Thank You A Lot

I have a lot of items on my Austin Bucket List, but I didn't foresee this opportunity coming.

 I was on my favorite Austin website, and saw an ad for extras needed for a local feature film. I emailed them with interest and they sent me all the details. Mainly, they were filming a rock show at the Mohawk and needed an audience to wear hipster/grunge/trendy/rocknroll/hippie clothes. Done. I brought three dresses and they picked this one:

The movie is called Thank You A Lot and is about a music agent--and has all local actors and musicians-- as far as I can tell.

Day 4 (I was there on Day 6)

Cast Video

It was awesome! They pulled me almost immediately to drink empty beer bottles with another girl I met and "pantomime" talking. We kind of whispered so we could still have a conversation and look natural. It was really fun! We had to re do the scene about 8 times. I don't really know how much I am in the actual view of the camera.

Then, after another hour or so, all the extras (about 30 of us) got called in to watch a rock show. We saw a real local band, Hundred Visions, and they played one song, which we had to go crazy for---8 times. Luckily, for me, I was focused in on the drummer, Eric.

so cute.

Overall, I had an amazing time doing something I thought I'd never do (acting!). It was unpaid..but only four hours and still a blast.

Awesome.

North Loop

I live in the North Loop and our house is literally steps away from some of the coolest places in North Austin, starting with:

Epoch Coffee

200 steps from our front porch

A 24-hour coffee shop with records playing, fast wifi, and more people than you could ever imagine would be there past 1 in the morning. It's always packed and a wonderful place to go (if you can find a place to sit) and people watch, read, or catch up with a friend.

Blue Velvet Vintage

A vintage store (next to Epoch) with dresses that run at about 20-30 bucks. Not bad if it's something cute and shapely that will last. Not to mention earrings for $1! 

Breakaway Records

Famous in Austin

And now that my friend is selling me his record player for half price, I'll have all the more reason to make it rain here.

The Vegan Nom

beaut.

A vegan taco truck that fills me up for just $4. Avocados? Amazing blaring rock music. Sign. Me. Up.

The Austin State Hospital Cemetery

Very few gravestones because most of the bodies were not claimed

Particularly creepy, this is the graveyard for the Austin State Hospital, or, what used to be called the Texas State Lunatic Asylum. Hardly any gravestones line the grass, because they weren't claimed by their families. It's literally right smack in the middle of the hip new North Loop district. Spooky.

I Luv Video

These exist anymore??!!

I know right! I thought after Blockbuster crumbled and fell that video rental places simply didn't exist anymore--wrong. I luv video is one of largest independent movie stores in the nation. And they give out free beer on Tuesdays! I've already set up an account.

Coldtowne Theater

Punch drunk comedy

This place is crazy--they have shows--improv & stand-up running 7 days a week! A lot of the shows are BYOB, and some are even "pay what you can". So close to my house!

Honorable North Loop mentions: Goodwill, House Pizzeria, Biscuits & Groovy (they even do mix-tape exchanges), Flightpath coffee.

Home sweet home

My house in Austin is really all I've ever wanted in a place as a young adult--colorful, spacious, social, in a safe neighborhood, within walking distance from everything.

House

The living room is bright green and my wonderful housemate Meredith brought all her fancy art to hang on the walls.

natural light is lovely.

Also, our bathroom is AMAZING. It was basically all Meredith, too. After Mike & I picked up a candy red trash can and I got some bright lipstick red towels, she color coordinated the shower curtain (not to mention books/knick knacks) with it and it's just lovely. 

and woody allen.

And... my bedroom. I'd been imagining how to decorate my bedroom for months before I moved in. I wanted it to be DIY, colorful, and inspiring. Here's the result:

Thanks, goodwill!

Huge walk-in closet.

<3

And some more close-up DIY action:

DIY Craigslist nightstand. $20. Lamp, Goodwill, $5.

And what I've always dreamed of. Vanity, Craigslist, $20, Mirrors, Thrift, $10, Chair, Antique Store, $35.

DIY whiteboard $12 for a billion of them at Home Depot.

Our patio and back yard are still a work in progress. More on those later.

New

Welcome to my new blog!

As of July 2012, I have started my life here in Austin, and so far it's been unbelievable. I feel healthy, happy and more myself then I've ever felt before. This blog is meant to highlight my journey in Texas's capital---health, mind, spirit and career.

Enjoy!