#no kidding I am on unit 4 of italian and its been like 10 days since I started

[blindaysblogforturtles]

There was I. Alone, in the dark. With only duolingo to keep me company. That wretched owl.

Bonus:

[mizmahlia]

Get to know me uncomfortably well!

I was tagged by my sis @donaldpiercesbae . Thanks, my dear. I loved your answers!! 

1. What’s your middle name?

It rhymes with ‘bae’.

2. How old are you?

Older than a lot of folks around here, I reckon. (Mid-thirties.)

3. When is your birthday?

January the 26th

4. What’s your zodiac sign?

Aquarius. I’m stubborn, rebellious, and quirky.

5. What’s your favourite colour?

Clover green.

6. What’s your lucky number?

I don’t have one- I’ve never been superstitious in that capacity.

7. Do you have any pets?

I have a cat who’s a bit of an asshole named Oliver, who I love to pieces. And three days from now, I’ll be picking up a puppy. It’ll be almost six months to the day I suddenly lost my Milo.

8. Where are you from?

The United States of Dysfunction

9. How tall are you?

5’6” / 1.68 m

10. What shoe size are you?

I’m an 8.5 / 41-42

11. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Uh… it’s more than two dozen, but less than three dozen, I think.

12. What was your last dream about?

I don’t remember my dreams, unfortunately.

13. What talents do you have?

Procrastination, I can talk to pretty much anyone, I can play video games longer than is healthy, and I can sorta write.

14. Are you psychic in any way?

Not in the slightest and I am totally okay with that.

15. Favourite song?

None of Your Business by Salt N Pepa, Alone Together by Fall Out Boy, Broken by Lifehouse, Creep by Clint Mansell/Eliot Sumner

16. Favourite movie?

I can’t think of just one at the moment; but if it’s got Batman (or his friends/family) in it, it’s safe to say it’s on my list.

17. Who would be your ideal partner?

Someone I’m comfortable sharing my nerdy hobbies with, who can communicate, and who isn’t content with life as-is. (That means he wants to explore, try new things, strives to be a better person than he was yesterday, etc) To be cheesy, I want a partner in crime.

18. Do you want children?

Yes, but being 35 and having been single for 5+ years, I’m scared I’m running out of time.

19. Do you want a church wedding?

As someone who’s been married (and sadly, is divorced), I’ll be the first to tell you the venue isn’t nearly as important as people like to make you think it is. If I do it again, I’ll probably not do so in a church.

20. Are you religious?

No, but I consider myself a Christian.

21. Have you ever been to the hospital?

I’ve been there as a visitor many times, but as a patient, thankfully I’ve only ever been to the emergency room.

22. Have you ever gotten in trouble with the law?

Nope! But I used to get rides home after cross country practices in the back of my friend’s mom’s police car.

23. Have you met any celebrities?

Yep! Karen Gillan, Richard Speight Jr, Sebastian Roche, Hugh Grant, Johan Santana (MLB pitcher), EJ Henderson (NFL player) 

24. Baths or showers?

I love me a hot bath, but it’s usually a shower.

25. What colour of socks are you wearing?

I’m barefoot whenever possible, like right now.

26. Have you ever been famous?

LOL nope

27. What type of music do you like?

Just about anything!

28. Have you ever been skinny dipping?

Only in my bathtub

30. How many pillows do you sleep with?

One. I have a neck problem, so I have a specific pillow I need to sleep with.

31. What position do you sleep in?

Curled up on my side.

32. How big is your house?

Three bedrooms, two floors, and an awesome living room.

33. What do you typically have for breakfast?

Coffee and a granola or protein bar.

34. Have you ever fired a gun?

Several, and I honestly don’t see how/why it’s fun,.

35. Have you ever tried archery?

Yes, but I’m certainly no Roy Harper.

36. Favourite clean word?

Shenanigans

37. Favourite swear word?

Fuck and all of its derivatives

38. What’s the longest you’ve gone without sleeping?

30 hours, I think? 0/10, do not recommend.

40. Have you ever had a secret admirer?

Nope, and I’m okay with that. I find it a little creepy.

41. Are you a good liar?

Better than I have a right to be, and it bothers me.

42. Are you a good judge of character?

I think so, but then again, based on past experiences, I’m utterly terrible.

43. Can you do any other accents than your own?

I can do the stereotypical Minnesota one, though a lot of us don’t talk that way. But I’m terrible at trying to imitate accents, so no.

44. Do you have a strong accent?

I’ve been told by quite a few people I don’t sound like I’m from Minnesota. Make of that what you will. :)

45. What’s your favourite accent?

Irish, by far. I love that accent so much.

46. What is your personality type?

I don’t have a favorite type, but I generally prefer those who aren’t judgmental, arrogant assholes.

47. What’s your most expensive piece of clothing?

My wedding dress. It’s ludicrous how much they cost, and you wear it once.

48. Can you curl your tongue?

I certainly can!

49. Are you an innie or an outie?

A pierced innie.

50. Left of right handed?

Right-handed

51. Are you scared of spiders?

Is water wet?

52. Favourite food?

Peanut butter

53. Favourite foreign food?

Authentic Italian, not like the crap they call Italian here.

54. Are you a clean or messy person?

I’m somewhere in between. I’m clean, but somewhat disorganized.

55. Most used phrase?

“What the hell?”

56. Most used word?

“Damnit.”

57. How long does it take you to get ready?

Depends on the occasion- for more important things or when I want to go through all my steps, about an hour and fifteen minutes because I have long, thick hair. For class every day, about 15 minutes.

58. Do you have much of an ego?

I seriously hope not, but I’m not the best judge of that.

59. Do you suck or bite lollipops?

Neither because I don’t like lollipops.

60. Do you talk to yourself?

All the freakin’ time.

61. Do you sing to yourself?

In my car every day!

62. Are you a good singer?

Nope, but since I’m the only one who hears it, that’s okay!

63. Biggest fear?

Losing my parents or being alone for the rest of my life.

64. Are you a gossip?

I try not to be because gossip never helps anything or anyone.

65. Best dramatic movie you’ve seen?

L.A. Confidential.

66. Do you like long or short hair?

I like short hair, but I love long hair.  

67. Can you name all 50 states in America?

I should hope so, since I live in the country.

68. Favourite school subject?

A tie between anatomy and microbiology.

69. Extrovert or introvert?

Introvert with some extroverted qualities.

70. Have you ever been scuba diving?

Nope!

71. What makes you nervous?

Dentist appointments, waiting around at the starting line of a race I’ve never run before, flying.

72. Are you scared of the dark?

If it’s somewhere unfamiliar, sort of. Otherwise, no.

73. Do you correct people when they make mistakes?

Depends on the mistake and the person.

74. Are you ticklish?

Everywhere and I absolutely hate it.

75. Have you ever started a rumour?

Not that I know of, no.

76. Have you ever been in a position of authority?

Several times and every time, I’ve hated it. I’m more comfortable as a worker bee, not the queen of the hive.

77. Have you ever drank underage?

LOL yes. My hometown had little to do other than that.

78. Have you ever done drugs?

Nothing that wasn’t prescribed. I’ve never been curious enough to try any.

79. Who was your first real crush?

A boy named Davey (his name is David) when I was a kid. He’s a year younger than me and loved Batman, riding bikes, and wanted to be a Navy fighter pilot. He had these gorgeous blue eyes and almost black hair.

80. How many piercings do you have?

Three, but that will likely increase at some time.

81. Can you roll your R’s?

I should hope so; I studied Spanish for almost a decade.

82. How fast can you type?

According to a typing test I just took: 83 words/minute.

83. How fast can you run?

LOL not fast. Right now, I’d be lucky to break 9:30/mile.

84. What colour is your hair?

Medium brown with some grown-out balayage.

85. What colour are your eyes?

Like about 2% of the population, they’re green.

86. What are you allergic to?

Stupidity.

I recently developed an allergy to something, but I’m still trying to figure out what. I blame a trip to the state of Kansas.

87. Do you keep a journal?

I don’t, but I should. It really helped me work things out when I didn’t want to talk to someone.

88. What do your parents do?

They both still work, though I wish they would/could retire.

89. Do you like your age?

For the most part, yeah. I hated myself in my 20’s, but my 30’s have been so much better.

90. What makes you angry?

Intolerance, rude behavior, the Green Bay Packers, and the New York Yankees.

91. Do you like your own name?

Of course! It’s not a super common name.

92. Have you already thought about baby names? And if so, what are they?

I admit I have, but I’m not gonna share them.

93. Do you want a boy or girl for a child?

I’d like a healthy kid, plain and simple. Gender doesn’t matter.

94. What are your strengths?

I’m stubborn, persistent, and empathetic.

95. What are your weaknesses?

I’m stubborn, persistent, and empathetic.

96. How did you get your name?

A family friend’s first name is Molly and I got my aunt’s middle name.

97. Were your ancestors royalty?

Not that I know of or care.

98. Do you have any scars?

Physical or emotional?

99. Colour of your bedspread?

100. Colour of your room?

Plain ‘ol white.

I tag @rolodexthoughts . :)

[grgop]

Welcome to Dugi otok

It's been my wish for quiet some time to visit Dugi otok (Long Island), the long and the most distant of the Croatian islands located in the center of Croatian part of the Adriatic sea. Actually, I visited one part of it – the Nature Park Telašćica, when I was a kid more than 15 years ago…but never other places and with the new purpose. However, my wish had been granted surpassing all the expectation I had about this trip. 

The main reason why I wanted to travel there was to find and record the locals who speak the local idioms. For those of you who've been following me for the last couple of years and especially my YouTube channel you know that this was a super exciting trip for me. These native speakers represent a national and cultural treasure in terms of lingusitic heritage and a history of the litoral and maritime people living here for centuries, with some of them being isolated or with little touch to the land (terraferma). Thus the excitement to hear the living past and a nice blend of the Croatian Slavic culture and the Mediterranean Latin influence.

Apart from finding the native speakers I was excited to find out more about being and living as an islander. So I had to chance to record, hear and take photos of stories and experiences of the local people from several villages including both youth and seniors.

How it all started

I was super lucky to be given the opportunity to stay for four days on the island and meet many people whose help I never expected. I got the accommodation for free at the local monastery of St Michael in Zaglav which was thrilling enough and especially valuable since they allowed me to stay during the festive days around Easter. As soon as I got the confirmation that it's not a hallutination but a reality I looked for help among friends and acquaintaes who could aide me in getting to know the island and the locals. Without them this trip would have looked totally different as I knew practically nobody there. In the end I made lots of friends and had plenty of fun while doing my mission. I spent literally days and hourse right before the trip to get the additional camera equipment, gather as much as valuable information about the locals as possible, creating my own map of the potential people for the intervju and preparing the daily routes.

But before we dive into the adventures here's a some info about the island.

About Dugi otok

What do you need to know about this paradise? Dugi otok is the largest of the North-Dalmatian islands situated in the central part of the Croatian Adriatic. Iti s also the last island before the open sea and Italy on the other side of the Adriatic bay. Just like the majoritiy of our islands it has many hills and small bays with its highest peak of Vela Straža at 338m. The island is around 45 km long (hence the name) but at some points its width ranges between 1 and 4 km. This contrast was especially visible when I was driving a car from the south and at one point I stopped and looked to my right – there you see the islands towards Zadar and Velebit mountain. Then you turn to the left and see the nothing except for the blue sky, horizon and the deep blue Adriatic sea. However, during the crystal day and with a good eye sight one can see the eastern Italian coast, more precisely – the Apenine mountains. After all, Italy is less than 200 km away across the sea.

Its western coastline bordering the open sea characterize the sharp contrasts: the southern part around the Nature Park Telašćica is surrounded with impressive cliffs that go up to 80m in height. Telašćica is one of the most beautiful place sin Zadar county and frequently visited by numerous tourists each year.

On contrary, on the other side of the island you can find more peaceful bays. The two most notable beaches are Sakarun and Veli Žal where Sakarun is the most famous one. However, last years due to growing number of visitors and greediness it no longer looks and is as it was 10 years ago. I also never went there but visited Veli Žal instead. All in all, the nature on this island is incredible and as the locals say – you hardly notice any seasonal change. It always looks as if the time had stopped between spring and early autumn. Always green and no leafs falling. In terms of nature this island will be a perfect place to escape the reality and the stress of the modern lifestyle spent in larger urban areas. Clean sea, peaceful nature and the welcoming locals.

People, customs and history

Speaking of locals the island has a population of roughly 1500 inhabitants spread in around 12 local villages. The largest of them is Sali in the southeastern part of Dugi otok with the population of around 800. On contrary, places such as Dragove or Veli Rat in the north have between 40-70 inhabitants statistically. However, accoridng to the stories, there's far less people who actually live for the whole year. The sad truth and reality is that these places will become ghost towns within 10-20 years as the majority of these locals are seniors over 80 years old. The thing is – apart from them most of the visitors are so called „weekenders“ – the islanders who live on the land (e.g. in Zadar) who come there over the weekend…or the other part that's present during the summer are the diaspora. These are the people whose parents, grandparents or further ancestors emmigrated to the United States, Southern America or Australia and New Zealand at the beginning of the 20th century or around the years of the WW2 in search for better opportunities and life across the sea. There are even some remains left of the WW2 bunkers and ship tunnels that I am going to describe you later (I couldn't resists visiting some of them). And even today one can find near the central part of the island a restricted zone which belongs to the military whose base is on top of the hill. It's said it used to watch over the potential threat that comes from the south or across the Adriatic sea.

