My friends Zach and Amber go multiple times every year so we decided to meet up at the Fest and hang out. I went early to catch the parade, which I never seem to make on time. I knew the turn was tricky and missed it, but fell in love with Siri when she helped me take some ranch roads back to the highway.

It was no surprise to see some of the same stores, shows, and people that have been going as long as I have, which is over 20 years. It’s nice that some things hadn’t changed except that we’re all getting old. This was my first time to have alone time and I enjoyed going at my own pace.

I got my fish and chips, with some ale, and sat down to wait for the parade. There was no way I was going to shell out any cash for a schedule program, especially after the ATM fee raped me, and I assumed they wouldn’t have changed it since it’s always been at noon. My guess was right and I got most of my pictures from the parade.

I ran into this guy, which ended up being my favorite costume I saw all day. Right after I took this picture, a little girl ran up and squeezed him like he was the cutest thing she’d ever seen. I was impressed because at six year olds, he would have terrified me.

Lots of stages have been added, and places that were empty are now packed with shops and vendors. It’s hard to tell who’s working a shop and who’s just hanging out because they look good. There’s a wedding chapel, and I caught the procession.

The jousting arena has changed a lot over the years, and I only stayed a little while to watch. Zach and Amber arrived about this time so I went back to the entrance to meet them.

The Fest gets more and more packed each year – I read that by the afternoon, there were over 30,000 people in attendance. I managed to buy a bracer, a fox tail (what?), and a hairband for my niece by the end of the day. I had a great time with Zach and Amber and I can see why they go often and camp. I’ll consider camping next year since I really hate it, but it would be fun with them. They know how to ren-party.

I got lost again on the way back but I figured it out. I think I owe Siri a present from bartering with her to get me back to the highway.

Mini-Meatballs with Pesto

Meatballs

1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 small chopped onion (about 1/4 cup)
1 large egg

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients in a big bowl. Shape beef mixture into 1 inch meatballs. You can use an ice cream scoop to make it easier.
3. Place in ungreased 13 x 9 inch pan.
4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, makes 3 dozen appetizers if you want to be fancy and put toothpicks in them.

Pesto

2 cups fresh basil leaves
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
1/2 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic

1. Mix together in blender or food processor, or with a fork if you are feeling lazy (like me).
2. Can refrigerate tightly covered up to five days.

Recipe from Betty Crocker.

The first is a skirt I got from Urban Outfitters. It’s white with adorable pleats and it’s knee length. I have no idea what to do for a top or how dressy to do shoes.

The second is a dress I loved from Cream Vintage that I had altered shorter to knee length and short sleeves. Those guys are great at alterations! I’m stuck with accessories on this dress (does it need any?) and what kind of shoes to wear.

Let me know what you think in the comments! I’ll be sure to post when I wear these items with your suggestions, so feel free to control my (fashion) life!

When I was a little girl, my sister and I would spend each summer at my grandmother’s house. At first the thought of spending two weeks without the comforts of home, especially the Nintendo, seemed like an impossibility. But after two weeks with her, we didn’t want to go home.

Part of the summer routine at my grandmother’s was reading. At first I’d tear through all the books I’d brought with me, and then I’d start digging through her bookshelves for anything to read. I discovered Narnia, Sherlock Holmes, and Nancy Drew as my remedy to boredom.

Nancy Drew found a place in my heart from reading those books. My grandmother had row after row of the small bound books in the closet, and I read through all of them. I imagined myself alongside Nancy, scouring a room for clues and getting the bad guy in the end.

Many years later, I was working at Girlstart. I had created a website for girls and wrote video games reviews to encourage girls to start playing. I received a review copy of a Nancy Drew game from Her Interactive, and I was a little hesitant that a game could capture the same sense of wonder I felt at my grandmother’s.

I took the game home to play over the weekend, and much to my husband’s chagrin I played it non stop. I was engrossed in the mystery and kept scribbling in my notebook to solve the puzzles. I was hooked.

