One of those little changes that happens after we have children. A year ago I would have slept until noon, now I have a child that needs attention starting at 6:00 AM.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Summary of my night last night
Clean house, wait for my brother and his girlfriend to arrive, look forward to an evening with them, they arrive, phone rings, wife is out of gas a mile down road, don't put on coat or socks because it will just take a minute, go get wife, go buy can of gas, send wife home, fill tank (very slow job in the mud with car parked with gas cap on a steep down hill), start car, start to drive away, go 30 feet, stop to see why it is driving so strangely, stare at completely flat passenger side tire, contemplate if a jack would work on a steep muddy ditch slope, call roadside assistance, wait 30 minutes while they try to find a tow truck driver who wants to work at midnight in a miserable cold drizzle, wait another half hour for tow truck driver, lead tow truck to tire shop since he doesn't know where it is, go home, try to warm up, fall asleep at 2:00 4 hours after the phone call and 4 hours before the alarm goes off.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Being a Stay at Home Dad
I've been a stay at home dad for a little over three weeks now. I know I haven't written in a while. One of the jobs I've assigned myself is getting our house in order so that I only need to do maintenance cleaning. Since Lisa and I are slobs and I can only clean when Callum is happily playing or sleeping, it has been a long process. We've traveled and are going to be traveling more so that all our aunts and uncles can meet Callum (who is, by the way is amazingly good with flying). We've had two cleaning relapses too, so that hasn't helped. In addition to that I am continuing to work on my application for a Clinical Pastoral Education residency next year, and I am in an interview process for a bivocational ministry position. So as Callum has decided to sleep in today, I am taking a lazy morning to finally write again and give some of my observations on being a stay at home dad.
1. I love it. It really is wonderful being able to spend so much time playing with Callum and taking care of all the things that I used to have to squeeze in between other things after work. The fact that I can make dinner and have it ready before Lisa gets home gives the three of us so much more time together in the evenings. I think it has helped Lisa in getting her take home work done and I think it will be good for our running program. It just feels like we are spending a lot more time together.
2. We have a really wonderful child. I don't know how we got so blessed with Callum. He mostly sleeps through the night, he has finally started breastfeeding well and he takes a bottle with no problems. He is healthy and though he can get really crazy loud when he does cry, he has a very happy disposition. Yesterday I got to sit and watch him and talk to him while he tried for over an hour to roll over. When he is tired and I hold him on my shoulder he puts one arm over my shoulder and the other across my neck and hugs me. Callum and I have gotten into a schedule that both allows me to spend time with him and gives me time to work or play on my own.
3. I now have time to do some of the things that I really enjoy. I can make time to make myself a cappuccino and enjoy it, or better still make tea the RIGHT way (pot and loose leaf, warm pot, add tea one teaspoon of tea per cup and one for the pot, heat water to correct temperature for style, tea cozy). Making tea can be a very soothing and relaxing ritual for me, but I used to have to rush out the door go to work, microwave water in my mug and toss an infuser into it. Other hobbies that take large blocks of time however have gone out the window. I am reading books in short snippits instead of long reading blocks and I haven't had time to brew anything since Callum was born (I am going to try to get a few beers done over Christmas break).
4. I am hoping to learn how to do some new things. I want to learn to sew (I have a book on its way now). I have been sewing for repairs for a long time, but I have never learned how to sew properly. I would like to make some curtains for the living room and bedroom to replace the mini blinds. Ultimately, I am really hard to fit in dress clothes, so I would like to get good enough to make my own shirts and slacks.
5. So far I am doing a good job of being self motivated to get things done, but I am worried that it won't last.
6. I do miss some of the people at work. I need to find an excuse to get together with my friend Robert, so perhaps a morning at the rifle range is in order as target shooting is one of our shared interests.
Those are a few of the disorganized thoughts on the last few weeks going through my head. I will send some more coherent thoughts your way soon.
1. I love it. It really is wonderful being able to spend so much time playing with Callum and taking care of all the things that I used to have to squeeze in between other things after work. The fact that I can make dinner and have it ready before Lisa gets home gives the three of us so much more time together in the evenings. I think it has helped Lisa in getting her take home work done and I think it will be good for our running program. It just feels like we are spending a lot more time together.
