It's been a long time coming...

Firstly, forgive my lack of attention to post an update for quite some time.

Where to begin? The past couple of months have presented a number of changes, some better than others.

New job is at the top of the list with the lose of my bike being the opposite.  Both have had me have to make significant changes in my lifestyle. Mostly meaning I go out less.  While this has been helpful to my wallet, it has taken its toll on my social interaction.  As a result, even with the happiness and sense of fulfillment my new work provides, my positivity suffers when I lack to social outlet to digest my daily deeds. I hope that makes sense as it has always been tough to put my very of logic into the right words.

The major cause of my social disconnect has been the loss of my bike.  By loss I am referring to it being mangled in a hit and run about a month ago.  This event coincided with a boost in responsibilities at work, meaning less free time and more sheer exhaustion, preventing me from really resolving the matter. Then, a rider was murdered in a hit and run only weeks after my own.  Up until then I was still borrowing bikes but afterwards I admittedly was hesitant to ride as freely.  I've been feeling the urge to ride more frequently and now it's become an issue of "fix the old" or "buy another".  I'd like to find one more my size, but after a month of searching not much has turned up.

Work has been my saving grace lately.  And while not without its quirks, it's pretty effing awesome.  I was hired at a time of transition and expansion, something the Whip In is doing more of these days.  It's allowed me creativity while also testing me, everyday, about what I "think" I know about kitchens and restaurants in general.  It's a new frontier for me, one that I very much look forward to exploring.  The people I work with are great and I can't really say I have beef with any of them.  All that being said, my twice monthly fishing trips are really nice too.

I guess what's been bothering me the most is that it kinda just fell in my lap.  Which most people would be happy about.  Not that I am unhappy about.  I just feel... guilty? As a Midwesterner, particularly a Michigander, did I expect to struggle more to achieve my goal? I had fetishized work for so long, that when that model was broken, it helped me clean up my head space a bit.  I've realised a better balance for myself and found a sense of focus.  One that I feel will lead to a better version of me.

I feel grounded for the first time in years.  Calmer, more intuitive, and more graceful with actions. My low self-esteem is at an all-time high.

Step One

Okay, it's been a minute, so let's refresh...

I moved to Austin for pretty much two reasons.  Firstly, to immerse myself in a progressive food culture and gather the skills necessary to be more sustainable and responsible.  Both in the kitchen and in my everyday life. Austin's food trailers allow me to typically talk to the person who owns it every time I visit them. I know my money is staying in my community when I buy tacos from the trailer in my cul-de-sac.

I've had my fair share of trailer experiences for the short time I've been here.  But two stand out above the rest: The Odd Duck and The Jalopy. The Odd Duck sources 100% of its proteins, cheeses and produce from local farms, the ingredients are so fresh and flavorful, it would be hard not to make good food out of it.  The Duck goes above and beyond though.  I can't even talk about their wood-fired grill until I investigate it further. Also, I can now say that I have eaten at a place that was on No Reservations. The Jalopy was a completely different experience. Don't get me wrong, the food was ridiculously good and Nic very happy to make custom dishes.  He started us of with and sampling of his different sauces.  He and my friend Eve talked about vegan options and  Nic totally hooked her up with a killer sammich. I told him that I was very much a carnivore and would surely appreciate the biggest, messiest pile of pork he could offer up.  He didn't disappoint.  

Also, he gave us free beer!  And both places are B.Y.O.B.

But I didn't come to Austin just to eat.  I have been studying the area farms and finally meet a few of the people who work at Johnson's Backyard Garden.  This is one of the farms I applying for an internship with shortly after arriving in Texas.  I liked JBG because the owner start as a backyard hobbyist and now has 77 acre organic farm.  It looks like I'll be volunteering there Wednesday and Thursday mornings and may even have a shoe in the door for a job.  

The other big reason for the move was the bike culture in Austin.  Many streets have dedicated bike lanes and those that don't often has construction under way.  Some the lanes are simply luxurious.  Then, there's the the social rides. I've been in Austin proper for 4 weeks today and have been on 3 rides so far, with one more lined up for tonight.  Even in January, turnout is larger than I am used to.  I am making friends and riding a lot. I am starting get acclimated to the hillier terrain and the downhills here as super fast and super fun to ride. I rode on the interstate with about 50 people at 3AM.  I carried my bike through muddy trails and gravel pits just to sprint the length of an old, unused runway. To say the least, I've making the most of the bike scene here.

So, that's that.  I came here for two reasons and I feel I am fulfilling the expectations I set for myself.  I am taking one step at a time toward becoming the productive inhabitant of this planet I want to be.

Back By (Somewhat) Popular Demand!

I have gotten word through the grapevine that some folks were wanting a new blog post.  I hadn't really doing much aside from working, but when Eddie Lahti says jump, I say I'd better write a post about jumping.

