Accident on Illinois and State Street

Just minding our business at Sable and look... Car + cab duke it out & car flips after hitting curb. If it weren't for the plants & planter, we'd eating off the car. Amazingly the driver of the white car climbed out! E responded immediately by running outside to help the car driver. She would have put pressure on something. I didn't have my CPR mask so glad no one needed it. The last pic is of cops & people pushing the car back on all 4 wheels.

Snack Bar + Jo's iced coffee. Had the porkbelly sliders and the biscuit, egg, & gravy w a side of bacon + Michelada. Went shopping on South Congress.

Wish I took pictures on Bren's deck and our huge and healthy feasts!

SXSW the Sunday after

Shoal Creek...it's a crawfish boil.
We all looked tired...Michelada's all around.

SXSW

Still on South Congress...
On Monday, Doc's sign said "Austin, you can have your patio back"

SXSW Day 4 - Sat

Hotel San Jose had their own event called SXSJ - South By San Jose. Really, wristbands are optional b/c the same acts play free shows around town. Like Menomena played earlier. We got there in time to see Black Joe Lewis. Love seeing the old Austin hippies rock it out. Even the yuppies with babies wearing headsets to protect their hearing cells.

SXSW Day 4 - Sat

Recovery day...



Brunch at 24 Diner with a Bloody Mary & Chicken and Waffles...actually, my sister & I split the dish. Initially I was going to get a salad to balance out the chicken and waffles...but the hash looked good! We got a small hash & wheat bread so THERE!

You can't got to Austin without meeting people up for coffee or picking shit up for dinner at WHOLE FOODS on 6th & Lamar?! Um where else would you get a Vegan Big John?? I really wish Chicago's Whole Foods had a bakery that could match the amazing goodness the Austin Whole Foods produces!? Chantilly Berry Cake PLEASE!!!

SXSW Day 3 - Fri

At Stubbs...
First saw the Airborne Toxic Event - like em. Already bought songs off iTunes. They had a quartet playing along with them.
Ok backtrack, wish I saw The Vaccine who played earlier at Stubbs. They sound like the Smiths...would have been awesome if they jumped on the 80's theme at SXSW.

Then we saw these guys Scala & Kolacny Brothers. They basically (And this isn't a real word) choir-i-fy modern tunes like Radiohead's Creep and Marcy Playground's Sex and Candy. Their version of Creep was on the Social Network soundtrack so that's their claim to fame, I guess.

The big even of the night was OMD!!! "Shall we play or wait for the lawsuit?" OMD joked before realizing it was serious. A camera boom fell into the crowd...the last time I got close to the stage at Stubbs was Groove Armada like a LONG LONG TIME AGO. So we were safe. And I'm old. I didn't want to get my feet dirty...not that the crowd at OMD would be nutz. Anyway, yeah it was serious, bloody. There was a chick who was up at the stage who got hurt somehow ended up at the bar next to us getting a drink...this chick collapsed and puked. So that was the drama. Sister's friend heard the news on Twitter and checked in on us. Jeez, technology...too fast sometimes but shit, it works well. Back to OMD...their show was cut short. After the crack about the lawsuit, they said that they were too old to play at 1AM...and then went off stage while the commotion cleared up. They played of course If You Leave...then songs that I don't love like Enola Gay, Tesla Girls, Electricity - so new wave. I wanted songs off Sugar Tax. I felt like we were in the 80's with some of the Urban Outfitters attire.

Ironically, American Apparel had a warehouse sale for all you hipsters...ignoring the fact that the CEO Dov Charney is accused of sexual harassment.

Took few pics b/c it was dark. And I wasn't an asshole taking pics of the accident like some other dude.

SXSW Day 3 - Fri

We had a meal of convenience at El Sol y La Luna on 6th. They were on South Congress for years. FIrst time eating here. Not outstanding but it was nice to sit somewhere proper instead of at a stand. Loud and shit and had to eat dinner with my ear plugs. Funny, there was a guy w a badge in search of a plug for his iPhone. And by the way, excellent AT&T service at SXSW! Don't want to look ill-equip at a technology meeting of the minds. Michelada yet again!

SXSW Day 3 - Fri

Starting off Friday night with LAUGHS at Ester's Follies. Actually never have been here before but was there on 6th before I was a young longhorn at UT. The line was a bit disorganized b/c there was a single line of both badges and wristbands. At one point, sister and I were in line for the Velveeta Room, woops. Well, they organized and we got in. Doug Benson's Benson Interruption - he sits stoned on a chair and has a comedian friend do their spiel. Doug Benson interrupts with funny comments. Then there is a portion where they read stuff off twitter. The last comedian friend was...Aziz Ansari. He's hilarious and cute. I wish I was a big jerk and recorded the show. His humor is familiar...like he would be someone I would be friends with...