The population of the island was thus much larger, actually surprisingly larger. However, the Great War in 1918 and the Second World War had taken the toll with great consequences. Many of the islanders died or were killed during those time, especially the young people, men, who were meant to start new families. Those who survived either stayed or moved to new places. Some places used to have a lot of children attending the schools. Now some say it's „a success“ when they managed to gather up to 10 children of the elementary school in total. And they come from different villages.

Being on the island many of the locals have traditionally been turned towards the sea and what it offers. It's not unusal to find people who have spent their lives sailing around the world. Some have been fishermen. Some are into agricultulre and what it offers. Unlike us who live on the mainland here you can't have super large fields but smaller ones where you take care of goods and cultures such as figs, oranges, lemomns, tomatoes, potatoes, salad and olives. In Sali there is a fish factory which provides employment for good amount of the locals. There is another important factor in the lives of the islanders and that is the Church and religion. It's not unusual to find many of them to be (kinda) devoted Catholics who go to the church every Sunday. After all, as some explained me, it's also a social thing or event, when you think about it. And living there for centuries, relatively isolated and surrounded by nature and vast sea surface, one shouldn't be surprised to see faith and religion rooted deeply in the locals. And being an islander does not mean living an easy life, as you are going to find out. Speaking of religion there is this Franciscan monastery of St Michael in Zaglav with a church that was built in mid-15th century. That's the place I stayed at.

The places on the island are connected with one main road from which you have amazing views over the surrounding islands and area. The island has also got quiet good connection with the mainland via trajects and speedboats (catamaran). There are four catamaran lines that go daily from Zadar to Dugi otok. If you are planning a trip on Dugi otok by car you will arrive by traject to Brbinj in the northern part of the island. The same goes if you want to leave the island by car. Speaking of cars the only gas station on the whole island is located in Zaglav in the south. That's also the place I arrived to and stayed at for four days.

What else to add? During the summer season many are some festivals related to religious events, local music and traditional kitchen. Those who prefer to spend their time actively they can go exploring the area, follow many hiking roads, visit the caves, Park Telašćica or National Park Kornati. If you are more into sports then I suggest finding some diving locations or courses, try running, trekking, biking, trail, sailing etc. At the northernmost point of the island at Veli Rat there is another landmark of Dugi otok - the lighthouse of Veli Rat.

I forgot to mention some of the older history of the island. Here are a few interesting things to know. The island was already inhabited with settlers in the early ages in paleolithic and mesolythic. Several years ago scients discovered the human skelleton that date back to 11 000 years BC. This discovered male Dalmatian known as „Šime“ died unnatural death at the peak of his retirement age of 40. 

One can find the remains of the settlements and stuff of the ancient Illryians. There are also several caves on the island and around Telašćica park one can find tomb hills dating back to Iron age 800-400 BC. The last thing I'd add here is the Grpašćak Fortress on the western coast above the cliffs of Telašćica. It was built in 1911 by the Austro Hungarian Monarchy which served as a military patrol base. I came close by my first evening on the island but more about it in the next post..

Time for a break

Alright! I hope you have some idea about Dugi otok. More in details on specific topis as we surf through the days. Grgo

[charllieeldridge]

15 Fun Things To Do in Austin, Texas

The capital of Texas, Austin is known for its live music, barbecue, tacos, and beer. This is precisely why I was in love with this city before I even traveled there! In this guide, we’ll dive into these and several more of the attractions and best things to do in Austin.

Austin is a city that prides itself on being just a little different.

Indeed, the state capital feels worlds apart from the rest of Texas. People here embrace that, though. An unofficial slogan of the city is “Keep Austin Weird,” and I’d say they’re doing a fine job.

In all seriousness, though, the Texas capital packs a serious punch as a travel destination. In addition to the amazing food, music, and beer, Austin is surrounded by rivers, lakes, and parks.

You have plenty of options for enjoying the great outdoors here. Go hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and much more, it’s hard to be bored in Austin.

If you’re ready to plan an awesome trip to ATX, read on for a detailed look at the 15 top Austin attractions and what to do in this exciting city.

1. Tour the Texas Capitol

Topping our list of things to do in Austin is going on a tour of the Texas State Capitol. This beautiful Italian Renaissance Revival building is the seat of government for the state of Texas. It’s also a must-see for visitors to Austin.

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and that’s certainly true of the state capitol. It’s actually bigger than the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. Its famous “sunset” color comes from the red granite that was used in its construction.

You’ll definitely want to spend some time exploring the capitol grounds to take it all in.

Head inside to admire the central rotunda, which is flanked by pictures of past governors. Look up at the impressive dome, where you’ll see a giant star surrounded by the word “TEXAS” – a nod to its nickname of the Lone Star State.

The Texas Capitol is open Monday to Friday from 7 AM-10 PM, however, tours only run from 8:30-4:30 pm. On the weekend it’s open from 9 AM-8 PM, with tours taking place between 9:30-3:30 on Saturday and noon-3:30 on Sunday. These tours are totally free and depart every 30-45 minutes from the South Foyer.  

No worries if you don’t make it on a tour, as they’ve got some great resources for making your own self-guided tour. Just head to their website to download free brochures, or drop into the Visitor Center at the start of your visit. For something a little more fun, visit the Capito by segway with this tour. 

Bonus: Governor’s Mansion

While you’re over here, you might as well check out the Texas Governor’s Mansion as well. You need to sign up for tours at least in a week, though, so click here to do that before your trip.

If you’re visiting Austin for the first time, you’ll probably want to book accommodation in the downtown area (which is where the State Capitol is located). Check out this list of places to stay in Austin for some great recommendations. 

2. Visit Zilker Metropolitan Park

One of the top Austin attractions to visit is Zilker Metropolitan Park. This large green space at the juncture of the Colorado River and Barton Creek is the perfect place to come enjoy a day full of outdoor activities.

The park covers around 350 acres and is full of trails, gardens, natural springs, sports fields and courts, and much more.

Here you’ll find the Zilker Botanical Garden, which is known as the “jewel in the heart of Austin.” It’s home to many lovely theme gardens, including rose, herb, and Japanese. It only costs $3 for adults and $1 for kids, so it’s well worth a visit!

Another popular place to visit in the park is the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum. It’s dedicated to the work of Charles Umlauf and is home to over 150 of his sculptures and works.

This one is also a great bargain at $3.50 for adults and $1 for children. It’s open Tuesday-Friday from 10 AM-4 PM and on the weekend from 12-4.

I haven’t even scratched the surface of all the fun things to do in or around Zilker Park. As a matter of fact, a few of the other activities on offer here deserve their own spot on the list!

☞ SEE ALSO: 15 Things To Do in Boston – Top Activities and Attractions

3. Fun on the River (one of the best things to do in Austin in the summer)

On a hot day in Austin (there are plenty of them!), there’s nothing better than cooling off in the river. At Zilker Park, you have plenty of options for fun in the water. SUPing, kayaking, and canoeing are all on tap here. 

Zilker Park Boat Rentals has been in business since 1969 helping people enjoy the river in an environmentally-friendly way.

They charge $18 an hour or $54 for the whole day and only take cash. They’re open daily from 9 AM until dusk, so you can definitely get your money’s worth if you opt for the full day.

If you’re looking for a more laid back affair, then you can enjoy the Homer Simpson of water sports instead — tubing!

You can sign up with ATXcursions for a carefree day of floating down the river, ice-cold beer in hand. They provide all the equipment and you bring your own drinks. Oh yeah, don’t forget sunscreen and shades, either. 

They run tubing trips on the weekends and on some holidays. Prices range from $59 to $79 depending on the day of the week. Head to their website to check out all the options.

☞ SEE ALSO: 21 Fun Things To Do in New Orleans

4. Hike Barton Creek Trail (Barton Springs Pool)

Next up on our list of things to do in Austin actually starts south of the park, but it eventually ends up there. The Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail stretches for over 12 miles and is considered one of the best hiking trails in the state. 

For a relatively easy hike, start out at the trailhead on Spyglass Drive (click here for directions). If you need some fuel for the road, drop into Tacodeli for some delicious brekky tacos before heading out on the trail. Click here to read a full guide to the Greenbelt and all its access points.

Head north on the trail and before long you’ll arrive at Campbell’s Hole — a great spot to take a dip and cool off.

Keep hiking for about 20 minutes and you’ll reach the Barton Springs Municipal Pool back in the park. The water here is fed by a natural spring and it’s usually a nice cool 68 °F (20 °C). This makes for the perfect way to cool off in that often intense Texas heat.

The pool is open from dawn to dusk daily, but it closes from 9 AM-7 PM on Thursday for rigorous cleaning. You’ll need to buy a ticket to access the pool between late April and late September. It costs $9 for adults and $4 for kids to enter. 

5. Go Mountain Biking

Hiking a short part of the trail to the pool is an easy way to enjoy the great outdoors in Austin. If you’re up for more of a challenge, you can also try some mountain biking along the trail and several other places around the city.

In addition to the Greenbelt, other trails in the city include Slaughter Creek and McKinney Falls Park. You can check the MTB Project for a map of mountain biking trails in Austin to get started.

If you’re really serious about mountain biking, you may want to consider a day trip out to Spider Mountain Bike Park. It’s the only year-round chairlift-served mountain bike park in the country and is home to several different trails.

Located 60 miles northwest of the city on Buchanan Lake, it’s a beautiful place to add to your list of things to do in Austin.

A full-day pass for the lift and trail access costs $50 for adults and $45 for youth. They even rent bikes, helmets, and pads, so you don’t even need any gear. Check their website for all the details.

For a more chilled out day of biking, check out the Austin in a Nutshell Bike Tour, which takes you around the city. The tour includes the bike equipment, guide and park fees. You’ll learn about the history of the city and see the local landmarks. Or, add craft beer to your bike tour with Austin’s Gem Bike Tour!

☞ SEE ALSO: 27 Awesome Things To Do in Chicago

6. See the Bats

Remember how I said the city’s unofficial slogan is “Keep Austin Weird?” Well, one of the top things to do in Austin is watching bats. Yes, those bats. The nocturnal flying mammals. There’s even a “Bat Fest” here every year in August!

Between March and November, nearly one and a half million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge just before sunset.

They come out of crevices in the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge (click here for directions) about 20-30 minutes before sunset. It’s a very popular thing to do here, so be sure to get there a bit early to claim a decent spot. 

The walkway on the east side of the bridge provides the best vantage point, but the hill below the bridge is also nice since you can lay out a blanket.

If you go that route, just be sure to bring something to cover your head from potential falling guano (bat droppings). 

Another fun way to take in the spectacle is on the water. You can take a rented SUP or kayak out to see the bats, and some local businesses even have special tours. Live Love Paddle runs a nightly 2.5-hour SUP tour to see the bats for $45 per person.

7. Photo Ops

You wouldn’t want to travel all the way to Austin and not have some awesome photos for the ‘gram! That’s why I’m including some popular photo ops on this list of the best things to do in Austin Texas. Thankfully, there are several solid options within a short walk of each other.

First up is the Greetings From Austin mural. This colorful mural looks like a retro postcard and makes for an awesome backdrop for a photo. 

Another go-to spot for pics is the I Love You So Much Wall at Jo’s Coffee. It’s simple and to the point and allows you to write a gushing post about how much you love (insert name here).

It could be your significant other, it could be the city of Austin itself, or it could just be tacos. Mmmm… tacos. More on them later.

Perhaps my favorite is the Willie for President mural, which is just a block south. It depicts legendary singer-songwriter and native Texan Willie Nelson, who I think would make a fine president!

Walk a block east, and you’ll find the Before I Die Wall. Grab a piece of chalk and write something that’s on your bucket list, then get to work crossing it off.

8. See Live Music

In a city that likes to call itself the Live Music Capital of the World, you know I’m fitting some tunes into this list. Whether you’re into rocking out in a cramped dive or classing it up in a jazz club, you can find it here.

There are so many choices for live music in Austin that it can be overwhelming. Apparently there are over 250 different live music venues here! 

Some of the best places to catch a show in ATX include: ACL Live at the Moody Theater, the Continental Club, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, and the Elephant Room. 

No matter what night of the week it is, there are plenty of options for shows in this city.

Seriously. I visited during the week in January when there was a freakish cold spell, and the town was still rocking. Click here to check out a full list of upcoming concerts and add some live music to your list of things to do in Austin.

For a unique tour idea, take the “Austin Live Music Crawl” where you’ll check out 3 iconic music venues, some up and coming ones, and listen to local, live music. This highly-rated tour includes a local guide, transport and cool vibes. Plus, your guide is a musician in Austin. 

☞ SEE ALSO: 21 Things To Do in Asheville – An Insider’s Guide

9. Experience Local Festivals

While you can catch some excellent live music just about any night of the year in Austin, you just can’t beat experiencing a festival here.

The city hosts several major festivals throughout the year, highlighted by SXSW (South By Southwest) and Austin City Limits.

The former takes place in March and lasts for ten days. It’s a conglomeration of music, interactive media, film, and conferences and it’s a really exciting event to experience. Check their website for all the details.

Another behemoth of a festival, ACL (Austin City Limits) is such a big deal that it now occupies two weekends. This world-famous music festival takes place in Zilker Park and always brings in a ridiculously good lineup.

You may be wondering if this city that prides itself on being weird has any weird festivals.

Of course it does!

