End of Silence

Earlier this month, Austinist pointed me to the UT Campus Safety reports and they’ve been providing endless amusement ever since. I couldn’t help but post a few highlights from last night.

You’ve got to love the sarcastic tone of the reports and kudos to the second subject who appears to have thoroughly marked his territory at the intersection of Guadalupe and 26th. I can’t help but wonder what these people have planned for the rest of the weekend. It was only Thursday night for cryin’ out loud. I guess they’re just trying to live up to the #1 Party School ranking released at the end of August. Well done, kids.

10-27-06, at 12:33 AM. – 2000 BLOCK RIO GRANDE
Public Intoxication: A UT student was observed staggering and stumbling as she attempted to walk along a flat sidewalk. The officer observed that the subject was missing a shoe. During the investigation, the officer detected a very strong odor of alcohol on the subject’s breath and noted her confused state of mind. The subject informed the officer that she had drunk too much at a party and that the boys were kissing her. She then informed the officer that she got upset when her boyfriend left the party. The officer allowed the subject the opportunity to use a life line and contact a friend, the friend hung up on her. The subject was taken into custody for Public Intoxication and transported to Central Booking.

10-27-06, at 2:07 AM. – 400 BLOCK WEST 26th STREET
Public Intoxication: A UT student was observed falling into a metal fence while providing alcohol-enriched compost for a local area home owner. After filling the allotment, the subject continued to vomit on himself. During the investigation the officer observed that the subject had attempted, unsuccessfully, to evacuate other bodily fluids. During the investigation, the officer detected a very strong odor of alcohol on the subject’s breath and observed that his eyes were bloodshot and watery. While talking to the subject, the subject lost his balance and fell, causing the officer to catch him before he hit the ground. The subject was taken into custody for Public Intoxication and transported to Central Booking.

10-27-06, at 3:28 AM – 100 BLOCK WEST 21st STREET
Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor (2 Counts): A UT student was observed supporting another UT student as both were attempting to negotiate the hidden contours of a straight sidewalk. During the investigation, the officer detected a very strong odor of alcohol on the breaths of both subjects. The officer discovered that both subjects were under the legal age of 21. Both subjects were issued a field release citation for Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.

We attended a womens’ soccer game yesterday at St. Ed’s. The Hilltoppers beat the MSU-Billings Yellowjackets in a second overtime sudden death, 1-0. You know you were dying to find out the result of that match. It was a beautiful afternoon, but dumbass me forgot to wear sunscreen, so now I look like a red raccoon thanks to my sunglasses. Let the peeling begin!

Driving west on 71 from the game towards a late lunch at Rudy’s BBQ on 360, we noticed a large plume of black smoke on the horizon to the north. We assumed it was north of 183, maybe farther, and resolved to watch the news to find out the source. The Statesman says it was a house on Tisdale near 183 and Lamar. Apparently, it was a remodel gone wrong and no one was injured. The firefighters on scene were delayed in putting out the fire because of a downed electric line.

Burnt Orange Report points out that today is your last chance to get registered for the November elections in Travis County. The applications have to be postmarked by today.

We’re electing a governor and state reps this time around among other things. I missed the gubernatorial debate on Friday, but it sounds like Chris Bell did a good job. You can decide for yourself by watching the debate online.

The National Enquirer is apparently reporting that Mel Gibson was drinking a Bud at Stubb’s while in town giving a screening of his new film, Apocalypto, at Fantastic Fest. He was also spotted at Sidebar. Seems incredibly stupid if it’s true, but then again driving drunk and then going ballistic on the arresting officers isn’t the smartest thing either, sugar tits.

I blame Britney.

The city council sent a letter to J.W. Marriot following his comments last week about the proposed hotel development on the 200 block of Congress and its current tenants. Check out the Save Las Manitas / Escuelita Del Alma news section for all of the media coverage to date. The Chronicle has a story this week as well and Statesman coverage is here.

There’s a benefit happy hour for Escuelita and Las Manitas today 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Copa Bar and Grill (same block as Escuelita and Las Manitas, between Escuelita and La Pena).

Full disclosure: I’ve had at least one child at Escuelita nearly since its opening in 1999 or 2000. I’m very close to the business and my kids are fed Las Manitas for lunch when they are at the daycare. I’m also one of the volunteer parents responsible for the web site. I understand that we need to develop downtown and I want development downtown. I also want affordable daycare and local businesses to stay downtown. This is the position of most of the parents at Escuelita and the position of the daycare’s owner. There should be room for compromise and I think that’s all the council is trying to facilitate.