the laanba blog

Weekend Wedding

Yesterday I went to Austin and then Dripping Springs for the wedding of one of my colleagues.  I have been trying to remember for weeks when the last time was that I went to a wedding because I had no clue what to wear.

I am not a clothes horse by any means and have been in a schlumpy phase the last, oh, 39 years.  Every once in a while I find something I like and then I tell myself I'm going to shop for better clothes, but honestly I would rather spend my money on electronics or camera stuff.  But nothing I had seemed right for this wedding so out to the stores I went and I found this at Dillard's.  I had to text a friend because I seriously didn't know if I should wear something all hot pink (it's hot pink... the photo doesn't do its hot pinkness justice).  She assured me I could and I decided what the hell.  I'm about to be 40.  I want to start acting like a 40 year old and wear more bold things.  Of course I love it, loved wearing it and am now in one of those "I'm going to spend some money on clothes" phases.  We'll see.  Some money will be better than what I spend now which is practically nothing.

The wedding was lovely and the bride was beautiful and so happy.  The wedding was in Dripping Springs in the Texas Hill Country, perched on the top of a hill.  The reception was at a banquet facility within view of the church on a little higher hill.  It was called the Terrace Club and the terrace/balcony overlooked the rolling countryside.  It was quite lovely.  But what really made it a special place was when evening approached and guests watched the sun set behind the hills.  Really fabulous.  This was one of many moments I was kicking myself for not bringing my regular camera.

And because I love photos of the details of weddings (homes, businesses, etc.)

And finally a shout out to my lovely friends who let me stay at their house even though they were going out of town for the evening.  I got to pretend to be a homeowner for about 12 hours.  It was nice but that's because they have a lovely house whose floor plan is just about perfect.

Travel Day

You know how it is.  I come to convention in San Antonio and always write a blog post on the travel day swearing that I'm going to post every night about the day's happenings and I usually only make it through one day before I get so tired and behind that I give up.  Well here's that post.

I'm in San Antonio for the annual music teachers conference.  Last time I came in July I was so tired on the drive back that I was actually worried about my driving and decided I was going to fly to the next meeting.  Well here we are and I did fly and it was the perfect decision.  I hate driving.  I don't mind driving around town, but I don't like road trips or frankly any time on long boring stretches of freeway.  It exhausts me.  

Today I was a little anxious about the weather interfering with my flight, but it came off without a hitch.  While my co-workers were gripping the steering wheel and fighting the tough winds I was sitting in the airport cafe eating fajitas.  I  arrived at my hotel at 8 p.m. relaxed.  Such a change from my normal routine.  And since I'm not driving I'm coming back Saturday night where I usually come back Sunday.  I'll actually get one day of my weekend.

So traveling in was easy, I'm giddy over my hotel room (pics in the Flickr set) and I'm starting the conference relaxed and not a jumble of nerves.  This is going to be a great convention.  Pictures and stories to come (blah, blah, blah, promises, promises, promises).  Follow the Flickr set and my posts on Twitter.

 

Things I learned on this trip

The difference between a bay and a beach.  Now I know some readers (hi Greg, hi Amy) who are frequently on the water might think this is obvious and it IS obvious, but something I just didn't think about.  I love water.  I love looking at it, seeing it sparkle in the distance.  I would love to move to a big city by the water.  But I realized last night while I was walking on Lavaca Bay that it isn't just any water I like, but the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, something you don't find in bays.  When I was looking at a map of Texas trying to figure out where to escape to I was just looking for places on the water.  Any water.  And while any water is beautiful to look from bay water to pool water, the one that really does it for me is the ocean (or the Gulf in my case).  I rearranged my admittedly sketchy plans and found myself at Matagorda Beach this morning and it was exactly what I was looking for.  

