Day One

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Texas Chili Parlor

I have found the best chili in the world. You may ask, “well sir, have you tried every chili ever made, and if not, how can you announce that you have indeed found the greatest concocted?”

I have not had every chili every created and therefore I have not truly found the best in the world. But, to me, it is the best. Therefore, it does not matter how valid the statement is as it is a fact because it is something that I believe in and to me, that is all that matters.

“Don’t be shy.” He said.

“Are you open?” I asked.

“Just did about fifteen minutes ago.” He responded.

I shuffled in and there was a large contrast in the lighting from outside into the establishment. The whole place was wood paneled down to the door handles being made of carved wood.

“Sit anywhere you’d like.” He said.

I found a table by the television. I radiated toward ESPN as it was a luxury that no longer existed within my house. I am happy that TV is no longer a part of my daily life. But, when I wanted to unplug, it was nice to have my ally back.

The main light for the restaurant was from neon lights spattered across the back of the bar. There were about five customers and four people working. This was to be my first meal in Austin, TX. It was the Texas Chili Parlor and the best chili that I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy.

I found the restaurant on the advice from a friend. He was from Austin and told me to check out the food. This was my first day free from the house and I took it upon myself to get lost in Austin. This was done by design as I took my ten speed bike from the house in the Latino part of East Austin, across the Lance Armstrong Bike Route to Sixth St. I parked my bike by the Texas Picnic Company overlooking a creek near the heart of downtown.

I hiked from this location a dozen blocks up Congress and to the Texas Capital. It is a sight that is sublime. I will not go through the task of describing it. For, being true to the definition of sublimity, there is not a proper set of adjectives to visual this experience. I suppose it is a subjective understanding, as what I comprehend when I see the capital is much different from that of another person.

The capital is sandstone. It is in the same shape as the capital located in Washington, DC. It has a park that surrounds every side of it. The park is tree shaded and has multiple monuments that have been resurrected to honor different organizations from volunteer firemen of Texas to the Boy Scouts of America. The inside of the capital has marble floors in every direction with multiple designs. The walls are dark wood and cream. Around the lower walls within the Dome are paintings of previous Governors of Texas. You can look up and see the perfect architecture that leads to the top copula. The very top of the copula has a Texas star surrounded by the word “TEXAS” spelled out between each break in the star. The capital of Texas stands taller than the national capital in Washington, DC by fifteen feet.

“Can I get a bowl of the hot and some water.” I ordered.

“Coming right up.” He said.

He was wearing a T-shirt, jeans and cowboy boots. He was about six foot with a thin build. He walked to another table and joked with the patron. He seemed to know everyone at the restaurant. It was a small place away from everything. I snuck in because I knew a guy.

The best part about moving to a new location is being anonymous. I do not know anyone. There is not a set of expectations for me to do anything. I can spend a day getting lost in the city. I can spend the day getting drunk at a bar. I can spend a day discovery the smallest of things that can lead you to a day full of happiness. I parked my bike by someone who did not enjoy the fact that they worked at a coffeehouse. I walked to the capital by a person wearing a red blazer who was unhappy parking cars at a trendy hotel. I walked to a restaurant by a lady trying hopelessly to start her car to no avail in the middle of the afternoon during a 100 plus degree day.

These little vignettes made me appreciate the possibility to start fresh. I did not have to take on the job at the coffeehouse because my parents made me. I did not have to park cars at a hotel because I smoked too much pot in high school and never went to College. I did not have to worry about starting my car to rush off to an appointment that I didn’t really want to go to begin with.

“Here you go. Hope you like it.” He said. He dropped the plate off on the table. It was a giant bowl of reddish brown stew. Next to the bowl were chopped onions and sliced jalapeños.

“Thanks.” I said. I grabbed the spoon and started to dig in.

“You’re not from around here.” He said.

“From Arizona, this is my second day in town.” I said.

“Well, welcome to Austin.” He said.

“This is actually my first Texas meal.” I said.

“You need a Shiner then.” He said.

“It’s only eleven-fifteen.” I said.

“Never too early for a Shiner. Besides, it’s on the house.” He said.

A few moments later he brought me a beer. It was before noon on a Tuesday and I was drinking. I was happy for the beer as the chili burned the hell out of my mouth and stomach. It was certainly Hot, but good. The secret is the Texas Chili Parlor puts whole beef brisket into the chili that causes it to be so rich. There are not any beans or bits of beef. Rather, it is entirely tender beef soaked in chili sauce. I finished lunch, paid and was off into Austin again. I walked to the capital one last time before I headed back under the Interstate and home to my boxed filled house.

I sat at a bench under a tree with the capital to the left and downtown Austin to my right. I thought how far I had come and how much there was left to do. I wondered why I was there and what the future held. I thought about everything I had done in the past and the distance in which I had come from my adolescence. This was the beginning of my liberation. There would be no more days of settling for less than I wanted. There would be no more days of going with the flow because it was easier than challenging everything.

Austin, like any place in the world, is just a place. It is just a vessel for you to shape your life. If you allow yourself the opportunity to live without censoring yourself, you can develop into anything you desire. Do not settle for less than you are worth. Do not live only within your mind. Do not live in a world of self-vanity or loathing. Experience life and take in every last ounce of it while you still can.

Moral: Do not allow yourself to fail before you begin. There is nothing in this world worth worrying over as you can only control the moment in front of face. Lastly, Texas Chili Parlor has amazing chili and the capital of Texas is an overwhelming experience.