In addition to the aforementioned Bat Fest, Austin also has a Hot Sauce Festival, Comic-Con Wizard World, and even a festival for Eeyore’s birthday. That’s right, Eeyore, the sad donkey from Winnie the Pooh. I told you this city was weird…

10. Go Museum Hopping

There are plenty of museums you can add to your list of things to do in Austin Texas. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or just some good old Austin quirkiness, there’s a museum for you here.

First up, there’s the Bullock Texas State History Museum.

Through interactive exhibits, audio recordings, films, and more, you’ll get an in-depth look at the state from prehistoric times up until today. In addition, the museum hosts several different events throughout the year and there’s an awesome IMAX theater here as well.

The history museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM-5 PM and from noon-5 on Sunday. Admission costs $13 for adults and $9 for children, and you can click here to book your tickets online. 

Right across the street, you’ll find the Blanton Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Texas.

It’s home to an impressive collection of nearly 20,000 different works of art from across the ages. A major highlight is seeing the building titled Austin by renowned artist Ellsworth Kelly. Famous for its rainbow of colored windows, this is the only building he ever designed.

Tickets are usually $12 for adults and $5 for kids, and it’s totally free to visit on Thursday. It’s open from 10 AM-5 PM Tuesday to Friday, 11-5 on Saturday, and 1-5 on Sunday.

That’s not all, though. You can also check out the Mexic-Arte Museum, South Austin Museum of Pop Culture, and even the Museum of the Weird.

The latter features things like shrunken heads, suits of armor, and other random stuff. It’s located in the back of the Lucky Lizard Curios & Gifts shop (click here for directions) and is open from 10 AM-midnight every day.

11. Visit The University of Texas

After visiting the history and art museums, it’s definitely worth it to explore the campus of the university. It’s a beautiful college campus that’s full of public art and historical landmarks, and it makes for a nice leisurely stroll.

One thing you won’t want to miss on UT’s campus is The Color Inside, a fascinating Skyspace by artist James Turrell.

The best time to really experience it is around sunset, but you’ll need to reserve your spot well in advance. Head to their website to find the next available time.

Another must-see while exploring campus is the UT Tower. You can sign up for a self-guided tour of the tower where you’ll go up to the observation deck to take in the views. Tours last 45 minutes and cost $6 per person. Click here to check the times and reserve your spot.

If you’re visiting during football season, you should definitely try to get tickets for a game.

Join the crowd of over 100,000 to cheer the Longhorns on to victory. Home games take place on Saturdays from late August to late November, and you can head to their website to look for tickets. Even if you’re not in town on a game day, you can still take a tour of the stadium.

12. Visit The LBJ Presidential Library

One of the top Austin attractions to visit is the LBJ Presidential Library. Native Texan Lyndon Baines Johnson became the 36th President of the United States after the tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy.

This presidential library and museum is dedicated to LBJ and the impact he had on the country.

It’s home to over 50,000 objects donated by the former president and his wife, from the clothing the wore at his inauguration to the desk he used to sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

There’s plenty to see and do here to keep you busy for several hours.

You can step into a replica of LBJ’s Oval Office, listen to actual phone calls he had during his time as president, and even check out his stretch limousine.

The library and museum are open daily from 9 AM-5 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for children and you can click here to buy them online in advance. 

☞ SEE ALSO: Top 15 Philidelphia Attractions 

13. Enjoy Lady Bird Lake

Next up on our list is a place that was actually named after the former First Lady.

LBJ’s wife was known as Lady Bird and was a beloved public figure for her work in beautifying the nation’s cities, including Austin. The city named Lady Bird Lake after her to honor, which is a great place to come enjoy some hiking or biking.

The best way to experience it is on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, which makes a 10-mile loop. It’s a very scenic way to take in the sights of Austin while getting some exercise at the same time! Click here to download a map of the trail.

Even if you’re not up for a long hike or ride on the trail, you should still come here to check out the boardwalk section. It’s only one mile long and is the perfect place to spend some time on a nice day.

Be sure you check out the Belting It Out art installation while you’re here. This is a collection of bronze belts with song lyrics from famous Texas musicians engraved on them. 

Of course, you can also experience Lady Bird Lake out on the water. No motorized boats are allowed, so it’s quite peaceful. As with other points in the city, it’s possible to rent kayaks, canoes, or stand-up-paddle boards here. 

14. Hang Out at SoCo (South Congress)

One of the coolest places to hang out in Austin is the area known as SoCo (South Congress). This shopping and cultural district is home to plenty of eclectic boutiques, cafes, music and art venues, and much more.

For a dash of 80’s and 90’s nostalgia, you can drop into the quirky Monkey See Monkey Do shop. Here you’ll find vintage action figures and other random collector’s items.

Once you’re done in here, head next door to Big Top — a circus-themed candy store with an old school soda fountain.

Another fun place worth checking out is Lucy in Disguise With Diamonds. First of all, that has to be the coolest shop name ever. Second, this has got to be one of, if not the best, costume shops in the land.

It’s way more than just pre-assembled costumes, though. They have all kinds of clothing, jewelry, masks, accessories, and more, so you can get really creative here.

These days, SoCo is also known for its abundance of food trucks. This started with the arrival of Hey Cupcake! back in 2007.

You can still get your cupcake fix here, but if you need lunch before dessert be sure to check out Burro Cheese Kitchen for gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

☞ SEE ALSO: Top 10 New Orleans Festivals – A Guide to The City’s Best Events

15. Devour Tacos and BBQ

Rounding out our list of things to do in Austin is sampling the city’s famous tacos and BBQ. After all that hiking, swimming, biking, and dancing you’ve been doing, you’re sure to have quite the appetite.

Some consider Austin to be the taco capital of the US, and they definitely have a strong case.

The city has authentic tacos from south of the border, classic Tex-Mex, Asian fusion, breakfast tacos — you name it, you’ll find it in Austin!

In addition to the aforementioned Delitaco, other places to check out include Rosita’s al Pastor, Tamale House East, and Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ.

Speaking of BBQ, that last recommendation is the perfect place to combine two of the tastiest things in Austin.

Putting Texas BBQ classics like pulled pork and beef brisket in a taco is an absolute genius idea! I’ve already mentioned Stubb’s as a live music venue, but it’s worth repeating just for its famous BBQ. Other popular choices include Franklin, La Barbecue, and Stiles Switch.

If you need something tasty to wash down all those tacos and BBQ, there are plenty of excellent local craft beers in Austin. Click here for a solid list of breweries in Austin that are worth visiting.

Now You Know What To Do in Austin!

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to drop everything and head to Austin after getting through this list.

It’s just such an exciting city with so much going on. I especially love all the options for enjoying the great outdoors and live music there, plus the fact that Austinites are proud to be weird!

After hearing rave reviews about Austin for many years, I finally made it there during our bus trip down to Mexico. Despite there being a freakish cold front that came through the city, we still had a blast there.

I’m hoping to make it back for SXSW or Austin City Limits sometime soon, or maybe just swing through on a random weekend to skip the crowds. Whenever you travel to the Texas capital, one thing’s for sure, you’ll have a great time.

Have you traveled to Austin? If you have any awesome recommendations for things to do there, leave a comment below!

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  The post 15 Fun Things To Do in Austin, Texas appeared first on Goats On The Road.

15 Fun Things To Do in Austin, Texas published first on https://travelaspire.weebly.com/

[keywestlou]

TRUMPISM, NAZISM, AND A TOUCH OF COMMUNISM

Some interesting politically philosophical items. Related, yet different.

First however Louis’ day yesterday and other matters of interest.

Enjoyed last night! I am just getting back into enjoying myself. Did Dueling Bartenders and La Trattoria.

Rick Dery and Heather Mae providing the entertainment.

Few in attendance. Summer the slow season. Families not prone to enter a drag show emporium. Understandably not healthy for kids.

Tom and Claire came in. I rarely see them unfortunately. They have finally made Key West their home.

Mary arrived.

Mary and I walked over to La Trattoria for dinner. Carrie bartending.

I continue to be a good boy. No alcohol! Eight weeks now. I did cheat food wise, however. Enjoyed lasagna.

The break with alcohol and smoking still bothers me. The desire remains. One night it is alcohol. The next cigarettes. My body cannot make up its mind.

Tomorrow the beginning of one of Key West’s most popular celebrations. Hemingway Days. Will run through sunday. Activity centered around Sloppy Joe’s.

I consider Running With the Bulls and the Hemingway Look-a-Like contest to be the best items on the agenda. Will discuss them further in the next few days.

The British Open in Ireland this year. Begins thursday. Going to be interesting. A link course, on the ocean, strong winds. Course described as “mugged,” whatever that means.

This is the second time the Open is being played in Northern Ireland. The last time 68 years ago.

This will be the 148th British Open. The first in 1860. The years do not match up. I assume a few were missed here and there in the early years.

Wore the med-alert for the first time yesterday.

Did not even know I had something around my neck.

There is a small push button attached to each string/chain around the neck. One for indoors and one for outdoors. The indoor one will only operate within 150 feet of the house. The other one any where. It operates off my cell phone which has a special GPS connected to it.

Yesterday, I did some testing. Wore the indoor one in the shower. No problem. I also pressed the button. I wanted to run a test to see if everything was working.

The company is supposed to respond in 15 seconds. It did in 10.

Ran into a bit of a problem. Someone answered “Louis?” Wanted to know my problem. Told her none, just testing. She did not believe me at first. Why, I don’t know. I had to go through several questions and answers to prove it was Louis and I was merely testing.

Did not upset me. The company doing its job.

As to political philosophies, want to start with Nazism. Continues to be on the rise!

Nazism and an America story. The facts having played out in Whitefish, Montana. Can’t get more American than Whitefish, Montana.

Andrew Anglin is a devout Nazi. Through and through. Resides in the Whitefish area.

An anti-Semitic. Publisher and editor of the Nazi publication the Daily Stormer. An admirer of George Lincoln Rockwell, the founder of the American Nazi Party. When Trump was elected, he urged his supporters “to party like its 1933”. The year Hitler rose to power.

Remember Charlottesville? Anglin was the featured speaker at the Unite the Right rally.

No question, Anglin a Nazi through and through.

Tanya Gersh a resident of Whitefish, together with her husband and 12 year old son. She is of the Jewish faith. A realtor by profession.

Richard Spencer is a white supremacist leader. His claim to fame is he coined the term “alt-right.”

He too a resident of Whitefish.

Gersh was saying negative things about Spencer’s mother. Anglin did not approve. He used his paper the Daily Stormer to retaliate. The retaliation was far greater than any wrong committed.

Spencer published Gersh’s phone number and told his readers to call Gersh  and otherwise harass her. That they did. Her husband and son also. The Daily Stormer’s article read, “Tell them you are sickened by their Jewish agenda…..This is very important. Calling these people up and/or sending them a quick message very easy.”

Gersh and her family were literally buried in messages and other abuses.

Gersh decided not to take it and sued the Daily Stormer and Anglin in federal court.

Anglin ignored the lawsuit. He failed to appear for a deposition. The court threw out his initial responsive papers and gave judgment to Tanya Gersh. The dollar amount $14 million.

Anglin has disappeared. Said to have gone underground.

The court referred to Anglin’s actions as “an old fashioned troll storm…..egregious and reprehensible…..online intimidation.”

We move now from Whitefish, Montana to Novara, Italy. My purpose to show that Nazism is on the rise all over the globe.

Novara is familiar to me. Those of you who are long time readers of this blog recall my Greece trips several years ago. Part of the trips included a few days in Novara visiting my friend Anna.

Novara is a tiny town a half hour train ride from Milan.

Italian authorities have a federal agency that deals solely with Nazi problems.

The authorities discovered air to air missiles, a rocket launcher, guns, and Nazi memorabilia in the Novara home of a Nazi sympathizer. The Novara raid was one of several conducted in various cities simultaneously.

The overall recovery unprecedented.

And so it goes. A new generation has discovered Nazism and all the evil that goes with it. They are on the rise. Beware.

Trump’s turn.

A racist President. May have been others. No one open and flagrant in his views as Trump, however.

I don’t think Trump is reintroducing racism into our society. It existed long before his election. Half the U.S. population is and have been bigots. They kept quiet about it, however. Till trump. He sensed the racism or tripped upon it. Whatever, he has brought the issue to the forefront.

I saw it as an attorney. Judges! A number of them. Fortunately not half. One spoke extremely negative about them in private all the time. Jews included.

The past election brought 4 new Congresswomen to Washington. All young. Fearless. Consider themselves elected to do the job the federal government has failed to do in decades.

Outspoken! No question about it.

They are in major conflict with Trump at the moment. All are women of color. Trump a racist. Conflict was certain and it has begun. In an off the hand comment the other day, Trump said they should go back where they came from.

Another example of Trump not knowing what he was talking about. Three were born in the U.S. One in Somalia. However, a U.S. naturalized citizen.

Trump has met his match. They will leave him mumbling.

Trump and immigrants. An ongoing confrontation.

Recall how simple the issue was when Trump ran in 2016. He was going to build a wall and Mexico was going to pay for it. Still no wall and Mexico has made it clear they will not pay for one.

Trump’s actions have made the immigration problem get out of hand.

He is still at it.

It was announced yesterday that new asylum rules had been promulgated by Trump. They will be posted in the Federal Register today. Become effective tomorrow.

Basically, the new rule/law is to the effect that any person seeking U.S. asylum that passes through another country first on the way to the U.S., must seek asylum in that country. If such person fails to do so, that person will not be eligible for asylum protection.

Good luck! Those on the southwest border are limited. Some have only traveled through Mexico. Mexico cannot handle them. If some others first had to go through Guatemala, it would be the same. I read somewhere that Guatemala had all of 4 asylum requests last year. They too are not equipped to handle the throngs involved.

