Skitler Sightings and Travel Tales: Austin-tatious TCEA 2012 & the Monolithic Home Tour (February 7

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Austin-tatious TCEA 2012 & the Monolithic Home Tour (February 7 - 10, 2012)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Maybe TCEA isn't ostentatious, but Austin, Texas always is. We left for TCEA (TCEA = Texas Computer Educator's Association) around noon for Austin, and Pamela was nice enough to drive.

We decided to stop for some great spiced poundcake and other pastries at the Czech Stop in West, Texas. While there I ran into an old Winfree graduate also on her way to TCEA. She's getting her master's degree now. I can't believe I've been teaching long enough to have graduates in master's programs!

At the Czech Stop

Our hotel this trip is the Hilton directly across from the Convention Center at the corner of Red River and 3rd Street. The Hilton couldn't have been closer to the Convention Center...amazing! Also amazing was the pink poodle waiting for us upon check-in. The owner let me take a photo.

Yes...that is the poodle's actual hair.

Dinner our first night was at Moonshine which stands in a historic building.

They give you popcorn on the table as a free appetizer. Love me some popcorn! They also had a firepit to stand/sit by as you waited on your table.

Popcorn at Moonshine

The hotel only has free wifi in the lobby. Luckily it has a gorgeous lobby with lots of seating..

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Penney and I were roommates and would hit a lot of sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I'm not going to spend much time talking about the sessions we attended here...that's for work, but I will mention that all of the FISD sessions were well-attended and well-received.

We did go to see the opening session keynote speaker...Tory Bellaci from Mythbusters.

Tory from Mythbusters takes a photo of the audience

The crowd loved him.

Lunch today was at Ironworks. We passed some neat and abandoned buildings on our walk to this well-known Austin BBQ restaurant. Tasty!

I don't know why the boarded up windows fascinate me, but they do.

When we got back, before we had to be in another session, we made some technology jewelry. In the process of rubber cementing, I got some artwork in my glass of soda...had to throw it away. Klutzy Kristy.

Samples of tech jewelry

My finished creation

The best part of waking up is technology in your cup?

Lori and I met up at 3 pm to test everything for our presentation. It was at 5 pm, so we didn't expect anyone to show up. We were wrong. We had 43 or so.

The lady on the back left seems distracted.

Lori hooking them in as I run the presentation and monitor questions.

The business card I made for our session.

Penney was so sweet to stay with Pam for the entire session. And, of course, Skitler was there too.

Skitler and the Rockets Around the Globe QR Poster

Afterward, we went to the Old School Bar & Grill at the recommendation of the hotel. They had the best spinach and artichoke dip I've ever had - completely covered in melted cheese.

Penney liked the welcome sign.

We went back to the hotel and spent time in the lobby drinking hot chocolate and catching up on email.

View from our room on the 13th floor

Thursday, February 9, 2012

I've never been lucky enough to be this close to the location of a conference.

The convenience of staying at the Hilton across from the Convention Center had to be photographed. It was wonderful!

Standing by our hotel looking at the Convention Center

Looking at the Hilton from the Convention Center

Thursday was filled with good sessions too, but I left a block of time for lunch and visiting the convention center floor where the vendors are located. While here, I ran into my friend Allie. Penney, Allie, and I all went to see Moby from BrainPop together.

Kristy and Moby

Penney and Moby

Allie and Moby

We got a lot of loot.

But I think this pig is my favorite.

Skitler liked the squishy stress relievers.

I also managed to score these old keyboard keys which I adore!

Penney and I went to Carmelo's for lunch. The ambiance is amazing, and the lasagna was tasty. They gave us complimentary focaccia bread and Italian sausage as an appetizer.

Penney and the photo-bomb

Carmelo's

We made it back in time to catch some of Alissa and Sara's Fab 5 and make it to more sessions.

Parachute launch

Penney and I met up with Sue, a relative of Penney's for dinner at Taverna (located at Lavaca and 2nd). I had an amazing meal called Fiocchi al Gorgonzola e Pera (Gorgonzola & Pear filled Pasta with Walnuts, Arugula & Dolce Latte Cream Sauce). It was unbelievable.

She dropped us off just in time to see a lady dressed up for the boxing tournament going on upstairs in the hotel. (Some charity event.)

Next up, the group went to Esther's Follies...an Austin tradition. Esther's Follies was a hilarious singing/comedy/magical show. Very fun evening.

Comedy Singer...I liked his song about Kuala Lumpur

Fire and blades in the magic act

Big Hair

Big Lips

Crafting with feminine products

Lady Gaga

Floating Girls

Audience participation

Audience switcharoo

Austin has some great buildings.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Caught an 8 am session before going over to see Penney and Pamela teach about ePUBs. They had almost 100 people in attendance. I counted at least 91, and that didn't include the people who kept coming and going.

When we were all leaving after a very successful conference we were able to snag a few conference ribbons.

Then we were off to Dallas stopping at Subway for lunch, the Czech Stop for kolaches to take home in West, and the Monolithic Caterpillar and Starship Pegasus in Italy, Texas.

Starship Pegasus in Italy, TX

Kristy in Italy, TX (it's a whole other kind of spaceship trip)

When we went to Italy, it was just going to be to photograph the spaceship and the caterpillar. We never guessed that the monolithic community had a home tour.

Naturally we had to go on the tour.