Favorite Hang-Outs

The question "Where are you from?" always bothers me because I never really know how to answer without a fairly drawn out statement.  I was born in Austin, grew up in Yoakum, call Houston 'home', and currently reside in Fort Worth.  So where am I from?  Who the hell knows?!  I suppose home is where the heart resides.  If that is the case, I have several places in which to call home, but the most prevalent and thought-provoking home is Houston.  It is the place where I forged an identity and truly lived out who I was as an individual, in spite of the large quantities of alcohol consumed.  Two fond memories of Houston are the times when I was able to escape to and find refuge in my two favorite hang-outs: Molly's Pub and Diedrich's Coffee.  Both places are night and day different in atmosphere, but they both were an oasis from the storms of life.  Molly's Pub is an Irish bar located in Clear Lake, a suburb of Houston.  Upon first moving to Houston in 1994, a former friend and acquaintance introduced me to the pub.  And for the following twelve years I was a regular frequenter of the establishment.  Early on I joined the dart league and developed a few real interpersonal relationships.  Unfortunately none of the relationships lasted once I moved to Fort Worth.  However, I have yet to find in Fort Worth that one hangout to play darts and to meet new people.  Diedrich's Coffee was another favorite hang-out to frequent.  Over the years I would spend more and more time there reading or meeting friends.  Almost every morning I would swing by for coffee and breakfast, which consisted of two cranberry muffins.  Patronizing the coffee shop would remain a highlight of my day.  When a close friend informed me of its closing, I was heart-broken.  (I had already moved to Fort Worth at this point.)  This was equivalent to a significant chapter slamming shut in my life.  Of course I have other find memories of 'home' (Houston), but these two remain near the top of my list.  Often I do grow homesick for the good old times, but realize I can't live in the past.  I am now moving forward forging a new identity and more memories.


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