State of the Blog Address
Howdy readers! That was just my attempt at conveying to you the fact that I recently returned back from a trip to Texas. My good friend, Randy, was able to coordinate a speaking engagement for me for last Friday at which I discussed advertising and marketing strategies in blogging for the Central Texas Ad League. Needless to say, it was the perfect way for us to combine business with pleasure, as my flight out there was paid for by the organization. Thanks Randy and thank-you, Central Texas Ad League!
Up until this trip, my only experience with Texas had been driving through it on my move from Savannah, Georgia to Los Angeles. Needless to say, all I remembered was that Texas was hot and seemed endless. I was looking forward to the opportunity to check it off the list as a state I can now say that I've visited. My first interaction came when I was in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport shuttle to my connecting flight. I was initially confused when a man asked me, "Did that hurt?" Accustomed to strangers in Los Angeles commenting on my boyfriend's nearly full-body tattoos, I was surprised to realize that he was actually referring to my tiny nose piercing, which against the backdrop of my hipster neighborhood is all but completely invisible. Oh Texans. You're adorable.
More on why everything's bigger in Texas after the jump...
The speaking engagement actually went much better than I had expected--I was surprised to find out that a year of blogging, working with publicists and advertisers on a daily basis during that time, means that I actually have (GASP!) some sort of idea of what I'm doing. It was nice validation for me, since I'm often accused by people who don't exactly understand what it is that I do, of just goofing off on the Internet all day long.
Oh yes, but let's not forget the mixer that preceded the speaking series. The theme was Elvis-based, because he spent a night in the town of Killeen, where Randy lives, however, there was only one participant in the highly anticipated Elvis look-alike contest, who won by default. Since he was wearing what looked like a plastic jumpsuit covered in rhinestones and was sporting glued-on sideburns, I'd say it was well-deserved. Twinkies and peanut-butter and banana sandwiches were being appropriately served, but unfortunately, neither were fried. Oh well.
Over the weekend, Randy and I ventured to Austin, Texas, a place I'd heard was very similar to my beloved Athens, Georgia, the town in which I attended college at the University of Georgia. This is where I got a chance to hang out with some Texas gays. First, we sauntered to your run-of-the-mill straight frat boy hang-out. If you've never attended a higher institute of learning in the South, let me describe it for you--girls in dresses, beauty-queen make-up and heels and boys in khaki cargo shorts and polo tees, often wearing baseball caps with frayed brims. Ah yes, and don't forget some Jimmy Buffet, Creedence Clearwater Revival and the occasional playing of "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" wafting in the air. The people-watching and cheap drinks were, of course, the main reasons to be there and after we tired of a live hippie-jam-band butchering Johnny Cash covers, we decided to hit a gay bar.
The first one was pretty sedate. Except for the shirtless waif-like waiters who were wandering around, attempting to sell shots to customers, everyone in the joint was pretty much dressed like they'd just stepped off the golf course. Although, I do have to say that I did come up with a great reality show idea, based on the waiters' appearances, entitled, "The Weakest Twink." At the second bar, things were much more lively. Country music was playing and in the middle of the bar, was a raised area that initially looked like a roller-skating rink. It was, in fact, the dance floor and much to my delight, I learned something about the Texas gays that night. They love to two-step. Girls danced with girls. Boys danced with boys. Heck, I saw an adorable couple in which a tomboyish slip of a lesbian lead around a graceful, slight gay man in a two-step, spinning him around confidently as she moved her hips to the strains of Dolly Parton's tiny voice.
All in all, I had a great trip and even though I know that you can't learn everything about a place in a few short days, I enjoyed my time in Texas and yes, I do think your tractor's sexy.
Mildly jet-lagged,
Lisa T.
Editor
A Socialite's Life
Send me your love at lisa@socialitelife.celebuzz.com.
kristin says:
Yes. Those Texans are adorable. I had recent layovers at that airport and what nice peeps. My husband and I must have looked confused at one point because two different airport employees asked if we needed help. luv those peeps.
sexyback says:
Where's Liquid Lunch? I'm dying here! I love it! and I can't get through the week without it. If you haven't done it yet, can you make it twice as long? You guys are so much more fun than the people I work with...
RandyMcCauleyDesigns says:
Oh Ms. Lisa how Jackie and I miss you. Thanks for moseying on over to Texas. The Central Texas Ad League was so excited to hear you speak! You are welcome here anytime. Lord knows there's plenty of room. Good luck on your move. Remember, the eyes of Texas are upon you. xo, Randy