My New Love

I’ve started dreaming about it, already spent way too much money on it, and over the past few months, my love for it has grown so much that I can’t hold it in anymore and have to share.

No, I’m not having a baby. And I wouldn’t announce it on my blog if I was. Actually I would. I’m already off topic though, which can’t fare well for this blog entry.

What I’m really talking about is my love of a game called golf. Back in fourth grade, my left-handed dad tried teaching me the basics of the game at the driving range at Town East and Belt Line. Given my hand-eye coordination had never truly been tested up until this point (I never played a sport in my life) and I’m right-handed, the lesson ended with me declaring golf to be the “stupidest game ever.” (I tend to speak in absolutes to this day)

In my early college years, wanting to woo the man of my dreams into a lifetime of blissful and uncomplicated marriage, I decided I should watch golf on TV and, on occasion, maybe even tap a ball or two in the general vicinity of a hole in the ground. I ended up having the hots for Phil Mickelson, the most adorable leftie on the PGA Tour, but still never got into the “swing” of things. Love me some puns.

Then about three years ago, I decided to get serious. We purchased some golf clubs for me and went to the Hank Haney golf range in North Austin (now a lovely shopping center with a Home Depot, a now-closed Circuit City and a Golf Galaxy) to get some one-on-one lessons with the best golfer I know, my husband… hehe.

Unfortunately, my hand-eye coordination was much the same as it was in fourth grade, and the majority of my swings made little to no contact with the ball in front of me. Aggravating sport!

But it all changed with the discovery of a little shindig called the Butler Park Pitch and Putt, conveniently located across the street from Peter Pan Putt-Putt and about 10 minutes from the house. It’s essentially a nine-hole, par-three course where BYOB is encouraged and may help your score. Once I was able to take what I learned on the range and apply it to a “real-life” setting, the lessons I was receiving suddenly made more sense. You can’t “play” on a range forever, right?

And now, my new favorite course to play is Lions Municipal Golf Course that is at Enfield and Exposition. A relatively flat course, it’s easy to walk and play and get a great understanding of the game. And shockingly, in the two times I’ve gone there, my score has dropped another seven shots! WHOA! The best part of the course? In the evenings, it’s less than $8 to walk and play nine holes. It’s like brining golf to the masses. Genius.

One side note, the University of Texas owns the land this golf course is on, and is currently trying to boot the golf course in favor of “development” – i.e. condos, apartments and retail. Because apparently this city needs more of that, right? A bunch of condos-turned-apartments and empty retail shells. Booo. Lion’s is the only centrally located municipal (or private) golf course that is reasonably priced enough for anyone and everyone to play. Plus, its unique history should solidify its place in Austin. For more information or to sign the petition, visit: http://www.savemuny.com/.

So move aside running, I’ve officially found a new hobby that I’m not too bad at (anymore).

Because it's fun to look back

Since this reposts to my Facebook page, I'll just fill it out here :) Hope everyone is doing splendidly! May is turning out to be less drama. No resolution, but at least less drama...

Okay, here we go!

**** 15 YEARS AGO (1994)****
1) How old were you? 12
2) Who were you dating?: OMG, I think I was still dating Ben Hagan. I can't even believe I was technically dating someone at 12. I also think it lasted less than two months ;)
3) Where did you work? I was in sixth grade, so nowhere.
4) Where did you live? Mesquite, Texas
5) Where did you hang out? My front yard, slumber parties at friend's houses
6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? No
7) Who were your best friends? Brandi Fluent, and I believe there was some fallings outs with some other people. Oh, elementary school drama.
8) How many tattoos did you have? Err, zero.
9) How many piercings did you have? Just my ears
10) What kind of car did you drive? Well, I rode in an Izuzu Trooper and a Ford Taurus. The 90s owned.
11) Had you been to a real party? Definitely not
12) Had you had your heart broken? Probably. Crushing on boys is what you did in sixth grade
13) Were you Single/taken/married/divorced: Taken I suppose

14) Any kids? Considering I was one, no.

***10 YEARS AGO (1999)****
1) How old were you? 17
2) Who were you dating?: Kenny Dykes
3) Where did you work? Hmm, during the summer that year I worked at a photography studio
4) Where did you live? Sunnyvale, Texas
5) Where did you hang out? To be honest, I don't even remember... Kenny's place, my place, I believe there was a bowling alley. We would go shopping at North Park sometimes. See movies -- that kind of stuff.
6) Did you wear contacts? No
7) Who were your best friends? Orchestra girls
8) How many tattoos did you have? Zero
9) How many piercings did you have? Two! Look at me being a rebel!
10) What kind of car did you drive? Ironically, the same care I had ridden in back in 1994. A turd colored Ford Taurus with no air conditioning. It was awesome. I will be working three jobs to keep my kid from driving around in a car with no air conditioning during a Texas summer if I have to.
11) Had you been to a real party? Yeah, there were a few. Had to be careful around that orchestra crew ;)
12) Had you had your heart broken? Yes. But it's all good now. To be young and foolish, right?
13) Were you Single/taken/Married/Divorced? Taken
14) Any kids? Err, once again, no.

**NOW**
1) How old are you? 27
2) Who are you dating? Are you still dating when you're married? Justin Balthrop
3) Where do you work? Waggener Edstrom
4) Where do you live? Austin, Texas
5) Where do you hang out? My house, Pilates, Work, Town Lake, various happy hours, etc. I believe I have a better social life than I did in high school. Ha.
6) Do you wear contacts and/or glasses? Not really -- only when I'm stressed and my head starts hurting.
7) Who are your best friends? Ashley and Justin -- but I have so many awesome friends that I love dearly.
8) How many tattoos do you have? Still zero
9) How many piercings do you have? Back down to one
10) What car do you drive? Depends I suppose; Usually the Mazda Tribute, but if the husband is feeling generous, I drive the 2009 Lexus RX
11) Had your heart broken? Not in a long time.
12) Are you Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? Happily married for five years.
13) Any kids? Not yet :)

Amazing how much life changes. And I can't believe that my 10-year high school reunion is only one year away. I feel old.