Thursday, September 29, 2005
"Branded, marked with a coward's shame..."
"...What do you do when you're branded? Will you fight for your name?"
(Branded TV show theme song, lyrics by Alan Alch)
Yeah, I know San Antonio has a history of cowboys, mystique of the West, blahblahblah, but...
Is it just me or is it really odd that the courthouse's jury room is decorated with paintings of cattle brands?
(Branded TV show theme song, lyrics by Alan Alch)
Yeah, I know San Antonio has a history of cowboys, mystique of the West, blahblahblah, but...
Is it just me or is it really odd that the courthouse's jury room is decorated with paintings of cattle brands?
Sunday, September 25, 2005
3 Days of Peace, Love & Traffic Jams
My shoulders, back and legs ache. My blistered feet have matching bone spurs. My clothes are covered with detritus from a cottonwood tree, my sole source of shade. And every exposed inch of my flesh is covered with dirt kicked up by the Texas winds. All I can say is, "DAYUM! THAT WAS FUN!"
Austin City Limits Music Festival ends today, with no ill effects from the hurricane warnings that had gripped us for the past few days. I'd heard the stories about gas & bottled water being unavailable (not entirely true) and that IH-35 was a parking lot. (unconfirmed -- I took the scenic route). Really, the only remnant Austin got from Hurricane Rita was heat. Lots of heat. Strong, intense heat. Did I mention heat? A couple acts couldn't make it due to the weather, but some New Orleans bands were holed up in Austin anyway and were happy to fill in. (Thank you, Iguanas!)
What does one wear or bring to the festival? Answer to both: Just about anything. Tattoos, piercings and batiks were common, as were more serious crimes of fashion. (Gentlemen, please wax your backs. Ladies, if you flunk the pencil test, wear a bra.) My personal favorite was the guy with the Grizzly Adams beard wearing only a cowboy hat and ladies' bikini bottoms (bright pink.) He actually had the figure for them, too.
Austin City Limits Music Festival ends today, with no ill effects from the hurricane warnings that had gripped us for the past few days. I'd heard the stories about gas & bottled water being unavailable (not entirely true) and that IH-35 was a parking lot. (unconfirmed -- I took the scenic route). Really, the only remnant Austin got from Hurricane Rita was heat. Lots of heat. Strong, intense heat. Did I mention heat? A couple acts couldn't make it due to the weather, but some New Orleans bands were holed up in Austin anyway and were happy to fill in. (Thank you, Iguanas!)
What does one wear or bring to the festival? Answer to both: Just about anything. Tattoos, piercings and batiks were common, as were more serious crimes of fashion. (Gentlemen, please wax your backs. Ladies, if you flunk the pencil test, wear a bra.) My personal favorite was the guy with the Grizzly Adams beard wearing only a cowboy hat and ladies' bikini bottoms (bright pink.) He actually had the figure for them, too.
And, just wondering, guys... what is it about the Allman Brothers' "Whipping Post" that makes all of you burst into air guitar simultaneously?
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
A Mighty Wind
Well, this should be interesting... Some friends and I had planned to go to the Austin City Limits Music Festival this weekend. I love this event and I go every year -- great music, fun environment, a nice little weekend away. The company I work for has a big presence at the festival and I've been putting in plenty of extra hours to ensure we're ready for the crowd. I'm even going up a day early to train our volunteers.
Maybe.
Hurricane Rita may have other ideas. Austin's prepared to take up to 40,000 evacuees from Houston. But they're not prepared to do so during the biggest event of the year. We'll just see how this plays out. You can check here for live streaming video of the event. If you see Town Lake overflowing into the park and a bunch of hippie-wannabees being tossed around by high winds, you can bet I'm holed up in my hotel room with a stash of Larabars & a bottle of tequila. Wish me luck.
Maybe.
Hurricane Rita may have other ideas. Austin's prepared to take up to 40,000 evacuees from Houston. But they're not prepared to do so during the biggest event of the year. We'll just see how this plays out. You can check here for live streaming video of the event. If you see Town Lake overflowing into the park and a bunch of hippie-wannabees being tossed around by high winds, you can bet I'm holed up in my hotel room with a stash of Larabars & a bottle of tequila. Wish me luck.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
In Ramen We Trust
In case you wondered why there aren't many pirates (or Buccaneer-Americans, for the PC out there) around these days, check out this :::ahem::: unusual outlook. Sigh. Unless they use rice noodles for communion, I'll pass.
