a lady of leisure, that's me

Yesterday the conference started and my good husband has been going to all the sessions, even though some of them are not directly related to his study. So that leaves me a lady of leisure! Sometimes I get bored but then I remind myself I'm on holiday, I'm allowed to be bored, and I should just relax. And would you believe, it's working I think.

It's 1.03pm now on Wednesday. Today so far has happened much the same as yesterday

• get up at 6.45 to have breakfast with Adrian
• go back to room and go back to bed (he goes to conference talks), sleep until he comes back to visit after the first session (in between 9.30 and 10 ish)
• do some hand-washing of laundry in the bathroom (what a good wifey I am)
• go to the poolside to do puzzles in free newspaper, go to room or executive loung and read and have coffee
• do internet stuff
• have light lunch at Java Jive downstairs
• get a bit bored and sleepy in the afternoon
• wait for Adrian to get back.

Last night we went to the Congress Ave bridge to see the bats. There is a colony of about 1.5 million that live inside the expansion joints on the bridge. I think it's the largest urban colony in the world. From mid-March to November, every night just after sundown they all come out for dinner - bugs. We watched from beneath the bridge at first, but the view was better from on top of the bridge, on the footpath. For 10 minutes or more they stream out, seemingly neverending. It was quite fascinating, and an Austin tradition, to see them coming out. I get the feeling the locals are quite proud of their bats. They are indeed rather endearing.

After that we had dinner at TGI Friday's. First time American tradition again for us. It was SUPER cheap. US$30 (about NZ$45) for 3 courses each, and I also had a martini. The cocktails are pretty damn cheap here, and since we're here during the week most of the bars have happy hours on. Yesterday I got a massive salted margarita for $3. Ahh, love it.

This evening we have a dinner in the hotel organised by the conference people. I'm guessing it will be a buffet-type dinner somewhere in one of the big 'salons' or meeting rooms they have on the 4th floor.

xxx