I enjoyed playing the games as the years went by as review copies and later started buying them on my own. They became mini-breaks from life for me – a game to play that wasn’t stressful but was rewarding. I learned about barrel racing horses and how to navigate the Paris subway. I often involved my husband because I would get stuck in a puzzle and after a while I would ask him to help me with it. We’d play through it with him always solving it first, and I liked that it was something we could do together.

When I began having problems in my marriage, I bought a two-pack of the Nancy Drew game to keep my mind occupied. I became stuck on a puzzle and I asked him for help. Disinterested, he told me to solve it on my own. After trying over and over, I eventually did, but I was sad I couldn’t share the victory with him.

When my marriage ended, I started noting the small accomplishments of things I was now doing on my own. I had felt before that I needed him to solve those puzzles, but after working at it I found I could do it without him.

I may not face the same situations as Nancy Drew, but I find that I can solve some mysteries as well as she did. Plus, I do have several Georges and Besses in my life that I can call on when I get stuck and need a clue. Now if only I can find a Ned.

I have always been too terrified to travel for work because of my panic disorder. I’ve had a botched attempt, a half assed attempt, and the chance came up to travel for a training. I decided I would challenge myself and give it a try, so I warily agreed. The trip would be on a Tuesday and Wednesday to Kansas City.

I didn’t have anxiety leading up to the trip and I thought maybe it would be as easy as Seattle. But trouble started the Sunday before the trip. It started with a nightmare that left me unsettled, and I felt the doubt creep in. On Monday, I fell into my old pattern of being afraid of nothing specific. I worked out to try to shake off the feeling but it didn’t help.

I sat on the sofa and stared at the clock. I was considering backing out and I had until 8:30 to drop off my dog for boarding. I decided calling my dad for advice was a good idea. It was NOT a good idea. My dad, frustrated with me, got angry and told me to just stay home so I would stop worrying and crying. I sat with my dog for about thirty minutes when I stood up and decided to go.

I always carry a slip of paper with my itinerary and anything I personally have scheduled for a trip. I planned my outfits, charged up my iPod, loaded up my new Doctor Who audio book, and packed my Kindle. I went to bed early feeling normal about the trip and a little excited that I had decided to go.

My flight on Tuesday morning was direct and quick. I was laughing on the plane thanks to the audio book and I was completely engrossed in the story. Hearing David Tennant’s familiar (and sexy) voice made the flight great and I had the second half of it to listen to on the way home.

I started a new experience when I arrived in Kansas City since I was working. I decided to do a shuttle to the training because the company is about 45 minutes from the airport. The driver was supposed to have a sign with my name on it, but unfortunately she was running behind. (I had plans to take a picture of that.) Another passenger was in the shuttle and she discussed her flight delay and tornados with the driver, focusing on the damage to Joplin and the storms predicted for the evening.

When I got to the company, I couldn’t find any of my co-workers. Through some texting I found out I had just missed them and they ran back to grab me for lunch. The training afterwards wasn’t as bad as I expected (almost all trainings suck by default!) but the chatter increased about upcoming bad storms.

Downtown Kansas City on Tuesday by Scott Cook

At the hotel, I couldn’t decide what to do. The forecasts for Wednesday were looking bad and I started to get scared that my flight would be cancelled, which had turned into my fear’s focus. I considered hermiting in my room, really so I could obsess over the next day. My friend Ly Ann texted to say that she was going to tapas with her friend Becky and invited me along. I started to whine about my fears and Ly Ann was incredibly reassuring. I thought about my commitment a few months ago about not missing opportunities so I jumped up and said I was in.

I think that was the best decision of the whole trip! We went to a tapas bar called La Bodega. I’ve never been to a tapas bar and this turned out to be what I needed. We watched the clouds roll in, with no rain, and over the next couple of hours we enjoyed great food and some wine.

We went back to the hotel and I was in a great mood. I ended up chatting with my sister a bit and went to bed feeling good, and woke up the same. I got dressed and packed up since I’d leave directly from the training for my flight home, and a quick check of the weather seemed like I’d have no problems with my flight. I even forced my co-workers to take a photo with me.

The trainer stopped about noon and announced that we needed to go to the stairwell. The tornado warning sirens were going off. One of the only benefits about panic disorder is that most people who have it stay incredibly calm during emergencies, mostly because we spend so much time thinking about it. I grabbed my bag and went into the stairwell.

