tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126943432024-03-12T19:53:08.750-05:00Texas OasisLife, Austin and EverythingBlueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.comBlogger2200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-15712258637905711882022-04-08T12:54:00.001-05:002022-04-08T12:54:42.106-05:00Hello againI'm still alive! 8 years without a post could make one wonder. I just wanted everyone to know that I am still kicking! Let's see... <div><br /></div><div>MrB had a massive stroke back in 2016, and survived, now with aphasia and some other issues, so that pretty much turned the world upside-down. I am now a caregiver, which will be my role from here on out.</div><div><br /></div><div>I retired in 2020 (while I was working from home during the pandemic) but am glad now (in 2022) that I am not dealing with a hellish commute (again) and largely unmasked office situation. At my final place of employment I worked in a small, windowless office for 18 years. I enjoyed my work (graphic design, illustration, and website maintenance), but it's nice to not be spending 45 hours glued to a keyboard/screen plus about 8 hours in an ugly traffic jam every week. Working from home (for part of 2020) eliminated the commute, but the job was much harder to do hunkered over a laptop with a small screen and poor colors, no way to print, and frequent disconnects. In retrospect, I had a decent, middle-class career considering my humble beginnings. I worked for 47 years with about 37 of them in my field.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JdXD1St_k-tQmitSGQaZBDGmAQ3ozy4dNmUTlKVKFDK_aVyFFxWiMDDBSH9G7sUK_cN6J-NJdqvKzpBSoRndXT9NpANs7mI1wKYy5_InXEJMrheKd9P0P6jxFBptEXzT5jiNNbwnvqAct8de0koR2hVs4QOQ0J3c3kjHDYrhMtMy1jSRqw/s1024/cat-sitter03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JdXD1St_k-tQmitSGQaZBDGmAQ3ozy4dNmUTlKVKFDK_aVyFFxWiMDDBSH9G7sUK_cN6J-NJdqvKzpBSoRndXT9NpANs7mI1wKYy5_InXEJMrheKd9P0P6jxFBptEXzT5jiNNbwnvqAct8de0koR2hVs4QOQ0J3c3kjHDYrhMtMy1jSRqw/w300-h400/cat-sitter03.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>This little city of Austin has been rapidly growing into a big city, and I find that my favorite places have been disappearing left and right. I can barely recognize this place. I need to fall in love with it again. Moving away would be very difficult, so we will probably stay. Trying to give it time. I still like sitting on my back porch, so hopefully that will remain as a peaceful sanctuary and escape from all the wrong kinds of weird that are taking over everywhere and everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, don't forget to vote, and do it in person (if possible) if you are in Texas. Otherwise it might not be counted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still have this sweet tuxedo, so I have to add a photo of her showing off to the cat sitter.</div><div><br /></div><div>That may be it for awhile. Stay well, each and every one of you. </div>Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-13267326346303903002014-04-22T21:35:00.001-05:002014-04-22T21:35:12.138-05:00Dear Mother<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzQZig0yln9fzWUcJP_ievfdWyWwrRX3Pp1PFYTmw29K_SQMBA0JvuAAnSoI4ZGsno-7ORPDZAmty1ousHeGN-yqTYLFugxrICe2Upww03Zhbldh8eaT40LW3e4X7Ney-QRfU/s1600/lola_1930s_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzQZig0yln9fzWUcJP_ievfdWyWwrRX3Pp1PFYTmw29K_SQMBA0JvuAAnSoI4ZGsno-7ORPDZAmty1ousHeGN-yqTYLFugxrICe2Upww03Zhbldh8eaT40LW3e4X7Ney-QRfU/s320/lola_1930s_blog.jpg" /></a></div>I've been using all my spare time (at least what's left after stuff like the full-time job and facebook) scanning hundreds of old photos, and I like to try and put things back together... like a jigsaw puzzle. I came across a letter that my Mother had written home to her Mother in 1937. She would have 17 when this was written from the big city of Chicago back to rural Southern Illinois. <br />
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This letter had to put a scare into her Mother, but no more than the previous couple of years of her escapades -- running away and living like a hobo, riding the rails and falling in with bad company -- then being retrieved against her will. I guess this time her folks decided to let her go. Might as well. I don't know if this photo was taken in that year, but it looks like a possibility. I kept her spelling and punctuation intact.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">Jan 4, 1937<br />
