Stay here.
Showing posts with label austin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label austin. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Lazyman's Guide To Music Fests
I've been to huge outdoor music festivals from Memorial Stadium in Austin to Texas Stadium to the Cotton Bowl to the Fairgrounds in New Orleans to Goliad, TX, to Atoka, OK, to Zilker Park in (again) Austin. They all have two things in common: generally great music and generally miserable conditions (sun, rain, heat, dirt and porta-potties where no adjective will suffice). I've experienced the "experience." My Barcalounger now beckons.
The festival producers have found the Rosetta stone for the writing on the wall and are now offering upgrades as well as the nominal economy class.
My thrice-visited Austin City Limits Music Festival now has Adirondack seating in the shade, air-conditioned johns with two-ply, unlimited libations, catered meals (menu unknown), an Internet hangout and even a rotating team of ("Yes, we accept tips") masseuses.
But you pay what you get for. Three-day tickets for the hoi polloi are sold out but you can still buy one-day tickets for Friday or Sunday for $80. The three-day bourgeoisie package described is still available for $850. Cheap.
The festival producers have found the Rosetta stone for the writing on the wall and are now offering upgrades as well as the nominal economy class.
My thrice-visited Austin City Limits Music Festival now has Adirondack seating in the shade, air-conditioned johns with two-ply, unlimited libations, catered meals (menu unknown), an Internet hangout and even a rotating team of ("Yes, we accept tips") masseuses.
But you pay what you get for. Three-day tickets for the hoi polloi are sold out but you can still buy one-day tickets for Friday or Sunday for $80. The three-day bourgeoisie package described is still available for $850. Cheap.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Largest U.S. Cities
Not in population. You already know that. In area per square miles:
1. Sitka, AK* 2874 sm
2. Juneau, AK* 2717 sm
3. Anchorage, AK* 737 sm
4. Jacksonville, FL 758 sm
5. Anaconda, MT* 737 sm
6. Butte, MT* 716 sm
7. Oklahoma City, OK 607 sm
8. Honolulu, HI* 600 sm
9. Houston 579 sm
10. Phoenix 515 sm
12. Los Angeles 465
14. San Antonio 408 sm
17. Dallas 343 sm
21. New York City 305 sm
23. Fort Worth 293 sm
26. Austin 252 sm
27. El Paso 249 sm
41. Albuquerque 181 sm
*county area included
1. Sitka, AK* 2874 sm
2. Juneau, AK* 2717 sm
3. Anchorage, AK* 737 sm
4. Jacksonville, FL 758 sm
5. Anaconda, MT* 737 sm
6. Butte, MT* 716 sm
7. Oklahoma City, OK 607 sm
8. Honolulu, HI* 600 sm
9. Houston 579 sm
10. Phoenix 515 sm
12. Los Angeles 465
14. San Antonio 408 sm
17. Dallas 343 sm
21. New York City 305 sm
23. Fort Worth 293 sm
26. Austin 252 sm
27. El Paso 249 sm
41. Albuquerque 181 sm
*county area included
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Texas Political Shake-up 2010
Gov. Rick Perry has already announced plans to run for another term. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, considered the state's most popular politician, has all but thrown her hat in the ring. She'll win.
That would open up a coveted seat in Washington. State Sen. Florence Shapiro of Plano has formed an exploratory committee for the job but she's little known outside of North Texas. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants a higher profile position, has high name recognition and more money than God. Attorney General Greg Abbott and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, the state's highest elected African-American, are possibilities. My educated guess is that Greg would probably not run for the Senate. Dewhurst's bachelorhood will be questioned. A black Republican who commands respect would be a formidable opponent. That would be a highly interesting primary.
If, as expected, Dewhurst were to run for the Senate, he could not also run for his current job. In steps Abbott who once ran for that office before changing wheelchairs when Cornyn left the AG office to run for the Senate seat he now holds. Would Shapiro come to her senses, forgo her bid for the Washington limelight and take a stab at Lieutenantship? I would guess so. She'd lose against Abbott.
And what about Republican sweetheart Susan Combs? She's currently Texas Comptroller but has been steadily ascending the party's stairway to heaven. She has a law degree but hasn't practiced lately. Look for her on the ballot for the Persian-carpeted Railroad office.
If Abbott runs for LG, that leaves an opening at the AG desk. No clear front runner. Unless it's Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, another black Republican. The pay is about the same but the gilded throne has more polish.
Sixth Street has nothing on the north end of downtown Austin.
That would open up a coveted seat in Washington. State Sen. Florence Shapiro of Plano has formed an exploratory committee for the job but she's little known outside of North Texas. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants a higher profile position, has high name recognition and more money than God. Attorney General Greg Abbott and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, the state's highest elected African-American, are possibilities. My educated guess is that Greg would probably not run for the Senate. Dewhurst's bachelorhood will be questioned. A black Republican who commands respect would be a formidable opponent. That would be a highly interesting primary.