2. We have a really wonderful child. I don't know how we got so blessed with Callum. He mostly sleeps through the night, he has finally started breastfeeding well and he takes a bottle with no problems. He is healthy and though he can get really crazy loud when he does cry, he has a very happy disposition. Yesterday I got to sit and watch him and talk to him while he tried for over an hour to roll over. When he is tired and I hold him on my shoulder he puts one arm over my shoulder and the other across my neck and hugs me. Callum and I have gotten into a schedule that both allows me to spend time with him and gives me time to work or play on my own.
3. I now have time to do some of the things that I really enjoy. I can make time to make myself a cappuccino and enjoy it, or better still make tea the RIGHT way (pot and loose leaf, warm pot, add tea one teaspoon of tea per cup and one for the pot, heat water to correct temperature for style, tea cozy). Making tea can be a very soothing and relaxing ritual for me, but I used to have to rush out the door go to work, microwave water in my mug and toss an infuser into it. Other hobbies that take large blocks of time however have gone out the window. I am reading books in short snippits instead of long reading blocks and I haven't had time to brew anything since Callum was born (I am going to try to get a few beers done over Christmas break).
4. I am hoping to learn how to do some new things. I want to learn to sew (I have a book on its way now). I have been sewing for repairs for a long time, but I have never learned how to sew properly. I would like to make some curtains for the living room and bedroom to replace the mini blinds. Ultimately, I am really hard to fit in dress clothes, so I would like to get good enough to make my own shirts and slacks.
5. So far I am doing a good job of being self motivated to get things done, but I am worried that it won't last.
6. I do miss some of the people at work. I need to find an excuse to get together with my friend Robert, so perhaps a morning at the rifle range is in order as target shooting is one of our shared interests.
Those are a few of the disorganized thoughts on the last few weeks going through my head. I will send some more coherent thoughts your way soon.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Feet!
For the first time we know that our 9 week old son has discovered his feet. He may have discovered them before this, but finally we have evidence. We knew when he had discovered his hands because he would hold his little fist in front of his face, stare at it admiringly, move it, then stare some more. His feet are harder though just because they are harder for him to get in front of his face.
However, lately Callum has enjoyed being propped up on the couch in a sitting position. The hilarious thing about him enjoying the position is that now when he is laying on his back he tries to sit up but lacks the balance or muscle strength to do so. The result is him lifting his head and his shoulders a tiny bit while he makes a weight lifter's face and his eyes show intense concentration. But back to the point at hand. We have started noticing that while sitting propped up he will suddenly lock on to his feet with his eyes and start slowly and reverently leaning towards them. The major problem is that he lacks the balance and coordination to pull away from his prop without slumping to the side. The end result is a child laying on his side on the couch in a C shape staring intently at his toes.
All in all it makes me wonder what I should still be amazed at.
However, lately Callum has enjoyed being propped up on the couch in a sitting position. The hilarious thing about him enjoying the position is that now when he is laying on his back he tries to sit up but lacks the balance or muscle strength to do so. The result is him lifting his head and his shoulders a tiny bit while he makes a weight lifter's face and his eyes show intense concentration. But back to the point at hand. We have started noticing that while sitting propped up he will suddenly lock on to his feet with his eyes and start slowly and reverently leaning towards them. The major problem is that he lacks the balance and coordination to pull away from his prop without slumping to the side. The end result is a child laying on his side on the couch in a C shape staring intently at his toes.
All in all it makes me wonder what I should still be amazed at.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Houndstooth Coffee
If you live in Austin and like coffee, I mean REALLY like coffee, you must go to Houndstooth.
One tired day shortly after our son was born before I went back to work I had to go to a special compounding pharmacy to pick up something for Lisa. On my way to the pharmacy I saw a coffee shop and decided that I really needed some caffeine and would stop on the way back. I'm glad I did.
Houndstooth coffee is on North Lamar just a little north of Central Market and on the other side of the street. It is in the same building with Uchiko and Taco Deli.
