Jill usually goes to the AWP conference this time of the year. But this year she wanted to take a break, so we went East to visit her publisher friend in the DC area. Here we are about to leave Austin:
Reb, Chris and Gideon live on a picturesque wooded lot in Reston. Gideon is Jill's godson:
Jill has a childhood fascination with Montichello, so Chris rented a minivan, and we made the 2 hour pilgrimage to Charlottsville. The grounds were beautiful:
I learned a few things along the tour. For instance, the African workers are called 'enslaved people' by the tour guides; Jeffereson died deeply in debt (a million dollars by today's standards); and he only freed 5 slaves in his will.
We also had a chance to visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's annex at Washington Dulles International Airport. Growing up, I had a fascination with WW II airplanes. The Udvar-Hazy Center allowed me to geek out a bit in that regard. Some of the more interesting displays include:
All, in all, it was a really nice trip with really good people. It was relaxing, we ate a bunch of good food, and drank some nice spirits.
Prior to going on vacation last week, I got a chance to hear Pete speak at the Black Star Co-op about his law suit on behalf of Jester King Craft brewery versus the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC):
Later in the week, we all went to see Wilco play at the ACL Moody Theater:
It was a good show. Nick Lowe opened for them. He looks a little fuzzy here, but I assure you he was fine:
Just finished another late night call with Asia (this time - Singapore, China, and India). Earlier in the evening, I went to a preview screening of Incendiary: The Willingham Case at the Violet Crown Cinema. If you're not familiar with the case, it's about 3 girls that died in a Corsicana, TX house fire and their father who was tried and executed for their arson murders. I went with Maurie, who was invited by the filmmakers to answer death penalty questions after the showing. The filmmakers were there also.
The film is interesting because it's a death penalty case and it occurred in Texas. But it's more interesting because it focuses on the science of the case - specifically, the science of arson investigations and how it's evolved over the past couple of decades from folklore to a true science. I may not practice engineering all the time, but I am still a big fan of the scientific method. Apparently, Rick Perry is more faith-based. And apparently, I am not a fan of Rick Perry.
Documentaries tend to not stick around theaters long, so if you're interested, I'd recommend you check this one out soon.
Our current political landscape really reminds me of a circus freak show. So when the opportunity came up for me to attend the Stewart/Colbert Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, I jumped. It helped that Pete was already in DC for a couple of meetings and was also looking to go. Throw in some cool fall weather and an Austin friend moving to DC, and you have the makings for a nice long weekend.
I arrived in DC Thursday afternoon just in time to meet Pete's colleagues for dinner and drinks. Dinner was at Tosca - a nice Italian place - I had the raviolis stuffed with roasted veal. Drinks were at Mr. Smith's - a Georgetown piano bar. I think "piano bar" says it all. And their beer list stinks.
Friday morning, I had a chance to explore Georgetown on my own. It was just a short walk across the Key Bridge (linking Arlington, VA and DC):
Their M Street would be analogues to our Sixth Street - restaurants, bars, shops. Apparently, cupcakes have arrived in Georgetown:
Lunch Friday was at Ray's Hell Burgers (a place Obama and Biden made quite a stir at recently). The burgers were good.
Afterward, we played tourist and did a lot of walking. Checked out the Georgetown canal system and walked around Healy Hall on campus:
Heading east, the obligatory White House picture:
Apparently, there are Chinese in DC. And they have a gate:
Saturday, we packed up and headed to Kammi's new place in the Eastern Market area of Capital Hill. Cool place. Julie had just driven up from Austin to DC with Kammi the night before. We dropped off our bags and headed to the rally, which was only a short walk away.
Ummm. The rally was huge. By CBS' professional estimate, there were 215000 attendees (compare that to the 87000 estimated for the Glenn Beck rally). We got there around 10:AM, and the place was already packed (picture below from CBS).
People were everywhere:
And there were a few bears too. This one is a little tired:
12:00 noon kicked off 3 hours of a very eclectic line up: Adam and Jamie from Mythbusters, Sam Waterston, Father Guido Sarducci. The Roots, John Legend, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy, Tony Bennett, The O'Jays, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. And let's not forget Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) and Ozzy Osbourne doing a medley of Peace Train and Crazy train. You can watch the 3 hour video stream on CSPAN.
