The Atlas

Several life times ago, as I approached my 30th birthday following an incredibly tumultuous year, my dear friend Sara gave me a gift. It was a beautiful pendant. She was quick to point out that it wasn't a birthday present, but was a gift to honor the courage involved with moving away from everything and everyone you know and love to start a new life.

For as sweet a sentiment as it was, and for as much as I still cherish that necklace, at the time nothing about my move from Sonoma County to Manhattan struck me as all that courageous. I knew in my bones that I needed to make a change, I knew what that change was, and it never occurred to me not to do it.

A decade and a half later that gift has become a symbol of me sticking true to what I want, and going after it, instead of waiting for someone or something to just hand it to me. Every time I look at it, I hear Sara's words. "What you're doing isn't easy, and I want to acknowledge that."

And now after a decade in Austin, it's time to take advantage of the freedom afforded me by having a portable career and nothing to tie me down. This is something I've been dying to do for most of my life, and I'm so excited to finally get the chance to it.

Leaving Austin is certainly sad. There are people here I adore and whom I will miss daily. And, as for the city itself, there are a few things I've been trying to get my fill of in the last few weeks. Some of them, I will acutely miss once I leave. Invariably, I have not been able to resist pulling together a Top Ten List of the things I will most miss about life in Austin:

1. Hippie Church at Maria's Taco Xpress - Every weekend's homage to old school Austin with all the things that count most: breakfast tacos, beer/margaritas, music and a crop of old timers who dance in tie-dye, with dogs, and blissfully greet each other every Sunday.
2. Bedpost Confessions - Deep from the Blue, queer, feminist political heart lying in the middle of Deep Red Bible Belt Texas. It's glorious, and I highly recommend it. (Though, maybe not on a first date!)
3. Eeyore's Birthday Party - Best. Hippiefest. Ever. My only current plans for a return visit to Austin right now are to attend this with my girl, Angela, next year. In costume. Ha!
4. Patio at Manuel's Great Hills - A great spot for 3-hour lunches with your business partner, splashing dark red soup all over your brand new white dress, or having Going Away Parties.
5. Visual Art Scene - EAST, WEST, Cherry Cola Dog, Flip'n Art -- all of it. The music scene in Austin always gets the press, but for me the visual arts here are a constant delight.
6. Dona Sauce at TacoDeli - To quote a former member of my team at Infor, "Everything is better with Dona Sauce." Even rough client calls, long nights and bad deployments.
7. Butler Park Pitch and Putt - Only Austin would have a hidden golf course in the heart of downtown that involves coolers of beer and players in flip flops.
8. Continental Gallery - There is no spot better than the end of the couch with a beer, listening to a singer who is too young to buy alcohol knock your socks off with her amazing voice.
9. Sunday morning walks around Town Lake - The easiest 10k steps of the week.
10. The Alamo Drafthouse - What Austin love letter would be complete without a Valentine to the Alamo?

Thank you, Austin. From 2008 to 2019, you were a great spot for this vagabond hippie to hang her plethora of big floppy sun hats. I am grateful for your hospitality.

Yesterday, I got the chance to say good-bye to so many wonderful friends, after spending the weekend with my parents on their first trip to Texas for a visit. I am grateful for those to were able to come, and for those who sent their best wishes but couldn't be there in person.

With that, I will sign off from Austin for the last time.