BBQ, Shiner Bock, Baseball & Buddies

Had a great trip down to Austin last week. I was down there for a job interview with the Round Rock Express, Houston's AAA minor league team. It was an exploratory interview, but I came away with plenty of insight and a good feeling about possible opportunities at Round Rock and in baseball more generally. Again, shout outs to loyal reader and all-around good guy Joe Wood for his aid in securing the interview.

As the title of this entry would indicate, it wasn't all business down in Austin. I stayed with my friend Paul (no relation to Hogue), with whom I have been friends since high school. He was my first debate partner, and we have remained close over the years. It was great to see him and see that he is doing well. I also saw my friend Brooks, whom I met in grad school. During my interview, I cashed in with some free front-row tickets to the Round Rock-Memphis game on Thursday night and Brooks attended the game with me. Also great to see that guy.

Speaking of the game, it was rather strange for me to see former Friar Kevin "El Domo" Jarvis starting for Memphis. Jarvis always seemed to me to be a borderline decent major league pitcher who was always one meltdown away from being a solid #5-type guy. The Dome pitched a no-hitter through 5 1/3 before melting down in a familiar flourish, ultimately resulting in a come-from-behind victory for Round Rock.

People always say "Austin's a great town." And it is. But I have a special connection with Austin. I lived down there during my internship with the Texas Railroad Commission (which has more to do with oil and gas than trains and is one of the most influential state agencies in the country) and spent many weekends down there while I was in a relationship with a girl who was at UT law school. However, until I landed at Bergstrom, I didn't realize that this was my first time back in Austin since 1995. Ironically, the year I broke up with that girl. Wonder if there's any relationship? LOL Anyway, I spent one afternoon walking around downtown near the UT campus and the capitol. I walked by my old RRC office building and eventually found my way over to Scholz' Garten, an old beer hall founded by German immigrants which dates back to 1866. Had a couple of Shiner Bocks and a delicious sliced beef sandwich on white bread with onions and pickles. My bill came to $8.

Memories. Like the corner of my mind.