This place is coffee lovers' heaven and a pure coffee shop. Make no mistake, if you like "coffee drinks" or essentially milkshakes with a shot of espresso, this is not your shop. There are no blenders or caramel syrup. They sell espresso, espresso drinks, coffee, tea, and pastries (oh, and beer too). Everything comes in a single size, so there is no need for cute names for sizes from which "small" is strangely absent. Although sizes are lacking (this isn't a failing, trust me), there are still plenty of options. If you want a drip coffee, you don't have settle for the coffee of the day, they will grind any coffee they carry for you fresh and make it for you via a single cup drip or in a french press. If you want espresso, they will have two espressos available for you to choose from on any given day. One will be a good baseline espresso of the type that would normally be the "house espresso", and the other will be some sort of more experimental "unique" offering (sometimes at a $.50 surcharge). This second espresso will be more floral, or perhaps have a very prominent bright acidity, or perhaps be a sweeter more caramel-y lighter roast. Tasting notes will be on the board by the register. Also if coffee isn't your thing, there are plenty of great teas to choose from (and again, the beer).
The baristas are the really great thing here. Unlike some major brand-name coffee shops out of Seattle with locations all over the place, each of their baristas is well trained and loves coffee. Every milk drink I have gotten has had milk steamed to a perfect microfroth with a bit of latte art on the top of every one. The baristas hand tamp the espresso into the portafilters and the result is a great tasty crema on every espresso drink. The baristas are knowledgeable and can answer any of your questions or just chat coffee with you. They are friendly and it's worth it to stand at the bar and watch them make your drink. It's usually entertaining watching and a bit of nice conversation.
The space has a sort of urban feel with exposed metal, stone, cement, and nice clean lines. It is a small shop with a few high tables, a few low tables and a couch and a few spare chairs inside and 3 or so tables outside. It's not cramped, but at high business probably not the best place to hang out and read, study, or play cards. If that last part is your need, hit up my second favorite coffee shop in Austin (used to be my favorite until I found Houndstooth) Mozart's Coffee Roasters. If, however, you are having a quick one on one business or personal coffee, are stopping in for your morning caffeine fix, need to kill some time between places you're going, or just want an awesome cup of coffee, go to Houndstooth. Houndstooth makes my inner coffee snob very very happy.
If you really love espresso, take my word for it and get a plain shot or two. It's served up with a small glass of sparkling water. Heck, get a shot of each of the day's espressos.
One tired day shortly after our son was born before I went back to work I had to go to a special compounding pharmacy to pick up something for Lisa. On my way to the pharmacy I saw a coffee shop and decided that I really needed some caffeine and would stop on the way back. I'm glad I did.
Houndstooth coffee is on North Lamar just a little north of Central Market and on the other side of the street. It is in the same building with Uchiko and Taco Deli.
This place is coffee lovers' heaven and a pure coffee shop. Make no mistake, if you like "coffee drinks" or essentially milkshakes with a shot of espresso, this is not your shop. There are no blenders or caramel syrup. They sell espresso, espresso drinks, coffee, tea, and pastries (oh, and beer too). Everything comes in a single size, so there is no need for cute names for sizes from which "small" is strangely absent. Although sizes are lacking (this isn't a failing, trust me), there are still plenty of options. If you want a drip coffee, you don't have settle for the coffee of the day, they will grind any coffee they carry for you fresh and make it for you via a single cup drip or in a french press. If you want espresso, they will have two espressos available for you to choose from on any given day. One will be a good baseline espresso of the type that would normally be the "house espresso", and the other will be some sort of more experimental "unique" offering (sometimes at a $.50 surcharge). This second espresso will be more floral, or perhaps have a very prominent bright acidity, or perhaps be a sweeter more caramel-y lighter roast. Tasting notes will be on the board by the register. Also if coffee isn't your thing, there are plenty of great teas to choose from (and again, the beer).
The baristas are the really great thing here. Unlike some major brand-name coffee shops out of Seattle with locations all over the place, each of their baristas is well trained and loves coffee. Every milk drink I have gotten has had milk steamed to a perfect microfroth with a bit of latte art on the top of every one. The baristas hand tamp the espresso into the portafilters and the result is a great tasty crema on every espresso drink. The baristas are knowledgeable and can answer any of your questions or just chat coffee with you. They are friendly and it's worth it to stand at the bar and watch them make your drink. It's usually entertaining watching and a bit of nice conversation.
The space has a sort of urban feel with exposed metal, stone, cement, and nice clean lines. It is a small shop with a few high tables, a few low tables and a couch and a few spare chairs inside and 3 or so tables outside. It's not cramped, but at high business probably not the best place to hang out and read, study, or play cards. If that last part is your need, hit up my second favorite coffee shop in Austin (used to be my favorite until I found Houndstooth) Mozart's Coffee Roasters. If, however, you are having a quick one on one business or personal coffee, are stopping in for your morning caffeine fix, need to kill some time between places you're going, or just want an awesome cup of coffee, go to Houndstooth. Houndstooth makes my inner coffee snob very very happy.