By the time the rally was over and we had walked back to Capital Hill, we had been on our feet for 8 hours. So naturally we waited in line for another hour to get seated for dinner. After dinner, we explored the Eastern Market area and had a couple more drinks:
Sunday morning's 8:15 flight back to Austin came way too early - the only payoff being we would get back to Austin around 10:30AM. So we got up at 5:00 to catch a 6:AM town car to Dulles. The plane took off without a hitch, but an hour and a half into the flight, the flight crew discovered a vibration they couldn't reconcile, so we returned to Dulles:
We then waited until noon for another plane to become available, and finally made it back to Austin around 3:30PM. It was a long day, but a great trip overall.
Btw, I heard that Eric placed 3rd in the individual TT at Gruene this past weekend, and Weston and Eric placed 2nd in the team TT. Congrats!
This election season continues to amaze me. I'm not sure what she was doing, but is it ever really ok to step on someone's head? I guess if you felt your life was being threatened. Perhaps presenting a mock award can be considered life threatening in Kentucky.
Btw, there's an interesting article in the latest Rolling Stone on the Tea Party and Rand Paul. For those of you averse to printed media, here's a link.
Early voting started today. FYI - If you normally do your early voting at the county offices on N. Airport, this year, the county has moved the voting machines to the building next door.
As I rehydrate this morning, I'm seriously questioning my beverage of choice last night - beeritas. They seemed so benign. But then again, what did I expect from a toga party hosted by Kelvin and Colten. The things I endure for a friend's birthday...(credit to EmSue for the photo)
Albeit moving a little slower, I'm managing to work on my bikes while re-watching Formosa Betrayed. If you're not familiar with Taiwanese politics and the martial law that ruled my birthplace from 1947 to 1987, the movie provides a dramatized introduction. Many think of Formosa/Taiwan as a democracy, but few realize that it didn't become so until recently. I'll just leave it at that.
Celebrated Mother's Day in Houston this past weekend. Besides visiting the family and eating a lot of good food, I also had a chance to catch up with Ron, Ann and Jeff at Escalante's. I hadn't seen Ann and Jeff since their wedding in California 18 months ago. Married life agrees with them. And it looks like Ron's getting married next February.
I also had a chance to see The Back-up Plan recently. It's the new JLo film. All I have to say is that it is one LONG-ass film. I didn't think it would ever end. The Losers, on the other had, kicked ass.
And speaking of lame, have you seen this week's Target ad? Here's a perfect example of political correctness gone awry: an Asian looking dad, a Caucasian mom in a wheelchair, and a little kid whose force to play ball with himself (complete with requisite grass-stained knees). Btw, I don't believe their tent meets ADA guidelines.
On a lighter note, if you've never had the chocolate cream cheese cup cakes from the Upper Crust Bakery, you really have been missing out. If, on the other hand, you prefer to make your own cup cakes, here's a worthy recipe.
03/19 - Went to REI with a few friends to hear Russ and Laura speak about their cross country. They sold most of their possessions and embarked on this journey 8 months and 5000 miles ago - they're about half-way there.
03/13 - Pete, Glenn and I accompanied Eric on his first bike ride since he separated his shoulder. Got a chance to see some of the new bike markings the city has been putting in. I believe the green zone means cyclist get a free pass to the front of the line.
03/08 - One year anniversary of my close encounter with a truck.
03/06 - Pete, Dustin and I rode the Pedal Thru The Pines ride in Bastrop. Actually, Pete and Dustin rode to the start from my house. Me? I drove to Bastrop - Hey, somebody had to bring all the bike back home.
1. The Cocktail Slippers are in town for SXSW - all 6 of them (5 Norwegians and a Swede) are staying at my place for a few days. I feel like I'm living in a sorority house (sans pillow fights). I came home for lunch today to find these 3 waiting on my porch. The band was on their way to their first South-By gig, but with 6 girls and all their gear, they need two taxis whenever they travel. Apparently, one taxi arrived, but these 3 waited an hour for the 2nd taxi that never came. Btw, they play 3 shows this Friday. Check out their schedule for more details.
2. I filled out my 2010 census form. It really did only take 10 minute like the PSA says - maybe less. Stand up and be counted.
Just got back from another 24 hour trip to Houston. Had some business I had to take care of, but I also had time to visit the folks. Their orange tree is fully loaded with fruit right now. Fruiting fruit trees always make me smile.
What also makes me smile is the passage of the 3 feet ordinance by Austin city council earlier today. Pamela LeBlanc of the Statesman has a positive take on the whole thing.
