Back in Dallas.  I’m officially giving up drinking at this very moment.  The ban will last until I jump on the plane heading back to Australia.  Partied in Austin last night, have vague recollections of riding on one of those bike taxis (where the bike pushes a carrier).  This is what happened: in a drunk and silly mood, I proposed a deal to the owner of the taxi:  if I rode the bike instead of him, would I get a discount?

  He said yes.  So there I was, weaving through the drunken hoards at 2 am in the morning on 6^TH street in Austin.  I don’t remember how long I rode for.  The memory of all of this came to me like a jolt when I woke up this morning. 

  Anyway, on the straight and narrow tomorrow……will not drink again until flying back to Australia.