Monday<br />
<br />
Dear Mother,<br />
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I got here O.K. Kabella's came for me in their car. Jim didn't come to meet me. And I'm glad of it. He told Kabella's a bunch of lies about me. He told them that I slept in the woods two nights with two boy's he has got to prove it. You know what he told about getting letters every day or every other day from Francis Kabella and the girl upstairs. He denied it. He said you was telling a lie and I don't mean to call it cussing I don't mean it that way but he got mad and this is what he said "You and the whole God-Dam family can go straight to hell" and he told Kabella's that in our country there was two classes of people, the low-down and the higher class. He said my family was the lower class. I got mad and told him he couldn't talk about my family and get by with it. He told me to shut up and started to hit me and Mrs. Kabella's brother told him he'd better leave me alone. Then he told Fritz to shut up and they almost had fight. Jim drew his knife on Fritz but didn't cut him he told them he knew how to use a knife if anyone got smart. He has to leave here they are tired of him. I'm not afraid of him. You have to have license to carry a gun here. He's just blowing. He's gone now. I hope I never see him again. <br />
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He said the reason he didn't meet me at the depot is because I knew too much about him. See he was afraid I would hear about the things he told there. He couldn't face me.<br />
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Well I'm sleepy so I had better. I didn't sleep last night cause he had his knife + a gun borrowed. If he gets back and acts too smart I'll call the cops everybody is on my side they don't like Jimmy.<br />
All the news this time I guess. Good Bye and answer soon.<br />
<br />
Your Daughter<br />
Lola<br />
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I worked upstairs today. I'll see about factory tomorrow. We lock bed-room door. I'm not afraid. Don't worry about me. he will get the worst end of it. You know how he is.<br />
Big windy.</blockquote><br />
My Mother was in love with a man in Chicago, and I learned from searching out the 1940 Census forms that they lived in the same building. It was not the infamous Jimmy from the letter or anyone else in it. I won't list his full name, but she called him "Cooney." He was married. Had to be a heartbreak in there somewhere.<br />
Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-76897237793382146372014-02-26T17:41:00.000-06:002014-02-26T17:41:19.058-06:00Well whaddya know?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Odjuk5iNLz7j8OiLb39J4ALTT9dmPSKB-dtFFdhgP7zbtlfruatiywzM1AnoaK0m96IK4xDtgA_U5Z8N234Zb27XJDjBohMI6NcK-9HHbXDFIXKCz7n1imPYaJWNsH22WC9/s1600/tx4me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Odjuk5iNLz7j8OiLb39J4ALTT9dmPSKB-dtFFdhgP7zbtlfruatiywzM1AnoaK0m96IK4xDtgA_U5Z8N234Zb27XJDjBohMI6NcK-9HHbXDFIXKCz7n1imPYaJWNsH22WC9/s1600/tx4me.jpg" height="182" width="200" /></a></div>A Federal Judge struck down the ban that that voted into law in 2005 (I believe), that doubly-tripley (Maddow voice) banned same-sex marriages that were already illegal. The dominoes are falling. This thing will be held up in the courts for month, but I really think it's only a matter of time. <br />
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The decision prompted this hilarious typo (Tweepo?) by one of the right-wingers running for higher office. It was fun while it lasted, he has since corrected himself. Ha ha!!<br />
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Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-35109187496198326902013-12-24T19:56:00.000-06:002013-12-24T19:56:09.140-06:00Be merry, be happy, or just get to the other side<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLF9XbNW6KxR8c_vL9Je0YKSyyi2LdOIi2dNRcIQYAV4oYDUgFnyo9guUt6NyeOPHFgybGnfpSPjvtSxYAzUOh-B5VRhRqh0Gt5LRjoAWVAlqXjimstzm9d8iq3Ueeq7MKEyn/s1600/ho3_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLF9XbNW6KxR8c_vL9Je0YKSyyi2LdOIi2dNRcIQYAV4oYDUgFnyo9guUt6NyeOPHFgybGnfpSPjvtSxYAzUOh-B5VRhRqh0Gt5LRjoAWVAlqXjimstzm9d8iq3Ueeq7MKEyn/s400/ho3_web.jpg" /></a><br />