Where have the real men gone?
No, not in real life -- although that question is continually simmering on the back burner of my mind. I'm talking about in the media. A couple disturbing items I came across today prompted the question.
Item #1: "My name is Bond.Jimmy Bond." According to the writer of the next James Bond flick, the spy will be reinvented. As a 28-year-old. Part of what makes Bond so attractive is his confidence; a self-assuredness that comes with age and having your strength tested to the core through experience. Most people under 30 are just too callow. At 28, you realize that life is full of fascinating possibilities, but you just haven't been around long enough to have acted on many of them. Few men have true confidence at that age; they have cockiness.
Item #2: The New York Times Men's Fall Fashion Guide. OK, the cover -- with a black & white photo of Joaquin Phoenix -- was promising. As was the article about Rudolf Nureyev. (side note: I met Nureyev many years ago when I was working in Guest Relations at the St. Anthony Hotel. Not a handsome man, but I've never seen anyone with more charisma. Whenever he entered a room, people would turn around and their jaws would drop.) Anyway, lots of androgynous, Tilda-Swinton-ish models. And lots of silly, silly clothes. Zoot suit pants? Shirts made of toile? The worst was an article on new look in jackets; i.e., shrunken. The trendy, but too-small jacket made the model look slope-shouldered. And the hat? Well, that was just unfortunate. Porkpie hats should be worn only by Cuban mambo singers on vacation, and only with a guayabera.
Item #1: "My name is Bond.Jimmy Bond." According to the writer of the next James Bond flick, the spy will be reinvented. As a 28-year-old. Part of what makes Bond so attractive is his confidence; a self-assuredness that comes with age and having your strength tested to the core through experience. Most people under 30 are just too callow. At 28, you realize that life is full of fascinating possibilities, but you just haven't been around long enough to have acted on many of them. Few men have true confidence at that age; they have cockiness.
Item #2: The New York Times Men's Fall Fashion Guide. OK, the cover -- with a black & white photo of Joaquin Phoenix -- was promising. As was the article about Rudolf Nureyev. (side note: I met Nureyev many years ago when I was working in Guest Relations at the St. Anthony Hotel. Not a handsome man, but I've never seen anyone with more charisma. Whenever he entered a room, people would turn around and their jaws would drop.) Anyway, lots of androgynous, Tilda-Swinton-ish models. And lots of silly, silly clothes. Zoot suit pants? Shirts made of toile? The worst was an article on new look in jackets; i.e., shrunken. The trendy, but too-small jacket made the model look slope-shouldered. And the hat? Well, that was just unfortunate. Porkpie hats should be worn only by Cuban mambo singers on vacation, and only with a guayabera.
To sleep, perchance to pay.
Has it really come to this? The Mall of America is opening MinneNAPolis, a place where you can rent a cheesy "environment" and take a nap for 70 cents a minute. This is the second such place in the U.S., the other being in Boca Raton, FL. Both are operated by PowerNap Sleep Centers. The company's website doesn't give me that cozy naptime feeling: loud, annoying music, chaotic design, fuzzy photos of what look like themed bedrooms from the '70s, and worst of all, copy in Comic Sans.
I just don't see the point of the concept. Couldn't you sleep for less in the movie theater? Or save your shopping for when you're well-rested? If I were pooped enough from shopping to take a nap, I think I'd drive home, get my jammies out of the warm dryer, have some hot chocolate (with a splash of Bailey's), and slip between cool, crisp sheets. THAT would be more restful -- and I wouldn't have to worry about someone making off with my wallet while I'm dozing.
I just don't see the point of the concept. Couldn't you sleep for less in the movie theater? Or save your shopping for when you're well-rested? If I were pooped enough from shopping to take a nap, I think I'd drive home, get my jammies out of the warm dryer, have some hot chocolate (with a splash of Bailey's), and slip between cool, crisp sheets. THAT would be more restful -- and I wouldn't have to worry about someone making off with my wallet while I'm dozing.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
"We Can Do It!'