Voices have already risen against Trump’s new gimmick. Comments like “…..most egregious…..extreme…..fundamentally eviscerates rights.”

Attorney General Barr, Trump’s new puppet/licking dog, says the new way is “a lawful exercise of authority provided by Congress to restrict eligibility for asylum.”

Lawsuits certain.

The ICE raids this past weekend. What happened? We have heard nothing.

Obviously did not occur. In spite of Trump going on television yesterday and mentioning how successful they were. Following which he immediately changed the subject.

The right hand does not know what the left is doing in Washington. Ken Cuccinelli is the Chief of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. He was all over TV last week speaking about the raids. In statement form. No substance. Details lacking.

On a national TV show yesterday, he admitted he was unaware of the details of the raids. He further said no one reported to him the results of the raids. The President said they were a success. It is obvious no raids took place. Left Cuccinelli hanging out there.

What a way to run a government!

Now to communism.

I used to respect Senator Lindsay Graham. He stood with John McCain on issues. Generally on the side of right.

No more. Another Trump lap dog.

Graham referred to the 4 Congresswomen that Trump said should go back where they came from in a different fashion. He called them “communists!”

Liberals, yes. Progressives, yes. Tending to socialism, perhaps yes.

No way communists.

An insult. The man should know better. His respect factor is dwindling. Trump is not worth it.

Tonight Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me. Lots of fun. I rant and rave about this and that. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

      TRUMPISM, NAZISM, AND A TOUCH OF COMMUNISM was originally published on Key West Lou

[avaycarter]

These 10 #Travel and #Tech Products are a must have for your Holidays 2018 Wish List! #CTATravel

Disclosure: This is an event recap. This post is NOT compensated.

I am woefully behind on Event Recaps thanks to a summer that brought a devastating fire on the Fourth of July due to someone sneaking up to the roof of my apartment building and throwing illegal fireworks, followed by a death in the family a week later, and culminating in me twisting BOTH my ankles and spraining my wrist a week after that!

To say it has been a "challenging' summer would be a complete understatement.

All the events I did get to attend before my world came crashing down were pretty amazing, and while it may take me awhile I promise I will get to each and every one of them.

I had the chance to attend the Techlicious/Consumer Technology Association/CES Lunch and Learn event at Quality Italian Restaurant in Midtown New York City.

I will start with the hot tech first and then lead into the great food!

These are the great products I was exposed to (these are NOT reviews, I got to see the products at the event, not road test them personally, so these are first impressions)

Since the nice reps from Roku were seated at my table, I will start with Roku first:

Roku Streaming Stick

I am totally getting sick of dealing with my Cable Company, and with features like Hotel and Dorm Connect the Roku Streaming Stick is perfect for both Travelers as well as College Kids hitting the dorm. Why pay the hotel a million bucks to rent a movie when you can just bring along your own streaming stick? Retail Price = $49.99 - these were in our gift bags but I didn't get a chance to test mine as it was lost in the fire, if Roku sends out a replacement I will definitely provide you guys with a full review.

The next brand has been at several events I regularly cover including The Luxury Review/The Luxury Tech Show and I haven't had a chance to take the demo or speak to the reps (in this instance it was my arrival time, at LTS my time at certain booths ran overtime during the Press Preview time period and once that event opened up to non-press it was just too crowded to get in there.) But I have wanted to take the demo and will have to make sure to do it next time I see HTC Vive.

HTC Vive

I love that Virtual Reality is being used by the travel/hospitality industry to help you tour a destination or a hotel room without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Retail Price = $1,399 (definitely a splurge but Vive Pro definitely has one of the richest content libraries available on SteamVR and VIVEPORT.

Ashley Chloe Helix Cuff

You guys know I am called #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ via Twitter because I am a Twitter Party Hostess with the Mostest who LOVES Music and hasn't met the twitter party yet I couldn't find the right song for. I am always on the market for new audio and when I can combine my love of audio and tech with my love of fashion and accessories all the better! My Audio 'Form Meets Function' pick from the event is definitely The Ashley Chloe Helix Cuff. The world's first wearable wireless Bluetooth headphones with cVC noise reduction, AptX Technology, Smart Multipoint Connectivity and Bluetooth 4.1. Retail Price = $99.00 - $249.99 (The pricier one is the Helix 24K Gold Edition, love the exclusive color! I would have to listen to Bruno Mars 24K first on these!) Earbuds not getting twisted or destroyed in my cavernous handbag, PRICELESS!

myCharge Pride Limited Edition Power Bank

myCharge Pride Limited Edition Power Bank was donating 5% of Pride Month Power Bank Sales to The Trevor Project, and since later on this year I got to cross attending Ru Paul's Drag Con off my bucket list (full post to come) - this got me a thumbs up every time I pulled it out to keep my phone charged during the conference. This is a little bulkier than some of the Power Bank's I have used in the past, but love the on and off button, how fast it charges my devices and how long it holds its own charge. The plug for the wall flips out, and this charges itself AND the device simultaneously. This one definitely gets a thumbs up from me, and something like this can cross off nearly everyone on your list! Retails for $34.99

Hum by Verizon 

With holiday travel at it's peak and everyone driving to visit family and friends, the Hum by Verizon certainly helps prove that 'those who wander are not lost'.  With pinpoint roadside assistance, you can get the help you need by using the Hum App to request 24/7 roadside assistance, there is also a mechanics hotline, stolen vehicle assistance, maintenance reminders, you can check your safety score (this helps keeps insurance costs low), vehicle diagnostics and you can also turn your car into a Wi-Fi Hotspot allowing passengers to stream, surf and game on the road (eliminating the dreaded "Are We There Yet?" Questions, PRICELESS).

Sony WH-1000X M3 Wireless Headphones

The Sony WH-1000X M3 are pricey at $349.99, but these wireless, noise cancelling beauties offer five hours playback from a mere 10 minute charge, perfect for us frequent fliers who struggle to find an outlet or left our trusty powerbank behind. We were shown the M2's but the M3's are already out now. I need these in my life and am sad they were not in the gift bag!

Sony SP700N true wireless earphones

With extra bass and the Google Assistant built into these Sony SP700N true wireless earphones, you can make easy hands free at the click of a button, enjoy digital noise cancellation or ambient sound which lets you hear essential sounds. The compact carrying case not only keeps them secure, but holds an additional two full three hour charges, so you can power them on the go! These sound perfect for my morning commute, and I am bummed that these weren't in the gift bag either. These Retail for $149.99.

Sony RX100 Advanced Camera

Sony was showing their RX100 Advanced Camera with 1.0 Sensor, while it may be portable, the specs are definitely not 'lightweight'. It is a 20.2 MP, with a SteadyShot that reduces blur even in low light, HD video capabiity for beautiful video and full manual control for creative photography. It retails for $369.99. Not in the gift bag either, le sigh. I have had my eye on the Sony a7rIII which I played with last year during Fashion Week at Sony Square Space in NYC and then again at this year's Photo Plus Expo. I took a picture with it that served as a Best Buy contest entry during the Expo which is featured on my Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BpbS1-TAXLt/ - I have to say I am bit more inclined to the A7RIII, but this has a $2,799 retail price tag making the RX100 a bit more holiday budget friendly. But as Photography is a huge part of my career, not just a hobby/passion, I am telling Santa I want the A7RIII (42.4 MP with 14-bit RAW output!) for Christmas! I really have been a very, very, very, good butterfly this year.

Speck Presidio for iPhone X

Speck Presidio for iPhone X offers 8 foot drop protection! While I am an Android girl and have never owned an iPhone, I have witnessed a ton of friends, family and colleagues drop their uber expensive phone and ended up walking around with a cracked screen - not cute. Why not make a small investment in protecting it instead? At $39.95 ($27.96 if you act fast to nab the extended Cyber Week deal) it gives you something absolutely PRICELESS - peace of mind!

Modobag - Motorized Luggage

See that image above? That is a grown man riding on Modobag - Motorized Luggage, it convinced me to give it a go:

Actually I watched TWO men ride this thing before I opted to get on it myself.

Zip through the airport terminals and never miss a flight, on a single charge the Modobag has the ability to travel up to 6+ miles based on a rider weight of 180 pounds, it has an indoor speed of 4 MPH, and outdoor speed of 7 MPH, three times a regular walking pace, and it goes to full charge in two hours. It also has two USB ports for individual or simultaneous charging. I totally want this for Christmas, as a Blogger this would be my portable office for press trips! I really want this! The Retail on Modobag is $1,495 - which considering designer luggage costs three times as much, and does not haul you around in addition to your stuff, this is actually a steal! I also wanted to share some photos of our meal:

CTA Travel Tech Lunch Menu

Above: CTA Travel Tech Lunch Menu

Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer

Above: Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer (shared by our table, I swear I didn't all that!)

Baby Kale Tricolore Salad

Above: Baby Kale Tricolore Salad

Sausage and Pepper Garlic Toast

Above: Sausage and Pepper Garlic Toast

Mediterranean Branzino, Pesto Rosso with Qi Tuscan Fries

Above: Mediterranean Branzino, Pesto Rosso with Qi Tuscan Fries (you know I usually go for the seafood/fish dish!

Above: Sometimes I am not fast enough to nab a shot before hungry Editors tear into something, but I oddly like this shot all the more for having some pieces missing!

Chocolate Coffee Malt Cannoli with Pistachio Gelato

Above: Chocolate Coffee Malt Cannoli with Pistachio Gelato

QI Signature Lemon Meringue Tart

Above: QI Signature Lemon Meringue Tart MY TAKE: These items are perfect for anyone on your list, and are going to score major brownie points with travel lovers and tech enthusiasts of any age. Again these are impressions as I got to play with these products at the event. Should I get review units I will give those items their own day in the sun with full reviews.

My photos are watermarked, un-watermarked photos were used by media with permission. This is the second year I have attended this event, (the food is always amazing) just in case you missed last year's which focused heavily on Photography and Photography tips for getting better shots, check it out here: https://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2017/10/techlicious-ctatech-ctaphotonyc-lunch.html This by far has been the second worse year of my life, second only to almost dying in 2011. It zapped every ounce of writing energy out of me. Not to mention left me without a computer until Black Friday Sales enabled me to get a laptop. I am just not one of those bloggers who can blog solely via phone. I do not have millenial thumbs and have no idea how they can get so much typing done on a mobile touch keypad. I am slowly but surely trying to get myself ramped up again. And am considering either a re-design or a complete re-branding. I do have some overdue giveaways so check back often. For those of you who have sent me personal emails checking in on me, Thank You! I know our Inspirational Messages of the Day and Gratitude Sundays have been missed, and I will find a way to bring them back soon. Let's just say getting myself motivated has been difficult enough lately. This event put some great products on my radar, I definitely wouldn't mind seeing any or all of these under my Christmas Tree or stuffed inside my stocking this year. Readers: Which of these do you want most? Do you already have any of them?

·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

These 10 #Travel and #Tech Products are a must have for your Holidays 2018 Wish List! #CTATravel published first on https://vsguides.tumblr.com/

[satanistwhodeviatedtogod-blog]

Euro 2018

it’s fun and games until we hit the epilogue

one more sleepless night Then book the cheapest flight

earlier this month (may) we went for a short trip to Europe. We planned it for a year. we went there for educational purposes, which is Euromun. It’s a United Nation conference simulation.

We went there as a group that consist of 4 person

my hyperactive friend, J

my wild but religious friend, Ali

my grumpy bitch, Bella

and of course me

4/5 of us are selected from a very tight selection to represent Universitas Diponegoro in Euromun. With a year of preparation and well not that much time to meet and get to know each other because we have our own activity, we finally make it to Europe.

We went into separate flight. Me and Bella went there on Monday, J and Ali went there on Tuesday. too bad. It was around 10 PM from Soekarno Hatta International Airport and we went to Turkey for transit. Having a glass of coffee and a cig then straight to Schipol Amsterdam.

after we arrived, Bella and i store our luggage at the airport and we go straight to Amsterdam Centraal. Not surprised that the smell of weed everywhere. giting terus bosku!

We had a really nice Italian Pizza for breakfast. Strolling around Amsterdam was so much fun. It was unexpectedly warm there, and we wear a jacket. lot of jacket gosh

after strolling around centraal, we went back to Schipol to take our luggage and go to Maastricht. it’s a hell of a atmosphere. No traffic jam, very clean environment, and bikes everywhere. not a long after we arrived, we got picked up by our host parents there. Shout out to Mr. Untung and Mr. Adriyan!

the next day, Bella and I went for a walk in the city of Maastricht. It’s like a city for student, but sure it’s waaaay different from Tembalang riot city. We’re not actually walking but we ride bikes, just like locals.

this place is lit. even thought there are less attraction than Amsterdam, this place it’s a good place to live.

the conference start 2 days after we arrived. we gather all our stuff, research, but not our brain. kiddin’. it’s located in MECC. it’s a really good place for a conference, since it’s provide so many room that big enough to provide all the participant. I’ll be represent India in ECOSOC council under the topic of Globalization and gig of economy. I met a lot of cool person there from France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and even Israel. Surprisingly they’re so nice and very friendly to me even thought i have a very different background from Indonesia. Cheers to all of my friends there! hope to see you soon. #ecoshot

after all those exhausting day in the conference, we went to Paris. the funny thing is, we haven’t book any place to stay. But hey, where’s the fun part if we already plan everything correctly right? joke. it’s no fun at all.

we went to Paris by bus. but before that, we went to Belgium first because why not. Lots of chocolate there. too bad we went there while the avengers went by. all the roads its like on renovation, F!

oh and we went to Comic Strips Museum. we met Asterix & Obelix, total classic. when we want to get back to the bus, we almost got left behind. We went to the wrong station and have no idea which train to take. after trying to figure it out, we finally make it literally on time. living on the edge huh?

so Paris. the city of love where everything is art, including steal things. Just like Jason Mraz album. there’s so many spot that we want to see, but 3 days and 2 night are not enough. So we only went to the mandatory places such as Louvre, Eiffel, Arc de Triumph and other shit. its one hell of a adventure.