The Holidaze are upon us, and hope you are enjoying yours... especially hoping that you get at least a day or 2 off (although some folks are not that lucky) (and if you are working, I hope that you love your job). I have been off work since December 21st, so that fantastic, and don't have to go back until January 6th. I am in the category of persons who just wants to get past the Helliday itself, and it has gone smoothly this year except for just one anxiety attack last week... feeling much better now and in the home stretch!! Go go go!!<br />
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We have been entertaining ourselves with concerts, movies, some light shopping, and otherwise just NOT being on a schedule. Here's a bit of a concert from Sunday night, The Band of Heathens played wearing wonderfully tacky Christmas sweaters!<br />
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Seeing some good movies too... 'tis the season when the nominees are announced, and a lot of the contenders for awards are the ones freshest in the minds of those who decide. I loved "Inside Llewyn Davis," another Coen Brothers/T. Bone Burnett collaboration (like "O Brother, Where Art Thou?") that is not a musical but is driven by music. I've had the CD soundtrack for awhile, and one of my favorites from it is "The Auld Triangle," which is lip-synced in the movie by 4 guys in matching beige sweaters (I'm not really giving anything away there), but it is these guys (Punch Brothers & Marcus Mumford) plus Justin Timberlake who actually do the vocals. I love this intensely.<br />
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We've seen "12 Years a Slave" and "Dallas Buyer's Club," going to see "American Hustle" tomorrow (Christmas Day).<br />
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Whatever you do, enjoy it.Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-44544783763914051352013-12-20T08:24:00.003-06:002013-12-20T08:25:24.129-06:00Hey, I'm walkin' here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9GfhQ2acu6cCe5NVOA-kEvikw2j5kNWwgQKS9asP-IgNstrP0SKxR9sFba-VE-bcHUbjZ-WhksZUsxxE8x0Sfmxf_EOwbHd_R_TcVmDn0pKyIMiGiRaieHKthCtXaf3mVEFo/s1600/streetview_RRtracks500w.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9GfhQ2acu6cCe5NVOA-kEvikw2j5kNWwgQKS9asP-IgNstrP0SKxR9sFba-VE-bcHUbjZ-WhksZUsxxE8x0Sfmxf_EOwbHd_R_TcVmDn0pKyIMiGiRaieHKthCtXaf3mVEFo/s400/streetview_RRtracks500w.jpg" /></a><br />
If you are headed somewhere, hope you get there safe, and enjoy the trip.<br />
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<i>Google Street View find.</i>Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-79156562670564599732013-11-12T05:30:00.001-06:002013-11-12T05:30:10.172-06:00Princess Neko says Hi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2CPmze7rRRdXTdIjZTB5gdVUhFFPOhbfehECPwpbP_t83wwMlhfvjFGPl5_ce7mXnuLZLTOz-xdRBjhfW0FBkBiAZ9tu2taBK-rOkWTcESV8_GuSWaPkB332pTuI0AAhNorq/s1600/DSC00786_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2CPmze7rRRdXTdIjZTB5gdVUhFFPOhbfehECPwpbP_t83wwMlhfvjFGPl5_ce7mXnuLZLTOz-xdRBjhfW0FBkBiAZ9tu2taBK-rOkWTcESV8_GuSWaPkB332pTuI0AAhNorq/s400/DSC00786_web.jpg" /></a></div>Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-24949115071175316622013-11-03T12:06:00.000-06:002013-11-03T12:06:21.156-06:00Celtic FestivalHere is your soundtrack for this post. Picture sitting on the bank of a river, the weather is perfect, temperature 77°F/25°C, sunny, dry, and light breezes. We were sitting on a blanket behind the stage where a band was playing, so the music is live. <br />
