In accordance with everything Kandis, it was a plethora of pink with pink gifts, pink cards, and pink drinks (benefiting the Komen Foundation).  Kandis, Rob, Jennifer, Matt, Danbo and Brent were fab company as always. A few drinks later, Danbo and I decide to convince the group that karaoke is in order for a 29th birthday, so it was off to Common Interests for a few rounds on stage.

Hoping that we would not face a large crowd due to the ACL shenanigans going on downtown, we were surprised to see an actual crowd to stand shoulder to shoulder with.  When we parked, I saw a bachelorette party making their way in, which is always a sign of fun.  First up from our group (and the only one to make it on stage before curfew) was Danbo with her rendition of Sin Wagon.  The hilarity followed with her Ashlee Simpson-esque dance on stage and with the other mic stand that decided to enter the show via her hitting her on the head.  By the end of the night, we were chatting up the bridal party in the parking lot after being included in their antics.

In the end, it was another great 29th birthday for Kandis with Co.

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I got some much needed housework done around the ole casita, including mowing the jungle, doing some laundry, and emptying out food from last summer. It’s interesting to see how little 90% of my house is used, most of the time. After wondering around I realized I could probably live in half the space, and have half to clean! To think Ainsley thinks we need a bigger house. Ains also thinks we need a dog, and I need to get married. Ha! Think away my dear.

I digress.

From my house chores, it was off to help some friends hang a ceiling fan in their place. It’s funny how productive and accomplished home repairs can make you feel. “Luckily” my kitchen light just went out, so I’ll get to experience the feeling of accomplishment again soon.

Ains had her first Softball game on Saturday. I’d have a smashing write up, but she’s so busy, I’ve left repeated messages for her, and can’t seem to get in touch with her.  Guess when you’re 7 going on 17, dad is already uncool.

With the work over, it was off to celebrate the 1st birthday of a Fab Five Baby – Brooklyn! Such a cutie, like all the Fab Five kids, her mom and dad threw an awesome first birthday. If you want to gain an easy 5, hang out at a party Heather cooks at and you can do so with no problem! Sitting on their deck, tossing back a few beers, it was nice to have the treasured “Fab Five” time we’ve missed because of work and life recently. On the drive home, I reminded myself how we’re really the Fab Family.  After the party, it was off to care for the rents dogs, who were out of town… the rents, not the dogs.  Saturday wrapped with a little hangout with Juliana catching up and chatting away.

Sunday was a mix of unproductive and unproductive with a splash of Emmy. I’m on the sofa, rambling away, and reflecting on how I’ve always had a crush on Neal Patrick Harris – ever since I wrote him a long long letter back in his Doogie Howser days… just to get a glossy 5×7 back. I didn’t complain too much.

Tomororw starts a busy week, so bed is calling soon – if the Emmys end on time.

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It’s so nice to sit around and enjoy the company of your close friends… to laugh and share and learn.  Who knew a Socialite and a Dirty Martini could hold conversation for so long.

Thanks to Heather for opening her home to all of us – and to my friends for opening their hearts and lives daily for me to be a part of.

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Friday night was movie night.  Albert, Darryl, Brian, Ryan and Kris came over, I made a little 7 layer dip and kettle corn and we watched 27 Dresses and Made of Honor.  Movie night is so fun!

Saturday I got up and went to Bastrop to help my grandparents around their hosue… It’s tough for my grandfather to do regular chores with his parkinsons.  From there it was back to my house for painting and more painting!  That night we had Kandis’ birthday dinner at Trudy’s before we went off to Rocky Horror for the midnight show.  I had never seen the movie, and never been, so it was for sure an experience.

Sunday was a busy day around the house… I’ve been painting, or trying to… will I ever get done?

We shall see!

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I had never been, but this was the 13th year and it was a change in venue from the Oasis to the Long Center. If you’ve never been to the Long Center, it is AWESOME.  The view of downtown and town lake is breathtaking and the building is amazing.

Albert got everyone tickets as a host to the event and I ran into a few friends, as it was the place to be on Sunday night.  I’m hoping to remember it next year to hit it up then.  Great time for a good cause.

My goal for this year is to be more involved in the social cause scene – good times for good causes.

