What to Do, Who to Know

So I'm in Houston now. That has a lot of implications that I alluded to yesterday.

1) What in the world do I wear? 

I talked to my dad yesterday about the fact that I don't have a lot of appropriate clothing both climatically, not to mention style-wise. I have more quick dry technical climbing pants than I can wear in a week back in Colorado, but I have a single black skirt I could wear to a job interview. Not to mention the fact that I only brought one bag down here, heavily laden with tax paperwork. So, things are a little thin stylistically (I'm basically down to skinny jeans and oxford shirts with a pair of chucks).

What do people wear to clubs? Can you use the same outfit for all the interviews you go on? What is a happy medium for high heels that can be worn professionally and out in the evenings? And where the heck do you find them?

So, I'm struggling with these basic facts of my existence in Houston, which is really difficult for me. I love being fashionable (though my concept of fashion is figuring out fun new outfits, not the labels that those clothes come with) but I have no concept of what is appropriate in the different situations I'll be finding myself in. I know, this sounds pathetically shallow, but I really don't want to be that asshole over there who sticks out like a sore thumb. I do that anyway being 5'10" with bright red hair.

A lot of it comes down to confidence. And I'm trying to slowly find mine.

It also helps that Buffalo Exchange is right down the street :)


2) Who the heck do I hang out with?


I have to admit, my father and his friends have done a fabulous job trying to get me comfortable and meeting new people. But that only goes so far. I have to get out and meet people on my own.

Sunday night we went to OTC, where I introduced myself to the bartenders working. I learned from my own experience behind the bar that the bartender is generally the best person to know. They know the regulars, they can facilitate meetings, as well as warning you if someone you're talking to is not necessarily the kind of person you want to spend a lot of time with. I returned to the bar last night and my new friend introduced me to some of his buddies who were very nice. I just need to do that about one hundred more times until I find people that I want to hang out with on a regular basis. But it was very informative to go in. One of my friends from Colorado is coming down this weekend, and I was able to get the scoop on where to take her. This is pretty much how the conversation went:

"I want to take my friend out."
"What are you looking for?"
"Fun people? Good music?"
"Okay, do you want young professional types, frat boy/sorority girl types? Douchebags? What?"
"Uhhhh..." There are options? Woah. We're not in Kansas anymore. "Alternative young professionals? Hip?"
"Poison Girl or Dirt Bar."
Wow. That was easy.


Of course, the actual conversation was much longer, with a discussion of many more bars, but that was the gist. It was very refreshing, not to mention extremely overwhelming.

But, suffice it to say, bartenders are the best people to meet. Go in, buy them a shot or two, and tell them straight up that you're new in town and need a friend. If they're not a complete jerk, they're usually happy to help (most bartenders are pretty outgoing, it's the nature of the job).



Well, those are my two biggest dilemmas, along with more plebeian ones like "how do I get there?" But for the time being, those are the ones I'm attempting to attack.

As for what I've been doing; today is more paperwork and doing some work for my dad. Last night was fabulous, I ended up being asked to meet a friend of my father's (and my friend now, too) at a bar called Leon's Lounge. It's on McGowen (close to Main), and it's very hip. The bar is actually the longest running bar in Houston, having been open as a drinking establishment since the 1940's. Apparently, it was a bit of a dive until last year, when it was bought by a couple that gave the establishment a face-lift. They kept all the charm of the intimate venue, while sprucing it up significantly. My favorite part was probably the chandeliers over the bar, it feels very 1940's hotel bar-esque. Also, the walls are a beautiful deep red that I love (and sets off my complexion nicely, haha). They serve southern classics (think lots of whiskey and lots of mint), but I ended up going for a very different reason than booze.

Valerie June

I went to hear some AMAZING music. Valerie June, having just finished her stint at SXSW, came to Houston to play this incredibly intimate venue. She is fabulous. Apparently, this is probably one of the smallest shows she will ever play again. She's about to hit it big (her upcoming album was produced by one of the members of the Black Keys), and I can understand why. She seems ethereal, yet the earthy tones of her voice speak to emotion that is barely contained by her delicate frame. Interested? Want to hear more? Check out this collaboration she did with John Forte here. Seriously. Go there. Now. Please?

Well, after that I hit OTC (as I said before), then caught a cab back home. My dear friend in Hawaii sent me a link this morning in bed that made me cry/laugh for the full six times in a row I watched it. Definitely gave me some hope. Not to mention inspired me to write some poetry of my own. Maybe I'll post it sometime, though I don't page-bound poetry. I'd rather speak it than print it for sure.

All right. This is a long post. Sorry for the rambling.

Check the links, frealz. I wouldn't steer you wrong.