Thought of the Day 08/09

Grown men should not drink frappuccinos.

Anatomy of a Break Up

The way I see it there are at least 4 stages to every break up.

1. Denial - This usually occurs in the hours and days immediately following the initial break up. You're probably unsure as to how serious you or the other person was about ending things and put yourself to ease by allowing yourself to think that this too shall pass. You question a lot: Were things really that bad? Am I being over dramatic? Will he/she/it change their mind?

2. Sadness/Depression - All you can think about are the good times you had in your relationship. You are more or less inconsolable and you check your phone, email, Facebook, etc. 200+ times a day hoping for some type of communication from your former significant other.

3. Anger - At some point a switch in your head gets flicked and suddenly all you can think about are all the bad times in your relationship. You have such immense anger and hatred towards your former lover that it keeps you up at night. You'll also probably be hating yourself for allowing things to go on for as long as they did. If you're still communicating with your ex this is the time you will start to get into stupid little fights that escalate into something huge and unnecessary.

4. Acceptance - One day you wake up and things just seem to suck less. You understand and accept that your relationship has ended and that it is for the best. You realize that there is no point in fighting anymore because it's not going to change the situation, the people you two are, or anything at all.

St. Arnold - Patron Saint of Brewers

Saint Arnold Brewery Tour - Houston, TX

2522 Fairway Park Drive

Drive down Fairway Park Drive and you would probably never guess that there was a microbrewery tucked away in this industrial neighborhood, but there is. In fact, St. Arnold's Brewery is the oldest microbrewery in Houston and every Saturday at 1:00 pm they offer a brewery tour. Well, it's less of a tour per say and more of a 20 min informational session followed by 1 hour and 40 mins of drinking.

The warehouse is completely opened up, which is a good thing because there is no AC/heating (sometime this fall the brewery is moving to a climate controlled warehouse just north of downtown). It costs $5 to get in and that includes a 6-8 oz. souvenir glass and 4 drink tokens. Tip: if you have a large St. Arnold's glass be sure to bring it, because they will fill that, regardless of how big it is. Get there early to score a table and feel free to bring a picnic. The tour, which is just an employee standing on a ladder with a microphone regurgitating information while some people listen and most people get in line for beer, starts @ 1. The 4 bars open as soon as the tour ends and the beer drinking free for all begins. Oh and don't think you'll be sly by waiting to get there around the time the tour ends because drink tokens are only given out until 1:15. Don't let the crowd/lines deter you; by 2:00 the warehouse really starts to thin out.

Pros: Price, Good Beer, Great Place to Socialize, Free Parking, BYOF (Bring Your Own Food)

Cons: No A/C, crowded at first

Bottom Line: A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends.

Quack Quack

Austin Duck Adventures - Austin, TX

If you work in downtown Austin, or even frequent the area, you have undoubtedly seen the Austin Duck Adventures mobile maneuvering it's way around town. The people on board always look like they are having a good time and if you get caught at a red light next to them you just might get quacked at. I had always wanted to take the tour but the $25.99 price tag just seemed a little too much to me. Fast forward to a late July morning when my mom was in town and offering to pay and I started whistling a different tune.

The 75 minute tour takes you around downtown, by the capital, out to Old West, into Lake Austin and back towards downtown. The tour guide was a little cheesy but funny nonetheless and full of interesting information (like the story behind the statue of the woman lighting a cannon on Congress). The coolest part was most definitely driving straight into Lake Austin at 15 miles an hour and trekking around for a bit.

Pros: Fun, Great Tour Guide, Informative, Duck Noise Makers

Cons: Pricey, No A/C

Bottom Line: If you have the money, it's well worth it.

A Leopard's Spots Never Change

Relationship Advice #1

If your significant other has a less than favorable quality or characteristic, you need to head for the hills or learn to live with it. People don't change.