I love this... Micah Wright has updated old propaganda posters to fit today's world.
Hi-Tech, but Retro
A modern take on the classic Ant Farm. Wonder what they could do with sea monkeys?
Welcome, Little Cheeto
...or as he'll probably be known, Child Protective Services Case # 630028c3. God help him, and let's hope he doesn't inherit his parents' brains or fashion sense. (photo of June Cleaver courtesy of perezhilton.com)
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Tasteless.
A Chicago DJ comes up with the disgusting idea of a Katrina cocktail, and the only thing he's apologizing for is the candy he's using as a garnish?!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
"My ox is broken!"
Tune in to The Amazing Race on GSN tonight to see the Best Reality Show Moment EVER. When it aired on CBS a year ago, it was only the second episode of TAR I'd seen, but it was enough to turn me into a diehard fan. The scene concerns a very "intense" competitor (read: jerk) getting his comeuppance and having a meltdown. Spectacularly. And yes, an ox is involved. If you miss it, you can read Miss Alli's recap -- the scene in question starts on page 15. Enjoy!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
See how Katrina would've affected you:
This was also mentioned at Pop Culture Junk Mail, but it deserves another posting: This site overlays the area of Katrina's damage to New Orleans on major U.S. cities. You can't really comprehend its impact until you see how much of your hometown would be affected. If the flood had been in San Antonio, my family and I would be safe, but my place of employment would be under water. So would all the beautiful old buildings downtown, the Alamo, and curiously enough, the Riverwalk.
Gate Swung
Legendary guitarist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown died yesterday at age 81. How sad -- he died at his brother's home, because his house in Slidell, LA, was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. I was lucky enough to see one of his last performances, almost a year ago at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Hundreds of people of all ages were crowded around the tiny gospel/blues stage area, and his music had all of us on our feet dancing. He brought so much joy to the audience; I wish he'd had a more peaceful passing.
To the Bat Cave!
Ever seen Dirty Jobs on The Discovery Channel? Each week, host Mike Rowe takes on some of the world's grimiest, nastiest and grossest jobs. This week, he was a bat biologist at Bracken Cave, home to the world's largest bat colony. The cave is just north of here, and I went to see the nightly bat emergence last year. It was hot, buggy and smelly -- and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You sit in complete silence and utter stillness staring down at the cave opening (like an amphitheatre) until a "scout bat" comes out of the cave with a delicate flutterflutterflutter. Then in just a minute, a black tornado of bats swirls out of the opening and it sounds like waves crashing on the shore. The bats are all around, but they don't come near you; they don't even disturb a leaf on a tree. It's absolutely fascinating.
The Family Circus
It's way too easy to jump on the bandwagon and say the characters of Bil Keane's The Family Circus are in a cult, or the strip isn't funny, or the ideas are hackneyed, or..., or..., or. But today's strip was truly bizarre. The pets dash out of the house because Mom & the kids are gathered around the piano caterwauling "Climb Every Mountain." And the kids are really into it. C'mon! Have you ever seen little kids that jazzed about singing SHOW TUNES?! Not me! ;-)
Losing My Religion
I got a jury summons yesterday -- no big deal, I'm on their list and I get them like clockwork, every four years. But I noticed something new on the questionnaire attached: Religion. What the...? That's between me and God and is none of the government's business. I could be a good little girl and answer "Protestant" or "United Methodist." I could be sarcastic and answer "yes." But I think I'll be an angry citizen who values the separation of church and state and answer, "refuse to answer. "
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Refreshed.
Looks different, huh? I liked the tailored look and the rich colors of the old version. But I've had an unbelievably busy week, and I needed to carve out my own haven from stress. Bright, warm tones, lots and lots of white space, and no constricting borders. Ahhh, that's better.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Ew. Just ew.
What the heck is wrong with the advertising agency for Jimmy Dean's Sausage? Last year's Soylent Green-ish "The eggs come from chickens, the milk comes from cows, and the meat, well, that comes from Jimmy Dean" was bad enough. But this morning, I saw their new ad with the slogan, "Nothing like the smell of Jimmy Dean in the morning."