I don't hate to drive.  I think.  I have in the past talked about how much I dislike taking road trips because I am not a fan of driving.  It's boring and long and I would much rather fly than drive.  This is especially true of my twice yearly trips to San Antonio.  I always end up driving because it is cheaper. But this wasn't so bad. It took me about three hours to get down to Port Lavaca because I took back way and it took me FIVE hours in the car on the way back.  I took the long scenic, meandering way.  And I didn't hate it.  I had interesting things to listen to and the scenery was for the most part interesting.  I disliked the drive from Galveston to Houston so maybe I don't like freeway driving when I take road trips. I have been told that the drive between San Antonio and Houston is extremely boring so maybe that's it.  Or it may be that I was just that close to being home and was ready to be there (see next paragraph). I'm not quite ready to give up my "I hate driving" badge, but it is much more faded than it used to be.

I am focused on arriving at my destination or staying on my chosen route.  One thing about road trips is that I am not one of those people that easily takes side trips.  The journey isn't part of the adventure.  Arrive and then the adventure can begin.  Yesterday I passed a huge gathering of motorcycles that would have presented some great photo opportunities, but I didn't want to turn around and go back.  I wanted to get to the motel.  I did a little better today, but there are still things I passed up because I'm just not a "go explore with my car" type of person.

I like nice hotels.  The place I was at last night was serviceable and clean, but I would say it was one step below a La Quinta.  The towels were rough and it just felt well, one step below a La Quinta.  La Quinta is about as low as I want to go.  I am not a "roughing it" type person.  I definitely like my hotels to be on the newer side which causes a problem when planning trips to small Texas towns because a.) La Quinta's aren't cheap and b.) not all small towns have something like that or c.) what they have is older.

Small towns are my relaxing getaway.  People talk about getting away to the country, but when I visit my relatives at the farm it is the farthest thing from relaxing for me.  I am NOT a country girl.  So isolated.  So alone.  So away from anything.  Too rustic. But driving around last night I realized that small towns are the perfect getaway for me.  They have a much different feel than the massive city of Houston.  I am forced to relax and chill because things close early.  9 p.m.!  Or don't even open on weekends.  Yet if I need to get to Walgreen's there it is two minutes away.  

It is easier to clandestinely change into a swimsuit in the back seat of my car than it is to change out of a wet swimsuit in the backseat of my car.

The waves take away my thoughts.  For a time today (the best time I spent today) I sat on the beach and the water washed in and out over me.  I stared at the waves crashing in front of me and thought about..... nothing.  People talk about how getting back to nature helped them work out problems at home or at work or helped them come to a big decisions, etc.  Today sitting on the beach even if I tried to think about how I want to handle year 38 or what I want to do from here, the crash of the wave would take that thought away.  Minutes would pass before I realized I hadn't thought of anything but just staring ahead watching the water or playing with the sand.  For someone who is constantly analyzing everything every minute of every day it was the best kind of relief.

My Corolla can drive on the sand.  Sorta.  It made it out onto Matagorda beach fine, but had a little trouble and wheel spinning right before I got to the pavement on the way back in.  As I was driving back to Houston I went along the coast and scouted possible beach locations closer to Galveston, but I am a little skittish about driving back out on to the beach.  I'll just have to choose my tracks carefully.  75% of the cars I saw on the beach were trucks and SUVs but I did see small cars like mine so I know it can be done. 

I will have to be a morning beach person.  I got to Matagorda around 10:30 a.m. and there really weren't many people.  I did love parking on the beach because my car was so close.  I left about two hours later and more and more cars were arriving.  On the way in I saw parts of the Galveston beach that didn't have many people and then other parts that were thick with people.  I prefer the empty one, not just because it is more peaceful, but I could be in the water and not worry about anyone getting into my stuff.  On a crowded beach I'm not sure what I would do about my stuff like my keys, phone etc. when there are swarms of people and I want to be in the water.  I have a feeling the beach in the morning is more deserted, but I am not a morning person.

I like dunes more than the seawall.  I really don't know Galveston very well despite living an hour away for 15 years.  I've never really gone to the beach there because the beach by the seawall just felt really weird to me having grown up on South Padre Island and it was always crowded.  One of the reasons I drove back the way I did (from Surfside to Galveston) was to scout new beach locations. Driving along I found that all the beaches along Brazoria and Galveston are what I am used to and the seawall is just a small part.  I like the chair and umbrella rentals along the seawall, but then that would leave me back with my previous problem of someone making off with my stuff.  Better to drive a  little further to a more deserted location.

Walgreen's is your friend. 