First on the list is Louvre. Because its the nearest and most reachable. There’s a lot of people there (no shit deto). We took a couple of shot and then we went to the nearest and one of the coolest cafe, Cafe Kitsune.

I even bought a mug! #kenaikanstratasosial #cheapestthingicouldafford

then we stroll to do some thrift

l̶i̶f̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ shopping. It’s kinda took time because it’s far. but worth the time. I got some Yankees tee for only 1€! what a bargain. then we had some kebab. safest food we could eat.

Tired of shopping, we went back to our list. We went to the Arc de Triomphe. its so crowded. Lots of car. Cooler version of Simpang 5 #semarangjugakeren.

Enough taking picture and embracing it, We went for a religious trip to Notre Dame. it was a really good looking and ancient cathedral. Everyone was very friendly even though we are Muslim. There are a lot of terrorist attack that triggering bigotry, and yet the security of Notre Dame still smiling and say hi to us. There’s a preacher talking inside and also people attending for a regular religious activity, and yet it remind us its time to taraweh back in Jakarta hahaha.

right beside Notre Dame, there’s a really cool river. And just so you know, that’s where Rattatoullie drowned and decided whether he want to act as a chef or just live his life as a rat. Yes. I know. Not important but still.

after that we went to the last spot. looking for a cool place to enjoy the sunset. the symbol of Paris. yup. where else. It’s the Eiffel Tower. we also meet several Indonesian there. It’s easy to recognize them. we arrived in Eiffel at around 7 pm, and the sun are not yet tired shining. The first thing we seek are toilet. The toilet are disgusting if you don’t really look. after we found the proper toilet, it was very modern and breathtaking. All automated thing makes us believe that one day the terminator will took over the world.

The Eiffel tower was amazing. lots of family, friends and also couple hanging out to enjoy the dusk. No soulmate, no problem. I still got my friends! #denialkampret

Eiffel at night are the best. All those cool lamps and the cold vibes are beyond amazing. Also with my old friend, Gudang Garam Kretek, the nights are perfect. We sit together, we gaze the star, we talk nonsense and enjoy the night like there’s no tomorrow.

after strolling from Paris, we went back to Maastricht. One funny thing that keep happen, we always get on the bus literally on time. Means that once we hop in, the bus drove away. No. That’s not a good thing.

It’s our last day in Maastricht. One more chance to live the fullest in here. No lol kidding. None of our friends from other Indonesian uni still here. So we just rest, looking for ticket to Frankfurt, Germany and go to the city for one last time. I know there are nothing there but still, Maastricht is an interesting place to discover.

we went to the bus station at noon. it was quite a long trip. we arrived around midnight with no f-ing clue which bus or train or any public transport we should take. sitting for a few minutes on the street, trying to figure out which one is our ride to Ginnheim. we’re staying at my aunt’s. Special thanks to Tante Sila & Om Jabrik. they also lead us (patiently) how to get there.

in the morning (its almost 12pm) we go to the city. we went to one and only place that we’ve been craving, Primark. There like a shitload of cheap with decent quality product that worth to buy. Wont hesitate to spent so much money there. Tired of shopping, we went to a cafe on top of a building. We can see the whole city from that point of view. what a way to spent the afternoon.

the next morning, we stroll to the city again. but its weekend, means that all the shop are closed. so, no shopping day. so we took a walk around the city. that day was a special day for frankfurt. the night before, Eintracht win against Munchen and gain victory for the German Cup since 1988. the whole city celebrating. drinking beer, marching around. everyone’s happy and surprisingly no vandalism.

later that day, we met Ale from Brawijaya to hang out. We also meet several Indonesian who live in Frankfurt. We hang out in a park enjoying afternoon with beers and fries. Also smelling other people smoke weed which is nice.

It was Ramadhan so we look for breakfasting. We went to Chinese restaurant. You know, no rice means haven’t eat. After getting fueled, we went to a bar to spend the night. it was real fun. and also cold. Never forget the cold part. We went back at 3 am. No more trams, subway and buses. Well we also cant walk tho. Strolling around for a while, thinking how to get back home, we finally manage to find one last bus that headed to Ginheim. fyuh

The next day we went to Rudesheim. Caca and Ale invited us. it was a really nice small town for a quick escape. Like Cisarua hahaha. It takes around an hour and half. We hop on a cable train. It has a wonderful view. the cable cara leads to Niederwald Monument. Strolling around Rudesheim feels like hanging out in Diagon Alley. its so chilling seeing people from young age to an elderly hanging out and dancing to a cheerful music.

After an exhausting day, we went back to Frankfurt. Catching for some dinner because you know, stomach asking for a refuel.

The next day is our last day in Frankfurt. it was Monday, means that all the store are open. Working days, but holidays for us. We go straight to the city, buying things we don’t need and spending money we don’t have. We split and go nuts for goods. We went back before dark, because later that night we need catch bus straight back to Amsterdam. We have our last dinner and saying goodbye to the Tante Sila and family. Time flies.

We also meet our local frankfurter for the last time before we hop on the busses. See you when we see you!

Earlier in the morning, we arrived in Amsterdam. we want to go to Amsterdam central to end our happy holiday. But shit happens. We bought the wrong public transportation ticket, so we can’t use it for the trains. farts. after that, we hop on the bus. Its a little bit detour but why not. Its a fancy busses and not mikrolet. The whole city of Amsterdam looks like a human size miniature. Very well coordinated. long story short, we arrived in the Amsterdam Centraal. We store our luggage at the train station and go straight to the city. Getting lost in Amsterdam for one last time.

First we need to get fuel. We stop on another kebab restaurant and have pizza for dessert. Every corner of Amsterdam smells like weed. which is wrong. and nice on the same time. Also, we look for several souvenirs to take back home. Funny things are, we only spent like only a days in Amsterdam and 16 days in Europe. Amsterdam its like Netherlands main attraction, but we don’t have times although we’re like 16 days here. There are also a lot of street artist who drew alll those vintage shops in a vintage building. Very classic. We also went back to the Red Light District for a quick stroll. Because why not right. We also want to visit Anne Frank Museum and explore the canals by boat. but we don’t have time and have a plane to catch. later that day, we went back to the airport and call it a day. Me, Ali, and Bella took a same flight. J have a solo flight. So long!

It was super amazing trips. Good friends, Good times, Good company. All leads to breathtaking memory.

ps: if you’re lookin for how i ended up with bella, just ask her. i dont even have any clue.

[celebsbooks]

The dazzling Kareena Kapoor was conceived on 21-September-1980 in Mumbai, India. She is a standout amongst the most encouraging performers of the 21st century who has, for the most part, worked in the Bollywood Cinema. Conceived in a group of performing artists, Kareena Kapoor is a mainstream Bollywood on-screen character known for her adaptability. The name Kareena was enlivened from the book Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, which her mom read while she was in her womb. Being one of the effective and most generously compensated on-screen character in the business, she has made a name for herself in Bollywood. She wandered into acting at 19 years old, and today, she is entrenched and the most looked for after performing artist in diversion. Other than her acting profession, she has co-composed three books and furthermore possesses an attire line. 

Kareena Kapoor Father Randhir Kapoor, an on-screen character and her mom Babita, a performing artist. She has a more youthful sister Karisma Kapoor, a performing artist. Kareena Kapoor had her essential training from Welham Girls' School, Dehradun and after that went to Mithibai College, Mumbai. Kareena Kapoor House Address Fortune Heights in Bandra West, Mumbai and 4 stories duplex in Bandra, Mumbai. 

Kareena Kapoor Married to on-screen character Saif Ali Khan on 16 October 2012. Kareena Kapoor Husband Saif Ali Khan, a performing artist of Bollywood. the couple has one child Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi, conceived on 20 December 2016. Kareena Kapoor had illicit relationships with Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor in past and Saif Ali Khan before marriage. Kareena Kapoor Net Worth $10 Million and her Salary 8-10 Crores Rupees. 

➤Relatives⤵

Raj Kapoor (Paternal Grandfather) (Filmmaker, Actor), Hari Shivdasani (Maternal Grandfather) (Actor), Rishi Kapoor (Paternal Uncle) (Actor), Prithviraj Kapoor (Paternal Great-Grandfather) (Actor), Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor (Paternal Great-Great-Grandfather) (Actor)

➤Physical Statistics⤵

Kareena Kapoor is 38 Years Old, Her Height 5 ft 4 in approx. 163 cm and Weight 54 Kg approx. 119 Pounds. Her Body Measurements 34-26-35 Inches. Kareena Kapoor Bra Size 34B, Waist 26 Inches, and Hip 35 Inches. Her Shoe Size 8 (US) and Dress Size 4 (US). Kareena Kapoor Hair Color Dark Brown and Eye Color Hazel Green. Her Star Sign Virgo and Religion is Hinduism.

➤Education⤵ 

Kareena Kapoor went to Jamnabai Narsee School in Mumbai and after that Welham Girls' School in Dehradun. She later joined Mithibai College in Mumbai and considered the trade. She likewise took microcomputer course at Harvard University in the United States for three months. 

She, at that point, enlisted at the Government Law school in Mumbai, notwithstanding, she dropped out understanding that it wasn't some espresso. She built up an enthusiasm for acting and joined an acting school in Mumbai, where Kishore Namit Kapoor, was her guide. 

➤Career⤵

The shocking excellence, Kareena Kapoor Khan is a standout amongst the most famous and exceptionally evaluated performing artists of the Indian Cinema. She has dependably been known for breaking generalizations and setting cases for the ladies of today. Her films, as well as her own life, has likewise been exceptionally reassuring and each and every day she continues amazing her fans with exhibiting another and bolder side of her. 

From working in first-class films and with the best Bollywood Directors of the Hindi Cinema, the little Kapoor girl has added new stars to the Kapoor Clan with her accomplishments and fan following. She has acted in various motion pictures from the time she ventured into the universe of the silver screen. Her motion pictures Omkara, Chameli, Kabhi Khushi Khabie Gham, Refugee, Jab We Met, 3 Idiots, Bodyguard and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, are few of the most discussed and adored films in the Bollywood. 

Alongside acting, she additionally has interests inform planning and composing. She is an awesome Philanthropist, who continues helping the penniless lady, poor kids and has confidence in getting the message out about the significance of instruction in the nation.

➤Life partner⤵ 

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan wedded on 16 October 2012. The couple respected their first tyke, child Taimur Ali Khan in December 2016 who took birth at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. 

➤Proficient Statistics⤵ 

➥Film Debut⤵ 

Kapoor influenced her acting presentation in 2000 with the Bollywood to film, Refugee assuming the part of Nazneen "Naaz Ahmed" for which she got Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. 

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➥TV Debut⤵ 

In 2012, she showed up in scene 154 as Mahi Arora in the TV arrangement Punar Vivah. That year, she likewise showed up in the wrongdoing arrangement C.I.D as herself. 

➤Kareena Kapoor Workout Plan:⤵ 

150 minutes of activity consistently 

Strolling – a major yes (since this is the best type of activity) 

Kareena is returning to strenuous activities like Pilates. 

Kareena Kapoor Doing Yoga asenapine 

➤Eating regimen Plan:⤵ 

Its Homemade sustenance, banana, and splashed almonds for Kareena early in the day 

Rice for lunch and supper (or dal khichri) 

Ghee, jaggery, rice, banana are an absolute necessity have for Kareena 

NO bundled and handled nourishments 

NO to flighty dinner timings 

The tall glass of drain each night (to recover the calcium) 

Coconut with jaggery, bajra roti with our and ghee to up the iron levels 

Chaach (buttermilk), pickle and til ka laddoos (sesame seed)

➤Kareena Kapoor Weight Loss⤵ 

"Crap" from K3G (Bebo, in actuality) has made some amazing progress. Also, take a gander at her trip – her yield tops, hide coats and calfskin pants were an anger in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. At that point, her 'size zero' occurred in Tashan and inside no time Kareena Kapoor turned into a symbol in design and wellness. Obviously, her Kapoor qualities had its own particular commitment to make in her porcelain skin and astounding looks. 

Also, at that point marriage happened to Saif Ali Khan and pregnancy. With pounds added to the waistline and full face, eating regimen and exercise was the need of great importance. 

Caps off to celeb nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar for getting Kareena Kapoor eating regimen and exercise back on track. Here are some brisk shots on Kareena's quick weight reduction post-pregnancy: 

➤Brand Endorsements⤵

Kareena has embraced the accompanying brands and items, however not constrained to QMobile (2013) (Pakistan Mobile Phone Brand), Boro Plus, Limca (2013), Lakme Reinvent (2013), Garnier, Lavie Handbags, Sony Vaio Laptops, Lakme Poptints, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Globus Clothing (2007-2012). 

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➤Recent Brands⤵

➥Kareena Kapoor Khan launches her first ever makeup collection with Lakme.

