For those who don't know: 1) Round Rock is a suburb just north of Austin, 2) Round Rock is home to the Round Rock Express, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Texas Rangers, and 3) I love baseball. I've always wanted to go to a game, but never made it out there until Saturday. The Express were playing the Sacramento River Cats, who are affiliated with my beloved San Francisco Giants, so I bought a ticket and drove the forty minutes to Might As Well Be Canada to watch some baseball.
I spent nearly thirty dollars on food and sat in direct, blazing sunlight for most of the game, but it was so worth it. Sacramento won, I got to see Hunter Pence (!!!) play, and the fans were let onto the outfield for a Bob Schneider concert after the game. It was all very #summer. If you're in the area and like baseball even a little bit, you should definitely catch a game this summer.
A day of baseball had me thinking back to The Art of Fieldingby Chad Harbach, the second book we read for the book club I host at West Elm Austin and my favorite choice so far. I had heard the buzz surrounding the novel when it was released a few years ago, but brushed it off as a "sports book" and that wasn't really my jam. But it totally is my jam, guys.
The story takes place at fictional Westish College and centers around Henry Skrimshander, a prodigy for all intents and purposes, who seems to be headed straight for the big leagues until a routine play goes horribly wrong. Westish's president Guert Affenlight falls in love despite himself, while his daughter returns home after leaving her husband. Mike Schwartz, Henry's mentor, struggles with the idea of life after college, and his and Henry's teammate Owen Dunne enters into a risky affair. So, as you can tell, it's a book about baseball that's not really about baseball.
One of the most pleasing aspects of this book was the seemingly effortless transitions. Harbach moves from viewpoint to viewpoint, often several times within one chapter, but he does so so skillfully that you never stumble while reading. Each character has a distinct voice, and you find yourself rooting for all of them, which makes it that much harder to put down once you pick it up.
-Maggie
P.S. The Voyage Out Book Club at BookPeople will be meeting to discuss The Art of Fielding on July 31st at 5 PM! I'll be there!
I've been putting off writing this post because I'm not sure where to start (and also because I just procrastinate). All of these pictures are from Instagram because I left the real picture-taking up to Dillon this trip. I only took my actual camera out twice, and I haven't even uploaded those pictures to my computer yet. Instagram is much more convenient all the time, but especially this trip since 1) I was the hostess with the mostest and 2) was too busy trying to keep track of thirteen bloggers, also 3) didn't feel like carrying my camera because 4) I've been to Austin a million times, so 5) probably already had a picture of [insert thing here] anyway.
My two weeks in Austin were chaotic, just complete madness sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I was needlessly stressed a lot of the time–worried that no one was having a good time, continually getting led astray by my phone's GPS, pestered by feelings that I was annoying everyone else. Which was stupid. As everyone reminded me, and as I would have told anyone else had they been hosting: As long as we're together, it's going to be a good time. And it was. It was great.
Nicola arrived first and stayed the entire two weeks with me at KaCee's apartment where she not only got witness how weird KaCee is, but how weird KaCee, Melany, and I are together. I'm sure we scared her, but she never tried to escape, so it couldn't have been too bad. I made sure to take her to Target, where she bought a lot of cups, and the day before more bloggers arrived the three of us took her to the beach. We got caught in the rain and had piña coladas, and also witnessed a man throw a child to the ground to save a parrot. KaCee found the bikini lady shirt of her dreams, and Nicola had her first Blizzard. We buried Melany in the sand, and later she was pooped on by a seagull.
It was cloudy and rainy for the first four days. Last summer, of the ten days I was in Seattle, it did not rain once. But, naturally, in Austin–a place that averages 300 days of sunshine a year–it was raining. In fact, it rained so hard on Wednesday (the day that Lina, Miguel, and Natalie arrived) that Natalie's flight was delayed. Over the next couple of days, I took them to some of my favorite restaurants (Snack Bar holla), a few vintage shops, and the Museum of the Weird where we saw the Minnesota Iceman.