The new job is nothing special.  Fairly simple menu, all turn and burn items with a couple of sauces made a la minute. But - BENEFITS - 'nuff said.  Get some medical and dental issues taken care of, maybe pick up a prep cook job in the morning once I get closer to the city center.

On that note, I am getting settled in and Austin is beginning to feel like home rather than an extended vacation.  I am starting to find my groove and enjoying all the wonders this town has to offer.

Thanksgiving was great!  I made duck for the first time. For days, I cooked everything in duck fat which was, to say the least, decadent. I got Link aboard the duck train and now we are thinking we need to have at least one in the freezer at any given point.  It also seems as though I'll be lucky enough to get a whole, fresh, wild boar to do my bidding with.  An experiment I am truly ecstatic for.

One Month(ish) Later...

So, Thirty plus days have passed since I last updated and plenty of things to report.

The Job:  Three Legged Willie's is going well.  I like it alright and I get the hours are good.  The plan and simple truth is that I am happy to be back in a kitchen.  I'm paying my dues to establish myself as a worthwhile person to have around the place.  The crew is fun and lively and I like to think I fit in fairly well.  Still,  if everything falls into place, I may end up leaving to take a paid internship at a local farm.  I have a few things I need to accomplish before that dream comes into fruition.

The Food:  I have to say, even only after a few meals, Austin has some simply amazing and innovative restaurants.  I finally had a chance to get some sushi.  A little place on the north side called Maru (not the major chain, more of that later) that offered up a very satisfying dinner in a cozy, vacant setting.  The kind of place I could see myself chatting up the chef from from a stool at the bar.

I briefly talked about my visit to Fino, an upscale Mediterranean joint, but let me elaborate a bit further.  We started the meal some anchovy wrapped, panko covered olives and Za'atar potato chips with lemon chive yogurt for dipping.  This paired well with our pitcher of sangria rosa.  For our main entrées, we split an order of paella ($45 for a 2 person portion amongst 3 people). Julie also ordered a salad though the paella has taken over any memory of it. We finished with Churros y Chocolate, sweet dough deep fried, covered in cinnamon sugar served with a chili and chocolate sauce.  I was not ashamed to use my finger to eat the remaining sauce before a server came over and offered me a spoon.  True story.

I got to heart of Texas BBQ when visiting The Salt Lick.  A place where you order open- pit meat by the pound, sides by the pints or quarts and bring your own beer.  As you walk in, you are struck directly in the eyes by a large, one-of-a-kind, barely legal barbeque pit covered with ribs, briskets, whole chickens and sausages.  The food, 1/2 lb of brisket and potato salad, was decent, though next time I'll remember to diversify a little more.

There so many places I've yet to visit.  Austin has a very strong mind to keep things on a local level.  On more that one occasion fighting corporate giants on behalf Ma and Pa shops.  It's incredibly easy to avoid eating at large, national chain restaurants, a plus for any locavore.  The food is so good, most shops don't even have to offer seated dining to sell their fair.  Food trucks riddle the entire city, offering scrumptious and transportable  haute cuisine on compost safe plates.  The people ask for it and Austin happily provides.

Social Integration: I've visited a few bars and I have had a few drinks.  I am mostly socializing through mutual friends and through online meetup groups.  One evening, there was a 50 person meeting of Apples to Apples players.  A2A was only the beginning.  People started to break out Taboo and Balderdash and soon all hell broke loose and we resorted to dominoes and cards.

Social bike rides happen nearly everyday here.  I hope to make my way to one soon.

Haven't to been to any big shows but the bars offer live music of all varieties.  Just walking down 6th Street you're bombarded with so much aural stimuli it's ridiculous.

That's my review after one month and one paycheck.  Good things are on the horizon.  Some of my favorite people will be visiting me soon, hopefully more will do the same in the future.

I May Have Just Made A Huge Mistake...

After reading an ad on Craigslist for a line cook/sous chef position and then researching the company, I sent them the following email along with a copy of my résumé.  You can check the ad here and see the restaurant's website here.

Cartharsis

When I heard the news Saturday night, it didn't really sink in.  It wasn't until the next morning while sitting alone in front of the computer that I finally broke.  I couldn't help crying, feeling so incredibly far away from my family with only the kind words of Facebook and a bluegrass soundtrack to console me.  I left Lansing as soon as I could arrange a ride with my sister, Kristi, and pack a bag.

Everything Happens For A Reason

I awoke in a frenzy at 11:45PM last night, frantically searching for my phone.  I knew something was wrong.  I had fallen asleep early in order to get a good night's sleep before departing for my trip.  I had known for a while that this may happen, and tonight, it did.

Just around 10PM, my great-grandma, Audra Myrle Armstead, passed away at the age of 90.

I am by no means happy about this, though I am glad that I wasn't already on the road at this point.  That would have added a whole other set of complications.  Silver lining, I guess.

I will update again once I return from West Virginia.