Interestingly Lakme presents a range which has been co-made with the brand envoy, Kareena Kapoor Khan 

Each season, Lakmé presents another scope of items. Surprisingly the brand has presented a range which has been co-made with mark minister, Kareena Kapoor Khan. 

The new scope of premium cosmetics items called, 'Kareena Kapoor Khan by Lakmé Absolute' is Kareena's first historically speaking cosmetics line. The performing artist has curated this line of cosmetics that additionally presents new configuration items like cheek shapes, confront forms and frown definers, ones that are displayed by Lakmé. 

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This range brings alive Lakmé's excellence topic of the season, 'Shades of a Diva'. A range that is curated in a way that would channel each lady's inward diva. 

Kareena Kapoor Khan, Brand Ambassador, Lakmé says, "I have been the substance of Lakmé for such huge numbers of years now and my affection for the brand has just developed. My affection for cosmetics is notable and today divulging my first accumulation of cosmetics with them is right around a passionate ordeal for me. The range incorporates the shades I adore, the surfaces I cherish and I am super eager to present new arrangements and items that I am certain each lady out there will love.!" 

The range 'Kareena Kapoor Khan by Lakmé Absolute' arrives in a dark and gold bundling and incorporates a lip liner, mope definer, eye definer, temples definer, lash definer, and face and cheek form.

➤Style Quotient⤵ 

Kareena has a noteworthy armada of costly autos, for example, BMW 7 Series, LX 470 SUV, and Mercedes S350. She claims a few land properties in Indian and in addition in the UK. She lives with her family in the Fortune Height condo situated in the opulent zone of Bandra in Mumbai. 

➤Kareena Kapoor Net worth⤵ 

Throughout the years, the humming on-screen character has amassed total assets of $12 million. She charges Rs 8-10 crore for each film. Kareena is one of the prominent big-name endorsers in the nation, who takes Rs 3 - 4 crores for every underwriting bargain. She is likewise the most generously compensated performing artist in Bollywood, because of her great looks, regular acting, and enamoring onscreen persona.

➤Kareena Kapoor Favorites⤵

Favorite Movies – Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961), Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958), Love Story (1970), Ben Hur (1959). She mainly likes old movies.

Favorite Food – Chinese, Italian, and Thai

Favorite Perfume – Jean Paul Gaultier

Favorite Sport – Swimming

Favorite Color – Red and Black

Favorite Music – Sixties’ songs

Favorite Actress – Babita, Nargis, Karishma Kapoor, Meena Kumari

Favorite Actor – Shahrukh Khan, Raj Kapoor

Favorite Location – London

➤Kareena Kapoor Interesting Facts⤵

Kareena got a most extreme introduction to silver screen since she was from a group of performers. Notwithstanding, her motivation for acting was from Bollywood performing artists like Nargis and Meena Kumari. 

➤She Adores Horseback Riding and Cooking⤵. 

She turned into the main Indian performing artist to be included on CNNGo's rundown of "Who Mattered Most in India", and was later chosen by Verve for its rundown of the nation's most intense ladies from 2008 to 2013. 

In June 2010, Kapoor was named "India's Most Beautiful Woman" by the Indian version of People magazine; Eastern Eye and Indian Maxim named her as "Asia's Sexiest Woman" and "India's Hottest Woman" in 2011 and 2012 individually. 

Kareena Kapoor has gotten six Filmfare Awards out of ten designations, incorporating Best Female Debut in 2000 for 'Exile,' the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for 'Poke We Met' (2007) and 'We Are Family' (2010) individually. 

➤She got the Smita Patil Memorial Award for her commitments to the Hindi film industry in 2006⤵

Kareena Kapoor is effectively associated with various magnanimous undertakings. She started working with UNICEF in 2014 to advocate the training of young ladies and increment quality based instruction in India. She has likewise been an envoy for the Shakti Campaign, a task propelled by NDTV to battle viciousness against ladies. 

Kareena Kapoor was conceived in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India to Randhir Kapoor and Babita. 

She has a sister name is Karisma Kapoor, who is an Actress. 

She did tutoring at Welham Girls' School, Dehradun and after that admitted to Mithibai College, however, she later dropout from school. 

She began her film acting profession with Bollywood Film 'Evacuee' (2000). 

Performing artist Kareena Kapoor is hitched to Bollywood Actor, Saif Ali Khan and they have a child name is Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi. 

She is huge aficionado of Raj Kapoor, Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Nargis, Meena Kumari and Cricketer Virat Kohli. 

Kareena Kapoor considered as most generously compensated Bollywood Actresses, with assessed total assets of $10 million and pay 8-10 crore for each motion picture. 

She really liked on-screen character Akshaye Khanna in her high school days. 

She was first offered for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Giliyon Ki Raaslela: Ram-Leela' yet she turned down the offer and after that, the part was offered to on-screen character Deepika Padukone. This film was the immense business accomplishment on the film industry. 

Kareena Kapoor has worked in numerous films and won numerous honors for the best on-screen character.

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[squashsiteblog]

#SquashFORWARD

Eight young players selected internationally to take the pulse of their generation

The WSF and the PSA has announced the line-up of their joint initiative.

The programme brings together eight top young squash players (four young women and four young men), all under 23 years old, with the aim to further actively engage with the next generations and shape the future of squash as a vibrant and healthy sport. Quite symbolically, the announcement comes on the eve of the Olympic Day, envisioned to encourage young people to move, learn and discover new sports.

The SquashFORWARD members selected from across the world each bring her or his own perspective on the future of their sport. They will become the ambassadors of thousands of young players internationally and will aim to capture the aspirations of their generation. Nour El Sherbini from Egypt (WR #1) and Diego Elias from Peru (WR #11) will co-chair the group.

The development follows on the announcement made by WSF president Jacques Fontaine in April 2018 in Bangkok during the SportAccord Convention.

SquashFORWARD line-up :

Victor CROUIN (France, 18)

Diego ELIAS (Peru, 21)

Nour EL SHERBINI (Egypt, 22)

Eain Yow NG (Malaysia, 20)

Marina STEFANONI (United States, 15)

Dimitri STEINMANN (Switzerland, 20)

Nadia USENKO (Ukraine, 18)

Satomi WATANABE (Japan, 19)

Being on top of the World Rankings is a huge responsibility and I feel that I have to give back what I’ve learnt, to give back for the future of the sport which means so much to my life and the lives of so many young people around the world.

Through the SquashFORWARD initiative, I’m sure we can capture a dialogue between continents and generations and shape how squash should develop in the next years.

Nour El Sherbini, WR #1 and SquashFORWARD co-chair

The group will meet regularly over the next few months to share their vision of the sport and discuss how to make the game even more innovative, inclusive and sustainable than it is today.

SquashFORWARD will kick off its activity at the Dutch Junior Open, which will be held in Amsterdam on July 12th-15th. Members of the initiative will host a focus group with junior players from all over the world and gather their ideas focusing on four major topics: innovation, sustainability, inclusiveness and accessibility. SquashFORWARD will analyse the ideas in the weeks that will follow the tournament and turn them into a set of practical recommendations.

It is envisioned that SquashFORWARD will share their findings and forward-looking recommendations during the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in October where squash will be present as a showcase sport.

The SquashFORWARD Members, in their own words …

Victor CROUIN (France, 18)

“I am Victor Crouin, French squash player and Harvard College student. I am a 7 times junior national champion, 2 times European junior champion and World junior runner-up.

“I have been playing squash for a very long time now and squash has given so much meaning to my life that I want to give back to the sport what it has brought to me. Being part of this great community that is SquashFORWARD.

“I hope we will develop our sport in the right direction in order to achieve our biggest dream: to become an Olympic sport.”

Diego ELIAS (Peru, 21)  Co-chair

“Hola!! I’m Diego Elias from Peru.

“I have been a professional squash player for 5 years, which have been by far the best years of my life.

“I love travelling the world and meeting people everywhere.

“The squash community is so welcoming and friendly that I never really feel lonely when I am away from home.

“Squash is not only a great sport to be fit, but it’s the people involved in it all over the world that really make it the BEST sport.”

Nour EL SHERBINI (Egypt, 22)  Co-chair

“Hi, I’m Nour. I am 22 years old and I have been playing squash my whole life.

“When I was 13 years old, I became the youngest Junior World Champion and that was when I discovered that my dreams of becoming a professional player could come true.

“At 22, I have already been a World Champion and have been ranked world #1 for more than 20 consecutive months in the professional Tour.

“I love squash, playing for Egypt and I am very happy to be actively involved in promoting my sport all over the world!!”

Eain Yow NG (Malaysia, 20)

“My name is Eain Yow Ng and I’ve been playing squash for the last 14 years.

“I have represented my country Malaysia competing in various tournaments across the globe.

“I enjoy competing with players from different countries and I hope that our sport will continue to grow in the future and have players from every country in the world.”

Marina STEFANONI (United States, 15)

“I’m Marina Stefanoni and I love squash and enjoy waking up and competing every day.

“I became the youngest winner of the US GU19 national title in 2016 and defended it ever since.

“Over the years, I won many International Junior Opens and I have now begun to play PSA tournaments.

“This summer in Chennai, India, I will be representing the United States in my third World Junior Squash Championships.”

Dimitri STEINMANN (Switzerland, 20)

“Hello everyone, my name is Dimitri and I‘m 20 years old.

“Two years ago I decided to go full-time as a squash pro. As a kid, I always dreamed to be able to participate in the Olympic Games as both of my parents are former Olympians.

“Squash would certainly bring a lot of additional action and excitement into the Olympic Games.

“For all of us it would be the highest honour to represent our country at the biggest sport event in the entire world, which at the bottom line, is what the Olympic Games are all about.”

Nadia USENKO (Ukraine, 18)

“I am Nadia Usenko, Ukrainian squash player and Trinity College student.

“I like studying languages and write stories in fantasy style. I am a winner of French, German, Scottish, Welsh, Belgium, Nordic, Swiss, Czech, Italian, Danish, Polish and Austrian Junior Opens – among others!

“I am also 6 times National Champion, 1st racket and the captain of the National Ukrainian squash team.”

Satomi WATANABE (Japan, 19)

“My name is Satomi Watanabe and I am from Japan.

“I have been playing squash for 10 years and I’m 4 times national junior champion, last year’s national champion, runner-up for the 2018 British Junior Open and the first Japanese player to be in PSA World Series top-16.

“Squash gave me so much good experience, opportunities, friends, and more. I hope that many more people get to play and watch squash in future.”

SquashFORWARD is an initiative truly driven by the youngest stars of squash, many of whom dream one day to become Olympic champions. I’m sure this programme will create new thought leaders and help our sport remain at the forefront of what young people seek today from a sport that matches their lifestyles and aspirations.

WSF President Jacques Fontaine

One of the core missions of squash is to provide access to sport to young people all around the world. In dialogue with young players on the SquashFORWARD group we can ensure that we do it in the best possible way.

PSA CEO Alex Gough

[gatorfruit-moved]

hey! do all the cute questions you want to do 💙

1: when you have cereal, do you have more milk than cereal or more cereal than milk?

More cereal than milk, I don’t like drinking the cereal milk afterwards

2: do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day?

Hell yeah it makes me feel alive

3: what random objects do you use to bookmark your books?

Hall passes

4: how do you take your coffee/tea?

Black or with raw honey for tea, sometimes a bit of sugar or creamer with coffee but I refuse to put milk in my tea

5: are you self-conscious of your smile?

Eh, I kinda like it tbh. I got the stupid crooked smile, it just looks bad in pics

6: do you keep plants?

I try but Ohio is the worst. I want to keep some succulents and cacti.

7: do you name your plants?

Occasionally, I had three succulents and one had a name, I think it was Via or something else with a v

8: what artistic medium do you use to express your feelings?

Mostly drawing but sometimes writing. If I’m feelin “free” I play really distorted guitar or bass and if I’m sad I can play a mean flute

9: do you like singing/humming to yourself?

I love singing in general man

10: do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?

Equal between side and back even if I am restless, I cannot do stomach

11: what’s an inner joke you have with your friends?

Nobody speaks Italian dipshit

12: what’s your favorite planet?

Uranus, no not because of anus jokes, it’s my dominant planet and it’s also just neat. I like saturn too.

13: what’s something that made you smile today?

Playing donkey with a few people at GSA

14: if you were to live with your best friend in an old flat in a big city, what would it look like?

Lots of animals, 100% we would have two sphinxes and a snake, art and instruments everywhere

15: go google a weird space fact and tell us what it is!

I don’t need to google it lmao, I took astronomy last semester. It’s a pretty basic one but Uranus is on its side

16: what’s your favorite pasta dish?

Ravioli boiiiiiiiiiii

17: what color do you really want to dye your hair?

I wanna try real dark blue

18: tell us about something dumb/funny you did that has since gone down in history between you and your friends and is always brought up.

I mean Nick likes to quote me, “I drown my sorrows in latin pop”

19: do you keep a journal? what do you write/draw/ in it?

I keep a really inconsistent journal. It’s mostly writing but like three sketches are in it.

20: what’s your favorite eye color?

Brown, needs more love

21: talk about your favorite bag, the one that’s been to hell and back with you and that you love to pieces.

My marching band sling bag which is fucked up and has been almost everywhere with me since the summer of 2016, its been covered in mud, burnt, almost shredded with a pocket knife, almost fell into the middle of a lake

22: are you a morning person?

Not at all

23: what’s your favorite thing to do on lazy days where you have 0 obligations?

Play video games in the morning and wander around with Mack when he’s up for it

24: is there someone out there you would trust with every single one of your secrets?