Shelby, Sam, and Dillon arrived on Friday. That evening we ate at Galaxy Cafe and explored the graffitied walls of Castle Hill where Dillon injured himself on a piece of rebar, naturally. After we doctored Dillon's ankle in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven, we went to the Velveeta Room where we all laughed at the (mostly inappropriate) comedians and I had the best rum and Dr. Pepper of my life.
Saturday we went to Schlitterbahn, which was a disappointment, honestly. It was a weird day. I'm not sure what it was, really. It was just weird. But the day ended wonderfully with all of us gathered around a table at Magnolia's, eating pancakes and telling stories. As I said last year, the meals were my favorite parts in general, but this one especially made my heart feel full.
On Sunday, everyone else arrived, which was an adventure as we navigated our way through Austin in three separate cars. We ate at Torchy's where Dillon took an incredibly unflattering picture of me shoving a taco into my mouth–something I still have not forgiven him for. We drove to watch the sunset at Mount Bonnell. I, admittedly, did not realize beforehand that climbing a hill right after eating tacos isn't the smartest move, but we made it up okay. Shelby and Sam only hated me for a couple of minutes, anyway. We ended the night with Amy's Ice Cream and talking in the hotel room, where a lucky few of us witnessed Dillon prowl across the bed and panther scream at Natalie. ("Remember that time Dillon panther screamed at Natalie?" is the new "Remember that time Shelby stuck her foot in a public toilet?")
The rest of the week was spent taking them to (even more) of my favorite places in Austin as well as a few places I'd never been before. (Unfortunately, the rest of the week also consisted of scattered goodbyes. Let's just suffice it to say that I hid in a corner of Uncommon Objects and cried after Shelby and Sam left, and that I definitely shouldn't have taken Dillon to the airport by myself.) There was a lot of shopping and a lot of good food–so much good food.
On the last night, those of us left sat at P. Terry's for a good while asking Nicola questions about life in England. ("What about that show Skins? Is that realistic?") Then we went to see the bats emerge from the Congress Bridge, which was actually incredibly cool, and I finally made good on my threat to take them to the Capitol building, which was beautiful as usual.
So yes, those two weeks were full to bursting with food, exploring, friends, laughter, tears, and all the other emotions. It was insane. It was perfection. I miss you all so much, and cannot wait to see you again at Shelby and Sam's wedding. Hopefully this year goes by as quickly as the last did.
-Maggie
P.S. For more pictures, quotes, and the like, take a look at our Tumblr.
Well, it is officially July, which means you only have two more weeks of listening to me say, "IT'S ONLY [insert time frame here] UNTIL THE BLOGGER FAMILY COMES." I cannot believe it is already July, honestly. These last few months of planning have flown by. Luckily, after this week, everything will be officially set–hotel rooms booked, t-shirts ordered, plans finalized. Then all I have to worry about is packing (which will be a sight to see, I'm sure, as I'll be gone for two weeks and I always overpack).
My sister was in town last week. One of the nights we went out shopping, to dinner, and saw Monsters University—A+, by the way. It was great to spend time with her. We've become great pals over the past couple of years, and I'm really glad we finally reached that place my mom always talked about (you know, where you actually appreciate your siblings and want to be around them sometimes). It took us a long time to get there (like, a really long time), but we eventually made it.
Lately I have been reading Harry Potter (but that's nothing new), textbooking, and watching ten episodes of Lizzie McGuire in one sitting. It's been nice to have days that I can stay in my room and do those things without having to worry about homework or class.
In other, more depressing news, I was in a wreck a few days ago. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but unfortunately my car took most of the damage. Poor Stinson. We're not sure what will happen with it yet, but in the mean time I've been given the smallest rental car in the world. (I should not complain about this. I should be just thankful that I was not injured and have means of transportation—and I am. But I feel like I'm driving a clown car.)
I hope you all have a great Fourth of July! And to my Blogger Family—see you very soon.
Somehow, we are in the last week of June already. I don't know how these things happen. I guess what they say is true–time flies when you're having fun and school is not slowly draining you of your will to live.
