good weekend

Music: The Walkmen: Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone (2002)

Nothing is more cheering than having five people you love descend on your home for a holiday. Family is great, don't get me wrong, but you get to pick your friends (and they you), and when your house is full of people you picked, things tend to get cheerful. We had a great time. Thursday night Shaun and Emily arrived, and we gabbed into the night over Etouffée, Mean-Ass Joshritas, and board games. Yogita, Christopher, and Tracy arrived on Friday, and we made our way to Hayes county for a slammin' Fourth of July party (replete with live music . . . you can't beat that!).

Yesterday I worked a bit as my friends toured Austin, then we had a nice time at Manuels and then, later, one of my favorite hangs, the Carousel. Today Shaun, Emily and I toured some Austin, drove out to the Salt Lick for some BBQ, then we hit the Hindu Temple In-the-Middle-of-Nowhere-Texas.

I owe others writing; twas hard to get done with guests---so it's back to the grind tomorrow. But I know what should take priority: guests. Seriously. Academic rule number Positively 4th Street: once you're making a living, buddies come before work. Amen. So mote it be.

Gallery of our good time is here.