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We hit up Fiesta at 1045 and got free parking and a cup for coke all day long.  Right there, that was like 30 bucks in stuff, not counting the ticket, which is another 35!

The lines were awesome, because there were none! We rode every one of the major rides at the park TWICE and were done by 3p – that’s counting a break for lunch and time spent visiting coworkers and my Dad and Debbie.  I am so spoiled, I don’t think I could go back to standing in line and waiting for a ride.

There were a few pics, but they won’t be posted here.  Brian is invisble when he turns sideways (from being so damn thin)… if I posted the pics, you’d ask if caviar came with that beluga whale.

An awesome awesome time.

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Made it back into town on Saturday and went to KQ and Steve’s house for a little burger and beer get-together.  Mike D and I ended up camping out on the deck and talking forever.

Sunday was a lazy day.  While everyone was a the lake in the midsts of the Splash Dramagedy (a nice mix of Drama and Tragedy), I spent the day laying around, being lazy, and recovering from the weekend.  Didn’t sleep much for some reason, but it was low-key for the most part, none the less.

Monday was shopping day – We started with brunch at Galaxy in The Triangle - another part of town that I LOVE!  Then, Mike and I took Nat for a shopping expedition to find new furinture, and we succeeded!  She bought this cute little bedroom set from Urban Living and we snagged a truck to move it (thanks Hank!) and get it set up in her room.  After shopping and looking all day, Nat and I grabbed dinner at Mandola’s in the The Triangle.  From there, I headed home to fall asleep to Family Guy.

This week started off busy as always at work.  I just got back in town it seems and I am out the door in the morning!  I am off to a client site in Charlotte and will spend the weekend with Ainsley while I am there

First game for the Austin Gamblers League is tonight – I’ll let you know how it goes!

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She’s so into the Olympics, it’s awesome. She knows all about Michael Phelps (and his mom), the US Stats and what’s going on in Beijing.  Find me another 6 year old so engrossed in the Olympics and not cartoons and Bratz dolls.  Damn, I’m so proud of her!

She called me the other day to check in and say hi and said “So, this baby still isn’t here yet… You know, we’ve bought all this stuff for it, and I am thinking we need to just send it back, since it can’t even get here on time!” Patience?  Ha! She gets that from her dad

Busy busy weekend as usual… A little swimming with Joey on Friday, Batman at the Imax on Saturday with Natalie and dinner with Joey and Natalie Saturday night.  Today I spent most of the day working getting ready for my trip over to Pittsburgh for work.  Such a perfectionist, I’ve been trying to get everything lined up.  More prep work to do tomorrow before I fly out.  Did a little shopping with my mom today (thanks mom  )  I was supposed to have dinner with Dad and Debbie, but they’d already eaten by the time I called them… Life’s been so busy, I’ve lost track of time many of times.

End of the month should be exciting – Joey and I are gonna take a few days off and get out of town for a break.  We’re thinking Padre, but it’s been tough to get a hotel thanks to the last Hurricane… we’ll see what happens.

If you love my taste in music (which is pretty much no one but me), the new Panic! At the Disco album is awesome.  Pretty. Odd. is out now and totally different from the last.  A bit more mellow, but a great sound as I expected.  Joey introduced me to Maria Mena who is quite comforting as well… just some nice vocals on a good track.  For a gumball, but great none the less, check out Mika, whom I’d been complacent about getting, but did and didn’t regret it… guilty pleasure number 423,752,765.

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Check out all the pics here!

The video below is Ains feeding the chickens in the pen… she is like Cesar Milan, except in this case it’s Ainsley Evan – Chicken Whisperer.

We picked up my nephew Allen and joined the likes of Dad, Debbie, Nana and Dada on the Guadalupe for family fun.

Ains decided she wanted to be in charge of the canoe as we paddeled along… she did great till she ran us right into a rock!  We almost tipped and she decided the exhausting work was better left to someone else.

Allen is little MacGuyver, scared of nothing.  He went trapsing through the woods and was throwing rocks calling himself THE HULK!

See all the pictures here!

The kids got some great fishing in and enjoyed watching the deer.  I was exhausted from chasing the duo all weekend, but wouldn’t have missed it for the world!