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A guy paddled by in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coracle">coracle</a>, which I am only familiar with by name because a friend of mine in the UK has one. Considering the recent floods (and the banning of river recreation) he was probably committing a misdemeanor, so I hope his adventure ended well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVXrRp3cE6M7qmCBHUKWh-6U4E6b-6RY4wRyfILa-IxYGJpjcs-3N3YChWXCHCVro9ntLbYZ7OMJo4-D4wzum3ibBzaP0PL1eksmwkQW6vb-IK_2UZqNf1bi4je7Yca7Qr1uR/s1600/2013celt_07_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVXrRp3cE6M7qmCBHUKWh-6U4E6b-6RY4wRyfILa-IxYGJpjcs-3N3YChWXCHCVro9ntLbYZ7OMJo4-D4wzum3ibBzaP0PL1eksmwkQW6vb-IK_2UZqNf1bi4je7Yca7Qr1uR/s400/2013celt_07_web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I didn't take loads of pictures of the bands and costumes this year, as I have done before. Just a few snapshots. Enjoyed petting the mini-horses, and really... what is cuter than a mini-horse? It would be a tough competition. Princess Neko would be in there (and all cats, really), puppies, baby hedgehogs, mini-horses, etc.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPyTd4SwNP1Tjs8ali2UdrkgSNswosE4KcKWmBwS8zZu5BAcET2PhgwgjmADih2CErhdZFguWmJm1Ru2zG6Qm4AEWW7tNYQPe5-G_SY48FG9CvwkZGfqF5VeNxjPuMBGz86sm/s1600/2013celt_04_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPyTd4SwNP1Tjs8ali2UdrkgSNswosE4KcKWmBwS8zZu5BAcET2PhgwgjmADih2CErhdZFguWmJm1Ru2zG6Qm4AEWW7tNYQPe5-G_SY48FG9CvwkZGfqF5VeNxjPuMBGz86sm/s400/2013celt_04_blog.jpg" /></a></div>Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-17728085767076963782013-11-02T20:38:00.001-05:002013-11-02T20:38:33.516-05:00Also pays cash for houses and will mow your lawn. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tsOPgRbTXTxfAN8tjSLBYCUSwh0fRYNIx67LZkiDFayUnoCpL7fAHuPTh_H1OP93SoOv3zd3MmEWymjf37aS2aDEu7Vc9TZnfv-5pBM6_pB8GrgZK-XSMImD8xO_jaXi9GWv/s1600/bootycalls_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tsOPgRbTXTxfAN8tjSLBYCUSwh0fRYNIx67LZkiDFayUnoCpL7fAHuPTh_H1OP93SoOv3zd3MmEWymjf37aS2aDEu7Vc9TZnfv-5pBM6_pB8GrgZK-XSMImD8xO_jaXi9GWv/s400/bootycalls_web.jpg" /></a></div>Seen on roadside. Call this number at your own risk.Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-65287449982710287292013-10-20T12:18:00.003-05:002013-10-20T12:18:48.284-05:00Coming This Winter...Here is a Sunday Funny for you from the folks at Bad Lip Reading! (When the link pops up to watch the extended scene, hold on and wait until the end - there's a link for them)<br />
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Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-20150335982287126162013-10-15T21:27:00.000-05:002013-10-15T21:27:40.395-05:00Let it rain!We don't even really try to go to the ACL Festival anymore. It's harder for us to be on our feet for 12 hours a day than it used to be - where you have to walk a mile to find a spot to sit - crowded and sweaty. This year it wasn't just sweaty, on the penultimate night of it we got something like 4 months worth of rain in one night, so they cancelled that day. A lot of the bands did 'popup' shows, last-minute-arranged stuff you need to be on twitter to find out about. One band played at the homeless shelter for just food donations. Atoms For Peace, which sells out venues at the $100 range, played for $10 a ticket. Many bands put on free shows! Lionel Ritchie picked up a house concert and played for maybe 50 people, don't know what he charged though. <br />
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I got happy because one of my favorites, The Lone Bellow, played a couple of free shows -- one of them at 5:00pm (perfect for us old timers who just wanted to get home in time to watch The Walking Dead, then hit the sack for the workweek) (priorities). <br />
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I love these guys! This one is a slower ballad but most of their songs are up-tempo -- check them out if you like this:<br />
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Still getting some rain (so wonderful) and later this week it will cool down enough to maybe turn off the air conditioner.<br />
