March 2007

Despite contrary opinion, Theatre and dating can mix as long you cross your fingers that traffic obliges. Many of you have come to expect that my experiences will often begin with an adventure, and yet once again, I will not let you down. As I recount my Thursday evening venture to the play! theatre; please keep in mind that I do not ask for such chaos, it finds me.

As he is a former ‘theatre nerd’ as well, and is fully aware of my obsessive compulsive time induced anxiety, my date promised to pick me up at 7 even though the show we were attending was not starting until 8. I paced nervously in my living room; he called to report that Mopac was “a parking lot.” I felt my heart race, my anxiety heighten yet hoping that my voice would remain calm, so as to not frighten the presumably just as stressed individual on the other end of the line. We discussed our options, and agreed that he would call when he knew more of a time line.
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If you’re one of the five people left in Austin who hasn’t registered for the Capitol 10K this Sunday, then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Online registration for the best 10K in Texas is still going on – it’s just $27 for the fun run and $30 for chip timed race. This is the 30th year for the legendary race. So be prepared and have fun!

Last Minute Tips:

• Arrive early. Plan your parking scheme the night before. Know where you’re going to go and how to get to the start. Remember some roads will be closed. Don’t leave it for the morning of the race.
• Pick up your packet on Friday or Saturday. Don’t forget!
• Dress appropriately. Check out the weather so you’ll know what you need to succeed. Or if a fun costume is more your style, make sure its something you can run in.
• Don’t freak out at the crowds. Just follow the other people who are wearing shorts and tennis shoes and walking around downtown Austin at 7:00 a.m. and you’ll find your way to the start of the race. You’ll feel like cattle being smushed into little corrals, but its all part of the experience.
• Race numbers on the front or you’ll get some funny stares.
• Chow down and feel guilt free. There’s nothing better than a breakfast taco or pancakes with your best buds after a good race, plus your recovering muscles will thank you for the carbs and protein.

If you want to get the coolest picture ever, (you know you do) bring your camera or phone along. From the start, the pack heads up Congress towards the Capitol. When you get there, turn around and admire the sea of people sweating behind you. It’s an awesome sight. Now this is what living in Austin is all about!

P.S. Chicken man, I am ready for you!

We are not professionals. We have been enjoying SXSW to the fullest. Talk to you soon.

The Domain is coming. It sounds like the title of a direct-to-video horror movie, but it’s really the name of a new north Austin development that will include office space, retail, apartments and eventually a 10-acre park. The shops are all pretty high-end and being the low-rent type of guy I am, I wasn’t making any plans to visit right away. Until now!

I just learned that a new Apple Store will be opening this Saturday (March 9th) at 10:00 a.m. That means I don’t have to brave the Barton Creek Mall anymore. The Apple Store at that location was always seriously over-crowded and being in a mall gave me flash backs to my high school days of loitering and corn dog eating. Now I can just go to THE DOMAIN.

If you’re one of the first 1000 visitors you’ll get a commemorative t-shirt. There will also be a drawing to win a “Digital Lifestyle Collection” which includes a black 13-inch 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo MacBook, one-year membership to ProCare, an iPod nano, an iPod Hi-Fi, iWork, one-year membership to .Mac, and an AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook.

Driving Directions and Map

Yellow Tape Construction Company is gearing up for the opening of their new production I AM NOT TARTUFFE (March 15-31). In the play, the main character is drawn to the dark side when he watches a pretentious French art film. Thanks to YTCC, you too can turn to the darkside by watching … DOLPHINS.

Additional Information: “It was made by the same people who made “art/work” — the short documentary that won SXSW click, and will be appearing in this year’s conference,” said Jonathan from Yellow Tape.

Yes, there’s more to SXSW than just music. There’s also a whole section of the conference where people who write blogs can meet up in the real world under the guise of going to panel discussions about how to get famous on YouTube. And there are MOVIES!

Jette from Slackerwood has posted a very thorough rundown of the theaters that will be part of SXSW this year. The Arbor has been dropped from the list which is good because they show loud commercials before the movies and it’s way too far away. Is the Arboretum really even part of Austin? Jette give you the lowdown on the food, the comfort level of the seats, where to find extra parking and most importantly… which theater has the best chocolate milkshakes. [Link]

I saw this promo last night before a screening of Black Snake Moan and thought it was a work of genius. Master Pancake Theatre does Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. This is a preview for the greatness that is coming soon…

Jo’s Coffee has announced the lineup for SOUTH X SAN JOSE. They bill it as the “coolest day part on South Congress.” This year five days of free music in the parking lot accompanied by beer, coffee, food, local vendors and other cool stuff.

Check out the full lineup at Jo’s Coffee Blog.

Photo by 7-how-7.

By Tara M. Hall. The stage has been calling my name for years. One of my earliest memories including a dramatic debut was an elementary school play in 1987. I was cast as an oil miner’s wife, complete with smeared rouge, taffeta dress, mink coat, and white hat, which graced my tiny head like a halo. It was the only time that playing dress up would be witnessed by hundreds, and that I could get away with wearing my mother’s pearls. My lines were minimal, yet I was beaming with pride. I was poised, ready, and glowing.

The lines were executed with pre-adolescent precision, and the curtains began to close like a punctuation point, signifying success. It was a glorious moment. That is until the curtains hit the brim of my hat, knocking it off of my sweet, innocent head. It fell in front of the curtains, which closed with a thunderous swoosh right before my 2nd grade eyes. I was horrified, frozen, and filled with tears which were begging to flood over my cherub like cheeks.

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“If you’re thinking about moving here, do your self a favor, buddy. Don’t! It really sucks.” - Wisegeorge.

All Austinites know that traffic sucks, particularly on 6th street and Lamar. Here’s a video we found on YouTube that features a guys commentary on his daily commute home. It’s rambling and angry, but strangely compelling. As te video goes on, he grows progressively irritated and the profanity gets even more creative. Part road rage - part Austin travelogue - all funny!