I’m still jet-lagged. Is there a word above jet lag? Cause I think I hit a new level. My eyes are puffy like an ill goldfish. Jet fragged? Jet Lagged^2? Jet to-the-motherfuckin’ lagged? Anyway, I’m exhausted – but have kept my energy levels up based on the adrenaline of curiousity. Was on planes for 16 hours and the first thing I wanted to do after setting my stuff down was take a neighbourhood stroll.
So I’m staying at Ben and Drew’s place, on a couch (a luxurious one at that) which I managed to score a reasonable deal with through Airbnb. Why I chose to stay on a random’s couch for 9 days? Because I’m not paying $200 a night for a hotel that’s further away, no thanks bad deal, I’ll take the better, more random one.
Ben is a SXSW photographer and is a sweet mang. He says, “Right on” a lot, but I suppose most Texians I’ve met so far say “Right on”. Maybe it’s a Texian phrase. They both handed me a descriptive list of their favourite food spots and venues in the surrounding area. My first thought was that there are so many achievements to unlock!!!! Ben’s house is gorgeous, as you can see below. It’s full of sick art pieces/antiques, even has a retro monitor/screen installation in the corner of the dining area! Also they chose me a friggin’ rainbow quilt. I love my rainbow quilt.
The next morning I woke exhausted and woke up to find a couple of others who were staying in the house. There was Stacy, a social media journo from Boston and Dave, a creative director of an agency based in Atlanta. They both offered to ride me into town, Ben did too but he had a shoot to get to. It seems cycling is the best way to get around in Austin, 1. It’s mostly flat ground. 2. It’s mostly flat ground. So we hopped on our fixies and they gave me a tour to the convention center in Downtown Austin.
Riding is bliss. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to ride into town and it’s the most leisurely ride ever. With fixies it was like gliding. I felt I was gliding on a rainbow path with sparkles in my wake. I felt royal. I needed a cape (I was wearing a cotton trench kind of thing so it was fluttering like a cape as I rode) I got really excited and pedalled my brains out knowing full well that I’d have sore, tender loins the next day. And yes, as I type this, my thighs are tender and could probably be pulled and put into a sandwich. Below is my hot ride, Rosie (she’s cherry red). Below Rosie are others.
Tomorrow (Tues 12 Mar) is day 1 of Music SXSW. I’m assuming the city will transform drastically. I have enjoyed the vividness of Austin so far, but I’m assuming loud times ensue. You can hear bands practicing in their garages, music blaring from backyards with smoke billowing from Texian barbecues. There are lo-riders that thump their window-rattling subwoofers. The air is filled with musical anticipation, it’s kinda really pumping me up.
Peace,
-Chumpy