Things I Did Today**

-Woke up with my left ear completely stuffed.

-Ok, not completely. A little sound was coming through. It was like the sound the very first recordings in wax cylinders made. It was also about a half step lower than what my other ear was hearing so it was it's own special torture when music was playing. Needless to say I didn't listen to a lot of music today.

-I decided to go on my trip despite my body having a massive breakdown. The only thing I usually deal with are allergies. This cold with it's painful sore throat and now throbbing ears is killer.

-Discovered, completely by accident, the location of the Tee Pee motel. So quirky and fun.

-Took a much needed nap.

-Saw two beautiful courthouses from the late 1800s. Now the Houston courthouse is beautiful as well but it is dwarfed by the things around it. These buildings dominated their spaces.

-Stood where James Fannin and almost 400 of his troops were massacred then buried.

-Spent an hour with a complete stranger photographing an old mission. An hour because I was waiting for the right light which unfortunately never came thanks to clouds. Jim drives around Texas for weeks at a time on his motorcycle between work shifts in Wisconsin. It is very unlike me to hang out with a complete stranger. I blame being sick and in a fog but I had a nice time anyway.

-Ordered too much food at dinner because I forget that my appetite is dimnished when I'm sick.

-Wrote this blog post at 10 at night using Typepad's iPhone app. It promptly ate the post.***

-Writing again except this time through the online process and at three in the morning because I haven't been able to sleep more than three or four hours at a time all week.

Existence

Well I'm back in Houston and just wanted to wrap up my trip journals. I didn't really take any pictures on Friday. After my sessions were finished I drove to San Marcos to meet my college friend for dinner.

It is always strange for me to go back to San Marcos. The college years are supposed to hold this mystical time in people's lives and for a lot of the people who surround me at work, that also went to San Marcos, it does. They talk about San Marcos with this wistful tone and some go back regularly.

I don't have those memories. In fact I feel like I hardly have any memories at all. As I was driving through the town it occurred to me that I really just existed in college. I made no impact, had very few friends (my dinner date being the exception) and just went to class and back to my dorm room. In fact I don't feel like I really started living until just recently when I finally started going out and doing things the last few years. I wish I still didn't have to live my life by myself, but at least I'm getting out there and doing things instead of hiding in my home. I think I was lucky to go to San Marcos, because it is a beautiful place and has a small town feel. I just wish I had actually "lived" there.

An evening walk

Day 1 of my convention is done and I'm getting ready to start day 2. I spent most of yesterday exhausted because I did not sleep well Wednesday night. I still managed to walk around the downtown area for around an hour yesterday evening. And can you believe by the time I got back at 9 pm it was still 90 degrees! No wonder I was so thirsty. On with the photos...

This is how I spend most of the days at this convention.
Singing through new music selections hoping to find something that will work
for my students

The Alamo is steps from my hotel. In the background you can see the
Emily Morgan hotel.

At the Alamo.

   

I love these old fashioned neon signs and this was a unique light I saw on my wanderings.

I am only posting one mirror project even though I said I was trying to do two. I think
this is one of the reasons I don't do those challenges where you have to take a
picture each day for a month, etc. It may work for some people but for me it
just feels forced and makes me fall back to unimaginative photos. I basically was
just looking for straight forward mirrors just to get it done and that isn't what I
really want. I like when it comes naturally and is not forced.

I have been on a smoothie kick lately. Unfortunately I discovered last night that a
so-so smoothie is a frustrating thing. You keep drinking it hoping it will get better,
but it doesn't. But I like the sign.

And finally ending with two more views of my hotel. The night shot view would definitely have
benefited from a tripod, but I still wanted to share it.

Road Trip

I'm in San Antonio for my summer music convention. This is the slow convention compared to the one I attend in February. I challenged myself to take two mirror project photos each day. We will see how I do. I actually ended up taking more photos than I expected so here we go with a little photo essay. I'd love to say this will happen each day, but we will just have to see. All photos taken with the Fuji Finepix F20.