The building employees seemed to be enjoying the warning. Most had said they’d never had to take shelter before, and some were going outside to look around for tornados. Once we had word that a tornado touched down one block away from the building they took it seriously and came inside.

We look pretty calm hiding in a stairwell, don't we?

I was irritated and growing more anxious the rest of the afternoon as everyone turned into a weather forecaster. There were more tornados coming, there was nothing coming, and everyone was watching the Doppler radar and discussing predictions. I kept checking my flight for cancellations but nothing was posted. Ly Ann had to reassure me throughout the afternoon, but things were clearing up and I met my shuttle for the ride to the airport.

The two passengers in the shuttle were discussing Spain. They had never met but were sharing stories about travel gone wrong. I kept quiet in the back seat and realized that there are two kinds of travelers – ones who focus on what a great time they had and ones who focus on what a terrible time they had. Ly Ann had mentioned over tapas how much she enjoyed her recent trip to Spain which made me realize the different types. I decided that from that point forward I will ignore the negative travelers and weather forecasters.

I also realized as the scenery went by that I had difficulty with situations I can’t control. Tornados, flight delays, the shuttle, even Austin’s light rail. But using what patterns work for me, such as a support system of friends and lists, audio books or my Kindle, shows me that this is not that extraordinary and I can handle it.

The flight was delayed because of weather in other cities, proving again that I can’t control everything just by worrying about it.

I’d like to say that Kansas City was gorgeous but I never went; I can’t say I had a fun time because it was a work trip. But that’s what made this so bad ass – the point wasn’t going to visit family or having fun. It was to work. And I honestly thought that was something I’d never be able to do. Like anything it’s going to take practice for me to go on longer or different trips but this was a major accomplishment for me. And I’ve been celebrating it because to see how far I’ve come in six months doesn’t seem real.

I wouldn’t have been successful without the support from my sister and friends. I am grateful to have their understanding and kindness!

I think this one is fantastically positive, though, and I’ll tell you why.

I started riding Austin’s light rail system, MetroRail, about two weeks ago. I’d been saying I would do it since they mentioned opening a station near the house several years back but I never got around to it. I had one reason or the other, mainly expense, but since I get to ride it for free for work I really ran out of excuses. Plus I am desperate to save money with the price of gas and I have a long work commute.

I asked friends who ride the bus how it works. I mean, I rode the shuttles in college which was forever ago but I’ve never rode the city buses. They showed me how the schedules work (and a sweet friend offered to ride with me the first time!) so I figured out when I needed to be at the rail station and how to take the flyer to work.

The design of the station reminds me of when Sugiyama-san waits for the train in “Shall We Dansu?” and practices his steps on the platform. (That’s my favorite movie of all time. FYI.)

I didn’t need my friend to ride with me and I actually had fun the first trip. The train is so cool on the inside. It’s crazy clean, no food or drink allowed, and everyone is very polite and quiet. I’ve taken a book but never needed it because I love watching the scenery. I like it and I look forward to the days I can take the rail to work. I hope they expand to weekends. I initially decided I’d ride once a week, but now I think I will aim for twice a week. It should save me at least one fill up a month if not a little more than that.

So here’s where the fantastically positive comes in. The reason I kept putting off riding the rail was it gave me anxiety. I didn’t like that I have no control over the schedule, the route, and being stuck at my destination and dependent on the rail to come home. It doesn’t sound like it, but it turned into another point against my panic disorder by taking the rail to work.

And it feels like one day, I’ll be the one dancing on a train platform in Japan.

I love Saturdays because they start with boxing, so anything past that is very fun. This past Saturday was the Austin Women’s Clothing Swap, which I’ve been waiting for since last year’s event. It is incredibly well organized and is a HUGE swap.

The event was moved to a larger location this year and was chaotic! However, I’m getting good at swaps so I finished up with only one thing that didn’t fit and isn’t worth the effort for altering it, so off to Goodwill it goes. But I got a couple pairs of jeans which made the entire effort worth it. Very excited. The ones I turned into cut-off shorts are Z Cavaricci, which I was never cool enough to have as a kid.

I stopped by Cherrywood Coffeehouse to see my friend’s band, Best Best Best Friends, later in the afternoon. I’m glad my house is far away from there because I would live at that coffeehouse. They were hosting a crawfish boil, which is one of my favorite noms in the world. Best Best Best Friends is a great Dixieland band (that’s how I describe them, anyway) and a fantastic show.

When I walked into the Coffeehouse I saw a sign on the door for a Doctor Who premiere showing – what the what? I hadn’t heard anything about it and I wasn’t looking forward to watching it alone. Providence! I had my evening set. (Hey, you know I had to work the Who in here somewhere, it’s been a common theme lately.)

After the guys played, I went inside to watch the premiere. The room was as quiet as a church with about 15 people watching. We take our Who very seriously. I will have to watch it again since I kept getting up for the yummy food and beer. I was surprised everyone stayed quiet because I was gasping half the episode.

I did miss one thing I wanted to do but there just wasn’t enough time in the day. It sounds like a not-very-exciting day (bet you thought I’d mention The Highball or Drafthouse), but it was all the things I love to do.

That’s right, I’m crowdsourcing* my next haircut. I’ve found the following photos of celebs whose hair I really like, and you get to help me pick which one I’m going to do! It’s time for a change, and I have a fantastic stylist, so these are all great options.

*I’m not really crowdsourcing my hair, are you crazy? I’ll just see what everyone picks and then decide.

Cameron Diaz (from Knight and Day)

The one thing I really liked about this movie was Cameron’s hair. She has some major layering that works as bangs when pulled back, or choppy fun when down.

Emma Watson

This is 100% return to the pixie cut I had a few years back, but I think this is even shorter. When she cut her hair it reminded me how fun it is to go that short. Plus, I would probably get about 30 minutes more sleep because I wouldn’t have to do anything to style my hair.

Olivia Wilde

No, not the Tron: Legacy version (although that would be awesome). Olivia’s hair has been long lately with some great bangs that aren’t too heavy. I did bangs recently and seeing Olivia’s style makes me want to give it another go.

David Tennant

It seems that the more I think about it, the more I was serious about it. No, I wouldn’t have sideburns, but longish-short hair that is super spiky looks really fun. I think my stylist can make a girl version of it.

Trinity

I always think of my old stand-by hair style, Trinity from The Matrix, when I want to cut my hair off. I know it’s dated but it’s short, it can be bad ass slicked back, and I can grow it out easily.

So tell me what you think – vote!

Shortbread cookies were the first cookies I learned how to bake because they are usually about four ingredients. This recipe is a little fancier by adding orange.

It comes from my favorite cookbook called “Cooking With Friends,” referring to the Friends TV show. It’s out of print but if you run into a used copy I highly recommend it! A lot of my recipes come from this book.

Orange Shortbread

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 medium orange
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease an 8″ square cooking pan and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar. Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest. Squeeze out and add two tablespoons of orange juice. Add to mixture along with the vanilla, flour and salt. Press dough into the pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until the shortbread is pale gold, then cool for 15 minutes. Cut into bars.

(Recipe copyright “Cooking With Friends,” by Amy Lyles Wilson and Jack Bishop.)

Okay, so I think I’m in love with David Tennant. I got distracted for about an hour while looking through photos to post. And I do want to wear that suit. Moving on…

But I’m actually starting to fashion crush on Karen Gillan now that I’m caught up on the show. She is one fiery ginger who is the most stylish companion that has ever travelled with the Doctor. Don’t worry if you’re not a Who fan – although you should be – because I’m here to talk about her outfits. Karen Gillan plays Amy Pond, who is full of attitude and sass.

She wears a lot of short skirts and shorts, but often pairs tights with them. One of my favorite outfits is simply a red hoodie with a black skirt with some kick ass high top Converse, using the short skirt to really play up her legs. Now I want those Converse. I think I’ll just steal the entire outfit.

Karen is gorgeous off Who too. Her hair is beautiful and it takes a brave woman, redhead or not, to wear matte red lipstick. I can’t wait to see what she wears in the upcoming season!