If you really love espresso, take my word for it and get a plain shot or two. It's served up with a small glass of sparkling water. Heck, get a shot of each of the day's espressos.
Fatherhood
I have a nine week old baby at home. Last night he fell asleep laying on my lap. He had been fighting sleep for a long time and I was relieved that finally at 10:30 he was sleeping. He had been asleep for about ten minutes when suddenly his eyes shot wide open, he started waving his arms and legs wildly and looking all over in a panic while preparing to cry. Then he saw me: his head turned toward me and he made eye contact with me. He smiled a little sleepy smile, slowly closed his eyes, then collapsed over toward me until his forehead was laying against my stomach.
It made me warm all over.
Fatherhood has surprised me. I never thought that I didn't want kids, but I never really felt any drive to have kids either. Lisa wanted to pretty early in our marriage and I kept pushing it off. Because I never felt a strong drive to have kids, the reasons not to do so always outweighed the reasons to have kids: I'm still in school, we can't afford it, I'm not working full time, I'm not where I thought I would be in my life... all these reasons kept me from wanting to have kids. Lisa, fortunately, was full of patience and grace.
Finally I felt ready to have kids, and soon after we were pregnant. When Lisa told me the news I was excited and that excitement grew as we shared the news with others. Then we saw an ultrasound of the top of this tiny little head with these little spindly arms and legs flying wildly around it and it was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen. It was when I could feel Callum moving that I really started to love him. I could lay on Lisa's lap and read books to Callum and he would start kicking when he recognized my voice (once he kicked me in the ear so hard it hurt!). It was still a little harder to love a concept, a person I had never met and I didn't yet know if that person was going to be Cal or Anya, but then he was born and instantly I loved him and my whole world became consumed by him.
Romantic relationships no matter how whirlwind they may seem involve a slow buildup. You fall more and more in love over time, perhaps moving from friendship to love or attraction to love, but the love continues to grow and change. I have no doubt that I will learn to love my son more and more, and I have no doubt that our relationship will grow and change. However, when Callum was born, once where there was nothing, minutes later there was this little person for whom I had this instant fully-formed love. There simply isn't any relationship I have ever experienced that I could compare to it.
Now his mood holds sway over my moods. When he cries or hurts I feel so sad and can't think of anything else. When I make him happy again or make him smile or laugh or fall asleep I feel a sense of accomplishment and happiness that would be hard to match. And now I am getting ready to do something that I never thought I would do. I am going to quit my job to stay home with Callum for the next nine months so that we don't have to send him to day care until he is older, and I'm so excited about it I can't believe it.
It made me warm all over.
Fatherhood has surprised me. I never thought that I didn't want kids, but I never really felt any drive to have kids either. Lisa wanted to pretty early in our marriage and I kept pushing it off. Because I never felt a strong drive to have kids, the reasons not to do so always outweighed the reasons to have kids: I'm still in school, we can't afford it, I'm not working full time, I'm not where I thought I would be in my life... all these reasons kept me from wanting to have kids. Lisa, fortunately, was full of patience and grace.
Finally I felt ready to have kids, and soon after we were pregnant. When Lisa told me the news I was excited and that excitement grew as we shared the news with others. Then we saw an ultrasound of the top of this tiny little head with these little spindly arms and legs flying wildly around it and it was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen. It was when I could feel Callum moving that I really started to love him. I could lay on Lisa's lap and read books to Callum and he would start kicking when he recognized my voice (once he kicked me in the ear so hard it hurt!). It was still a little harder to love a concept, a person I had never met and I didn't yet know if that person was going to be Cal or Anya, but then he was born and instantly I loved him and my whole world became consumed by him.
Romantic relationships no matter how whirlwind they may seem involve a slow buildup. You fall more and more in love over time, perhaps moving from friendship to love or attraction to love, but the love continues to grow and change. I have no doubt that I will learn to love my son more and more, and I have no doubt that our relationship will grow and change. However, when Callum was born, once where there was nothing, minutes later there was this little person for whom I had this instant fully-formed love. There simply isn't any relationship I have ever experienced that I could compare to it.