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Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-60303439933084301892013-10-10T21:46:00.002-05:002013-10-15T21:28:02.457-05:00Arizona funStill working the scanner like a fiend, trying to post photos in chronological order (but we'll see how long that lasts). <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/texasoasis/sets/72157636168623695/">This gallery</a> is in a similar time and place, 1951-1956 in Arizona. This is an event held annually in Wickenburg AZ (small community about 60-odd miles out of Phoenix) called "Gold Rush Days." It's very cowboy-themed! See the video below (video not mine) shot in 1958... as close to it as I have found. I love seeing all these folks decked out in their 50s best (I think it will enlarge if clicked), and the rest of the shots of cowboys and cheesy floats. <br />
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In other news, the weather is FINALLY cooling off, still warm enough to call summer up further north, but feeling less like an oven. We spent Tuesday night of this week attending the Austin City Limits TV taping of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neko_Case">Neko Case</a> - who has a haunting voice like no other. She spent some time in Tucson AZ herself (recording an album), her father was in the Air Force (like mine), and told the story during the show of have a stuffed iguana as a kid - not a plush toy but a real dead iguana with painted teeth, stuffed with cotton and (I'm sure) wires... this was funny to hear for me because when I was a kid I had a similar companion -- a stuffed baby alligator (or possibly a crocodile) named Kilroy. Parents can make strange choices sometimes. Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-79373442864088160602013-10-02T06:53:00.000-05:002013-10-15T21:28:26.004-05:00Is this thing on...?Waving helloooo after a long absence from the Oasis here. I miss it. Facebook drives me crazy sometimes, but also wears me out because it's constantly updating. Anyway, I am up to a lot of my usual activities, going to hear live music once or twice a week, almost too much to list except to make note of attending the <b>Dawes</b> Austin City Limits taping a day after my 60th birthday (OUCH).<br />
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I've also been keeping myself busy with the great historical photo and letter sorting project. Great progress, and have been keeping the scanner going. I have cleaned up my old Flickr account and am going to try and post as much as possible there. The first set is of a racetrack in Arizona where my dad worked as a side job in the pit crew for one of the drivers. I love seeing the way people people used to dress! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/texasoasis/sets/72157635770525013/">Manzanita Speedway</a> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn0llq2Od7SJLiiGnY9d1jBpTAKMvIDb2a7e-fAcyKu76vzj83SNlEnvCFaevK6ytJw-ohaz3kbl-UrtftRfQfr7vMcUI9p2h76Kvn88HOQ2FwGz4ZUYHF73DKlRxFilgV6VF/s1600/speedway023_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn0llq2Od7SJLiiGnY9d1jBpTAKMvIDb2a7e-fAcyKu76vzj83SNlEnvCFaevK6ytJw-ohaz3kbl-UrtftRfQfr7vMcUI9p2h76Kvn88HOQ2FwGz4ZUYHF73DKlRxFilgV6VF/s380/speedway023_web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
All Hail the Autumn seasonal change! <br />
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Will be checking in and browsing around when I get the chance.Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-60479298407103483362013-06-27T05:17:00.000-05:002013-06-27T05:17:18.481-05:00Wendy's Theme<iframe width="400" height="225" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/hjmtPGEV_V0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
Local band Bright Light Social Hour happened to be at the big Citizen's Filibuster event where the awesome Wendy Davis spoke for 11 hours, on-topic, with being allowed food, bathroom breaks, or even leaning on something -- and they made a music video based on the chants.<br />
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You can get a free download of the music <a href="https://soundcloud.com/thebrightlightsocialhour/wendy-davis">here on SoundCloud</a>.<br />
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Makes me very proud.<br />
