We were in Austin last weekend for Todd’s 20th reunion from UT’s MBA program. Somehow it’s been twenty years since we lived there for his studies and reunited with old friends, both the ones we’ve actually kept up with and the ones we hadn’t seen in two decades. Sidebar: reunions in the age of Ozempic hit different. EVERYONE looks good!

On Saturday, we played tourists in Austin for the first time ever. South Congress has been completely transformed since our old Austin days. It’s hip, walkable, full of good food and I loved every second. (That's me with a mango paleta, which I ate after one of the best slices of pizza of my life, which I ate after a cup of cookies & cream ice cream.)

The highlight of our stroll down South Congress, though, was inside the Tecovas boot store when Mason elbowed me and whispered, “Daddy, you’re standing next to Glen Powell.” And yes, I was. If you think he’s hot in photos, you will very much not be disappointed in person. He was nice, gracious and very patient with two star-struck teenagers who couldn't stop staring. Sadly, no selfies to prove it, so you’ll just have to trust me.

HIT PLAY

The Good Hang, Part 2

A while back, I told y’all about Amy Poehler’s podcast, The Good Hang, and specifically her hilarious chat with Leanne Morgan. On the drive down to Austin and back, we listened to a bunch more episodes, and I'm now a super fan of this pod. Amy is just so good! The one with Zarna Garg had me laughing so hard I had to pause it until I'd successfully navigated I-35 traffic through Waco. (Apple, Spotify)

WHAT I'M WATCHING

Debbie Downer Forever

On an episode with Tina Fey, Amy mentioned the very first Debbie Downer skit from SNL, which is peak comedy because no one holds it together. Even Rachel Dratch can’t keep a straight face. I rewatched it this week and laughed just as hard as I did in 2004. Here it is if you need a giggle.​

100% WOULD BUY AGAIN

GRIPSTIC Bag Sealers

I’m officially a GRIPSTIC evangelist. These little bag sealers are a really, really weird thing to be geeked out about. They're way better than chip clips and, dare I say, kind of fun to use. Slide them on and suddenly your half-eaten bag of Doritos is airtight and ready to wait for your return for months! I'm not kidding, MONTHS! It’s the little domestic victories that keep me going.

WHAT AM I MISSING?

State Fair Season Is Here

For my friends in North Texas, the State Fair of Texas opens tomorrow. I’ve lived in Dallas for 32 years, and I still don’t get the hype. I don’t hate it, I just don’t get it. Meanwhile, I LOVE watching how excited everyone else gets and sometimes wish I had that same spark. If you’re a die-hard, please reply and tell me what I’m missing or how I'm probably doing it wrong.

WORDS OF WISDOM

"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."

- Audrey Hepburn

The weather has finally started to dip into what we Texans generously call Fall. I’ve been piddling in the garden for hours, rearranging pots, trimming back the magnolias, and generally pretending I’m Martha Stewart.

Audrey was right. There’s something so hopeful about planting now and trusting that blooms will show up later. I'm already excited for Spring!

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That's it for this week! If you're someplace where the weather is finally calming the fuck down, make the most of it. The hellfires will return before we know it.

Until next time, always remember...

YOU ARE LOVED!