Mack

25: what’s the weirdest place you’ve ever broken into?

I’ve broken into kiddie pools in the middle of the night multiple times

26: what are the shoes you’ve had for forever and wear with every single outfit?

My grey street style converse

27: what’s your favorite bubblegum flavor?

Cinnamon bby

28: sunrise or sunset?

Sunset

29: what’s something really cute that one of your friends does and is totally endearing?

He’ll say something rude then immediately say “Sorry I love you”

30: think of it: have you ever been truly scared?

God yeah, I don’t really remember the situation but I remember the feeling

31: what is your opinion of socks? do you like wearing weird socks? do you sleep with socks? do you confine yourself to white sock hell? really, just talk about socks.

I don’t like socks but I refuse to wear tennis or dress shoes without them cuz of my nail phobia. The colors don’t matter unless I’m going to something formal. I cannot sleep with socks unless I’m freezing my ass off

32: tell us a story of something that happened to you after 3AM when you were with friends.

Mack and I couldn’t sleep during my birthday party and we decided to go check the pool times and got locked out of the room and the other two were asleep so we sat in the hall for about an hour

33: what’s your fave pastry?

Macarons, I love poffertjes but they aren’t really a pastry

34: tell us about the stuffed animal you kept as a kid. what is it called? what does it look like? do you still keep it?

I still have Purple Kitty from when I was little, the fabric on him is tough af like why is he made of that

35: do you like stationary and pretty pens and so on? do you use them often?

I like a nice pen and stationary set with a wax seal too but I don’t use them often enough to own anything

36: which band’s sound would fit your mood right now?

I’m really neutral rn but I’m listening to blackbear

37: do you like keeping your room messy or clean?

It’s not a matter of liking it but my room is really messy

38: tell us about your pet peeves!

Misophonia a bitch man. I’m also really aggressive about it being zo-ology not zoo-ology, venomous not poisonous, saying snakes are slimy, shit like that

39: what color do you wear the most?

Pfft black

40: think of a piece of jewelry you own: what’s it’s story? does it have any meaning to you?

I have Opa’s dog tags and the ring I got on Kelley’s Island

41: what’s the last book you remember really, really loving?

When the Moon Was Ours

42: do you have a favorite coffee shop? describe it!

I don’t, I’ve only really been to Starbucks

43: who was the last person you gazed at the stars with?

It wasn’t stargazing but I did comment on the stars the other night with Audra, Nick, and Mack while they talked about how fucking cursed Falls is. The last real stargazing I did was with Kennedy this summer.

44: when was the last time you remember feeling completely serene and at peace with everything?

The other day, it only lasted a little bit before Carson ruined it. Dove sounds are calming.

45: do you trust your instincts a lot?

No, I overanalyze everything

46: tell us the worst pun you can think of.

I’m really bad at puns oops. I don’t think it counts as a pun but one of my favorite jokes is people who don’t understand the difference between etymology and entomology bug me in ways that I cannot put into words.

47: what food do you think should be banned from the universe?

Fucking green beans

48: what was your biggest fear as a kid? is it the same today?

I mean I’ve always been afraid of chickens and had a nail phobia

49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?

I like it but I haven’t for awhile. I honestly can’t remember it.

50: what’s an odd thing you collect?

Disney funkos but it isn’t that odd, I like the bat stuffed animals with the loops on the back

51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?

Brown Eyed Girl and Crazy Little Thing Called Love for a girl that people I know irl will immediately recognize

52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?

Finally some good fucking food is a good one, absolute unit, Mine, sKINNY LEGEND

53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction? what do you think of them?

I haven’t seen Heathers or Pulp Fiction but the others are Quality

54: who’s the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?

Mack

55: what’s the most dramatic thing you’ve ever done to prove a point?

I’ve chewed up a leaf to prove it wasn’t plastic, drank a cup of sweet and sour sauce, shoved a cucumber down my throat, a lot of weird shit

56: what are some things you find endearing in people?

I like listening to people get excited over things

57: go listen to bohemian rhapsody. how did it make you feel? did you dramatically reenact the lyrics?

It makes me sad because of grief I’m not listening to it

58: who’s the wine mom and who’s the vodka aunt in your group of friends? why?

Nick is wine mom for all his tea. Mack is vodka aunt because we’re dumbasses together, we’re gonna be each others’ kids’ cool uncle.

59: what’s your favorite myth?

Honestly I have no fucking clue, Caeneus is neat

60: do you like poetry? what are some of your faves?

I’m not a huge fan of poetry but I can appreciate it, Poe is a main mans

61: what’s the stupidest gift you’ve ever given? the stupidest one you’ve ever received?

I like to give people bad sketches. I got a leaf once.

62: do you drink juice in the morning? which kind?

I don’t usually have juice but if I do it’s orange

63: are you fussy about your books and music? do you keep them meticulously organized or kinda leave them be?

Oof I’m a huge mess

64: what color is the sky where you are right now?

Blue I think but I can’t get to a window rn

65: is there anyone you haven’t seen in a long time who you’d love to hang out with?

Micah or Uzii and Abbas

66: what would your ideal flower crown look like?

I like natural ones, I made a daisy and wild clover one that was almost perfect, it needed some kinda bigger flower

67: how do gloomy days where the sky is dark and the world is misty make you feel?

I like them a lot

68: what’s winter like where you live?

Freezing and comes out of nowhere, once I wore shorts and a tank top one day and my winter coat the next

69: what are your favorite board games?

I don’t really play board games but I like donkey, a card game

70: have you ever used a ouija board?

No, I usually watch my friends when they use one and laugh at them when they freak out

71: what’s your favorite kind of tea?

I like english breakfast and green, especially the kind they have at hibachi but it’s only available for restaurants

72: are you a person who needs to note everything down or else you’ll forget it?

God yeah but I don’t do it.

73: what are some of your worst habits?

Biting my nails, retelling stories, there’s a lot more

74: describe a good friend of yours without using their name or gendered pronouns.

A pseudo-skater, loved more than they think, supportive like nobody else, knows just how to make me feel better, possum kid, rat parent, this ungendered thing is difficult, angry, accidentally yells shit they shouldn’t

75: tell us about your pets!

I’ve got Petey, an anxious boston that’s going grey too early, Pete aka Little Bear, a frenchie that licks too much and looks like your stereotypical black french bulldog, Petunia aka Bug, a nutcase boston with a white face and black ears with a little bit of white on the ends, and Pig, a frenchie that likes biting noses with one floppy ear and bug eyes that doesn’t look like a dog. There’s also Dabb our uromastyx. I call him a scaly puppy because he is.

76: is there anything you should be doing right now but aren’t?

Finishing a final

77: pink or yellow lemonade?

Pink

78: are you in the minion hateclub or fanclub?

HATE

79: what’s one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you?

It’s not really the kind of cute this means but I was upset, leaned on Mack, said I felt like shit, and he made me let him hug me normally without saying a word. I got a lot of good hugs during the cast dinner bc when I cry I don’t stop and everyone who looks at me cries. Damian prob was the cutest cuz he’s usually more reserved emotionally and was really wild but then he was quiet and sad.

80: what color are your bedroom walls? did you choose that color? if so, why?

Pink, teal, and purple. I hate it.

81: describe one of your friend’s eyes using the most abstract imagery you can think of.

Oof I forget what his eyes look like oops. I knew someone with eyes the color of deep tunnels in that dark wet clay earth with flecks of gold and stripes like tree bark

82: are/were you good in school?

Ehhhh, I’m not good at turning things in

83: what’s some of your favorite album art?

I like a lot of blackbear’s stuff

84: are you planning on getting tattoos? which ones?

I have a lot of plans like the cadmium symbol, a cosmo, a calavera, a snake diagram, a hyena, a testosterone molecule

85: do you read comics? what are your faves?

I read some stuff on webtoon like Darbi, Lackadaisy, and Lil Char and the Gang

86: do you like concept albums? which ones?

I didn’t know that was a like a thing, I thought that was just how some albums are

87: what are some movies you think everyone should watch at least once in their lives?

Coco damnit, also Stand By Me

88: are there any artistic movements you particularly enjoy?

I really love pop art

89: are you close to your parents?

I guess? They’ve just got personalities I don’t really like

90: talk about your one of you favorite cities.

Pittsburgh babey!!!!! I love the hills and the style of houses and the energy of those people that bleed black and gold and the yinzers I can understand perfectly and the mountains that are so easy to get to and the art scene and the zoo and primantis and aaaaaaaaaah I love Pittsburgh.

91: where do you plan on traveling this year?

Pittsburgh and L.A. like always. Going to Disneyworld for a band trip spring break.

92: are you a person who drowns their pasta in cheese or a person who barely sprinkles a pinch?

Only a tiny bit

93: what’s the hairstyle you wear the most?

Pompadour mohawk

94: who was the last person you know to have a birthday?

Oof most recent I think was my art teacher Miss Harry

95: what are your plans for this weekend?

Prom

96: do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot?

I procrastinate so bad dude

97: myer briggs type, zodiac sign, and hogwarts house?

ENTP, aquarius sun, gryffindor

98: when’s the last time you went hiking? did you enjoy it?

A couple months ago I did the gorge for the first time. I haven’t gone on a good hike for awhile and it upsetting. I love hiking so much.

99: list some songs that resonate to your soul whenever you hear them.

Blackbird, Here Comes the Sun, For Forever, This Is Home, there’s a fair amount

100: if you were presented with two buttons, one that allows you to go 5 years into the past, the other 5 years into the future, which one would you press? Why?

Go back five years and tell myself to not talk to A and to just accept myself earlier, it’ll life better, to join wrestling, to ask her out, to just do shit, stop hesitating. To talk to Mack, he’ll be one of the greatest people you’ll ever meet. Give Cadmium all the love you can. Tell Opa you love him and spend more time with him.

[charllieeldridge]

15 Things to Do in Austin: A Guide to The Texas Capital

The capital of Texas, Austin is known for its live music, barbecue, tacos, and beer. This is precisely why I was in love with this city before I even traveled there! In this guide, we’ll dive into these and several more of the attractions and best things to do in Austin.

Austin is a city that prides itself on being just a little different. Indeed, the state capital feels worlds apart from the rest of Texas. People here embrace that, though. An unofficial slogan of the city is “Keep Austin Weird,” and I’d say they’re doing a fine job.

In all seriousness, though, the Texas capital packs a serious punch as a travel destination. In addition to the amazing food, music, and beer, Austin is surrounded by rivers, lakes, and parks. You’ve got plenty of options for enjoying the great outdoors here. Go hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and much more, it’s hard to be bored in Austin.

If you’re ready to plan an awesome trip to ATX, read on for a detailed look at the 15 top Austin attractions and what to do in this exciting city.

1. Tour the Texas Capitol

Topping our list of things to do in Austin is going on a tour of the Texas State Capitol. This beautiful Italian Renaissance Revival building is the seat of government for the state of Texas. It’s also a must-see for visitors to Austin.

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and that’s certainly true of the state capitol. It’s actually bigger than the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. Its famous “sunset” color comes from the red granite that was used in its construction. You’ll definitely want to spend some time exploring the capitol grounds to take it all in.

Head inside to admire the central rotunda, which is flanked by pictures of past governors. Look up at the impressive dome, where you’ll see a giant star surrounded by the word “TEXAS” – a nod to its nickname of the Lone Star State.

☞ SEE ALSO: 15 Denver Attractions You Don’t Want to Miss

The Texas Capitol is open Monday to Friday from 7 AM-10 PM, however, tours only run from 8:30-4:30 pm. On the weekend it’s open from 9 AM-8 PM, with tours taking place between 9:30-3:30 on Saturday and noon-3:30 on Sunday. These tours are totally free and depart every 30-45 minutes from the South Foyer.  

No worries if you don’t make it on a tour, as they’ve got some great resources for making your own self-guided tour. Just head to their website to download free brochures, or drop into the Visitor Center at the start of your visit. For something a little more fun, visit the Capito by segway with this tour. 

Bonus: Governor’s Mansion

While you’re over here, you might as well check out the Texas Governor’s Mansion as well. You need to sign up for tours at least in a week, though, so click here to do that before your trip.

2. Zilker Metropolitan Park

One of the top Austin attractions to visit is Zilker Metropolitan Park. This large green space at the juncture of the Colorado River and Barton Creek is the perfect place to come enjoy a day full of outdoor activities.

The park covers around 350 acres and is full of trails, gardens, natural springs, sports fields and courts, and much more. Here you’ll find the Zilker Botanical Garden, which is known as the “jewel in the heart of Austin.” It’s home to many lovely theme gardens, including rose, herb, and Japanese. It only costs $3 for adults and $1 for kids, so it’s well worth a visit!

Another popular place to visit in the park is the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum. It’s dedicated to the work of Charles Umlauf and is home to over 150 of his sculptures and works. This one is also a great bargain at $3.50 for adults and $1 for children. It’s open Tuesday-Friday from 10 AM-4 PM and on the weekend from 12-4.

I haven’t even scratched the surface of all the fun things to do in or around Zilker Park. As a matter of fact, a few of the other activities on offer here deserve their own spot on the list!

☞ SEE ALSO: 15 Things To Do in Boston – Top Activities and Attractions

3. Fun on the River (one of the best things to do in Austin in the summer)

On a hot day in Austin (there are plenty of them!), there’s nothing better than cooling off in the river. At Zilker Park, you have plenty of options for fun in the water. SUPing, kayaking, and canoeing are all on tap here. 