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Spread it around if you like it.Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-20579532672947692192013-05-28T20:51:00.000-05:002013-11-12T05:30:28.632-06:00Welcome Princess Neko<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbdNn8bVFj6VOQe7sR_pwo9pMTDaF6Y-ZGQsu2QclvpXZ1GEIVk0wnXhzz6epnjkkO3Ixf0NtE1-wuzSU6roMQN03pgDwgtDHzjge2yBLeE8h2_RuRFwT6CAZGQVxl5DULLv7/s1600/DSC00392_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbdNn8bVFj6VOQe7sR_pwo9pMTDaF6Y-ZGQsu2QclvpXZ1GEIVk0wnXhzz6epnjkkO3Ixf0NtE1-wuzSU6roMQN03pgDwgtDHzjge2yBLeE8h2_RuRFwT6CAZGQVxl5DULLv7/s400/DSC00392_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
Here she is. We asked her owner if we could keep her. That's the short version of the much more lengthy post I was in the middle of - then decided that could wait.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE25Lyb_e9t7Ygw3MYU1LcG0DMUJXjACSGSZt_gHdb780-HWvysJ_LaWswOxyt5ytOqJiKQmeag5BlSEtKt_mLy1QUm_pKqT_P4lof3vFnbVlkide9HwKV-fvEcwH61O6yY61A/s1600/DSC00442_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE25Lyb_e9t7Ygw3MYU1LcG0DMUJXjACSGSZt_gHdb780-HWvysJ_LaWswOxyt5ytOqJiKQmeag5BlSEtKt_mLy1QUm_pKqT_P4lof3vFnbVlkide9HwKV-fvEcwH61O6yY61A/s400/DSC00442_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
We are happy to have her as part of the family.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoXsIYF4zlLmLOoFQbdwFg7Ws04fyJHvRAZEnGUWp9mEpRkhpGxOmRSRdd4GkqA8zkL9L7qtdZUKxDsEP-WrV1JnwkCRvIT5JhSYz-FQm6thquUA-JRq1YCEW3x_uJFhBF4wq/s1600/DSC00445_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoXsIYF4zlLmLOoFQbdwFg7Ws04fyJHvRAZEnGUWp9mEpRkhpGxOmRSRdd4GkqA8zkL9L7qtdZUKxDsEP-WrV1JnwkCRvIT5JhSYz-FQm6thquUA-JRq1YCEW3x_uJFhBF4wq/s400/DSC00445_blog.jpg" /></a>Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-79057217961763393192013-05-27T11:09:00.002-05:002013-05-29T19:55:33.602-05:00May Post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEjIM0W-QHpuzx2dOpjDYZFjrVyj_bhU79rrLIgIjNNbr7OCXh-ASHmyKFJ9jbX8otnNre5cIP1NuKyKZH6I93J4RzUBnDFMxZlUb_d7Vo44Bc7VOAv_X3s-6EICxL6puh1BW/s1600/pp_rain_03_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEjIM0W-QHpuzx2dOpjDYZFjrVyj_bhU79rrLIgIjNNbr7OCXh-ASHmyKFJ9jbX8otnNre5cIP1NuKyKZH6I93J4RzUBnDFMxZlUb_d7Vo44Bc7VOAv_X3s-6EICxL6puh1BW/s400/pp_rain_03_web.jpg" /></a><br />
Hello! Yes, I know, I have not posted for awhile. Still keeping very busy between working and weekends, but generally facebooking things instead of blogging. I even missed my 8th Blogiversary announcement on May 6! Shame on me for that. Let's see what's happened... <br />
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<a href="http://txoasis.blogspot.com/search/label/eeyore">Eeyore's Birthday!</a> Our Spring Ritual event of drums and costumes. <br />
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Live music from late April forward: plenty! Saw mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile & jazz pianist Brad Mehldau in the proper vintage theatre setting of the Paramount. Saw local sensational songstress Patty Griffin play free at Waterloo Records (without Robert Plant, her companion and musical cohort, who shows up from time to time). Saw local (via Australia) high-energy progressive acoustic favorites and friends The Greencards at Threadgill's. Went to "Jazz in Bastrop," and annual charity event featuring my favorite guitarist Eric Johnson. He played a magnificent set (whether or not it is jazz could be an all-night discussion) with his regular band of Wayne Salzmann on drums and Chris Maresh on bass. Opening for him was Rick McRae (who tours with George Strait) along with Eric Hokkanen and several others playing red-hot swing-jazz. Great stuff, and on a perfectly beautiful, balmy night, and in the country next to a lake where between sets of music and applause you literally heard the sound of crickets. The following week we saw Eric Johnson again, sitting in for a few at Van Wilks birthday concert along with Christopher Cross. That one was a blast. We love Van, he is a great guitarist and a friend. The next day it was Rick McRae (again) and Denny Freeman, free in the rotunda of the Texas History Museum. Denny did some time as Bob Dylan's touring guitar player and is now back in Austin. He is amazing. Also seen last week - our beloved Band of Heathens. It had been too long since we'd seen them.<br />
