“Nothing to See Here”
Diana got a bit of a shock when a man attached himself to the 14th floor kitchen window with suction cups. No reason for panic D- it’s just the external window cleaner that we had been warned about. Does make for a funny picture though. This would not be good employment for either me or my Dad. Don’t these guys usually get lowered down in a bucket? This one’s just dangling from a rope and holding himself still with suction cups.
The Austin “Trail of Lights” in Zilker Park has been a holiday fixture for over 40 years. I drive by it on my commute each day and have been quite inconvenienced by all the traffic disruptions, so thought we should see what all the fuss is about this year.
The trail ended up being a lot of fun – about a mile walk through all kinds of light displays. I enjoyed the Winnie the Pooh display.
All the trees along the river are different colours, making a great picture against the city skyline.
The one above is from the Ferris wheel that Diana was surprised to see me enthusiastically ride with her.
Wednesday was “Heroes Night”, celebrating military and first responders.
There was a fun band of military folks playing towards the end of the trail.
The festivities finished at the huge purple tree. Apparently it’s traditional to spin around underneath until you’re dizzy.
McD looks a bit cold in front of the tree. Good practice for Scotland. Time to whisk her off somewhere warm with some good music.
Kevin Galloway was playing at Geraldine’s at the Van Zandt hotel – such a nice venue. Galloway was front man for Uncle Lucius, a pretty well known band, for years but has recently opted for a quieter solo life. He is a quiet singer song writer and was accompanied by beautiful cello playing. I had to politely ask those folks in front to be quiet so that we could all enjoy the music.
Diana made a quick trip to Chicago on Thursday and Friday to visit a client. She liked the hotel I recommended and enjoyed a lovely Christmas choir and orchestra performance in the lobby.
It was work holiday party time on Saturday night. We took a picture by the apartment tree and then Ubered over to the Fairmont hotel for the festivities.
The organizing team did a great job on the party – pictures and spin art during cocktail hour, very good food (Diana commented that she enjoyed the butternut squash soup, and she doesn’t like squash), and an excellent band named Suede.
I was only on the job a few weeks last year at the party, and it was a lot more fun now that I know everyone.
The dance floor was packed most of the night – a sign of a good band that can read the crowd. I even spun McD around more than she was anticipating.
The party continued on the rooftop into the wee hours. A great time had by all.
The weather in Austin was amazing this week, with highs in the mid to upper seventies most days. We enjoyed some excellent sunsets from the balcony.
We slept late on Sunday, and then made the drive to McKinney, arriving in time to be shocked with the nice lead the Cowboys had against the LA Rams at half time. I had missed an amazing one handed touchdown by Jason Witten. The Boys ended up winning handily, setting up a big showdown next Sunday against the Eagles to decide who makes the playoffs.
This review encouraged me to read “Nothing to See Here” by Kevin Wilson this week.
What a completely unique and strange book. A very enjoyable and quick read and not like anything I’ve read before. Here’s a synopsis:
“Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Until now, when Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for her help.
Madison’s twin stepkids are moving in with her family and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. However, there’s a catch: the twins spontaneously combust when they get agitated, flames igniting from their skin in a startling but beautiful way. Lillian is convinced Madison is pulling her leg, but it’s the truth.
Thinking of her dead-end life at home, the life that has consistently disappointed her, Lillian figures she has nothing to lose. Over the course of one humid, demanding summer, Lillian and the twins learn to trust each other—and stay cool—while also staying out of the way of Madison’s buttoned-up politician husband. Surprised by her own ingenuity yet unused to the intense feelings of protectiveness she feels for them, Lillian ultimately begins to accept that she needs these strange children as much as they need her—urgently and fiercely. Couldn’t this be the start of the amazing life she’d always hoped for?”
I wonder if Wilson didn’t come up with the whole premise of the story just to support that cover picture. My only complaint, as is sometimes the case with me, was that the ending just left too much unfinished and hanging open.
Here’s something from Kevin Galloway’s band, Uncle Lucius:
And a selection from his solo record:
I enjoyed this song from Bonnie Raitt this weekend: