A Currently Untapped Market?

Jeremy and I were driving around Austin yesterday. While at a stop light in our old neighborhood, I looked to my right. Jeremy and I both strained to read the sign on a building nearby. This is what we saw:

A U S T I N C A N * * * * E N T * *

Jeremy and I both gawked. "Does that sign say AUSTIN CANNON RENTAL!!?"

Unfortunately, it was just the Austin Canine Center.

Why did I even get out of bed?

In a 15 minute span of time yesterday, our cat escaped from the house (and we may or may not have screamed some nice words at the top of our lungs to the entire street), a hornet flew into Jeremy's pants and stung him twice, and my e-mail program decided to send all unsent messages from my draft box (since 2005).

I'll bet that prof of mine from the first semester of grad school was happy to know I won't be able to TA for his spring '06 course.

I am getting old.

Dave Matthews just reappeared in the CD player and reminded me that I really enjoy familiar things, including his music.

(Living in Austin, Jeremy and I are always being trendy and edgy. (Stop laughing.) We've actually been discussing how we've come to crave a dinner at Applebee's or Red Lobster because frankly, it is EXHAUSTING being so cool all the time. We never eat the same stuff at the same restaurants. We are always at festivals, co-ops, farmers markets, and hipster places. Yes, yes, I know that we inspire everyone with our ability to stay ahead of the latest organic food trends, but cut us some slack! Sometimes I really want a bloomin' onion.)

I checked out Dave's website and saw that he and his posse will be in Houston this August. "Whooo!" I thought to myself. I clicked on info about the venue and saw that his show is at an outdoor amphitheatre. A video started to play showing about a BILLION sweaty young people jumping up and down and singing along with whoever was performing. The film was supposed to show me, random website visitor and prospective concert attendee, what a great time I'd have at this venue.

After watching the promotional video, I was left with one impression: there is NO WAY we are driving to Houston to get trapped in a parking lot with THAT many people.

Cats don't like baths, anyway.

Easter is quickly approaching and I am reminded of a story.

Jeremy and I help coordinate the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program at our parish. RCIA is the process through which people become Catholic Christians. The celebration of the Easter Vigil is the pinnacle of the liturgical year and the time adults who choose to be received into the Church are baptized, confirmed and take Communion. The liturgy is very beautiful and the church pulls out all the stops: incense, bells, phenomenal music, etc.

Unlike many of our Protestant brothers and sisters and newer Catholic churches, our church lacks a cool baptismal font that would enable the immersion of adults. In order to baptize adults at the Easter Vigil, we had to get creative.

To get the job done two of the other RCIA coordinators went to Toys 'R Us to purchase either a baby pool or a sandbox. They opted for the sandbox because it was neutral in color rather than hideously blue with hippos and elephants. (not that Jesus would care)

At checkout the two RCIA folks told the cashier they would not need the sandbox cover. The cashier responded by saying "well, don't you want the cover to keep the cats out?"

Our friends reassured her that they planned to use the sandbox to perform baptisms, to which the woman responded, "oh, well then you REALLY want to keep the cats out."

Happy Holy Week!

The Onion, Southpark, and now...

This is dead on. Be forewarned, as this blog cuts close to the bone: Stuff White People Like

Thanks, Sarah :)

IMPORTANT NEWSFLASH!

I just received this critical message from the creators of facebook...

Erin, you are more desired than 30% of all people.

In total, you were reviewed for dating 1 time and no people expressed interest in you. You are more desirable than 30% of 23,341,397 people.

I'm no MBA, but it seems that e-mailing customers to let them know how UNdesirable they are is not the most effective PR/marketing strategy? Funny, yes, but sound business strategy, no.

Until next time...

Erin, the Undesirable
;)

How Did I Get Here?

You might have googled one of these phrases. (This is only a partial list of googled phrases that result in hits on this page.)

election 2008 update

browntastic

peanuts in poop

kiwish

big person eating

the dignity of work and the rights of workers

seamless garment tea
(what on earth is this? I am a fan of both the seamless garment viewpoint and tea, but what's with the combination?)

time for a song, a dance, and a little seltzer down your pants....

march 7 holidays in foreign countries

butterbeer alamo drafthouse recipe

analyze the song god bless texas by little texas
(quelle horreur?! not on MY blog!)

person eating photo

poop with peanuts in it

how to combine dna
(?!? - I did NOT blog about this at ANY point)

alittle song, alittle dance, alittle seltzer down your pants

we don't have white christmas in texas

peanuts in my poop

Ok people, I don't know what to do about peanuts in your poop and I'm not sure why I've earned a reputation as the go-to person for such difficulties. Maybe you should switch to cashews.

My Day

Sooo, I think I have a strong artistic streak in me. Why would I say such a thing? Because I only do things when the spirit moves me (i.e. blogging, washing sheets, smiling). Apparently, others have taken notice of my potential for artistry.

I went to Central Market today. I bought some pecan crusted salmon, smooth peanut butter, vegetable broth, peppers, apples, whole wheat buns, Sweet Leaf tea (it is my crack), pie crusts and an amazingly sharp knife. As the items are being scanned, my cashier initiated the following conversation.

"So...what have you been up to today?"

"Just working... I escaped a little early."

"So...what do you do for a living?"

"Well, I'm the assistant director for an agency that provides transitional housing for homeless women with children."

--Long Period of Awkward Silence--

"So...I'll bet you're good at comedy!"

(To myself: WHAT????!!!!)

"Why yes, I am hilarious all the time."

--In response, cashier dude twirls conveyer belt divider like baton--


Perhaps I'm funny looking? I didn't even have on one of my fun t-shirts today (Cereal Killer, I See Your Pants are On Fire, etc.) I suppose there are worse things to be accused of...

I Sure Hope I'm Flame Retardant...