With the first full month of summer coming to a close, I felt an Instagram Recap was in order (something I apparently only do during the summer). My summer has been great so far–filled with trips home, meet-up planning, seeing movies,* hanging out with best friends and new friends, pranks on coworkers, rereading Harry Potter, and a few margaritas here and there.
In a few short weeks, I will be shepherding twelve bloggers around Austin. It's going to be an adventure, to say the least. It has been quite the undertaking, planning this meet-up, but everything is pretty much set now. Just a few minor details to iron out, and it will all be good to go! I can't wait to see everyone again (and a few for the first time).
How's your summer going?
-Maggie
* Go see This Is the End. It's ridiculous and inappropriate, but so hilarious. The ending of the movie alone is worth the price of admission.
I finally, finally finished the Seattle video. It's not the greatest as I didn't film as much as I should have and a lot of the time when I was filming I wasn't paying attention, but it's finished and that's what counts. So without further ado. . . .
Naturally, this has sent everyone into fits of nostalgia, but the Austin meet-up gets closer every day. Tickets are being bought, plans are being set . . . I'm stressing out a little, but it's whatever.
-Maggie
P.S. Make sure you click the little HD button so the quality isn't worse than it already is.
(I started this blog two weeks ago and somehow still did not finish it before 2013, so just for a little while pretend it's still 2012 and that you still care.)
To be frank, 2012 was just not my year and I'm not sad to see it go, but there were still good times. In fact, there were really fantastic times, so I have followed Mayte's lead and complied a list of twelve things that were fantastic about this year. I won't focus on the bad times when I look back on this year, so there's no need to think about them now–or ever again, for that matter. When 2012 makes its exit, its taking its baggage with it.
01. New York, New York
You all know my immense love for New York City as I literally talk about it all the time. Just ask Melany–she receives an "I JUST WANT TO MOVE TO NEW YORK" text at least once a week. I still can't believe that I went to New York this year. It feels like it was ages and ages ago. That week with Keren was one of the best of my life, and I cannot even begin to describe it to you. I just can't wait to go back.
02. Mumford & Sons and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Year before last, when I was still in Cisco and Melany at UTSA, the above mentioned and Old Crow Medicine Show went on their Railroad Revival Tour, which stopped in Austin. Melany and I desperately wanted to go, but money and time did not permit. We were devastated, to say the least.
BUT THEN last Spring Break, Melany and I heard that there was to be a free screening of the tour's documentary, Big Easy Express, with a short concert from Mumford & Sons and Edward Sharpe after during SXSW. So I drove to Austin, and then we experienced the best concert ever. Mumford & Sons is literally flawless, and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros is roughly five million times better live than on record–and that's saying something.
It seems that the best things in life really are free.
03. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Aside from being literally laugh-out-loud hilarious, this book is uplifting and hopeful in the best way. I happened upon it during a time that I was really, really down about school, myself, and life in general, and it was just what I needed. I would call it a godsend, but I'm probably going to hell for reading it. It's so worth it though.
04. Weekend of Buddies, or The Last Hurrah
Regardless of how everything has played out since then, I will always look back on this weekend fondly. We went out with a bang, that's for sure.
05. Regina Spektor's What We Saw From the Cheap Seats
I have always liked Regina Spektor, but I really fell in love with her music this year. (This probably had a lot to do with the fact that I had "Summer in the City" stuck in my head my entire stay in New York (because even though it's about summer, it feels like a winter song).) There is something about her music that is heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, and her new album was no exception to this. It is absolutely gorgeous, which is why it's made this list.
06. Apocalyptour
The fact that I have seen and met Team StarKid twice blows my mind a little bit. Apocalyptour was somehow better than S.P.A.C.E. Tour and they somehow managed to get even more attractive–feats that I did not believe to be possible. The fact that Melany, Britny, and I decided to drive to Austin, see the concert, and drive back in one day only made it better.
