Why do I support LIVESTRONG? I like beer.

If you like beer, donate to LIVESTRONG right now.
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No, seriously, if you like beer, donate now.
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See, there's a secret we LIVESTRONG Leaders share with Lance, Doug and the crew at LIVESTRONG. You're not really funding cancer survivorship support. Your investing in a future bar.

I mean, the layout is there, with a dance area, a stage, a kitchen, and plenty of space for mingling. The location in Austin, TX is perfect. The artwork is on the walls and there is plenty of parking. It's perfectly accessible by train, too. And did I mention the outdoor dining and drinking area? Oktoberfest will rock.

Still think I'm kidding? I'm not.

There are only 2 things standing between us, today, and this bar.

1) It houses this pesky thing called the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
2) Cancer

Confused? Allow me to explain...

By definition, "We (LIVESTRONG) provide support to guide people through the cancer experience, bring them together to fight cancer—and work for a world in which our fight is no longer necessary."

"... A world in which our fight is no longer necessary."

Lance, Doug, and everyone who is employed by LIVESTRONG, to an extent, prays for the day they that all employees are given the option to accept a severance check and a pink slip or to take on new careers as bartenders, bus boys, waiters & waitresses and bouncers when the Lance Armstrong Foundation closes its doors and is converted into a bar because it will mean that cancer has been extinguished from the planet. The war will have been won. The only thing left for the folks who worked at the Foundation to do will be to find a new career and send themselves off with a brewski while Lance and his buddies turn LIVESTRONG Headquarters into the biggest, baddest bar Texas has ever seen.


So, if you hate cancer, donate to LIVESTRONG right now.
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If you like beer more, donate to LIVESTRONG right now.
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If you love Shiner Bock, donate to LIVESTRONG right now.
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If you love Guinness, donate to LIVESTRONG right now.
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If you like Michelob, Bud, Miller, or Rolling Rock, donate to LIVESTRONG right now.
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If microbrews like Fat Tire, Brooklyn Brewery, Dogfish Head, and He'brew, are your thing, then donate to LIVESTRONG right now.
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And, if you never, ever, ever,  want to hear me ask you to donate to LIVESTRONG right now, but you'd much rather hear me ask you out for a brew with the same frequency, donate to LIVESTRONG right now.
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Day 1 (and a 1/2) in Austin...

This week is the LIVESTRONG Leader Assembly, where LIVESTRONG Leaders from all over the world will converge on the city of Austin for a 2-day summit meeting. I decided to come a couple of days in advance so that I can enjoy the city, without the kids, without having any obligations, the pressure of having to be anywhere by a certain time and with the freedom to do what I want on a whim.

I arrived yesterday at around 11am and was picked up by my friend, and host for the first half of my trip, Dave. Dave and I were on Young Judaea Year Course and has been a gracious host to me for the past couple of LIVESTRONG Challenges. Since the hotel reservation doesn't start until Wednesday, I decided to accept Dave's offer for free lodging (I did help show another technique for burping his newborn baby). Since I had to get up at 3:30 to make sure that I got the airport shuttle at 5:30am, by the time I arrived, I was still pretty tired.

Dave and his wife, Tish, had redone their backyard, complete with some beautiful stone patios and sitting areas, so after I settled in, met the in-laws and the baby, I retired to the backyard for one of the most serene hours I've had in a long time. The weather was idyllic. I sat down between two oak trees, gave myself a quick mani-pedi, finished my book, Secrets of a Jewish Mother by Jill Zarin, and took a nap. A little bit of lounging and catching up followed.

Because I don't eat pork or shellfish, and that was on the menu, I took a quick jaunt over to Tacqueria Guadelajara, per Dave's suggestion, where I had a hearty meal for less than $7. (Talk about a great deal!)

I got back, chatted for a short time, and then crashed - I was in bed by 9, long before the kids were asleep at home, for sure.

Today I awoke to this:

I KNOW! Can you think of anything better? Seriously! It was beautiful. Dave's going to have a hard time getting rid of me!

A bit of work and I headed out to LIVESTRONG Headquarters because I had an 11:30am appointment with Brandon, over at the Navigation Center (talk about a great resource!). The only problem was that, once I arrived, I learned my appointment is actually tomorrow. D'oh! I took the time to donate the painting I made for LIVESTRONG's walls, as they are bedecked with artwork from Lance's private collection. I do hope The Boss, and the others, enjoy it, and that it fits the decor!


From there, I went on what was looking like a wild goose chase to find a pair of affordable cowboy boots for Thursday's Texas Fun Party. I am on a shoestring budget, to say the least. I first went to a thrift shop 2 blocks from LIVESTRONG HQ, but no dice. However, I was starving, and I realized I hadn't really eaten breakfast. A nice lady int he parking lot who was dropping off stuff for the thrift shop offered some advice as to where I could find some second-hand boots as well as a someplace for lunch. Per Gina's suggestion, I ate at Las Cazuelas and headed on my adventure in boots.

Can you believe! $5 for all THIS! (Oh, minus 1 taco. I ate before I shot.

First, I went to St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. Then, I went onto Heritage Boots, which didn't have anything under $300, so I had to rule that out. (But, MAN, what beautiful boots!) I hit New Bohemia, per the recommendation of a street vendor selling lovely bracelets recycled from old boots and belts. I spent almost an hour trying on boot after boot, but my feet and legs are still so swollen from chemotherapy, that none of them fit. The girls there suggested that I head to New Brohemia - their men's shop. There, I found 3 pairs of boots that fit, but none of them had that "X" factor. I found a pair for $20 that I was going to settle on, but there was a repair that would have to be made. The gentleman there suggested that I go to the shoe repair shop, the Golden Sandals Shoe Repair to find out how much it would cost.

I love the J.P.!

Well, that suggestion was beshert. Apparently, they refurbish and resell boots from customers that they abandon or decide they no longer want! There, I found a pair, with the thanks of Abel, of ostrich boots that fit me to a TEE - it was as though they were custom made for me (though, they were custom made for someone else). He gave me a great deal on them, and I'm picking them up tomorrow.

No day in Austin is complete without libation from Juan Pelota's Cafe, so, victorious, I swung by my favorite watering/cycling hole to recharge myself, my phone and my iPod.

Once I was done with that, I was off to meet my old friend, Bill, at Rudy's BBQ. While this was a repeat stop, it had to be done. Rudy's BBQ is ridiculously good. So, I met Bill with his 2 daughters and we caught up, laughed and enjoyed the evening over turkey, brisket, and, an Austin staple...

Thus ends my first full day in Austin. Here's to many more!