ATX Festival, Year Two

Hey y'all! This post is about Texas, so I'm allowed to say y'all here, for sure. I arrived home a few days ago last month (killing the blogging game, as per usual) from Austin, Texas, where I spent the weekend attending my second ATX Festival. It was glorious. I wasn't quite as pumped as last year going into it, because there weren't as many shows I watch coming this year, but I had a great time anyway. The highlights:

Creatives and cast from Sweet/Vicious. 

- Sweet Vicious screening: I had never heard of this show and then decided to watch it before attending the fest, and it is SO good. And the cast and creatives love it, and it’s so meaningful to them and so many viewers. MTV cancelled it, but they’re still shopping for a new home. I hope they find one, because this story is important and deserves to be told.

Kick-ass females of television: Mara Brock Akil, Liz Tigelaar, Kyra Sedgwick, Mary McDonnell, Taylor Dearden and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.

- Complex, Not Complicated: A Look at a Woman’s Character panel: A chat with some badass females who are actresses/writers/creators/EPs about the importance of depicting women as multi-dimensional characters but going beyond the "harried woman who tries to have it all” trope.

The I'm Sorry panelists. And the free popcorn and cocktails the show sponsored. Alternate caption: "More people sitting in director's chairs!"

- I'm Sorry screening: Created by and starring Andrea Savage, the show is loosely based on her real life. They screened the pilot, and it was hilarious - bawdy, relatable, and the cast is filled with funny people you'll recognize. Also, Tom Everett Scott plays her husband, and I've had a crush on that adorable man since That Thing You Do! It's on TruTV and I honestly have no idea how to access that, but if I can figure it out, I'll definitely be watching.

There were a bunch more screenings and panels (I think I went to 17 over four days), but those were my absolute faves. I AirBnB'd it again this year, and my place was near-perfect. Great location, comfy bed, and a pool. 10/10, would stay again. The ROT Rally was in town, which means it was hella loud, but since I wasn't driving, it was only minimally annoying.

The only weird thing about my AirBnB: This creepy-ass sign.

The thing I really love about this festival, more than any celeb sightings or swag, is the people. I joked on Facebook while waiting for my flight that I was "going to be with my people," but it's true. I'm normally not one to talk to strangers, but making friends here couldn't be easier. Knowing that we share an obsession with television makes it real easy to strike up a conversation with just about anyone. And they're just as pumped about the topic as I am. I feel welcomed and accepted and not at all weird for showing up solo. I haven't signed up for next year's fest yet, but I'd say it's highly probable I will return.

Keep Calm and Carry On.

Me with my pals Sara and Kelly in Sevilla, Spain. There is little photographic evidence of my last Europe trip, because this was back in the day (2005) when cameras used film. And you can't waste those frames on selfies!

I've been thinking a lot lately about the state of the world. With the the upcoming anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, the attacks in Portland, Manchester, and London, and myriad other acts of violence that have occurred in the interim, it's hard not to think about it, really. And having a loose cannon in the White House does little to ease my mind (but that's a whole other blog post).

The idea became more personal when my mom called last week as I was driving home from work. We chatted while I was stuck in traffic (hands-free via Bluetooth, don't worry), and I mentioned I've been researching a trip to Brussels and Iceland.

"Be careful," she cautioned. "Brussels had all those attacks." I know she's my mom and thus she worries, but the threat of a terrorist event didn't even register on my list of concerns about the trip. I was more nervous about not speaking the language and finding an AirBnB that was affordable but still had a bathroom and no bedbugs. So her comment gave me pause.

Bad things do happen. And they can happen anywhere, at any time. My house is 15 minutes from the movie theater where a dozen people were killed in 2012. The last time I was in Europe, I happened to visit London in between the two July 2005 bombings. I don't say that to imply "Look at me! I've narrowly escaped tragedy!" but merely to point out the sadly ubiquitous nature of these events. Being out and about in the world today comes with a degree of risk.