07. Ben Howard's Every Kingdom
The reason I even found Ben Howard was because my aunt wanted to show everyone this video of a beached whale being eaten by sharks and his song "The Fear" was playing over it. I don't know why that song was put with that video, but I'm glad it was because his music is amazing. I listened to this and Of Monsters and Men's My Head Is An Animal all summer long. It's really great music to run to. I have a very specific and vivid memory of listening to "Old Pine" during one of my runs, and even though it wasn't a very happy time, this song means all the more because of it. It's my favorite from the album.
08. Seattle Trip of Dreams and Wonder, Part I: Cousins
For a very long time, Julia talked about Seattle. She said she didn't really know what it was (though it probably had something to do with her love of Grey's Anatomy), but she had always wanted to go. I knew I couldn't see Seattle for the first time without Julia, so the two of us planned to go a few days before the Blogger meet-up. I adore my cousin, and it was so fun to take this big trip with her. I hope that we get to take many more together.
09. Seattle Trip of Dreams and Wonder, Part II: Blogger Family
Those few days we spent together are difficult to put into words. Roaming the airport in search of lost bloggers, sharing food at every meal, buying flowers for Dillon's mom, wandering all over the city, witnessing Nicola's first s'more, meeting Sam and giving Shelby a group hug after he left–this list could go on forever. It was so much more than anyone was expecting. Life is cruel to place us miles away from each other. The good news is planning for the next meet-up is well underway.
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The book is one of my favorites (honestly, it's everyone's favorite), so when I first heard news that not only was there to be a movie, but Logan Lerman and Emma Watson were to star in it, I was THRILLED. Then, like, two years later, it finally came out. It was well worth the wait though–it is perfection. I have never had a movie affect me the way this one did (like, my friends were kind of worried about me). It's probably the best of all time.
11. The Best Hair Cut Ever
My hair is kind of my thing. It and my handwriting are two things that I have always been very proud of and conceited about. So imagine my horror when the hairdresser somehow cut off six more inches than she was supposed this past summer, leaving my hair this awkward shoulder-length that didn't necessarily look bad, but certainly didn't look good either. I kind of had a breakdown–you may remember.
It's stupid, but I felt terrible about myself after that. It was about six months before I got my haircut again because I was emotionally scarred, but was sick of feeling like I looked gross. Then I got the best haircut of my whole life. I'm not even exaggerating. I have never felt so full of myself. 12. The Weekend of Mary's Wedding
I cannot convey how much I needed this weekend. School has this really bad habit of dragging me down and making me a very angry and sad person, but that weekend was a time that I chose to not be that person. The drive up there with KaCee, the bachelorette party, hanging out with the other bridesmaids, getting ready, crying at literally everything with Michelle, pulling out the sorority girl pose in the photo booth, laughing in Whataburger for four hours after the wedding–everything about that weekend was so fun and so happy. I would not trade it for anything.
Tomorrow marks the start of (what might be my last) fall semester, and I am excited and also not.
On the left hand, I always get excited for school to start back. There have been classes and teachers I haven't liked, of course, and we all know the horror that was last spring semester, but as a whole, I have always enjoyed school. I am really looking forward to the English classes I am taking this semester, and to just get back into the routine of classes and papers even though the latter sucks most of the time.
On the right hand, I am taking nineteen hours this semester and eighteen next semester so that I can graduate in May as originally planned. I am going to try, at least. If after the first week, I really don't think I'll be able to handle it, I'll suck it up, drop one of the classes, and stay an extra semester. There is no harm in trying though.
My hands will be full with papers and work* regardless of what decision is made, so I'm going to use these last few hours of freedom to reminisce on the latter half of my summer.
Aside from Seattle and work, the end of my summer has consisted of running at sunset, surprising my family with a trip home, reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to Zak, spending an hour taking pictures of Melany's feet, a trip to Austin, finding my bridesmaid's dress for Mary's wedding, sitting in iHop for three hours, and so on.
It has been a pretty tough couple of weeks, if we're being honest, but in the end the good outweighs the bad. Just as it always does.
-Maggie
* Let me just casually mention that I got promoted yesterday.