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In other news, we got rain. Glorious rain, flashing the drought a middle finger for a least a few days. These photos are from the front yard, which is occupied by a hundred snails.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshbXeUBqnbQ3RPkFTiQtJmad3Ud7uQKVAfznv3OODEXYmUaVGmEAS2oi9B_nXrSfl1fDkrPhhvTcudQPf16Ie_2BwZpvzvkFH-RYOpFL8RJVckcHZ58L8upcH64lMvExzZ3OQ/s1600/pp_rain_06_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshbXeUBqnbQ3RPkFTiQtJmad3Ud7uQKVAfznv3OODEXYmUaVGmEAS2oi9B_nXrSfl1fDkrPhhvTcudQPf16Ie_2BwZpvzvkFH-RYOpFL8RJVckcHZ58L8upcH64lMvExzZ3OQ/s400/pp_rain_06_web.jpg" /></a><br />
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Coming soon, some good news on the home front. It involves a kitty. Stay tuned.Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-59413230303825061022013-04-22T17:33:00.000-05:002013-04-22T17:33:01.038-05:00Ritchie HavensSo sorry that the world has lost Ritchie Havens. He was an icon of the music festivals of the 1960s (where I saw him quite a few times), and if you've seen the movie "Woodstock" you must have been moved by his "Freedom." He was sooo wonderful. He wrote many songs, but was also a master of the cover song, he would make a song his own. We both got to see him as recently as 2003, during SXSW he played an official showcase at the Cedar Street Courtyard where we watched him from a few feet away on a warm night. This is probably my favorite listen from Ritchie Havens, "Follow."<br />
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<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/YmJM99baLaA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Follow<br />
Words by Jerry Merrick<br />
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Let the river rock you like a cradle<br />
Climb to the treetops, child, if you’re able<br />
Let your hands tie a knot across the table.<br />
Come and touch the things you cannot feel.<br />
And close your fingertips and fly where I can’t hold you<br />
Let the sun-rain fall and let the dewy clouds enfold you<br />
And maybe you can sing to me the words I just told you,<br />
If all the things you feel ain’t what they seem.<br />
And don’t mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream.<br />
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The mocking bird sings each different song<br />
Each song has wings - they won’t stay long.<br />
Do those who hear think he's doing wrong?<br />
While the church bell tolls its one-note song<br />
And the school bell is tinkling to the throng.<br />
Come here where your ears cannot hear.<br />
And close your eyes, child, and listen to what I’ll tell you<br />
Follow in the darkest night the sounds that may impel you<br />
And the song that I am singing may disturb or serve to quell you<br />
If all the sounds you hear ain’t what they seem,<br />
Then don’t mind me ‘cos I ain’t nothin’ but a dream.<br />
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The rising smell of fresh-cut grass,<br />
Smothered cities choke and yell with fuming gas;<br />
I hold some grapes up to the sun<br />
And their flavour breaks upon my tongue.<br />
With eager tongues we taste our strife<br />
And fill our lungs with seas of life.<br />
Come taste and smell the waters of our time.<br />
And close your lips, child, so softly I might kiss you,<br />
Let your flower perfume out and let the winds caress you.<br />
As I walk on through the garden, I am hoping I don’t miss you<br />
If all the things you taste ain’t what they seem,<br />
Then don’t mind me ‘cos I ain’t nothin’ but a dream.<br />
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The sun and moon both are right,<br />
And we’ll see them soon through days of night<br />
But now silver leaves on mirrors bring delight.<br />
And the colours of your eyes are fiery bright,<br />
While darkness blinds the skies with all its light.<br />
Come see where your eyes cannot see.<br />
And close your eyes, child, and look at what I’ll show you;<br />
Let your mind go reeling out and let the breezes blow you,<br />
Then maybe, when we meet, suddenly I will know you.<br />
If all the things you see ain't what they seem,<br />
Then don’t mind me ‘cos I ain’t nothin’ but a dream .<br />
