The Cat Spot

Lunch has never been my favorite meal of the day, but I do enjoy partaking with people I love. I have lunch because I have love. (So serious...) Minutes after officially withdrawing from the Kundalini program, I called my brother, Daniel. I wanted to have lunch. I told him to think of a place to eat. After a minor discussion between Daniel and his girlfriend, Hannah, they decided they didn't want Tex-Mex . Daniel was about to to perform an online food search, when Hannah's eyes widened and a name escaped her lips, "Marie Callender's." Daniel snapped his head at her with a look of, "Are you serious?" I paused and reflected on my curiosity of the place every time I drive past it. "Ok let's do it. I want to go there out of pure curiosity," I affirmed Hannah's suggestion. Daniel looked a little confused as if he couldn't believe we just made that decision and were actually following through with it. Deep down, he secretly wanted to go...

A few weeks ago I enrolled in a Kundalini Teacher Training program. Kundalini yoga fell into my lap when I arrived in Austin and got me through the rough beginning. The universe introduced me to a group of fascinating people and submersed myself in the world of healing. Everyone seemed to be a massage therapist, rake healer (I'm not a fan), or involved in other forms of healing work. I found my techniques to be different and efficient. It was fun for a while, but I craved diversity and had strayed from my true intention of moving to Austin...to make a puppet rap music video. Graduating from InVision , a school for psychics, I walked away with two very important tools: neutrality, and amusement. Then it hit me, I totally lost my amusement. Somewhere along the way I lost myself. I was so happy to have people to spend time with, I pushed my dreams, and amusement aside and down played my true self. I immersed myself in yoga and got myself back into energy work. I gave a couple energy...

Monday was a day of no expectations and effortlessness. Started the morning out with some kundalini yoga, followed by whatever I felt like doing after. I stayed with my brother for the weekend and to play my part, I put some music on and attempted to clean his kitchen. Dan came out of his room with a look of "I just woke up and have no idea what's going on, but I'm a little angry." He looked at me and asked what I was doing. He looked at my iPod that was playing and told me, "I'm was going to put my iPod on clean, so you are gonna have to find something else to do. I need to feel like I'm doing something with my day." I told him I could help, but he refused. A little confused as to why he wouldn't take my help, I headed to the room I was staying in. About ten minutes later Dan pops his head in the room and looks at me, "Sorry if I was rude to you earlier. I'm just not feeling very well." I found his behavior rather amusing and I ...

After traveling up the California coast and parking it in Seattle for a while, I finally felt ready to plant some roots and decided to make Austin my playground. Once upon a time earlier this summer, I left Chicago and embarked on an Odyssey to experience life, love, create, and really connect with people, and find the ones that I want to have on my team to create with and for when the Apocalypse happens. I found all those things, but not the way I initially wanted. I made some great connections in Austin, but there was one connection that I felt stronger than the others. He was the last person I saw when I left Austin back in July. I didn't put too much thought into it at the time but looking back I realized some things. I haven't connected with a man in that way in a very very long time, if ever. We were drawn to each other right from the moment we saw each other. He could really see me, and the conversations were always deep and meaningful. The way he looks at me made me f...

It’s strange being in Albuquerque now. So much has happened since my life here. I feel comfortable for the first time in years. I’ve finally owned my past. While my confidence is there, many emotions have been stirring. I believe it’s because I’m finally in a place where I’m strong enough to fully process and learn. It’s strange. Ever since I’ve gotten to Albuquerque, in the evening around the same time (6:00pm): Feelings of immense sadness My heart aches On the verge of tears but no release Desire for something more but unaware of what that is... It’s love, validation, and the need to be wanted by someone Is it strange that I’ve never made love? I think so...but I can explain. It all started when I was a young little thang I did what I was told and of course I complained, but for the most part I was pretty tame My mama use to tell me the ways of the world and how I had to work twice as hard because I’m a girl Don’t be too pretty, but always be smart, and that’s how you c...

While looking up things to do in New Mexico I discovered that there is a lake located in the Sangre de Cristo Range named Lake Katherine. I thought this would be the perfect place to hike to and spend the night. It would be Kathryn @ Katherine and I would have an epiphany while meditating on concepts of love, life, and being humble. (I was humbled alright) Samantha Monroe-Fellers is another wonderful friend in my life who allowed me to stay with her beautiful family in Santa Fe. (Her hubby Alex was at work) When telling her of my plan to hike to Lake Katherine (about a 14 miles round trip) and "find" myself, she sweetly gave me a look of "you have no idea what you are doing." "Well, that sounds great and all, but where are you going to sleep?" -Samantha "I'll just sleep where ever." -Me "Are you going to have a fire?" -Samantha "No, I'll just sleep on the ground and take it." -Me "You know there are wil...

After being in Austin for a few weeks, my creative energy pulled me to New Mexico. When New Mexico calls, I come. I met some fantastic people in Austin, but my work there was done, and I wanted to continue on my odyssey in my Odyssey. My amazing friend Corrie welcomed me to Albuquerque and allowed me to invade her space for the past weeks. We have known each other for an entire decade. Even though we haven't lived in the same area since we were sophomores in high school, we always had this ability to connect, no matter how much time had passed, or where we lived. Friends for life. At night we read from Women Who Run With The Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and discuss the different fables and how we apply them our lives. It's kind of our bible. My dad gave me the book after I graduated, along with a GPS. The man knows me better than I ever gave him credit for. New Mexico has brought out a part of me that I haven't been able to get in touch with for a long time. I ha...