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Twits Say the Darnedest Things, Part 2
Britney gives up Fritos. I can't wait until she sees the image of Madonna in a Cheeto.
Good Meal, Good Memories
All the talk about New Orleans reminded me of a visit there several years ago. Cute little bistro in the French Quarter. Simple decor -- dark wood tables & chairs, crisp white tablecloths. I was hungry and escaping a downpour. And I could get the entire menu for $14.95. Only a spoonful or two of each item, but it was plenty to get my palate dancing.
Good Meal, Good Memories
All the talk about New Orleans reminded me of a visit there several years ago. Cute little bistro in the French Quarter. Simple decor -- dark wood tables & chairs, crisp white tablecloths. I was hungry and escaping a downpour. And I could get the entire menu for $14.95. Only a spoonful or two of each item, but it was plenty to get my palate dancing.
Random Thoughts
What I’m listening to:
Guilty: 30 Years of Randy Newman. Mostly I’m playing Louisiana 1927 over and over.
What I'm reading:
Take Big Bites: Adventures Around the World and Across the Table, by Linda Ellerbee. Food, travel, and a feisty Texan. What's not to love?
Annoying tune that’s stuck in my head:
Nothing right now, but according to the latest issue of Mental Floss, such tunes are called “earworms.” The most popular ones are – no big surprise – It’s a Small World After All and the theme to Gilligan’s Island. Hate the term “earworm” though: it reminds me of my childhood nightmare fuel, the earwig episode of Rod Serling’s Night Gallery.
In other news...
Louisiana native Britney Spears has not given anything to hurricane relief, but she is buying herself a new wedding ring. The diamond on the old one was too “pokey-outy.” Sheesh.
Some diversions from all the sad stuff….
1. I’ve complained plenty of times about For Better or For Worse, but I’m loving the alternate universe that’s developing on April’s Real Blog. Once you get past the annoying text-message lingo, the comments demonstrate more imagination than the comic strip has shown in years. Big brute Howard is an actor in light opera, Elly is almost psychotically judgmental, and April was nearly poisoned by Mary Worth.
2. Since fingerpaints are just too messy to use at the office…
3. A nifty comparison of skyscrapers around the world.
4. …and a look at some of the “World’s Largest” roadside attractions. San Antonio has more than its share -- the World's Largest Cowboy Boots, Wooden Nickel, Pig and Shovel.
Guilty: 30 Years of Randy Newman. Mostly I’m playing Louisiana 1927 over and over.
What I'm reading:
Take Big Bites: Adventures Around the World and Across the Table, by Linda Ellerbee. Food, travel, and a feisty Texan. What's not to love?
Annoying tune that’s stuck in my head:
Nothing right now, but according to the latest issue of Mental Floss, such tunes are called “earworms.” The most popular ones are – no big surprise – It’s a Small World After All and the theme to Gilligan’s Island. Hate the term “earworm” though: it reminds me of my childhood nightmare fuel, the earwig episode of Rod Serling’s Night Gallery.
In other news...
Louisiana native Britney Spears has not given anything to hurricane relief, but she is buying herself a new wedding ring. The diamond on the old one was too “pokey-outy.” Sheesh.
Some diversions from all the sad stuff….
1. I’ve complained plenty of times about For Better or For Worse, but I’m loving the alternate universe that’s developing on April’s Real Blog. Once you get past the annoying text-message lingo, the comments demonstrate more imagination than the comic strip has shown in years. Big brute Howard is an actor in light opera, Elly is almost psychotically judgmental, and April was nearly poisoned by Mary Worth.
2. Since fingerpaints are just too messy to use at the office…
3. A nifty comparison of skyscrapers around the world.
4. …and a look at some of the “World’s Largest” roadside attractions. San Antonio has more than its share -- the World's Largest Cowboy Boots, Wooden Nickel, Pig and Shovel.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Damn.
The Providence Journal has a slide show of the devastation Katrina has wrought on New Orleans. Go through it and just try not to cry.
