The Visible Woman...July 11, 2003

Things seemed to work and be oddly aligned and functioning today. The weather was nice, we enjoyed our adventures and even found ourselves saying "what are the odds?"

The morning started with a workout. In spite of the unfamiliarity of the gym, it went well. Such a big place and with odd twists to the machines. Still it worked out well as things do sometimes. We ended up eating and drinking coffee in the snack bar, too. The day seemed fine.

We were determined to eat lunch (yes, we were thinking about it that soon after breakfast) at a restaurant that our friend Ann recommended. It was in Belden Place. So we set out after getting cleaned up and dressed and located the place. Then we wandered around until it was actually lunch time. In the process we saw a guy begging that we both swear was Robert Crumb's brother, Maxon. If you've ever seen that documentary Crumb you know who I mean and, if you haven't, well there you go, you should see it and your family will seem oh so sane. Anyway, this and some really weird geegaw stores (and shooting pix of their windows) and a cafe with a newstand entertained us until lunch and we landed right back at the appointed place for lunch which was this restaurant named Plouf, a French affair with mussels and pommes frites and the like. It seems right to eat French Fries when they are called pommes frites. All those skinny Frenchmen can't be wrong.

The pedestrian street is crowded with restaurants that pull tables outside on a nice day. We had a good laugh watching the Italians at the place next door (called Tiramisu) trying to waylay customers headed for the French places.

There was a party of six women next to us on one side and a party of two couples on the other. FFP struck up a conversation with the women. But one of the guys on the other side started talking to us.

"Didn't I see you at a jazz concert last night?" he asked, looking at me. Then he craned his head around to see FFP, down the table on the same side as he was. "I DID!" he exclaimed. "I was sitting right beside you."

He did look familiar. Hmmm...the day had a strange synchroncity. Last night we talked to the people behind us and they knew someone we knew in Austin, but we hadn't talked to that guy.

So we discussed the concert with this new guy and how poor Freddie had lost it but that the drummer was awfully good.

After lunch, we went back to the room and regrouped. I'd seen something about an independent bookstore nearby and we went and spent a pleasant hour or more there ending up with four not too heavy books to take home. Three off bargain tables.

We got a coffee and then went to the room to relax and get ready for the nice evening. Our friend met us right on time and we caught up over drinks and dinner and wine.

Life is good you see. And, sometimes, it can make you go 'hmmm.'

Friday, July 11, 2003

A Journal from Austin, Texas. A Project of LBFFP Stealth Publishing.
food	reading	writing	time	exercise	health and mood

FFP enjoys the swordish tartare at the very French and sylish Plouf Belden Place reflection Belden Place starts to buzz...a reflection of strangers odd things for sale in Chinatown the dance of geegaws	what are the odds? Things seemed to work and be oddly aligned and functioning today. The weather was nice, we enjoyed our adventures and even found ourselves saying "what are the odds?" The morning started with a workout. In spite of the unfamiliarity of the gym, it went well. Such a big place and with odd twists to the machines. Still it worked out well as things do sometimes. We ended up eating and drinking coffee in the snack bar, too. The day seemed fine. We were determined to eat lunch (yes, we were thinking about it that soon after breakfast) at a restaurant that our friend Ann recommended. It was in Belden Place. So we set out after getting cleaned up and dressed and located the place. Then we wandered around until it was actually lunch time. In the process we saw a guy begging that we both swear was Robert Crumb's brother, Maxon. If you've ever seen that documentary Crumb you know who I mean and, if you haven't, well there you go, you should see it and your family will seem oh so sane. Anyway, this and some really weird geegaw stores (and shooting pix of their windows) and a cafe with a newstand entertained us until lunch and we landed right back at the appointed place for lunch which was this restaurant named Plouf, a French affair with mussels and pommes frites and the like. It seems right to eat French Fries when they are called pommes frites. All those skinny Frenchmen can't be wrong. The pedestrian street is crowded with restaurants that pull tables outside on a nice day. We had a good laugh watching the Italians at the place next door (called Tiramisu) trying to waylay customers headed for the French places. There was a party of six women next to us on one side and a party of two couples on the other. FFP struck up a conversation with the women. But one of the guys on the other side started talking to us. "Didn't I see you at a jazz concert last night?" he asked, looking at me. Then he craned his head around to see FFP, down the table on the same side as he was. "I DID!" he exclaimed. "I was sitting right beside you." He did look familiar. Hmmm...the day had a strange synchroncity. Last night we talked to the people behind us and they knew someone we knew in Austin, but we hadn't talked to that guy. So we discussed the concert with this new guy and how poor Freddie had lost it but that the drummer was awfully good. After lunch, we went back to the room and regrouped. I'd seen something about an independent bookstore nearby and we went and spent a pleasant hour or more there ending up with four not too heavy books to take home. Three off bargain tables. We got a coffee and then went to the room to relax and get ready for the nice evening. Our friend met us right on time and we caught up over drinks and dinner and wine. Life is good you see. And, sometimes, it can make you go 'hmmm.'
JUST TYPING Didn't I see you? Last night? At the concert...in the Plush Room? The drummer was awesome. What are the odds? Sit by you last night. Sit by you this noon. In a city...how big?
		Food Diary. Two slices of turkey bacon and a good-sized portion of cottage cheese. A bit of fruit. A glass of Sancerre. Lots of mussels in garlic white wine sauce, lots of bread, a small serving of French Fries, several raw oysters. A vodka gimlet. One third of a bottle of wine. Tuna tartare. Foie Gras. One third of a cheese plate.
		Time flies.... Wasting time walking around waiting for lunch time...is it more of a waste than riding a bike to nowhere?

		Reading. The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman almost got lost at the gym as I attempted to keep up with my headset, water bottle, book and towel while finding machines to use. But I found it again and so I can finish it.
		I'm on the road and I wrote the journal...what do you want from me?
		Exercise An hour biking to nowhere.
	.	My mood was good today and I was able to relax and enjoy everything .