I just got back from lunch with some co-workers at Star of India on Anderson Lane. The only truly independent candidate for governor, Kinky Friedman, was there with a friend enjoying the lunch buffet. Mmmm..samosas.
We finished before he did or I would’ve had him pose for a camphone picture. I didn’t want to hassle him during lunch, so your loss.
The Sword is bringing back the \m/etal to Austin. Reading the article about them in Austin Chronicle a few weeks ago, I had to smirk at the name. I went and checked out their MySpace page earlier this week. Lots of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin in there. I was reminded of more recent Corrosion of Conformity (think WiseBlood, not Animosity). They’re more metal than Queens of the Stone Age and aren’t afraid to bring back all of the cheesy nordic and fairy imagery that used to go with the \m/etal. Everything old is new again. Ronnie James Dio would be proud.
They’re doing an in-store at Waterloo on Tuesday at 5pm and they’re playing Emo’s tomorrow night.
Page 66 of this week’s Chronicle has wristband information. Apparently, the February 24th issue, which we all know is available on the 23rd, will announce the dates that wristbands will be available at Waterloo. There’s also an option to receive text message updates to your phone. I sent a message (sx add) to 56658 this morning and got a response notifying me that I’d been subscribed.
The band list is pretty much final at this point. Angry Robot has it parsed into more easily readable formats than the one on the SXSW site.
SXSWBaby and DoneWaiting are increasing their posting frequency as the festival draws closer. I’d start checking them regularly if I were you.
BurntOrangeReport points out a nice article on the KVUE site, applying the truth test to a recent anti-Donna Howard campaign ad. I’d like to see a lot more of this from local and national media, especially during campaigns. And as they’re also pointing out, early voting has already begun for that state house seat.
You couldn’t make this shit up if you tried. And, if you’re like me, you may have to look up lysenkoism. Thanks, wikipedia!
So, I said I’d get back with a review on Saturday after checking out Rude Mech’s GYWO Friday night and now it’s Monday. I should know better than to set myself deadlines.
Austinist did a nice recap of the local reviews and one of their own. I wasn’t as put off by the flashbacks as the Austinist kids were, the overhead projector is genius and I agree with Katherine Catmull’s assessment of the show (and not just because she’s my next-door neighbor):
The audience responded with the drunken, desperate laughter of people in a spiraling plane. I left exhilarated.
If you’re already familiar with the strips, go to the show anyway. It didn’t bother me that I already knew many of the lines or scenes. In fact, having people do them live added to them and made them even funnier. And, it probably would’ve busted the budget, but they should’ve had someone dress up as Voltron.
Bottom line: you’ll really be kicking yourself next week if you don’t check it out. The last four shows are this Friday and Saturday, 8pm and 10pm. You’ll probably want to purchase tickets in advance either by phone or online as all performances have been selling out.
Rob Fergus aka Birdmeister has a few posts today about local bird life, focusing on owls, Monk Parakeets, and Hornsby Bend. He’s also got updates on the search for the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, a bird thought to be extinct (more here). He’s apparently returning next month for a workshop on Purple Martins.
I haven’t ever noticed the Monk Parakeets myself. I’ll be on the lookout for them from now on. It’s an interesting story. I’m always fascinated by transplanted species stories. It seems like you only ever hear about the ones that are causing trouble.
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Patrick from SXSWBaby, a community blog for this year’s SXSW, posted a Google Maps implementation of local wireless hotspots based on the list from Austin Wireless City.
It’s fairly complete, although the Little City locations are missing. Head over there and let him know what’s missing. Is there a locally-owned coffee shop in town that doesn’t have free wireless?
Since the SOTU address earlier this week, the fur’s been flying about US House Rep. Henry Cuellar. He’s currently represents District 28 which reaches into Hays county and includes San Marcos and parts of San Antonio. It’s not techically Austin, but it’s damn close. Cuellar’s challenger next month is Ciro Rodriguez.
The GOP didn’t field a candidate this district because Cuellar, although listed as a democrat like his challenger, is essentially a republican in the way he votes. Check out both men and make up your own mind.
DailyKos has three posts on this race over the last couple of days and here’s a shot of Cuellar and Bushie at the SOTU address. How eerily Godfather, Part II. “I know it was you, Fredo.”
Update: Off The Kuff enters the fray.
I’ll switch topics soon or at least finish moving over all the crap from the old site, I promise. But I’ve got politics on the brain after Tuesday night.
And this post is completely awesome. I’ve got another new favorite blog, Mahablog. And don’t forget this.
Update(2006.02.03): There appears to have been a lot of backtracking on what Bushie said in the SOTUA, prompting Pharyngula to post this. Welcome to the State of Delusion.