SXSW Day 3 - Fri

This was a laid back day. The parents were in town so we hung out mostly. Taco Deli, first stop. Thought it would be a challenge to avoid "meat" products BUT, it was a good thing. Had ceviche, fish tacos and delicious salsas. THen we had tons of coffee at Mozarts. Warm and comfortable day out on Lake Austin. I really wish I took pics.

A shout out to my friends

Restaurant I've never been to on Congress Ave...

And Happy St. Patty's Day...Erin Go Bragh!

SXSW Day 2 - Thurs

Menomena at Swan Dive. Front man can play a mean recorder and balance playing other instruments. Hot arms mister. HOT. I have to admit that I would totally wear his outfit. Gray skinny jeans and navy and white stripped tank. What do you expect for Hipster Central?! Love the free whisky drinks too. It's kinda cool to watch the band set up while the crowd just stands there. Some were sitting on the faux radiators that bordered the stage.


The Strokes played a free show at Auditorium Shores. Fun just hanging out on the grass with music and Austin skyline. Love that Best Wurst...it's the curry ketchup that makes it good even if I spilled some of it on my jeans. The Strokes were great as expected, no drunken mess. We checked out early to bypass some of the crowd. The Long Center just south of Auditorium Shore held the crowds that couldn't get into the show. There's a 4-5 story parking garage with people tailgating - was a little jealous.

Then comes the big decision - do I see bands I've never hear of OR do I go to the Austin Music Hall and see...Wu Tang Clan???
WU TANG!
My sister and I prepped at Mulberry, this cute wine bar with pretty good food.
Report of Wu Tang Clan: loud. Who's in the Clan now??

SXSW Day 2 - Thurs

Fader Fort was just the appetizer. Walked East for lunch. They Might Be Monkeys - what a witty name for a tree-care service company. Lunch at Nuevvo Leon. The tex-mex run begins. Had a migas of course. Barely could eat more than the eggs b/c of all the tortilla chips and salsa I consumed. And damn, had my first Michelada.

On a summer Austin day, I doubt we would do all this walking on the east side and back to west of I-35, esp after a large tex-mex meal. On to the music.

SXSW Day 2 - Thurs

Slept in b/c I could and should. Not sure if it was sleeping position or allergies, but my neck had a crick.




Anyway, started the day again at Progress with an iced coffee and a STRAWBERRY MUFFIN. SO good, so good.
Waited in line for the Fader Fort for not too long. Got to see the Austin rail system - wow, 2 whole train cars. But this is TEXAS. I love how anything and everything is a potential bike rack. It makes sense why my hair was so dusty at the end of the day... the Austin Pipe company and an aluminum recycling center was next to the Fader Fort. My bag was closely inspected at the entrance...more than TSA does at the airport. Empty your Nalgen bottle people...you can fill it up with the free booze inside. Loved the free popcorn, Amy's Ice Cream, espresso, drinky drinks, and music. Liked Givers while we hung out. Too bad we missed Matt and Kim and Jay Z.

Progress

Tried to get the wristband for the Fader Fort by Fiat on Weds, Day 1. Line was super long and my tummy was grumbling. The closest thing to get to was Progress, a cafe. I really enjoy how Austin is crunchier and crunchier. I wonder if the crunchy people who existed in Austin before it got shin deep in hipster crunchy granola think. Anyway, got a ham and cheese sandwich - not great. But loved the side of kettle chips. Tried their tuna - delicious. And more kettle chips.

This is some dude in line who impressed me with his bravery and fashion.

SXSW Day 1 - Weds

After a few pitchers of Fireman's 4 at Side Bar on East 7th, I kinda got a glimpse of how Austin has changed. Not sure if the back yard would be as packed on a Texas summer day, but it was a total Urban Outfitters fashion show.
First stop was Olaf Arnalds at Swan Dive. Intimate show and setting. I really dig the white and retro theme at Swan Dive. Reminds me of Chitown and NYC, actually. Then it was decided that we stand in line for the old people: Duran Duran at Stubbs. I figured that any other act good to see at the same time would out live Duran Duran. So no Smoking Popes or DeVotchKa. The old guys can still rock it out. Couldn't help but picture Ricky Gervais as Simon Le Bon.
The line to get into Stubbs was long. I still can't believe we waited. Three little european dudes tried to get in front of us. Well, my sister was going to go insane in the membrane on their ass until some guy w a SXSW badge, with a Maglight on hand shined a light on their faces telling them that people have waited an hour and go to the back. Hilarious. 1) cutting in line at any event is bad karma 2) the guy w the badge and maglight was a pro - official camera w large lens, water bottle, maybe even a compass and shit to pitch a tent all hanging around his waist.


Olaf Arnolds









Duran Duran

Michelada Monday

SXSW recovery at Snack Bar