Onward

Quack's Bakery

So far I have seen two Texas tattoos: one on the shoulder and yes, a tramp stamp.

You won't believe it, but I had a 2nd bus ride result in injury. A guy konked out and was unresponsive and the EMS had to be called. It was a little awkward sitting there while emergency crew inspected the guy, but he became responsive after some nudging, so I assume he's ok. I guess riding the bus in Austin carries a bit of risk.

Walnut Creek Park

Speaking of bus rides, I was actually dropped off of a bus stop last Friday with no sidewalk. Just on the side of a four lane road. This was me trying to branch out of my small Austin bubble, which I will think twice about doing again. This city is not very walker friendly. I was trying to get to Walnut Creek Park Pool (which nobody seems to know exists, I asked two bus riders and Meagan's friend Caleb if they knew where it was). Seemed like a nice enough pool if it wasn't closed due to thunder. So back I walked to the side of the road to bus back home. The park did have some nice trails in a wooded area, so I might risk getting run over and return. The bus ride also drove by Chinatown, which was basically just a strip mall (as if there's no shortage of that in Austin), so now I know where to get some Korean BBQ if I need it.

SPEAKING of Korean BBQ, I finally went to that Korean burger place near my house, Burger Tex, and had their bulgogi burger which was delicious as expected.

Bathroom near Gourdoughs/Odd Duck, etc.

Other culinary adventures include the Democrat and Republican tacos at Torchy's (thanks for the recommendation, Katie). The Republican had sausage for the meat, and I don't mean crumbled Italian sausage, but a whole wiener. In a taco! Also, I visited Gourdough's- a donut trailer. Mom and Katie may remember it from our trip in June (it's next to Odd Duck). Their donuts are sort of like pizza- you choose the toppings. Meagan and I split the Strawberry Shortcake (I'm sure you can guess what the toppings were) and Caleb got the Black Out: chocolate donut, brownie batter, fudge icing and brownie bits. OMG. It was delicious, but then I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst stomachache and burping the taste of donuts. I'm going to have to go again to see if this was a one time occurrence.

I almost forgot!

Barton Springs! I did go, twice now actually. The water was FAH. REE. ZING. I actually gasped the first time I jumped in. But that was great because I got off the bus one stop too early and spent an hour lost in Zilker Park trying to find it (don't ask). I asked this guy if I was going the right way and he decided he'd show me the "discount Barton Springs", basically the runoff outside the gate that smelled of dog and pot. I figured I could spring the $3 and walk around to the entrance. I took the very scenic route apparently.

SPEAKING of torture, I came across the Modesty Survey, because of my propensity for masochistic indulgence in mysogyny. I know there are people who think differently thank I do, but it is 2010, can we not assume women dress simply for male attention? Or that their clothes reflect their supposed morals. Do people in this country even take the word modesty seriously anymore? It's so creepy to me thinking about all these people- men especially- voting on what "message" they think women are sending out with- GASP- a one-inch gap between their top and jeans. God GOD is that an anklet? Then there's the "politically correct" question "As a guy, what is your responsibility in this area? What is your role in guiding your eyes and mind (as opposed to the women's role of dressing modestly)?", where most men answer "it is ultimately my responsibility" while completely disregarding the fact that they are voting on a woman's "modesty" by her dress. Saying "the fact that a girl makes that clothing decision tells me a little about her sense of modesty" while turning around and saying "Guys have every bit as much (and probably more) responsibility in guarding their eyes and minds from immodesty" is like saying "She was asking for it, but I take full responsibility for the rape". Anyway, thanks Gertie for sharing that (but I take full responsibility for looking at the site).

Does this post sound bitter? There is a bit of a melancholy tone. I'm actually doing swell. The room is set up, save for a few posters that need to go up. I have a couple other pools to check out this week, hopefully without the challenges of the last two. I also test drove a couple bikes this weekend and have been trolling Craigslist looking for one. Then my mobility won't be hindered by heat and medical emergencies. I guess that hour in Zilker Park didn't kill me, but I was very sweaty.

This is what it looks like outside right now.

Sorry about the long, detailed post, but I have all the time in the world it feels like.. I haven't heard back from any of the libraries I put in applications for, so I'm pretty sure it's another month of unemployment.