Now his mood holds sway over my moods. When he cries or hurts I feel so sad and can't think of anything else. When I make him happy again or make him smile or laugh or fall asleep I feel a sense of accomplishment and happiness that would be hard to match. And now I am getting ready to do something that I never thought I would do. I am going to quit my job to stay home with Callum for the next nine months so that we don't have to send him to day care until he is older, and I'm so excited about it I can't believe it.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sports Heaven, Rugby and the World Series
On not being a Sports Guy:
I'm not a "sports guy". I don't watch ESPN, I don't do fantasy leagues, I don't leave large blocks of time in my schedule to make sure I am free to watch my team's game. I don't talk sports and depending on what sports/teams/players you want to talk about, I can't talk sports.
However, there are certain times of the year when I am a big sports fan. Lisa was totally caught off guard the first March that we were married, because March Madness has always been a big deal for me. I run the family bracket pool, and friends that I hardly ever communicate with and haven't seen in years still come to play my pool. In college my friends would stagger their class and viewing time so that we always had someone to call to get the scores. I try to tell Texans that the way Texans are about football is the way we are about college basketball where I am from.
I never had a whole lot of football loyalty. I grew up in St. Louis between the Cardinals and the Rams at the time when I should have been forming loyalties. When we got the Rams and they became "the greatest show on turf", that was exciting, but I was already an NFL free agent fan. I am starting to enjoy and watch football again since I have gotten to know the family of a talented NFL player. Suddenly I feel like I have a stake in a team and I can find the game exciting.
On Rugby
If there is a single sport that I absolutely love, it's Rugby Union. Just for the record, there are three types of rugby. Rugby Union is the original and still the best, and what people are talking about when they just say "rugby". Rugby League exists because for a long time Rugby Union was an amateur only sport and could not be played professionally and is like Rugby Union, but has a defined number of downs in which to get down the field (like football). Rugby 7s is a faster paced higher scoring game with 7 players (as opposed to 15) on either side, the games are short and a full tournament is played in a day or two. Rugby 7s is to Rugby Union sort of as arena football is to football.
The rugby fan in the US has had a bit of a tough plight. We used to have a channel called Fox Sports World. It largely showed soccer but also showed rugby, Aussie rules football, cricket, Irish Hurling, shinty, etc. This is how I learned about and started watching rugby. Fox Sports World later became Fox Soccer Channel. When I was in college I decided to play some and played prop for the Chicago Westside Condors b-side and social side, and would have loved to continue watching the major rugby tournaments, but the rights to broadcast rugby belonged to a company called Setana Sports. They weren't available on any cable or satellite service, but rather were a pay per view service for bars. In order to watch rugby you had to go to a bar that carried it, and pay $20 directly to Setana. If you wanted to eat or drink anything while you were at the bar watching rugby, a day's rugby watching got expensive quickly.
Fast forward to now. It is a Rugby World Cup year (it happens every four years like the soccer world cup), and NBC Universal bought the rights to show the world cup! For the first time ever the World Cup final was shown on broadcast TV. I watched it right there on my own TV sitting on my own couch for free. Also, I purchased a package from universalsports.com allowing me to stream every one of the 48 games in the World Cup online. I got my Rugby Union fill to a level that I never would have been able to if it was still on Setana (and while still expensive, for far less).
Best of all, my team, the New Zealand All Blacks won the entire tournament! It was not a pretty tournament for them and several key players were injured, but they won and I got to watch every game of it!
Other upsides:
I discovered Welsh rugby, I had never really watched them, but they are a blast to watch and play a hard-hitting smash and go game.
Scotland, my country of heritage played some really great pool matches
Some "minor" rugby countries played some great games, Fiji, Tonga, Georgia, and Romania each turned in at least one stellar performance
It was the most fun month and a half of sports watching that I have ever experienced. It really makes me want to play again, but rugby requires a lot of money and time neither of which is something I have right now.
On the World Series
One sport that I have always loved is Baseball. It is as much nostalgia as an issue of enjoying the game. I grew up going to Cardinals games and living in one of the greatest baseball towns on earth. I loved watching Ozzie Smith, Vince Coleman, and Willie McGee playing and enjoyed going to Cardinals games. I have always been a Cardinals fan except for a short period of child-rebellion where I decided to defy my family by being a Cubs fan... misguided I know.
