Starting to settle in

I am sitting at one of my new favorite Austin-haunts. It's called the Epoch coffee shop. It is privately owned (very typical of Austin) so there is lots of second-hand furniture, funky music, AA people, gay people, hippies, cool music, free WIFI and.... a BIG covered porch that lets me sip my coffee while it rains! I am in heaven.

The trip down the second time was LONG. 33-hours in the car. But we (including the cat and our friend Drew [aka: Poodle]) made it without killing each other.

I have a second interview with the University for a great job. I am trying not to count my chickens before they are hatched, but it is encouraging.

The moving truck arrives sometime between this Saturday - Monday. Of course, CJ leaves for his speaking engagement in SF on Friday and Poodle flies back on Saturday. Needless to say - I am trying to make friends ASAP. It's kind of like this... "Hi! I am Rob. I just moved here from California! Now that you mention it... the moving truck arrives this weekend... what are you doing this weekend? HEY? Where are you going?"

Wear sunscreen when driving with Christopher

Now I know why he wanted that convertible pick-up truck. All of the cowBOYS think it's "sic" y'all. He's shameless the way he parades it about. I like to think that they are all stopping to look at me. Actually, if they are looking at me - they are looking at the third degree burns on my head. You see, unless it is raining or the asphalt is melting, the top is down. And sometimes, the latter doesn't apply. Remember the scene in "Interview with the Vampire" when little girl vampire Claudia is put out into the sun and bursts into flames? That's me riding with Christopher. Send aloe. Soon.

Oh, no... the cops, again.

Actually, this time we wanted to see them. Check out Christopher's blog to get the story. There's a link on this site.

We made it to Austin!

I will have to add to this - but wanted to check in for now. We made it! It took two days. The first leg was 13 hours with an overnight in Mesa, AZ with Christopher's cousin. Then, there was day two.

MAPQUEST LIED! We ended-up spending 18 hours. YES! 18 hours! In the truck on day two.

But we're here and I have to tell you, Austin is even prettier and more neat than I remember! We are at our friend Wayne's (aka "Pearl") house for the next couple days and then hopefully we'll have secured our apartment.

Oh.. did you know that you can get a speeding ticket for going 89 in an 80 MPH zone? I was it bit crazed with "Dessert Fever." But, the police officer didn't buy it. I am convinced it's the California plates.

Check out the photos I've uploaded. More to come.