But I don't want to let that stop me. I've always wanted to see the world, and I'm finally in a situation where I have both the PTO and funds to do so. So while I can't say I'll be venturing to the Middle East anytime soon, I don't want to put travel on hold until we somehow unlock the secret to world peace. Letting fear overshadow the things that bring me joy in life feels like letting the bad guys win. And if someone gets to win in my life, I want it to be me. So I'll proceed, with caution. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.

The Thailand Trip

My favorite part of any vacation, the beach.

Hey, y'all! Remember that one time when I mentioned I was going to Thailand? Well, that happened. And since it's been nearly 1.5 months since I arrived home, I figured it was time to tell you about it.

First, the basics: I went with my friend Val, aka Mrs. Val, aka Mrs. World Traveler. She's lived abroad and been to six continents, so I felt very comfortable taking a trip like this with her. We flew out of San Francisco (because tickets were cheap; also she lives in Anchorage so it seemed like a good rendezvous point) and had layovers in China before arriving in Bangkok, Thailand. We stayed in Bangkok for three days, then flew to Siem Reap, Cambodia, for three days, back to Bangkok for an overnight layover, then down to Krabi, Thailand, (spending time in Ko Lanta and Railay) for five days, then back to Bangkok for the journey home. Essentially a two-week trip.

Highlights:

- English was fairly common in Thailand, and very common in Cambodia. That made getting around/ordering food/etc. easier than anticipated. Cambodia also uses American currency, which was convenient, though they won't accept old-school $20s, $50s or $100s (only the newer kind with the multi-colored ink).

- Everything is pretty affordable. We Couchsurfed in Bangkok, so we had free accommodations, and our host took us to a street food market where dinner was about $1.25 USD. Even at fancier places, I don't think I paid more than $10 for a meal the whole trip. Same for hotels; we didn't stay at the fanciest of places, but our most expensive room (two twin beds, private bath, free breakfast) was $37 USD. Not bad at all.

- Lots of restaurants have a whole vegetarian section on their menu, so finding food was easy. Curries and Indian food were prevalent, but everything I tried was tasty, so I have no complaints.

- Thai massages are magical. We went to the Asia Herb Association and had a great experience. We had tea, they washed our feet, then we changed into pajama/scrub-type outfits and they worked us out. My therapist bent and stretched my limbs, walked down my legs (to apply more pressure, I think? She was about half my size) and left me feeling totally tension-free. Total price was about $15 USD. You can get them for less (like $5) at smaller walk-in places (which we also did), but the AHA massage was better.

- Our hotel in Siem Reap was awesome. They picked us up from the airport, the staff was super friendly/helpful, and the room was clean and cute. And Pub Street and other attractions in town are 5-10 minutes away, walking.


Lessons learned:

- Pay to have your clothes cleaned. I decided I would wash mine in the hotel sink and let them hang dry, and that was stupid. They took days to dry and then smelled musty when they were finally wearable.

- Railay > Ko Lanta. We spent the majority of our beach time in Ko Lanta, where the beach was rocky and quite small, especially during high tide. The vibe there was laidback and fun, but Railay had gorgeous beaches with smooth sand and warm water. Definitely preferable.

- Try not to get food poisoning (not sure how easy that'll be, but definitely don't seek it out). Mrs. Val and I both got sick on the flight(s) home, and it was not pleasant. I literally grabbed the (unfortunately still sealed) airsickness bag and started to say "I think I'm gonna--" before projectile vomiting all over myself, my seat, the floor, and Val. She is a true gem for continuing to be my friend after this occurred.  Then we both spent the remainder of our 20-ish hour trip slogging back and forth to the bathroom. Yikes.

Overall, it was an amazing trip. I was apprehensive about traveling with just a backpack and taking so much time off from work, but it was absolutely worthwhile. I had what you might call a moment in Railay, when I was lazily floating in the ocean, soaking up the sunshine: everything just felt right. I think that experience kicked off my recent feelings of contentment, actually.

