Austin, Alright! (Part One of the Austin Trip Super Post-A-Palooza)

I went to Austin last weekend to visit Rachel. And to visit Janx but he was still too sick. Next time my friend. Hope you are feeling better.

I had a really good time. It was Rachel's best friend's birthday so we hit the town Saturday night. First we went to Eddie V's Edgewater Grill for some fancy pants cocktails and appetizers in their "V Lounge". I dropped a fat wad there, but it was worth it. A little packed, what with the Valentine's crowd and all, but just a great atmosphere. They had a lady crooner there that sounded like Macy Gray meets Norah Jones. She was good. And her boys on piano and upright bass were fantastic. It really complimented, if not, made the atmosphere there.

Maybe, it's here that I should interject that it was me and five girls. While we met up with other people (including guys) at these places, it was pretty much me and five girls in my party. Now, on the one hand I looked like the man or "pimp" as they would say. On the other, I was basically a pack mule* for purses and shoes by the end of the night. At the V Lounge the girls said they felt like the tv show "Sex in the City" and they each took a character name. They looked at me and didn't know which guy from the show I should be so I asked if I could just be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Is that weird? Anyway, the two single girls in the group split off to find where the Real World was filming (when asked about being on MTV, I said that I would just yell at the camera "Play some freaking music videos!"). I felt a bit protective of the three girls left with me that were spoken for/married to marines serving in Iraq (especially the one spoken for by me). So I kinda played boyfriend/mother hen/c**k blocker to any skeezy guys too drunk to see a wedding ring (or to care).

That mostly happened at this place called Light Bar** that we went to next and last. I still had a ton of fun. Made some new friends. I don't go to bars or clubs unless it is to see live music so just going and having a good time was new. For the most part I liked the DJ. Especially when he mixed 50 Cent's "In Da Club" vocals with Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" music. Although I think he had it on vinyl already and did not mix it live. It was still diggible. The rooftop area of the bar was my favorite. It has a great view of the Frost Bank tower . I lost Rachel for a second and that was scary. But other than that it was one of the most fun nights I've had.

I checked off the following drinks from my "Done Did" list:
Jameson & Coke - I HATE Jack & Coke. Heck, I HATE Coke. But the Irish in me thought this was nummy!
Vodka & Tonic - Grey Goose, I believe. I like G&T's well enough, but this Russian cousin was far smoother.
Red Bull & Vodka - Like many people, alcohol makes me sleepy. This is how kids counter it. Red Bull is kinda nasty to me but it gets the job done. Kinda like this drink. (Side note: if I'm reaching for a caffeinated energy drink, I'm reaching for Bawls. Which got me thinking... Vodka & Bawls? Hmmm...)
Buttery Ni**le - Ok. So I don't do shots. Ever. Maybe twice before in my life. Someone bought a round of these for the girls in my party. Rachel correctly realized that she did not need this so I took the bullet (get it? shot. bullet.) for her. I'm not sure what's in one of these but it tastes like butterscotch and fire. Yes I realize I'm a baby. No I don't care.

* thanks to Rachel's dad for the pack mule analogy.
** Yes, I have checked the Light Bar website's pictures page for the night we went. No I didn't see any of us (maybe the birthday girl's back in one). Yes I have better pictures on my camera. No you can't see them. Ok maybe, if you ask nice. There is still a chance we may make it on a video they were shooting for the website. Oh, I hope so. That would show those real world kids.