So this year, somehow, the Cardinals have made it to the World Series. We've had a pretty miserable season, but we pulled it together at the right time. Now I get to watch a full series (on my new awesome TV that makes me feel like I'm sitting field level) and root for the Cards with everything on the line. As I type we are one down in the series but going back to St. Louis for games 6 and (hopefully) 7. Since the Rangers pulled ahead yesterday, the Rangers fans have suddenly discovered their swagger and brag. I'll admit, I was very worried that we would get humiliated this series, but I lived through getting swept by Boston and I could get through being dominated by the Rangers (though admittedly, I wasn't living in Boston when we got swept). Here are the simple facts of it though: we had a rough season, but we've shown that we deserve to be here. After barely making it in on the wild card each of the games has been close with a lot of admirable play on both sides. Most of all, every game has been close and suspenseful and the only major defeat handed out was handed out by the redbirds!
Even for a non "sports guy", I have been in sports heaven for the last month and a half. Getting to sit on the couch holding my baby dressed in his Cardinals onesie while I watch the game is just icing on the cake.
Now if only March Madness could start as soon as the World Series is over......
I'm not a "sports guy". I don't watch ESPN, I don't do fantasy leagues, I don't leave large blocks of time in my schedule to make sure I am free to watch my team's game. I don't talk sports and depending on what sports/teams/players you want to talk about, I can't talk sports.
However, there are certain times of the year when I am a big sports fan. Lisa was totally caught off guard the first March that we were married, because March Madness has always been a big deal for me. I run the family bracket pool, and friends that I hardly ever communicate with and haven't seen in years still come to play my pool. In college my friends would stagger their class and viewing time so that we always had someone to call to get the scores. I try to tell Texans that the way Texans are about football is the way we are about college basketball where I am from.
I never had a whole lot of football loyalty. I grew up in St. Louis between the Cardinals and the Rams at the time when I should have been forming loyalties. When we got the Rams and they became "the greatest show on turf", that was exciting, but I was already an NFL free agent fan. I am starting to enjoy and watch football again since I have gotten to know the family of a talented NFL player. Suddenly I feel like I have a stake in a team and I can find the game exciting.
On Rugby
If there is a single sport that I absolutely love, it's Rugby Union. Just for the record, there are three types of rugby. Rugby Union is the original and still the best, and what people are talking about when they just say "rugby". Rugby League exists because for a long time Rugby Union was an amateur only sport and could not be played professionally and is like Rugby Union, but has a defined number of downs in which to get down the field (like football). Rugby 7s is a faster paced higher scoring game with 7 players (as opposed to 15) on either side, the games are short and a full tournament is played in a day or two. Rugby 7s is to Rugby Union sort of as arena football is to football.
The rugby fan in the US has had a bit of a tough plight. We used to have a channel called Fox Sports World. It largely showed soccer but also showed rugby, Aussie rules football, cricket, Irish Hurling, shinty, etc. This is how I learned about and started watching rugby. Fox Sports World later became Fox Soccer Channel. When I was in college I decided to play some and played prop for the Chicago Westside Condors b-side and social side, and would have loved to continue watching the major rugby tournaments, but the rights to broadcast rugby belonged to a company called Setana Sports. They weren't available on any cable or satellite service, but rather were a pay per view service for bars. In order to watch rugby you had to go to a bar that carried it, and pay $20 directly to Setana. If you wanted to eat or drink anything while you were at the bar watching rugby, a day's rugby watching got expensive quickly.
Fast forward to now. It is a Rugby World Cup year (it happens every four years like the soccer world cup), and NBC Universal bought the rights to show the world cup! For the first time ever the World Cup final was shown on broadcast TV. I watched it right there on my own TV sitting on my own couch for free. Also, I purchased a package from universalsports.com allowing me to stream every one of the 48 games in the World Cup online. I got my Rugby Union fill to a level that I never would have been able to if it was still on Setana (and while still expensive, for far less).
Best of all, my team, the New Zealand All Blacks won the entire tournament! It was not a pretty tournament for them and several key players were injured, but they won and I got to watch every game of it!
Other upsides:
I discovered Welsh rugby, I had never really watched them, but they are a blast to watch and play a hard-hitting smash and go game.