I'll leave with you some carefully curated (by that, I mean "semi-randomly chosen from my 400+ photos") pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

The greeter at the entrance to Wat Arun in Bangkok.

The detail on the temple was incredible, especially given its size (several stories).

The Istanbul floor at Terminal 21, a giant mall with an international theme in Bangkok.

Me with Mrs. Val, my delightful traveling companion.

The main drag in Siem Reap, home to many restaurants, bars, and $1 fruit shake stands.

Touring a temple at Angkor Wat.

Elephants. In case you didn't know.

Watching the sun set from a hilltop in Angkor Wat.

The beach in Railay, AKA one of the coolest beaches I've ever been to.
The cliffs right next to the water made it pretty stunning.

Sunset at said cool beach. Pretty much perfect.

Just keep livin, man. L-I-V-I-N.

Hey kids. It's been a minute, as per usual. I find time most days to read the blogs I like, but I rarely feel compelled to write anything here. But that's OK, ya know? I feel fine about the fact that I've been doing more living than documenting these days.

Speaking of L-I-V-I-N, I leave for my first not-on-this-continent trip in nearly a decade tomorrow. My friend Mrs. Val asked if anyone wanted to go to Thailand with her on Facebook a while back, and I said yes. So to Thailand (and Cambodia) we shall go. I've packed my backpacking pack with a very minimal amount of clothing, several snacks (as the vegetarian options might be iffy), and plenty of bug spray. I'm ready to rock and roll.

I'm a little nervous, though. Not really about the trip, but about what the trip means. Having adventures like this is something I've always wanted to do, but never really done. Deep down, I'm worried I'll hate it and long for the suburban comforts of home. And if I do hate it, what does that mean about who I am? That I'm content to live a sheltered, predictable life? I don't want to be that girl. And I don't think I am that girl. But I've gotten pretty comfortable with my monotony.

So this trip is kind of a test. Can I be the free-spirited, confident person of my dreams? Or should I accept my destiny as a cubicle-working basic bitch? I guess we'll find out in the next two weeks.

I have returned!

Playa Norte – probably the best beach I've ever been to, and it was right in front of our condo complex.

Well, I've spent about two days back in the real world after Mexico, and I didn't love it. Beach > work. Always and forever. But a girl's gotta make a living, so I have (reluctantly) returned to Colorado. It was about 15 degrees the night we arrived home, but it has since warmed to the upper 50s. Still not quite as nice as the beach, though.

Isla Mujeres was absolutely amazing. We had one rainy afternoon/evening, but otherwise the weather was gorgeous – clear skies and sunshine every day. The island itself was great – it's only about 20 minutes from Cancun by ferry, but it has a much more small-town feel. There are still plenty of restaurants and shops, but it has less of a party vibe, which I preferred (after all, I am old now).

We stayed in a condo at Nautibeach; they have a rental pool but I ended up finding a deal through Orbitz. It was nice to have a kitchen and more space than a hotel room. We rented a golf cart one day (a common mode of transportation) and made a trip to the grocery store, so we prepared our own breakfasts and lunches and only ventured downtown (easily within walking distance) for dinner. The condo itself was bright and beach-themed, and the staff at the complex was great. They have a nice pool, but I never used it, as we were steps from the beach.

Overall, it was so nice to just relax, unplug, and take it easy for a week. It was the perfect way to celebrate my 30th. And it was great to spend some time with my mom and sister; we all seem to only get busier as the years go by, and it was really special to have that time together. Since I was unplugged, I wasn't terribly focused on documenting the trip photographically, but here are some of the pictures I did manage to take.

The sculpture garden on the south end of the island (Punta Sur). Apparently, this is where the sunrise first hits Mexico – I didn't test this personally, as I was busy sleeping until 10 a.m. every day, but that's what the plaque said.

