Top 12 Photos I Love (you guessed it), Texas Edition!

All photos copyright Teresa Farrell 2009

I Might Be Jumping The Gun, But...

I've barely gotten in the door from Austin and set my bags down and I'm already forming a diabolical plan to get myself to another city and another media convention. This time it's the 26th Annual Associated Collegiate Press National College Journalism Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, February 25-28, 2010. 

Of course, I'm obligated to do some research of my own. Like figuring out the 15 Best Things to Do In Phoenix. Even after my research, I basically wandered around Austin without any real plan or purpose (except to find cowboy boots and BBQ), but having a few things to base the exploration on definitely helped.

Rockstar Alice Cooper is from Phoenix, and has a restaurant there I'm dying to visit.

From a journalistic standpoint, I find it helpful to look into local media: newspapers and magazines, mostly.

To get the flavor of any new place, combine three simple ingredients: time management skills, a map and an open mind. You'll find all sorts of wild, fun, unique stuff to do.

And it never hurts to find out about points of interest: festivals, historical sites, and things like restaurants, nightlife, art, music, and special attractions are all good to know about and can help max out even a few days in a new city.

And, of course, logistics: having some idea of a city's public transportation, what parts of town to avoid, and local traffic tips will benefit you in the long run.

My Top Ten Favorite Moments in Austin

My Top Ten Favorite Moments in Austin

(image via HelloAustin.com)

10. Watching the drunks wander around town on Halloween-- the party's so big, they shut down blocks of the city for it.

9. The editor's conference I was actually there for!  From 9-5 on Friday, I learned a lot.
8. Getting yelled at not once, but twice for acting like an uncultured ass at an Austin Museum of Art exhibit.
7. Stubb's BBQ. The food's top-notch (Smoked Duck Quesadillas, anyone?) and so is the heritage: the place has a history of hosting famous blues artists. Much more my scene than the museum-y stuff.
6. Souvenir shopping at some of the coolest live-music inspired shops in town.
5. Lounging on the grass outside the State Capitol Building and learning to tell time using only my hand and the sun.
4. Watching the bats fly out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge. An Austin tradition-- on Halloween none the less.
3. Nachos and Knock Out Punch from Bikinis Bar and Grill on 6th Street-- 6 hours later, we were all happy campers.
2. 6th Street and the chaos that comes with it-- especially the Musicians Only parking signs.
1. Exploring Austin: 11 hours, over 200 pictures, and over five miles traveled. Sites seen: the Congress Avenue Bridge, the Texas State Capitol Building, the Warehouse District, and South Congress District.

22 Things To Do Instead of Sleep Before My 3 a.m. Flight To Austin

1. Procrastinate
2. Discuss, with one friend, the Pros and Cons of Romantic Relationships, while shopping for her roommate's birthday present
3. Discuss pros and cons of friendships in general over Mini Tacos from Bomber's Burrito Bar
4. Venture to Target to buy tomato sauce, camera batteries and Clorox wipes for the house
5. Play with adorable Dachshund puppy named Jameson and decide to volunteer at animal shelter
6. Go to a meeting
7. Purchase Red Bull
8. Make two pizzas with my freshman roommate
9. Drive her little brother's friend back to UAlbany so he could let his roommate in after a lockout and pick himself up some cheap rum
10. Steal the tootsie rolls that they were going to give to kids on Halloween
11. Ask my roommate to wash my pants because I'm still not home; fail to identify which pants
12. Give Up
13. Have the contents of friend's wastebasket wiped on my sleeve
14. Go home and begin laundry
15. Help pick out a new motorcycle from 250 miles away
16. Lose MP3 player
17. Find MP3 player
18. Shower
19. Move car back and forth obsessively to find a parking spot where it can stay for 4 days
20. Harass professor via AIM in ALL CAPS!!!!!
21. Pack
22. Write this post

Reese's Travel Updates-- March Thru October '09

Who says college kids can't go on vacation? It's just about how you coordinate. In the past year, for instance, I've been to:

Boston-- 7 months ago, spring break, March. Stayed for three days and saw the entire city, including the Boston Aquarium, Hard Rock Cafe, Quincy Market, Boston Commons and North End. Success.

Florida-- 6 months ago, April. Flew down during my sisters' spring break, when my family was at Disney world for the Last Family Vacation. Coordinated to miss only two days of classes and stay for five. Did Disney World, Daytona Beach and the entire two-day ride home.

Montana-- 4 months ago, June-July. Stayed with my aunt, went with my other aunt and cousin, and did the entire experience: three hikes, Yellowstone, two cliff jumps, a rodeo, homemade fireworks, tour of Montana State University, and the lifelong companionship of one very special chocolate lab.

Summer was split between the Adirondacks, Thousand Islands, and other remote camp locations throughout Upstate New York-- fishing, campfires, boat tours, kayak trips, and even a rescue from an island via rowboat (awesome).

Upcoming: Connecticut with my roommate, for the ocean, hot tub, kayaks and downtown club life! This weekend.

TEXAS! Halloween Weekend-- editor's conference in Austin for Saint Rose Chronicle, four days and three nights, totally paid for, in a town that shuts down for the Halloween party. Awesome.

Meet Me In Montana

So today I got a long-awaited package in the mail. A video, from my aunt in Montana, of my week-long trip last June. I was thrilled. Seven days, four planes, three mountains, one rodeo, and 360 degrees of fireworks later, this is what I have to show for it:




























(All photos copyright Teresa Farrell 2009)