If you go away ...

In a week from today I'll be getting ready to pack my boxes of essentials into the Chevy Blazer I rented. By the next morning, Saturday the 29th , I'll be driving out of Austin, Texas, two and half years after I blew into it, my life and my spirit all the better for having been here.

Big Casino asked me the other day what my favorite memory of living in Austin was. I was pretty stumped. I couldn't pick out anything off the top of my skull. Big Casino and I had many months where we were not on talking or seeing each other terms so I felt bad when a memory crossed my mind that happened when I was out of contact with him. Still, I couldn't even pin down that memory for sure.

I can't say that I've lived the aggressive bachelor life down here, nor have I have much money to have done more of the things I would have liked to have done. Honestly, in these last 2 and a half years, I have been a bit of a hermit. I didn't come to Texas to make a millions friends, to find a bride, to stuff myself on Pokey-Jo's BBQ, to be a live music aficionado, to stake my claim in the Hill Country or to be the new guy on the Austin hipster social scene.

I came to Texas because I had no choice. I couldn't live in New York anymore for a variety of reasons that were all very emotionally and physically draining on me and the people around me. In a moments notice, I called a friend down here and I asked him if I had the money to get to Texas, would he put me up and he did. Thanks to Big Casino for coming through for me when I needed it.

The first year I was down here was difficult. I worked with Big Casino and some others doing contracting work for Miss Pinkie's private contracting company. That was the side job and it was busy. The main job was preparing make-ready's for apartment move-ins for a property management company. Miss Pinkie also worked for that property management company. Miss Pinkie was in charge of the branch of the property management company that dealt with residential apartments and so she was our boss on two fronts. You couldn't ask for a better boss, or friend. Pinkie is a kind woman, a generous and thoughtful friend and just downright one of the kindest and most sincere persons I've ever met.

Pinkie came to the rescue of many a people I've met down here; Big Casino and I are just the few in a long list of people who are grateful and all the better in our lives for having met Miss Pinkie. I couldn't say enough about Miss pinkie and one day I'll dedicate a post just to her. Lord knows a great book could be written about her life and her struggles and her ability to see the sunlight through the storm and to pull others by her side and help them see that beam of light as well. She helps other people to better themselves by helping themselves. She is all that and a bowl of chili.( I had to pay homage as well to chili, Texas' state food)

Time for bed and my last weekend before I vamoose....I'll get back to my week dedication to Texas on Sunday night.

Grateful and nostalgic,

The Mallet