Howdy, 12 of 12ers! Happy New Year! I hope your new year is off to a good start.
12 of 12 is Chad’s idea – all hail Chad. He claims this is the last year, but maybe if we collectively whine loud enough …
If you’re really into all out geekiness, check out my 365 photo project that I started on January 1!
Anyway …
8:53 am: Kahve Içmek Istiyorum
I’m a late riser today—I’m driving out to San Angelo, Texas, in the afternoon and see no pressing (no pun intended) need to go into the office first thing. Ray is home, too, as he got laid off last week (more on that if you’re curious). We’re doing fine – he’s signed up for extra classes this semester, and we’ve got enough to tide us over for a while. It’s just, y’know, a completely sucky situation.
9:28 am: Today’s Gratuitous Picture of Mocha
I know better than to try to run a set of 12 without one 
9:50 am: Packing
These are the clothes that have been ordained for tomorrow …
11:40 am: Lunch
It’s a buffalo chicken panini from a place that does flatbreads. Makes a nice break from what we have in the pantry.
12:55 pm: My Nemesis
This is Chloe. Chloe is Natalie’s cat. Chloe has significant disdain for everyone who is not Natalie, and is generally homicidal toward anyone who is not Natalie and also male. Chloe hates me, and has tried on more than one occasion to kill me. (It probably has something to do with the fact that Chloe usually sees me when I’m coming to pick Natalie up for a business trip, meaning that I’m the reason that Chloe will be alone for a while.) If you are a cat person and making, “Oooh, lookattheprettykitty” noises, please know that Chloe will eat you alive if given the chance.
This is her innocent look, which is supposed to lull you into coming close enough for her to pounce. Don’t let her fool you.
2:45 pm: Pontotoc
Between Llano (that’s “lan-o” – never mind how it should be pronounced) and Brady on the way to San Angelo is this little ghost-town-in-the-making (seriously: three quarters of the buildings are either derelict or boarded up) called Pontotoc. It has this little old stone farmhouse that has no roof walls or floor, but it’s always intrigued me, so I stopped to take photos.
This is the view from Pontotoc.
5:12 pm: Hotel Sweet Hotel
Never mind that I had to sit in the lobby while they cleaned my room before I could check in … at 4:30 pm.
5:40 pm: You know you’re in the Bible belt when …
Is it me, or is there something contradictory about it being “Bible” automotive and having computer diagnostics? Either you’re receiving Divine guidance or you’re not, folks…
5:50 pm: Wine
Happily funding the local economy at San Angelo’s only wine bar.
6:56 pm: Nothing says Mexican food like a smoking Buddha.
… kinda speaks for itself.
7:06 pm: Dinner
Decor aside, the food at Armandita’s cafe – which is the sort of place you’d probably drive right by without blinking – is good. How do I know this? Most of the clientele spoke Spanish. This is always a good sign for a Mexican restaurant. Oh, and the handwritten note from Bobby Flay extolling the virtues of the meal he had there helps too (although it does make me wonder what the heck Bobby Flay was doing in San Angelo, Texas.)
… and now I’m in my hotel room editing photos. How was YOUR 12th?
Tags: 12 of 12, Bible, cat, coffee, driving, food, Home, Mocha, photography, Photos, texas, Travel
Ha. The Bible Automotive pic is ironic.
Andy Darnell´s last blog ..January 2010 – 12 of 12
Can Mocha come over and play? (I think I signed something somewhere that says I have to ask that on every 12).
Love the colors in the road pic – very Polaroid, which I’m in love with. And damn, that’s a full glass of wine!!!! My kinda bar!
Nice set!
Matt´s last blog ..Snowflake Forming
Chloe really does have the innocent look down pat. I would have fallen for her scheme in no time. On the other hand, Mocha looks like he’d be great at luring you out to play or lulling you to sleep with some slow blinks and a strategic yawn or two.
There is something about the tire marks on the highway that really appeals to me in your shot from Pontotoc.
Project 365, eh? I thought about trying that… seems too daunting. I’ll just live vicariously though you and the other this year.
LOVE the building (1/4 building?) in Pontotoc! Great composition.
Oh, and the Bible Automotive reminded me of a Ministry song (from 1991??)… maybe you know it? “Jesus Built My Hotrod”
Good tune.
Great shots. Give Mocha some puppy-scrubbins for me.
- Jill
Jill´s last blog ..January 2010
Even though I’m a cat person even I think that one is evil. The head is too small, she’s just sort of…creepy. Zoinks!
Sorry to hear Ray got laid off Chris, glad to hear you guys are able to keep going, I’m sure its a blessing in disguise. Having just watched Up in the Air that sounds a bit generic, but I do mean it I promise!
Pete´s last blog ..12 of 12 V – January 2010
That’s about the most generous wine pour I’ve ever seen (aside from my own kitchen, of course).
I.hate.cats…..but I must say I think that’s the prettiest cat I’ve ever seen. I’ll take your word about her ‘tude though.
Heather´s last blog ..Winter Wonderland
It was generous. Though, truth be told, they haven’t quite mastered the art of wine yet (they put red wine in a white wine glass — and it was kinda on the small side at that). But, it was a pleasant enough setting, even if the hunky bartender turned out to be one of those guys who can only talk about working out … for an hour.
re: Chloe
Have you read Tales of Tenure and Terror by James Hynes (an Austin author)? Academic satire brilliantly written in classic horror genre style – one is a cat story.
Home soon. Best to you and Ray. Hope after layoff eventually some good options will surface…
Home soon.
رحلة سعيدة. Ring me up when you get back–we’re overdue for a coffee date!
Chloe the cat does look so pretty, but as I’m wary of being scratched, I’ll stick clear
Great set of photos this month Chris, maybe your best yet, I think. I love the wine photo, very arty (I mean that in a good way!). And aww, Mocha. I’m sure she’ll look after Ray while he’s getting himself sorted with his new direction. And I really do hope he ends up with a better job or happier in whatever he’s doing. The change bit is scary I know, but maybe in a few months or a year, you guys’ll look back and think “Wow, remember when you were at X? And then you got laid off and it was all scary? If it hadn’t been for that, you wouldn’t be doing Y now, which is awesome and so much better.”
Sorry I’m late – crazy week! (all day work event on 13th, working and packing on 14th, moving flats on 15th, cleaning and unpacking on 16th…). I meant to put a note on my 12 of 12 so anyone visiting would know they’ll get a comment just very late, but forgot!
Helen (Dogeared)´s last blog ..12 of 12 (v5.0) – January
Gotta have a photo of Mocha! Great 12 of 12 thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear about Ray, I know how he feels. I was laid off Feb 2009 and I’ve been back in school since and only working part-time. I hope 2010 is a good year for you!
Dan´s last blog ..California Dreamin