Weekend Activities in Austin

• This weekend is the Texas Book Festival at the Capitol. There will be more than 200 authors on hand and it’s free for you to get up close and personal with them. If you’re really excited about a particular session, be sure to arrive early as it is first-come, first-served and you may not be the only one who wants to hear, for example, Joseph O'Neill. I also would like to hear him as Netherland was really interesting. By the way, his session is at 10:30AM tomorrow morning. Or is it? Maybe I’m just trying to throw you off track so you’re one less person I have to fight for a seat. How will you ever know? Oh right, I gave you the link to the schedule.

• If running a marathon isn’t really your thing (too long and running shoes are so not fetch, after all), then the Stiletto Stampede for the Cure taking place tomorrow at the Hill Country Galleria might be more your cup of tea. The race starts at 10:00AM, it’s 100 yards and 2.5 inch or taller heels are required. This isn’t just an event for the ladies; guys, you can also run too. The 2.5 inch heel requirement still stands, though.
  

• I was saying earlier this week that there are few things I will run for – like that last cute top in my size, if someone’s chasing me, etc. But, I would run to this next event, if necessary. The 7^th Annual Lexington Chocolate Lover’s Festival is taking place this Saturday and will be held in the Lexington Town Square. Admission is free but there are fees for some of the tastings. Random activity also taking place at the Festival is the opportunity for your kids to “have a go” at milking a cow. There are also more run-of-the-mill activities for the kids like plinko and a bounce house (probably best to send them to the bounce house before they partake in all the chocolate tastings).

• Don’t consume too much chocolate on Saturday because that night is a really cool dinner you won’t want to miss. Amanda Hesser, author of The Essential New York Times Cookbook, Edible Austin, & Farmhouse Delivery will be hosting a picnic, potluck style tasting as Austin Chefs prepare their favorite recipes from Hesser’s new cookbook. The list of participating restaurants/chefs is quite impressive and includes Eastside Café, Perla’s (their French toast is to die for, by the way), Paggi House and Takoba. Tickets are $35 each, the dinner will be out at Rain Lily Farm and you’ll need to bring your own blankets and chairs. All of it benefits the Sustainable Food Center.
  

• On Sunday, Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop is celebrating its 2^nd birthday. They’ll be providing the free cupcakes (big surprise) and Tito’s and St. Germain will be providing the free cocktails. Like any good birthday party, there will also be ice cream, music, face painting and prizes. There’s also talk of a cupcake cannon but I’ve yet to figure out what exactly that is. But, I’m pretty sure I would like to have one of my own. If anyone’s familiar with cupcake cannons, please enlighten me.

*Abashed face*

Um, so you know how I had a New Year's resolution to read Atlas Shrugged this year? Well, I struggled like 1/6th of the way through it (and it took me 5 months to get that far) and then I kinda sorta gave up. I know, my bad. I'll read it some day. Having the same book on my nightstand for 5 months was really getting on my nerves.

Since admitting defeat in the face of 1,200+ very dense pages, I've been on a total reading binge. Some highlights (and one lowlight):

Such a Pretty Fat - motivated me to do that 30 Day Shred for 2 days. How does that woman make exercising sound fun? I tried it. It's not.

Netherland - made me sad for part of it and also made me miss New York.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - I know everyone says this book only has one joke but I found that one joke pretty amusing. Plus, I just love Pride & Prejudice, so it was like getting to read one of my favs with a little funny bonus thrown in.

The Tipping Point - totally worth it just for all the info about Sesame Street. I didn't watch Sesame Street as a kid (shocking, I know!) and I'm kinda fascinated with it now.

And I "read" the Victoria Beckham book. Shh, don't tell anyone.

Now, I'm reading Bonfire of the Vanities for the first time. It's such an interesting book to read right now. It's also much more of a page turner than I thought it was going to be. I will admit that "Master of the Universe" turns my stomach every time I read it.

Oh, and lest you think I've forgotten that I also made a New Year's resolution that I would be a better blogger, I haven't. Settling into Austin has been much more stressful and time consuming than I thought it would be and I haven't been making the time to blog. Sadly, reality TV and reading that book that shall not be named have taken higher priority. I'm going to try to be better.

Another Resolution

10 days into the new year and I'm trying to get on a roll with the resolutions. This year, I feel like I made resolutions that are a) totally accomplishable (even if that's not a word) and b) things I really want to do, instead of years past where I may have set my sights too high.

Next up on the list -- reading Atlas Shrugged.

When Christian and I first started dating he really wanted me to read The Fountainhead. Went on and on about how it was his favorite book and he reads it over and over again. I was totally skeptical. I had heard not great things about Ayn Rand (her politics and views on women, not her writing specifically) and I wasn't excited about reading a super long book by an author who seemed totally not my kind of woman, if you know what I mean. But, eventually, I gave in and read it. Probably more of a testament to how much I wanted Christian to like me than how much I really thought I would enjoy the book. Turns out, it's an amazing book. One that I will definitely read again.

Before I can read The Fountainhead again, Christian has been on me for awhile to read Atlas Shrugged. The version he has is just enormous. Over 1000 pages and God knows how much this thing weighs. But, I know it will be good, so I'm taking it on. Starting tonight. Wish me luck! I'll be sure to post my progress and my thoughts along the way if for no other reason than to help me remember what all happens in those 1000+ pages.