If, as expected, Dewhurst were to run for the Senate, he could not also run for his current job. In steps Abbott who once ran for that office before changing wheelchairs when Cornyn left the AG office to run for the Senate seat he now holds. Would Shapiro come to her senses, forgo her bid for the Washington limelight and take a stab at Lieutenantship? I would guess so. She'd lose against Abbott.
And what about Republican sweetheart Susan Combs? She's currently Texas Comptroller but has been steadily ascending the party's stairway to heaven. She has a law degree but hasn't practiced lately. Look for her on the ballot for the Persian-carpeted Railroad office.
If Abbott runs for LG, that leaves an opening at the AG desk. No clear front runner. Unless it's Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, another black Republican. The pay is about the same but the gilded throne has more polish.
Sixth Street has nothing on the north end of downtown Austin.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Why Do People Talk To Themselves?
He wasn't talking to me and there was no one else around. Damnit, he followed me outside and saw my bumper stickers: "waterloo records" and "78704...more than a zip code, a way of life." Then he says to me, "I'd like to get back to Austin, but I have a good job here. Dallas has more plastic surgeons than real people. I mean, you could marry a good looking woman and end up with a mongoloid child."
Maybe that's what his dad did.
Maybe that's what his dad did.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The Dollar Coin And Austin
Have they ever thought about going back to the Eisenhower dollar? Maybe that would be more popular.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Was The Photo Overexposed?
The sentence that caught my eye was:
The state's indecent exposure law does not bar women from being topless in public.
Really?
The state's indecent exposure law does not bar women from being topless in public.
Really?
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Texas Longhorns 2008 Football Schedule
8/30 Florida Atlantic Owls W 52-10
9/6 at UTEP Miners W 42-13
9/13 Arkansas Razorbacks ppd Hurricane Ike
9/20 Rice Owls W 52-10
9/27 Arkansas Razorbacks
10/4 at Colorado Buffaloes
10/11 Oklahoma Sooners (at Dallas)
10/18 Missouri Tigers
10/25 Oklahoma State Cowboys
11/1 at Texas Tech Red Raiders
11/8 Baylor Bears
11/15 at Kansas Jayhawks
11/27 Texas A&M Aggies
Longhorn sports can be heard locally on 660 am.
9/6 at UTEP Miners W 42-13
9/13 Arkansas Razorbacks ppd Hurricane Ike
9/20 Rice Owls W 52-10
9/27 Arkansas Razorbacks
10/4 at Colorado Buffaloes
10/11 Oklahoma Sooners (at Dallas)
10/18 Missouri Tigers
10/25 Oklahoma State Cowboys
11/1 at Texas Tech Red Raiders
11/8 Baylor Bears
11/15 at Kansas Jayhawks
11/27 Texas A&M Aggies
Longhorn sports can be heard locally on 660 am.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Charles Whitman
On this date (Aug. 1) in 1966 Charles Whitman went to the observation deck of the University of Texas Tower and was killed by Austin police ending his 14-death rampage.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Austin City Limits Music Festival
We went to the 2nd and 3rd Festivals in 2003 & 2004. It's gonna be hot. You better have a motel reservation or know someone in Austin!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Meeting Marcia Ball
It first happened at Taste Addison. I liked her East Texas/Louisana music with her honky-tonk style keyboard playing. So did Kenny. We walked to the front and got right up to the stage. Between songs I caught her attention and asked for her credentials hanging around her neck. Wordlessly she shook her head as if somewhat put back that someone would even ask for such. But they got in her way so she took them off and placed them atop her instrument. (Don't know why the term is plural since it's just one plastic ID). The "tall one" continued to play, and Kenny and I stayed, listened and often moved to the music. Hers was the closing act of the three-day festival. At the end of her set she stood to acknowledge the applause. She then looked me in the eyes and pointed at me, grabbed her credentials and gave them to me! She and her band then left the stage.
A few years later, in 2004, I again met her at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. She autographed one of her CD's for me, I reminded her of the Taste Addison incident and again asked for her credentials. She smiled and politely turned down my request and explained that they were her admission for the rest of the weekend.
Find out more about Marcia.
At that same concert in Austin, I met Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel fame. I offered to buy him a beer. He said that he'd quit drinking years ago. He's easily approachable.
A few years later, in 2004, I again met her at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. She autographed one of her CD's for me, I reminded her of the Taste Addison incident and again asked for her credentials. She smiled and politely turned down my request and explained that they were her admission for the rest of the weekend.
Find out more about Marcia.
At that same concert in Austin, I met Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel fame. I offered to buy him a beer. He said that he'd quit drinking years ago. He's easily approachable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)