One Year Later - Hurricane Katrina

My longtime readers will remember that this time last year, I was working as a volunteer at the Austin Red Cross Shelter for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. We turned the Convention Center from a cavernous shell in to a working city in no time flat. Many of our evacuees were from the freeway that was so prominent on television coverage. In addition to working as a volunteer, I also covered it as a reporter and for my column. It is worth checking out my September 2005 Archive to read some of my observations. I suggest you start at the bottom and work your way up.
You know, I never saw any of the evacuees again after the shelter closed. It would be nice to know how they are doing ...

So This is Funny

One of the magazines I write for is looking to do a story on the effectiveness of anti-cellulite creams on women. My editor sent several of us an e-mail (and, to her credit, suggested I might not yet be in my 30s) asking us
1.) if we had cellulite (also to her credit)
2.) if we would be willing to try an anti-cellulite product and
3.) if we would be willing to have a before and after picture of our thigh placed in the magazine.
My answer: "What better way to celebrate having hit the big 3-0 a month ago than to revel in my cellulite?"
Be on the lookout for my soon-to-be-famous thigh.

Austin Under 40 Kick-Off Happy Hour

Yesterday evening, I attended the Austin Under 40 Kick-Off Happy Hour, marking the beginning of their new "season." As many of you may recall, I was a finalist last year at the Austin Under 40 Awards Gala. Very cool honor.
The happy hour was downtown - outside - so, unfortunately, I pretty much melted. A friend checked his phone for the temperature (who knew you could do that?) and it was 101 degrees, at 7 p.m. Nonetheless, it was good to see things were off to a smashing start - I think almost 200 people attended. It's great to see so many young, vibrant people involved in something as positive as this.

Newly Published Stories

My latest articles for Texas Family Magazine are now out, one entitled, "Balancing Act: Balanced Kids, Happy Families," on the balancing act of overscheduling versus underscheduling kids, and another a Travel Feature Story on the coastal area of Matagorda, Texas.

Also, I am in Cecil Child Magazine for the first time with "Homework Hassles," and I am in About Families Magazine for the first time with "Teaching Work Ethic."

You can see more about me and my published works on my profile page or on various links at the right.
Remember, you always can reach my blog at CandidlyCaroline.com or CarolineShearer.com.

Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands

Caladesi Island was my favorite part of my recent visit to the Clearwater, Florida area. While the fun and excitement of Clearwater Beach rightly entices many people, I prefer a quiet, purist beach experience. Caladesi Island is just that. You only can reach the island by taking a 20-minute ferry ride from nearby Honeymoon Island, or by taking your own boat.

Caladesi island is left mostly untouched but has the comforts most people need - decent bathrooms and changing areas, a place that sells lunch, and a marina for those so inclined. And, the beach is gorgeous, rated #2 in the U.S. by "Dr. Beach." If I could live on the island or something like it, it'd be like heaven for me. : )

I'm Getting Pimped!

* It went fine, but oh, my gosh - get me out of this scene already! I am SO over it!
And, if I show up in a picture with the mayor, I was coerced. Yes, he's kind of cute and - more importantly, an Aggie - but give the man a break already.
Well, I'm getting pimped out tonight, folks.
There's a "Pimp Your Friend" party tonight that over 400 lost, lonely, single Austin professionals are attending. We apparently have a lot of those. Actually, it's designed for those who are "so amazing and picky they have not found someone." Ahem.
Anyway, I'm going to go and let myself be pimped out, but mostly, my plan is to pimp out my friend. :P

Wiped Out

I am beyond wiped out today. My brain is just not functioning.
After spending seven hours in airports, (which, by the way, are operating quite smoothly) I got home at 12:45 a.m. last night, woke up at 4:30 a.m. this morning to take my sister to the airport for her trip to L.A., and then took Queen of Sky to the airport for her trip to India at 9:30 a.m. Another friend is leaving tomorrow for England and Ireland so by the end of the day today I will be babysitting two extra cars, a cat, and a potted plant. Truly, I am so tired.
I will be back on my game tomorrow, though. I have quite a bit of challenging work (lots of articles/stories to complete) in the next two weeks so I have to be. Very good trip, though. Here's another couple of pics from Clearwater, Florida.

Greetings from Clearwater, Florida!

Hey, everyone!

Here's a pic from my balcony and of the pool at the Sheraton Sand Key on Sand Key Island in Clearwater, Florida.



I've been busy, busy, busy so far - looking forward to getting to use that beautiful beach!! : )

Los Lonely Boys Movie

I just interviewed Hector Galán, the filmmaker who created "“Los Lonely Boys Cottonfields and Crossroads."” Turns out, he lives in Austin, and, more specifically, in Oak Hill. Very cool! The movie will be opening in select theaters nationwide and tells the story of Los Lonely Boys, right up to their explosion on the music scene.
In my story, Galán talks about how he first saw the band of brothers four years ago at the Saxon Pub and how he knew from that moment they were special. My article will be out Friday in the Oak Hill Gazette (to which Galán is a longtime subscriber, by the way. I'd link you there, but they have yet to create a real website - I know, I know.)

The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Wander

Okay, I actually am not gone yet ...

And I actually will have to work quite a bit while I'm gone ...

But, in my mind ...

This is where I already am!

Getting the Heck out of Dodge

Well, I have some good news to help break me out of these summer doldrums. I am going to travel over to Clearwater, Florida for a few days later next week. I've never been there, although I've been to Anna Maria Island, which is only about 45 minutes south of Clearwater. I hear Clearwater is beautiful.
If you haven't figured it out, I am very much in to the beach and the ocean. I'd have a house on a private beach with warm water if I could - hurricanes be darned.
I'm a Crab - what can I say? Plus, my mom had me put in a tub of warm water when I was born so I guess I feel like I'm in a safe place whenever I'm there. Interestingly, lakes don't do it for me - I'm really all about the beach. If I can hear the roar of the surf from my balcony, I'm good.

Best in Texas Cover Story - Deryl Dodd

My Best In Texas Cover Story on Deryl Dodd is out now. You can read it here, through August.

I previously posted about my interview with Deryl, including a picture, here.

Good magazine, good singer, and, hopefully, you think it's a good story, too!

(Yes, I know it is Comanche. Did you?)