.

South By Southwest (sxsw)

Year One: Sam convinces me we need to go to sxsw in Austin, TX. I think it went something like this, "We should go to sxsw, that would rule." "Yeah, that would be awesome, let's do it."
Jenn + Eric + Nate + Sam + Me + 1,040 miles later, we were in Austin and he was right, it ruled. Fun Fact: Sam put me in a head-lock and drug me out of the Palm Door at 4am; I still contest the necessity of that action.Year Two: I've lived in Austin, TX for 1 month and 1 week and Sam, Tucker, Ryan, Jake, Travis, Hicks and Mikey come visit and play during south-by. James books them some shows, and we kick it all day and party all night. Tons of mpls peeps in town, tons of great music - pretty magical.
Fun Fact: Tucker bought Bill Murray a hot dog at Shangri La.
Year Three: I'm still not sure I've recovered from this past year. Over a year in Austin means I scored a platinum press badge, which meant I was able to go to all of the interactive events and parties, all of the film screenings and parties, and all of the music events and parties and I had press access. 10 straight days of madness. I would have skipped out on some of the early stuff, but Scott came down to kick it, and as the plans came together last minute I knew we had to get epic, and epic we got.
Fun Fact: Scott and I were in the press pit at Big Boi and it was nuts. I somehow didn't have my camera (WTF) but this picture I stole from the internet (Lorne Thompson's flickr) was probably taken by the chick I was standing right next to.
I'll say more about year three in my next blog post. This one already seems a bit long.

Dino-mite

uh, how awesome is this?!

I know what I'm doing this weekend.

uh, ok.

adoration

well isn't that just sweet.

Let there be light (inspired).

someday.

lovable loser

Charlie Brown is a lovable loser, a child possessed of endless determination and hope, but who is ultimately dominated by his insecurities and a "permanent case of bad luck," and is often taken advantage of by his peers.

(Thanks wiki).

Looking these fucking beasts.

So regal, and they like to party.

Feelings and emotions.

I really like Edward Gorey.

I had a birthday.

It's really a birth month, not a birth day - and since I'm born on Leap Year I make an even more colossal spectacle than most...except maybe Bonni.

Last year I moved to Austin on February 7th with a suitcase and started work the next day. I returned to mpls to make the official move down to Austin a few weeks later. James, Sam, Jenn and I drove the interstate from top to bottom and made it into town on my birthday. Mere hours later a torrential downpour struck, and I realized I had exactly four friends in Austin...not the makings of my ideal birthday.

Sam, Jenn, James, Crystal and I ended up having a blast that night (well, at least I did), and I'll always remember my most low key birthday celebration as a really great night, in a really new place, with some really amazing people.

This year I have a few more friends, and it was a bright sunny day - warm enough to wear a dress which was a first for me on my birthday. I missed the company of Sam and Crystal...and so many more...too many to name. In the end though, I had a lovely brunch, cooked by my amazing boyfriend, in our fantastic house. Here are some pics, wish you all could have been here for it.
xoxo.

Mast Chef
BACON pancakes
Joel + Cary
Jess & Kim
Chocolate + strawberry + mickey mouse shaped pancake!!!
Ivansito
Jack was not allowed to join the party outside, but stared creepily from behind the screen.
Sean, Roomie, Slamka


Happy Birthday to ME!