I decided to stop at the infamous Buc-ees on the way in. Just imagine the must over the top, gaudy, stereotypical Texas, roadside gas station. Then add about 10% and you got it. One section of the store is a typical convenience store with snacks and refrigerated cases. The other end of the store is a Texas tourist shop with over the top country items. I even saw something that cost $300. In the middle is a deli/bakery/hot foods counter. The baking bread smelled wonderful and I bought an apple lattice that was very good. I can see why this would be a popular stop on a road trip. Much better than the greasy fast food fare that normally goes with road trips.

You know I am interested in soaps even if I can't use them.
They had the most interesting varieties including mesquite!

Bah. No one said the two mirror projects would be GOOD. But did I mention TEXAS!

I didn't realize there were so many varieties of jerky, but I see now that I was wrong.

Looking at the ingredients I'm sure these are probably good (crunchy and sweet),
but the name just amuses the hell out of me as it probably is supposed to.

I am staying at the Crockett Hotel for the first time. It has a really great history that I recommend you read. It is owned by the same company that runs the Menger which is my favorite place to stay during convention. I like the Crockett so far, but then again I love history.

   

This is the new hotel that is being built at the convention center. I am sure it will be a frequent target of my camera because of the bright colors and angled architecture. Plus it will give me something to do while waiting to cross the street. It is funny to take pictures here because the crowd of choir and orchestra directors are so used to everything since we come twice a year. It really makes me look like some kind of dorky tourist.

This is more like it in the mirror project department. Thank goodness for the drug store so that I can buy the things I forgot (this time it was deodorant). I always forget something and it is funny to wander the aisles looking at all the items that are crammed in the store and to watch the people who are obviously in the same boat scanning the shelves for that can't-go-without-it item.

That's it for this evening. There is a slight possibility that I might actually be asleep before midnight. That hasn't happened in a long time, but it is just as well since I need to get back on the school schedule. First session is tomorrow morning at 8 am. Pop and Jazz new music reading session. You should hear people try to sight read pop music at 8 in the morning.

Travel with me

So here I am in San Antonio at the historic Menger hotel. I wasn't as thrilled to read that it is the most haunted hotel in Texas. I stay here all the time, but I keep forgetting that part. Fortunately I am in the new section. Hopefully the ghosts will keep their midnight wanderings to the original section.

I love the Menger, this the exact thought that ran through my head as I was walking to the registration desk. I don't love so much their, and most hotels, incredible resistance to paying in advance. Take my money, dammit! That way I don't worry about over spending. I know exactly how much I have for food and things I may want to buy at the convention.

This is certainly the most interesting room I have had. It's a tiny square, and the room temperature controls are behind the TV cabinet. Fortunately the cabinet moves easily (trust me I'm not that strong). I also have a lovely view of a square of concrete. It's kind of hard to explain. It is like this section of hotel is in a square and in the interior of the square is a one story roof. Not very scenic, but I'll live. I still love this hotel which is a bargain at $100 a night. All the other hotels in the area are either way, WAY more expensive or they are only $20 cheaper and have none of the amenities that this one does.

Well I need to finish unpacking and then go register and then go to rehearsal. I am singing in a director's chorus with the director of the St. Olaf Choir. My voice is so out of shape. Eek! It should be interesting.

On the Road Again

Usually my mother comes with me to San Antonio, we get up late on Sunday and have a leisurely brunch before heading back to our homes. Since she isn't here this morning I decided to try to head out early. So I'm on my way home! And not a moment too soon because my throat is killing me this morning. I think I've had enough of this hotel. I can't wait to sleep in my own bed which may happen the instant I walk back in the door in Houston. And I admit it. I LOVE Houston. I miss it and I'll be glad to be home.

Cursed

I have always heard that the Menger is haunted, but I didn't know it was cursed! At least my room is. Last night my amorous neighbors at 4 am. Today? At 11:55 a SAXOPHONE. SAXOPHONE. Somebody decided it would be a good idea to practice their saxophone at midnight in a hotel. After laying there for 10 minutes debating what to do because I HATE confrontations I finally called the front desk. What else could I do? Someone was playing their freaking saxophone at midnight. I wonder what Friday and Saturday night have in store for me. And now I'm wide awake. Sigh.

UPDATE: Wait, I hear voices. Maybe they are going to have loud sex again to get back at me. Double sigh.