Lin and Mom walking around the reef at Punta Sur.

Iguana. There were a bunch of these guys sunning themselves at the sculpture park.

Sweaty me enjoying an ice-cold coconut. The change in climate was a bit of a shock.

Lin feeding her leftovers to the stray cats (and dog) of the island. I think they're fairly well-fed, as they had zero interest in her grilled-vegetable sandwich. 

What I looked like for most of the week. Parked on the beach in my giant sun hat. The only thing missing is my book – I had to put it down to take a selfie.

Pups playing on the beach. They chased each other in and out of the water, which was pretty adorable.

A south-of-the-border take on Bronco orange and blue.

The monkey tree on Hidalgo (kind of a pedestrian mall of sorts, home to lots of shops and restaurants).

Paying homage to my blog ad (currently running at Living in Yellow), but the beach was too sandy for Chucks. Those are sand-flea bites on my legs/feet – AKA the worst bites I've ever had. Word to the wise: Do not eat dinner on the beach. Sitting in the sand in the dark resulted in all of the bug bites. I've only just stopped itching 24/7. 

Lin waiting to take the ferry back to Cancun. She is not happy to be leaving.

View from the ferry.

Mexican flag in Cancun. I never saw it up close, but given its size compared to surrounding buildings, it must be huge!

Vegas: Neon and nuptials

I'm back to reality this week after taking most of last week off to go to Las Vegas. Vegas is a pretty frequent destination for me, so I try to find new things to do each time, in addition to the standard walk the strip/eat and drink a lot/sit by the pool that I do every trip. This time, we did something extra special, as we got to be witnesses at our friends' wedding.

All dressed up and ready to witness.

The wedding was at the Bellagio on Halloween, and after the sweet ceremony, we walked around the grounds while their official photographer took pictures (and we snuck pics with our phones). We went to a fancy tapas place where I may have had too much sangria, then hit up In-N-Out for a "grilled cheese" – really just a burger with no patty – and topped off the evening with a gondola ride at the Venetian. It was great fun, and I'm so glad we got to celebrate with them.

The happy couple - how cute are they?

We also tried a new restaurant, Hash House a Go Go. There are several in Vegas, but we tried the one in The Quad. I'd heard marvelous things about this place (and their giant portions were featured on Man vs. Food), and I love me a good breakfast, so I was pumped. Unfortunately, the food was just OK. The crispy potatoes were greasy and soggy, and there was no butter or jelly offered for my enormous biscuit. So, not amazing. They did have pretty great orange juice, though.

Mushroom hash from Hash House a Go Go. Not my favorite. But that OJ was on point.

Another new adventure this trip was a visit to The Neon Museum. Their boneyard is a collection of several signs from the Las Vegas of yesteryear, and it was pretty cool to walk through and see the old-fashioned signs and hear stories about Vegas history.

The Neon Museum sign

Only a few of them were actually restored, but the rest are lit up at night (when I went) or you can tour during the day. My guide was a history professor who had tons of knowledge about Las Vegas and its growth and development (like the origin of the $1.99 steak dinner, or the "family-friendly" Vegas era), which I found really interesting.

Some of the collection.

The last new thing I tried this trip was exercising. Not really new to my life in general, but I can't remember ever getting a workout more strenuous than a brisk walk on a vacation before. But I made time each morning to get my butt to the gym in the complex (we stayed at a timeshare place, which was super cute, though not cute enough to convince us to buy one) and get my sweat on.

Pics, or it didn't happen. I look thrilled.

I didn't do anything too tough, just 20-30 minutes of cardio and some ab work, but I feel like it set the tone for the day and helped me make some better choices instead of embracing the free-for-all mentality I usually have on trips.

Overall, it was a fun trip. And it was nice to be in 70-degree weather, especially since it's supposed to snow later today. I've embraced fall, but I'm totally not ready for winter at this point. What did y'all get up to this weekend?