The Cool Guy

I'm in Austin, Texas, this week -- went to a conference and am now taking the weekend to explore and/or raise hell.

I decided to start that process last night, even though my conference didn't end till noon today (and yes, I did make the 8:30 breakfast session, which is impressive even when I haven't been out frolicking the previous night). Seeing as this is Texas, after all, I felt like I needed to find myself some country music. Yes, I know that Austin is famous for all kinds of music, which is why I'm headed to Sixth Street after I finish this and find myself a good steak. Which, this being Texas, I also feel like I need to do.

Anyway, my concierge recommended the Broken Spoke, which is somewhat of an Austin landmark, so I hopped in a cab and off I went. I'm not as much of a two-stepper/swing dancer as I am a line dancer (some of my unsuspecting friends may have just choked on that revelation), but I found some nice guys willing to let me step on their toes and made the best of it.

Trying to explain that you're in town for a grant writing conference can be difficult under the best of circumstances; in the presence of loud music and alcohol, it's pretty much impossible.

"Oh, you write? Are you a blogger?"

It was just easier to say yes, so I did. It's not like I lied; I just don't blog full time. Or for money. Or sometimes more than once in six months. But I have a blog, obviously, so therefore I am entitled to claim the title of blogger. Which I did.

We eventually established (when the band took a break) that I don't blog professionally, and that my blog has no real theme or purpose. Then the guy that I had been talking to suddenly eyed me warily and asked, "you're not going to blog about me, are you?"

"Of course I am. Just tell me your name; I'll make you famous."

"I don't want to be famous. You can just call me 'The Cool Guy.'"

So, since he was in fact cool, I will do just that. And now I will go find that steak and raise some more hell.