Zilker Park Boat Rentals has been in business since 1969 helping people enjoy the river in an environmentally-friendly way. They charge $18 an hour or $54 for the whole day and only take cash. They’re open daily from 9 AM until dusk, so you can definitely get your money’s worth if you opt for the full day.

If you’re looking for a more laid back affair, then you can enjoy the Homer Simpson of water sports instead — tubing! You can sign up with ATXcursions for a carefree day of floating down the river, ice-cold beer in hand. They provide all the equipment and you bring your own drinks. Oh yeah, don’t forget sunscreen and shades, either. 

They run tubing trips on the weekends and on some holidays. Prices range from $59 to $79 depending on the day of the week. Head to their website to check out all the options.

☞ SEE ALSO: 21 Fun Things To Do in New Orleans

4. Barton Creek Trail-Barton Springs Pool

Next up on our list of things to do in Austin actually starts south of the park, but it eventually ends up there. The Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail stretches for over 12 miles and is considered one of the best hiking trails in the state. 

For a relatively easy hike, start out at the trailhead on Spyglass Drive (click here for directions). If you need some fuel for the road, drop into Tacodeli for some delicious brekky tacos before heading out on the trail. Click here to read a full guide to the Greenbelt and all its access points.

Head north on the trail and before long you’ll arrive at Campbell’s Hole — a great spot to take a dip and cool off. Keep hiking for about 20 minutes and you’ll reach the Barton Springs Municipal Pool back in the park. The water here is fed by a natural spring and it’s usually a nice cool 68 °F (20 °C). This makes for the perfect way to cool off in that often intense Texas heat.

The pool is open from dawn til dusk daily, but it closes from 9 AM-7 PM on Thursday for rigorous cleaning. You’ll need to buy a ticket to access the pool between late April and late September. It costs $9 for adults and $4 for kids to enter. 

5. Mountain Biking

Hiking a short part of the trail to the pool is an easy way to enjoy the great outdoors in Austin. If you’re up for more of a challenge, you can also try some mountain biking along the trail and several other places around the city.

In addition to the Greenbelt, other trails in the city include Slaughter Creek and McKinney Falls Park. You can check the MTB Project for a map of mountain biking trails in Austin to get started.

If you’re really serious about mountain biking, you may want to consider a day trip out to Spider Mountain Bike Park. It’s the only year-round chairlift-served mountain bike park in the country and is home to several different trails. Located 60 miles northwest of the city on Buchanan Lake, it’s a beautiful place to add to your list of things to do in Austin.

A full day pass for the lift and trail access costs $50 for adults and $45 for youth. They even rent bikes, helmets, and pads, so you don’t even need any gear. Check their website for all the details.

For a more chilled out day of biking, check out the Austin in a Nutshell Bike Tour, which takes you around the city. The tour includes the bike equipment, guide and park fees. You’ll learn about the history of the city and see the local landmarks. Or, add craft beer to your bike tour with Austin’s Gem Bike Tour!

☞ SEE ALSO: 27 Awesome Things To Do in Chicago

6. See the Bats

Remember how I said the city’s unofficial slogan is “Keep Austin Weird?” Well, one of the top things to do in Austin is watching bats. Yes, those bats. The nocturnal flying mammals. There’s even a “Bat Fest” here every year in August!

Between March and November, nearly one and a half million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge just before sunset. They come out of crevices in the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge (click here for directions) about 20-30 minutes before sunset. It’s a very popular thing to do here, so be sure to get there a bit early to claim a decent spot. 

The walkway on the east side of the bridge provides the best vantage point, but the hill below the bridge is also nice since you can lay out a blanket. If you go that route, just be sure to bring something to cover your head from potential falling guaro (bat droppings). 

Another fun way to take in the spectacle is on the water. You can take a rented SUP or kayak out to see the bats, and some local businesses even have special tours. Live Love Paddle runs a nightly 2.5-hour SUP tour to see the bats for $45 per person.

7. Photo Ops

You wouldn’t want to travel all the way to Austin and not have some awesome photos for the ‘gram! That’s why I’m including some popular photo ops on this list of the best things to do in Austin Texas. Thankfully, there are several solid options within a short walk of each other.

First up is the Greetings From Austin mural (click here for directions). This colorful mural looks like a retro postcard and makes for an awesome backdrop for a photo. 

Another go-to spot for pics is the I Love You So Much Wall at Jo’s Coffee (click here for directions). It’s simple and to the point and allows you to write a gushing post about how much you love (insert name here). It could be your significant other, it could be the city of Austin itself, or it could just be tacos. Mmmm… tacos. More on them later.

Perhaps my favorite is the Willie for President mural, which is just a block south. It depicts legendary singer-songwriter and native Texan Willie Nelson, who I think would make a fine president! Walk a block east, and you’ll find the Before I Die Wall. Grab a piece of chalk and write something that’s on your bucket list, then get to work crossing it off.

8. See Live Music

In a city that likes to call itself the Live Music Capital of the World, you know I’m fitting some tunes into this list. Whether you’re into rocking out in a cramped dive or classing it up in a jazz club, you can find it here.

There are so many choices for live music in Austin that it can be overwhelming. Apparently there are over 250 different live music venues here! Some of the best places to catch a show in ATX include: ACL Live at the Moody Theater, the Continental Club, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, and the Elephant Room. 

No matter what night of the week it is, there are plenty of options for shows in this city. Seriously. I visited during the week in January when there was a freakish cold spell, and the town was still rocking. Click here to check out a full list of upcoming concerts and add some live music to your list of things to do in Austin.

For a unique tour idea, take the “Austin Live Music Crawl” where you’ll check out 3 iconic music venues, some up and coming ones, and listen to local, live music. This highly-rated tour includes a local guide, transport and cool vibes. Plus, your guide is a musician in Austin. 

☞ SEE ALSO: 21 Things To Do in Asheville – An Insider’s Guide

9. Local Festivals

While you can catch some excellent live music just about any night of the year in Austin, you just can’t beat experiencing a festival here. The city hosts several major festivals throughout the year, highlighted by SXSW (South By Southwest) and Austin City Limits.

The former takes place in March and lasts for ten days. It’s a conglomeration of music, interactive media, film, and conferences and it’s a really exciting event to experience. The next edition will take place from March 13-22, 2020, so check their website for all the details.

Another behemoth of a festival, ACL (Austin City Limits) is such a big deal that it now occupies two weekends. This world-famous music festival takes place in Zilker Park and always brings in a ridiculously good lineup.

You may be wondering if this city that prides itself on being weird has any weird festivals. Of course it does! In addition to the aforementioned Bat Fest, Austin also has a Hot Sauce Festival, Comic Con Wizard World, and even a festival for Eeyore’s birthday. That’s right, Eeyore, the sad donkey from Winnie the Pooh. I told you this city was weird…

10. Museum Hopping

There are plenty of museums you can add to your list of things to do in Austin Texas. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or just some good old Austin quirkiness, there’s a museum for you here.

First up, there’s the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Through interactive exhibits, audio recordings, films, and more, you’ll get an in-depth look at the state from prehistoric times up until today. In addition, the museum hosts several different events throughout the year and there’s an awesome IMAX theater here as well.

The history museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM-5 PM and from noon-5 on Sunday. Admission costs $13 for adults and $9 for children, and you can click here to book your tickets online. 

Right across the street, you’ll find the Blanton Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Texas. It’s home to an impressive collection of nearly 20,000 different works of art from across the ages. A major highlight is seeing the building titled Austin by renowned artist Ellsworth Kelly. Famous for its rainbow of colored windows, this is the only building he ever designed.

Tickets are usually $12 for adults and $5 for kids, and it’s totally free to visit on Thursday. It’s open from 10 AM-5 PM Tuesday to Friday, 11-5 on Saturday, and 1-5 on Sunday.

That’s not all, though. You can also check out the Mexic-Arte Museum, South Austin Museum of Pop Culture, and even a Museum of the Weird. The latter features things like shrunken heads, suits of armor, and other random stuff. It’s located in the back of the Lucky Lizard Curios & Gifts shop (click here for directions) and is open from 10 AM-midnight every day.

11. University of Texas

After visiting the history and art museums, it’s definitely worth it to explore the campus of the university. It’s a beautiful college campus that’s full of public art and historical landmarks, and it makes for a nice leisurely stroll.

One thing you won’t want to miss on UT’s campus is The Color Inside, a fascinating Skyspace by artist James Turrell. The best time to really experience it is around sunset, but you’ll need to reserve your spot well in advance. Head to their website to find the next available time.

Another must-see while exploring campus is the UT Tower. You can sign up for a self-guided tour of the tower where you’ll go up to the observation deck to take in the views. Tours last 45 minutes and cost $6 per person. Click here to check times and reserve your spot.

If you’re visiting during football season, you should definitely try to get tickets for a game. Join the crowd of over 100,000 to cheer the Longhorns on to victory. Home games take place on Saturdays from late August to late November, and you can head to their website to look for tickets. Even if you’re not in town on a game day, you can still take a tour of the stadium.

12. LBJ Presidential Library

One of the top Austin attractions to visit is the LBJ Presidential Library. Native Texan Lyndon Baines Johnson became the 36th President of the United States after the tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy.

This presidential library and museum is dedicated to LBJ and the impact he had on the country. It’s home to over 50,000 objects donated by the former president and his wife, from the clothing the wore at his inauguration to the desk he used to sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

There’s plenty to see and do here to keep you busy for several hours. You can step into a replica of LBJ’s Oval Office, listen to actual phone calls he had during his time as president, and even check out his stretch limousine. They’re always having interesting new exhibitions such as the current one on the 60th anniversary of Motown Records, so be sure to check their calendar to see what’s going on. 

The library and museum are open daily from 9 AM-5 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for children and you can click here to buy them online in advance. 

☞ SEE ALSO: Top 15 Philidelphia Attractions 

13. Lady Bird Lake

Next up on our list is a place that was actually named after the former First Lady. LBJ’s wife was known as Lady Bird and was a beloved public figure for her work in beautifying the nation’s cities, including Austin. The city named Lady Bird Lake after her to honor, which is a great place to come enjoy some hiking or biking.

The best way to experience it is on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, which makes a 10-mile loop. It’s a very scenic way to take in the sights of Austin while getting some exercise at the same time! Click here to download a map of the trail.

Even if you’re not up for a long hike or ride on the trail, you should still come here to check out the boardwalk section. It’s only one mile long and is the perfect place to spend some time on a nice day. Be sure you check out the Belting It Out art installation while you’re here. This is a collection of bronze belts with song lyrics from famous Texas musicians engraved on them. 

Of course, you can also experience Lady Bird Lake out on the water. No motorized boats are allowed, so it’s quite peaceful. As with other points in the city, it’s possible to rent kayaks, canoes, or stand-up-paddle boards here. 

14. SoCo (South Congress)

One of the coolest places to hang out in Austin is the area known as SoCo (South Congress). This shopping and cultural district is home to plenty of eclectic boutiques, cafes, music and art venues, and much more.

For a dash of 80’s and 90’s nostalgia, you can drop into the quirky Monkey See Monkey Do shop. Here you’ll find vintage action figures and other random collector’s items. Once you’re done in here, head next door to Big Top — a circus-themed candy store with an old school soda fountain.

Another fun place worth checking out is Lucy in Disguise With Diamonds. First of all, that has to be the coolest shop name ever. Second, this has got to be one of, if not the best, costume shops in the land. It’s way more than just pre-assembled costumes, though. They have all kinds of clothing, jewelry, masks, accessories, and more, so you can get really creative here.

These days, SoCo is also known for its abundance of food trucks. This started with the arrival of Hey Cupcake! back in 2007. You can still get your cupcake fix here, but if you need lunch before dessert be sure to check out Burro Cheese Kitchen for gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

☞ SEE ALSO: Top 10 New Orleans Festivals – A Guide to The City’s Best Events

15. Tacos and BBQ

Rounding out our list of things to do in Austin is sampling the city’s famous tacos and BBQ. After all that hiking, swimming, biking, and dancing you’ve been doing, you’re sure to have quite the appetite.

Some consider Austin to be the taco capital of the US, and they definitely have a strong case. They’ve got authentic tacos from south of the border, classic Tex-Mex, Asian fusion, breakfast tacos — you name it, you’ll find it in Austin! In addition to the aforementioned Delitaco, other places to check out include Rosita’s al Pastor, Tamale House East, and Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ.

Speaking of BBQ, that last recommendation is the perfect place to combine two of the tastiest things in Austin. Putting Texas BBQ classics like pulled pork and beef brisket in a taco is an absolute genius idea! I’ve already mentioned Stubb’s as a live music venue, but it’s worth repeating just for its famous BBQ. Other popular choices include Franklin, La Barbecue, and Stiles Switch.

If you need something tasty to wash down all those tacos and BBQ, there are plenty of excellent local craft beers in Austin. Click here for a solid list of breweries in Austin that are worth visiting.

Ready for Austin?

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to drop everything and head to Austin after getting through this list. It’s just such an exciting city with so much going on. I especially love all the options for enjoying the great outdoors and live music there, plus the fact that Austinites are proud to be weird!

After hearing rave reviews about Austin for many years, I finally made it there during our bus trip down to Mexico. Despite there being a freakish cold front that came through the city, we still had a blast there. I’m hoping to make it back for SXSW or Austin City Limits sometime soon, or maybe just swing through on a random weekend to skip the crowds. Whenever you travel to the Texas capital, one thing’s for sure, you’ll have a great time.

Have you traveled to Austin? If you have any awesome recommendations for things to do there, leave a comment below!

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