All of my life I have been an accident prone, awkward ass, absent-minded, general fuck up. I am about to turn 22 years old, and still cannot conquer many of these flaws. One of the greatest challenges has and always will be my absent mindedness. How can one correct something that, by definition, occurs within one's own mind? How do you go about improving your ability to remember things on a daily, hourly basis.? I don't know, honestly.

Lately, my strategy has consisted of going through my head and remembering everything I have, while developing quick little systems to double check. I've just about mastered not losing my phone keys, or wallet, simply by saying "phone, keys, wallet," followed by patting each one of my pockets before I go anywhere.

Other items have given me more trouble though. Particularly clothing, sunglasses, water bottles, and other personal items. On a daily basis, it's hard to fairly assess my idiot level because of my job's circumstances. It's hard to double check everything in my head while chasing after kids in the hot Texas sun. Needless to say, I've already lost a water bottle and pair of sunglasses this summer.

Every time I lose or misplace something, I just feel really, really mentally inadequate. Like, if this were the cave man days, I'd be the caveman eaten by the saber tooth because I left my backup spear at the fire pit. Not a comforting thought. You'd think such a fatal flaw would be weeded out via natural selection, but no. My parents are just, if not more, goof prone than I am.

Needless to say, I'm stewing over this. If any of the three persons (and that's being generous) who actually read this slowly dying blog have any suggestions, besides "quit being retarded" I'd be happy to hear them.

On another note, I've been having an ongoing "political debate" with several members of my fraternity over the past couple of days. The politics of my fraternity is the only thing I don't like about it. Sadly, that's all many of them ever seem to want to talk to me about. Whatever

Have a good one

Tim

good day mates,

Today, I feel like I need to write a little bit about my life inside the co-op. Like anything in life, there are pros and cons. Let's start with what I like most:

First, I enjoy the since of communal responsibility. Every week, there are 2 meetings where we discuss the happenings and logistics of the co-op. A good way to stay up to date on what is going on in your living space; this is perk is probably not available in your average apartment complex. Second, I really love the food situation. The food is almost always good (imho) and they even provide a vegetarian option at every meal. Third, I do enjoy my labor. It's a good way to spend time with people and cooperate to do something positive. Finally, I couldn't afford to live anywhere else. This is by far the most in expensive way to live in Austin. For about $1000, I get my rent, food, and utilities covered for the entire summer. Boom. Can't beat that.

Now, onto some of my difficulties...

First, I can't say that i've had the time, energy, or desire to socialize a whole bunch with my housemates. I've got a cool roommate, and we've made friends, and I consider myself to be acquaintances with some others. However, I just don't feel like I really "fit in" here, so to speak. I have plenty of excuses for this, and I think most of them are pretty valid. I work close to 40 hours a week, and most of socializing goes on with my friends at work (who are all my age). After that, I have my friends from SU that come around Austin and still live in G-Town. When I'm not hanging out with co-workers or SU friends, I'm probably with Ursula or seeing if I can spend time with my family. In short, I don't have a lot of time to hang out with my co-opers. Don't get me wrong, I do try. Last weekend I watched some world cup, hung out by the pool, and stopped by the party. But after a long day's work, nothing beats a night of eating, chilling and going to sleep early. That's just not the general routine of co-opers though.

Either way, it's only 1 month till I go back to SU and start up a whole different routine, with a whole new group of people. So, I better not get too comfortable (or uncomfortable). I've got a month left to enjoy Austin, and I plan on doing exactly that.

Today I said farewell to the soon to be Taiwan bound Tyler Rankin. The goodbye was strangely anti-climactic, not too different than any other goodbye we've ever shared. I think Tyler understands that good-byes are sometimes only as hard as you make them out to be. He didn't want a drawn out, overly emotional send off, and I don't blame him.

However, I could not help but reflect on our friendship at least a little bit. On the way home, I tried to think of the first time Tyler and I hung out as "friends." I couldn't think of a single moment or event. But, I will always remember my first year of college and how much Tyler helped me out as both an RA and friend.

Tyler and I have celebrated the good times and helped eachother through the not so good times. He's been a defining part of my college experience, and with his departure, I know that next year will just not be the same. Simultaneously, I feel as if my own time at Southwestern is coming to a close at a more personal, acute level than I did before.

Last night was one of the best ones of my summer. I went to Georgetown around 6 PM and met up with Cal. We then stopped by Truman Hunt's house, where he was setting up for his raging 21st birthday house-party. Truman is such a genuinely nice person, and I have missed him a lot. He told me that he "missed the shit" out of me and couldn't wait for the year to begin. Ditto, friend. Ditto. After a couple of hours over there, I went to Fish City Grill--where Matt bartends--to meet up with Tyler and Garret. We hung out there for a while, and then went back to Truman's, pre-partied, then drove (via a designated driver) to 6th street. After hitting up a couple of clubs, we went to my co-op party. By the time we got there, the beer was all gone. However, the party was still bumpin due to our clutch as hell swimming pool. Everyone was either gathered around it, or swimming in it. It's a liberating feeling to swan dive off a diving board in nothing but your skivies, in the middle of a raging party. Thanks Pearl Street for giving me that opportunity.

To close out the night, the four of us, along with my roommate Adam, got some food at Kerbey Lane. Looking back at the night, it all seems kind of like a dream. I hung out with so many different groups of people, in completely different settings, while doing different things. I can't say I've ever had a night like it in College.

So, I guess you could say that it was a proper send off for Tyler. And, it was a good experience for me as well. I was feeling a little down yesterday, but last night successfully reversed my spirits.

Sending off a friend
I contemplate my own path
Always embrace change.

Hello,

If you're ever in Austin on a Tuesday night, wondering what to do, you should head to Flipnotics Coffee Shop and Eric Honaker play. I went last Tuesday, and everything about the show was great. He's a terrific musician, with a terrific group, inside of a very mellow, groovy venue. Eric can play the fiddle like nobody's business, and hits it pretty hard on the axe as well. If you're lucky, he may spend a few minutes ranting about the time(s) he's spent with "indian tribes" as well. Bottom line is, he's a great artist, and he performs weekly for free at a great venue. Can't beat it.

I think Eric provided me with a lot of good energy throughout the week. We had a lot of difficulties with our group, but things seemed to turn a corner last week. Despite my apprehension, the campout was fantastic. The only bump came when the kids went to sleep, and homesickness/longing for mommies commenced. However, the little ones' complaints and tears warmed my heart more than they stressed out my brain. I forgot how much 9 and 10 year olds care about their parents and homes. It was, for lack of a better phrase, fuckin' cute. Reminds me why I took the job.

After the campout, the weekend came. And what a weekend it was. Ursula came up Friday (bringing the rain with her) and we drove to Funky Town to meet my parents for dinner and weekend festivites. We had a terrific weekend, filled with lots o' fun stuff. I went to the Stockyards for the first time in forever and loved it. So many cool stores, restaraunts and saloons. Gotta love it. Fourth of July was celebrated by an all American bbq and baseball game/fireworks show. Despite the outcome, the Rangers game was a good way to spend the evening. Ursula and I had never been to a baseball game together. I think we're good baseball watching partners. Hopefully, that will translate into football this fall, when the Cowboys begin their season of domination.

I've returned to the Co-op now, and am starin down the barrell of another work week. This one looks like a breeze though--lots of tours and field trips. If I get time, I will write more in here in a few days. I need more time to just jot down some musings, rather than simply recount the events of my past week.

Until Later!


Tim