Scotland, my country of heritage played some really great pool matches
Some "minor" rugby countries played some great games, Fiji, Tonga, Georgia, and Romania each turned in at least one stellar performance
It was the most fun month and a half of sports watching that I have ever experienced. It really makes me want to play again, but rugby requires a lot of money and time neither of which is something I have right now.
On the World Series
One sport that I have always loved is Baseball. It is as much nostalgia as an issue of enjoying the game. I grew up going to Cardinals games and living in one of the greatest baseball towns on earth. I loved watching Ozzie Smith, Vince Coleman, and Willie McGee playing and enjoyed going to Cardinals games. I have always been a Cardinals fan except for a short period of child-rebellion where I decided to defy my family by being a Cubs fan... misguided I know.
So this year, somehow, the Cardinals have made it to the World Series. We've had a pretty miserable season, but we pulled it together at the right time. Now I get to watch a full series (on my new awesome TV that makes me feel like I'm sitting field level) and root for the Cards with everything on the line. As I type we are one down in the series but going back to St. Louis for games 6 and (hopefully) 7. Since the Rangers pulled ahead yesterday, the Rangers fans have suddenly discovered their swagger and brag. I'll admit, I was very worried that we would get humiliated this series, but I lived through getting swept by Boston and I could get through being dominated by the Rangers (though admittedly, I wasn't living in Boston when we got swept). Here are the simple facts of it though: we had a rough season, but we've shown that we deserve to be here. After barely making it in on the wild card each of the games has been close with a lot of admirable play on both sides. Most of all, every game has been close and suspenseful and the only major defeat handed out was handed out by the redbirds!
Even for a non "sports guy", I have been in sports heaven for the last month and a half. Getting to sit on the couch holding my baby dressed in his Cardinals onesie while I watch the game is just icing on the cake.
Now if only March Madness could start as soon as the World Series is over......
Friday, October 21, 2011
Flightpath Coffee House
For a while now I have been riding my bike down Duval on my way to work. I have been going past Flightpath Coffee House every morning thinking I ought to go try it, but worried that if it was good I would go broke riding past it every day. That's not going to be a worry.
I got a cappuccino and a single shot of espresso. The foam on my cappuchino was rich and thick and there was plenty of it, but it was hardly a microfroth. Instead it was composed of fairly large coarse bubbles. It was tasty but the real problem was the espresso. The espresso tasted like coffee grounds rather than coffee. It was weak, like a strong french roast, but nothing like a true espresso. The only thing that marked it as espresso was a nice thick, but still bland, crema.
Does that mean I wouldn't go back? I would most happily, but not for the coffee. They have a large open space filled with Austinesque kitsch. There are a lot of tables generously spaced around the shop's several rooms and deck. It would be a great place to meet up with someone or hang out and read. They offer a lot of other beverages and a lot of tasty looking food. Next time I go back it will be to enjoy a book, drink a Boddington's (something else I have experienced and highly recommend), and eat a slice of quiche.
In short, this would be a great hangout location, like Mozart's Coffee on Lake Austin with less outdoor seating, lacking the great house roasted drip coffee, but with a beer selection, less of a crowd, and a very Austin atmosphere. For my hardcore snobby espresso needs I will be sticking with Houndstooth Coffee.
I got a cappuccino and a single shot of espresso. The foam on my cappuchino was rich and thick and there was plenty of it, but it was hardly a microfroth. Instead it was composed of fairly large coarse bubbles. It was tasty but the real problem was the espresso. The espresso tasted like coffee grounds rather than coffee. It was weak, like a strong french roast, but nothing like a true espresso. The only thing that marked it as espresso was a nice thick, but still bland, crema.
Does that mean I wouldn't go back? I would most happily, but not for the coffee. They have a large open space filled with Austinesque kitsch. There are a lot of tables generously spaced around the shop's several rooms and deck. It would be a great place to meet up with someone or hang out and read. They offer a lot of other beverages and a lot of tasty looking food. Next time I go back it will be to enjoy a book, drink a Boddington's (something else I have experienced and highly recommend), and eat a slice of quiche.
In short, this would be a great hangout location, like Mozart's Coffee on Lake Austin with less outdoor seating, lacking the great house roasted drip coffee, but with a beer selection, less of a crowd, and a very Austin atmosphere. For my hardcore snobby espresso needs I will be sticking with Houndstooth Coffee.
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