Now – I am starting to work on music with these guys and I got to tell you it’s a blast.  Both are very talented musicians in their own right, and I’ve been lucky enough to get to remix some of their stuff.

Matt plays bass in a great Austin banned called Quiet Company – they also have a myspace page.

Matt and Ben both also play with James Kinney, a local Austin musician.  I am going to see them at Speakeasy on April 30th, time permitting.

This song is fully realized on Ben’s myspace page, but here’s the acoustic version I whipped up last week.  Just Ben and his guitar.  His vocals and songwriting talent really shine on  this one.

missed-connection-acoustic-vocal-2

Yes, it was 106 degrees yesterday.

But other than that, I live close to work, in a great neighborhood, I am loving the job and I am getting in shape.

Part of the reason I am getting in shape is the awesome nature hike right in my neighborhood.  Just walk down the street about ten houses and you’re in a hill country paradise – four plus miles of rocky hills, scrub flats, streams and rivers nestled right up against Lake Austin.

I call the whole loop (about 4.5 miles) the “Death Hike” – the first time I did it I was around 220 pounds, it was 90 degrees, took me pretty much two hours, I had to stop to rest three times and it still almost killed me.  Now I am a little better prepared for what to expect, a little lighter (just under 200 pounds last I checked), and in a little better shape.  A trip around the loop now takes me about eighty five minutes, I don’t have to stop to rest, and I run up most of the hills (the notorious heart rate hill below notwithstanding).

Along the way there are some awesome waterfalls, great hill country views (you can see Mansfield Dam, for example) and lots of sun and shade.

If you look closely, you can spot the heart rate monitor strapped under my shirt – heart rate hill can definitely max out your heart rate if you go fast enough.  For now, I am happy just making it up the hill without stopping.  That picture above is only about 1/3 of the hill, it twists and turns twice more as you make your ascent.  It may not look like much but I assure you it’s a chore.

Come visit and I will take you on the Death Hike in 100 degree weather, and you’ll love Austin!