The Coffee Diaries-Lola Savannah

Lola ... totally modern Coffee/Wine bar cafe' with a "eurolounge-trans beat". Music that is. I didn't mean to come to this place, but it just kind of happened. At least it fits my mood for the day. There's been a lot going on in my world lately, still taking place in my head. Life is a constant transition, and you can either embrace the ride or fight it. I chose embracement. God has placed many amazing people in front of me in the past month. I am starting to finally see the answers to where He wants me to be in my life at this moment in time. On another note, I have just planned a totally spur of the moment trip to the mountains of Taos. I am in need of a cabin on the side of the mountain to give my sequel the attention it deserves. Ever since I saw the indie flim, The Swimming Pool, I've wanted to go away to the mountains like the main character did. "Charlotte Rampling plays an uptight English crime writer, who takes refuge in her publisher's isolated house in the French countryside to revive her creative juices." Same idea, right.

There will be some skiing involved too, of course. Thanks, Austin!

My First LIVE Online Interview!!!

Please tune in on February 4th 2009 Wednesday evening at 7pm to hear my first LIVE online Interview on Bobby Ozuna's Soul of Humanity Radio Show! Check out his blog to see what the show is all about!

Iggy the Iguana Stuffed Animals are HERE!!!!!

I am so happy to say that Iggy and all of his identical twins have finally made it into my life. Yes, lizards everywhere. So cute!!!! If you would like to order your very own adorable iguana to go along with the book, Iggy the Iguana, you can purchase under the order link at www.iggytheiguana.com.

The Coffee Diaries-Halcyon

Another day on the coffee house mission complete. Gosh, every since my publisher's conference in Houston, I have been going non-stop. My head has so much going on inside, I just can't turn off. Anyway, its all a good thing. So, I am on 4th Street in Austin, sitting at a pretty freakin cool place. I have to say I do like Halcyon, even though I haven't taken a second to look away from my computer screen. I have had many interesting conversations in the past few days which has led me to seek out some scripture advice. Actually this morning while laying on the floor of a 102 degree yoga room in Savasana (corps pose) I prayed my usually pray for a sign or an answer, and instantly the verse Romans 4:11-20 (actually I couldn't decide if it was 20 or 11, so I thought maybe it was 11-20) came to me. I looked it up later, and it speaks about Abraham's journey and the basic questioning of faith and fear. How perfect. That reminded me of a post I wrote way back about Abraham's reliance on faith in Genesis when he was told to leave the familiar and go start a nation. I keep going back to Abraham. I made my decision to move to Austin after that reading, which proved to be a good one. But now, am I letting fear create question or am I fearing that I haven't given other parts of my world enough time? I think I may be reading Romans a few more times through.

Half a Challenge

So, I have to admit it was quite liberating to do a Half Marathon with no training and not giving a care in the world about time this time. I felt like I actually got to see the city and be in the present moment. Running has a tendency to keep me in my head, you know sort out all kinds of things, but doing the Half with someone else really forced me just to be and be totally okay with it at the same time. It was like a completely different kind of challenge, especially for a control freak like myself!

The Coffee Diaries-Little City

Oh, yes, what a nice change from yesterday. I heart Little City. I just finished an awesome lunch with Suz here, the food was lovely, but we always have a wonderful time on our adventure lunches. Today's was especially great because we booked our California Adventure Trip tickets. West Coast here we come. Now for my review of this place. Nested right in the heart of the city, this place is perfect. Just perfect. It is what I think of when I think, "coffee shop." You could totally get lost in the music and atmosphere ... sitting here, never wanting to leave because you are a part of its insides. Love it love it love it!!!!
On another note, I have been spending the past few weeks wrapping up the first draft of the Iggy sequel and getting the hard cover out to publish. It has been nice playing this part of the writing world right before the author visits start back up. I love getting back on the creative side of things. It is always so short lived though. I feel like God is opening my eyes to this career because it keeps me interested and never bored. Wearing three different hats has a tendency to do that. Yet, with that said I still have so many questions, unanswered.

The Coffee Diaries-Jo's on SoCo

Lunch at Jo's on a cold Saturday in Austin, really didn't give me the full effect of this antique treasure, but I must say I had the best hummus on wheat sandwich ever!

I just had to say it!

I don't know what it is about this New Year, but its like I just received this amazing jolt of energy, and I am soooo looking forward to the months to come. First off, I have to say I love all my married, wonderful, engaged, beautiful friends, and I am so happy for their amazing newness in life ... but as I "writer" I would like to press something so interesting ... call me out there, but ya know how people may feel that it is okay to announce there happiness and joy as a newly wed or engaged person, and believe me I love how happy all of those people in my life are ... but ya know, no one has a problem with saying how happy and lucky they are to be in love and in a relationship. Right? Well, why doesn't anyone do that as a single person? I only question this because ... shoot ... I am so freakin in love with life and have been for many years, but not as much as I do right now. I guess I feel the need to say this because I witness so many women being unhappy to be single, and it baffles my mind. Maybe it is just my personality or something, but first off we must remember God's plan for us, but also ... DUDE ... there is so much you get to do. I'm not saying my randomness is for everyone, but I love being able to go with the flow of life. I love it! Now, I'm not saying I am not human and don't have pity parties for myself, but come on now ... that only wastes amazing energy. 2008 was a trip ... a total amazing ride, but I can feel 2009 is going to be even better. I am soooo open to anything and everything that God brings to me. I am willing to do it all!

Okay, so enough of my energetic manic post. But everyone's life is totally meant to do something with. God has a purpose for all of us. And we only get one life.

The Coffee Diaries-Mozart's

So, I either know nothing about Austin, or I have totally discovered a hidden treasure. A coffee shop on the lake ... brilliant. Indoor and outdoor seating, this place would be absolutely perfect either in the early morning or right before the sun goes down. I am on the patio, and the sun is literally affecting my computer view. In hopes of boosting my immune system, I am trying a Acai Berry Smoothie. It's hilarious how no one knew about this wonderful antioxidant a year ago, and now you find it in every freakin beverage. They claim it does everything green tea does and so much more. I think it comes from Brazil, yes, I do believe that is correct. Anyway, five stars, hands down. A lot of intellectuals visit this place ... artsy intellects. Love it.

The Coffee Diaries-Austin Java

Yes, my friends, today marks the day of my coffee shop quest in Austin. Thank you, Suz, for joining me this afternoon for my first stop on this little mission. Sitting here reminds me of how much I used to visit coffee shops and how I do miss it. It's like a life style or something. Coffee shop people dress a certain way, and it not just Austin, but seriously ... I love it. Probably because I am not one of them, but I can pretend, right! Okay, that's all for today. I should be working, not blogging right now. Back to buying barcodes. Yes, my life is glamorous. Cheers.

Coffee House Quest

So for those of you who do not know, Austin is one of the best cities for cool coffee shops. I have been here for about 6 months and have not taken full advantage of this treasure. Most of my work is done on my MAC laptop (Just represent-in), so I don't know why I am being so lame working at home. The start of the new year is always a good time to start new things, so I am now on my own personal mission ... To visit every Austin Coffee Shop. The list is LONG! I have until June 1st to complete this little mission. I'll start a new segment to my blog, "Coffee House Diaries" is what I will call it. The atmosphere in these places are easy writing.

My first stop on the list will start in alphabetical order: Austin Java on 12th and Lamar! I'll let you know.