Despues de my afternoon of autism I met up with this guy Sean, whom I met off the " Platonic " section on craigslist. I had posted an ad titled : "Victorian District and Puppets," and included an emo picture of myself. I was curious as to who would actually respond to this. He was the only one. Since it was raining we decided to meet up around 6pm downtown. I wasn't too nervous about meeting this guy (Based on his picture I figured I could take him and I always carry a knife with me). We walked around a bit and after chatting around the block, decided we could tolerate each other enough to eat dinner together. He just moved to Austin from Chicago area and scored some sweet job. After dinner he took me up to his office to show me the view (It was cool I wouldn't have gone if I didn't feel safe). I was expecting cubicles and basic office stuff, but this place was something else. If I couldn't see puppets, at least I got some robot action. The comp...

My plans for the Victorian District excursion were postponed due to rain, along with the puppet show. There is always next week. It all worked out for the best. I was itching for some good vegetarian food and found this little place on the 6 th St called Amrosia Living Foods Cafe . It has wifi and I was in the mood to write and eat. Only one of those happened. The place was small and friendly. I asked to sit by an outlet and server told me a last minute presentation was about to happen and the outlet would be in use. I walked to the back of the restaurant and there I was talked into the getting the raw special: beet ravioli. Which was amazingly delicious and filling. Followed by raw baklava for desert. All the food served is gluten free. After finishing my meal I wasn't ready to leave so I asked what the presentation was about. Author Rhonda Spellman was discussing diet and nutrition in regards to treating autism . Also joining her was Dr. Lauren...

Tonight I joined a meeting with Austin Zero Waste Alliance (AZWA). I was curious as to what Austin was up to in the green scene. The meeting was held at Casa De Luz (which is an interesting place itself. I'll have to come back to explore more). Sitting in the meeting my mind was going off. By the end of the meeting we had created a new Community Outreach committee and I'm helping them with the start up. I don't how long I'll be in Austin but I wanted to leave my ideas behind and these people seem perceptive to my suggestions and would actually make them work. These people get shit done. My gratitude for the knowledge and experience I obtained in Chicago is coming into use here.

I'm currently sitting in Summermoon Cafe , which makes their coffee using a wood fire process which dates back to whenever. It tastes pretty good and I think this will be one of my Cat Spots here in Austin. I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of people I know who live here in Austin. Monday evening I met up with a fellow Chicagoan at the Spider House . He changed significantly and it made me happy to seem someone who left Chicago doing so well. I also met up with a someone from high school whom I haven't seen in over six years. He couldn't remember why we had stopped talking in high school and I had to remind him we were suppose to go on a date and he stood me up hard-core and we just never really spoke after that. Yesterday I joined him and his film buddies on hot day at Krauss Springs . It is wonderful being able to appreciate people for who they are now, and not how we remembered them to be. For the next few days I'm planning a Victorian excursion ...

I had a fantastic 4 th of July. One of the best ones I've had in years. I got in late the night before and didn't really get any sleep because I stayed up talking to a friend from high school who lives in Austin, till 4 in the morning. After being on the road for way too long, I wasn't sure if I could handle the 4 th of July, but my brother Dan quickly convinced me that I had to go. Homemade brisket, boat, salt water pool and hot tub, lake, island, amazing fireworks, awesome house, ect . Dan even put on a ten minute slide show to prove to me what I would be missing. Lake Buchanan was formed back in 1939 after the construction of Buchanan Dam which flows in and out of the Colorado River. For a man-made lake I was impressed. On top of that we were also chillin at a super cool house located on the lake that was built back in 1940's with a Frank Lloyd Right influence. Thanks to Cowden ! Looking across the lake I noticed a house that had trees growing on the top of the r...

After battling the garage door at my little storage unit, I finally hit the road at midnight. My mind was set that I had to make it to Austin by July 4 th . The 18 hour drive had no impact on my decision to drive straight through. Around Mount Olive, Illinois, I noticed a sign for Mother Jones Monument. I have no idea why I felt compelled to see this, but I turned off. The signage was a little confusing and ultimately I ended up in a cornfield next to a cemetery. While passing the cemetery I immediately noticed this headstone with a great name. I never found Mother Jones, but I guess I'll save that for the next time I pass by. I stopped only for gas, freeing the pee, and sleep. At first I was weirded out by sleeping in public, but when one hits the point of exhaustion, it really doesn't matter. I slept at some rest stops, Panera Bread (I never went in), and a strip mall parking lot. Getting just enough rest, but not fully being able to relax due the chance of someone kno...

Last night I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Andies on Montrose and Greenview. I sat outside amongst the couples and friends chatting away the time until the food arrived. A glass of Syrah and some pita bread kept me company. To the right of me an elderly man sat alone, we acknowledged each other's presence and the breeze the evening had to offer. The old man and young woman sat separately alone, with an air of confidence and satisfaction of not having to explain ourselves to anyone. The old man just wanted his meal, while the young woman fantasized about much more.I found my cat spot for the evening. Today I'm just about ready to take off. I have the option of going to see Brazilian Girls tonight at Soldier Field. After briefly thinking about it my mind was already set. Leave Chicago tonight! Not sure where I'm going but I'll take whatever comes my way, and have a good time.