And you can follow; And you can follow; follow…Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-59034548159544269802013-04-14T12:16:00.000-05:002013-04-14T12:16:03.037-05:00Tall weeds and a new toySpring is just busting out like crazy now, and I have a new camera which I am still trying to get used to. It's got options for "special effects," which the old camera didn't offer. Here's one used to capture the Bottle Chandelier.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamTkM4AZGUXUVcGdj-GgdwOC138GvPwLoPwjXMxFFwcrx3OFe1LFYAKCnP3KbJve5NyOQHqkgR4QhSZ71YMh1dHoJS9vgM8LwL-CwjyNIkNK9lJBImTQUbJ_sqOC8u0U9CvWI/s1600/bottlier_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamTkM4AZGUXUVcGdj-GgdwOC138GvPwLoPwjXMxFFwcrx3OFe1LFYAKCnP3KbJve5NyOQHqkgR4QhSZ71YMh1dHoJS9vgM8LwL-CwjyNIkNK9lJBImTQUbJ_sqOC8u0U9CvWI/s400/bottlier_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
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(Note: I put the bug pictures at the bottom of the post so you can bail out if you are phobic. On the positive side for fellow arachnopobes, there are no spiders, just a bee and another insect)<br />
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Yellow Columbine gets the "illustration" filter.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoJXfCvrtta9mNSL-_Ys6fJs2WFmJQWGJj34aeQEUYedDiQ4vkxfFFl1_e6zut1UQtu20QYNZ75-wVJIbdjFV-g4KPv9BtU3QdZqOGPOjRlmquL_e_8ijBQm9Og1uc4vDBfLu/s1600/columbine_pnt2_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoJXfCvrtta9mNSL-_Ys6fJs2WFmJQWGJj34aeQEUYedDiQ4vkxfFFl1_e6zut1UQtu20QYNZ75-wVJIbdjFV-g4KPv9BtU3QdZqOGPOjRlmquL_e_8ijBQm9Og1uc4vDBfLu/s400/columbine_pnt2_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
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Maybe the most interesting filter isolates the color red, and removed color from everything else. It worked really well with the poppies. Another feature kicked in when I took this one - it informed me that it had detected a blinked eye. Ha ha! Very perceptive Ms. Camera, but he's not going to open his eyes any wider than that. Ever.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzoR7dELU3L4Ld2w4TSt8wZcpF4XJ_uIt0SOS32wGSRKovu7b9RJhDOIzlVW2z-ln2-IwPzfgH_xdIAjrxog5YhTHN5Aff7bhbRceO_5oOo5NIn54h0ADnas7prCoQEBHGlwZ/s1600/buddha_bw_poppies2_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzoR7dELU3L4Ld2w4TSt8wZcpF4XJ_uIt0SOS32wGSRKovu7b9RJhDOIzlVW2z-ln2-IwPzfgH_xdIAjrxog5YhTHN5Aff7bhbRceO_5oOo5NIn54h0ADnas7prCoQEBHGlwZ/s400/buddha_bw_poppies2_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
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We got our first sunflower of the year, and it is a perfect beauty, even without this effect that is supposed to make it look like a painting.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvP3Pa9W3W_x0TchWx3cZBg6vIfnX8CcggwGZrjvU_eCrepEghSdZz1QNu4A4P1-OGzMxTqk5HeSGvzmu2usuy51hvp30u-rQyVQBJdmHxZa07lOvUW3KgDfHNI9xPz5t0TdN/s1600/sunflower_pnt_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvP3Pa9W3W_x0TchWx3cZBg6vIfnX8CcggwGZrjvU_eCrepEghSdZz1QNu4A4P1-OGzMxTqk5HeSGvzmu2usuy51hvp30u-rQyVQBJdmHxZa07lOvUW3KgDfHNI9xPz5t0TdN/s400/sunflower_pnt_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
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No special camera effects on the rest of them, just some close shots of a HUGE black bee that has been visiting the milkweed. It's not a Bumble Bee, but a Carpenter Bee that goes by "Xylocopa micans." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM54LVRb8EN8vyxU9dcR8YrJ6cZe8Se7cfvZ-OEIwnEqRmggld7L_HSeJ8gYclHI1EVdzd-b5djwjOxFYdyYUodtCmuDBQbKQ4PiKJpu5l8NoNoej2nSj01z8EKznsqsQeCpi9/s1600/milkweed_Xylocopa_micans07_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM54LVRb8EN8vyxU9dcR8YrJ6cZe8Se7cfvZ-OEIwnEqRmggld7L_HSeJ8gYclHI1EVdzd-b5djwjOxFYdyYUodtCmuDBQbKQ4PiKJpu5l8NoNoej2nSj01z8EKznsqsQeCpi9/s400/milkweed_Xylocopa_micans07_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pt0OoaofY0ckx_pmSCBwNe5lhqLLqIQ7WEgEKUF8_DCL1W2pKrsU_Bl8ckDZgKil5AVVoz3J-1KaJKAmbHyn8W_Xkm8t6R0fxbJircNGAcKBRRoCKyQNRlwPaZXHAXl-Zadi/s1600/milkweed_Xylocopa_micans12_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pt0OoaofY0ckx_pmSCBwNe5lhqLLqIQ7WEgEKUF8_DCL1W2pKrsU_Bl8ckDZgKil5AVVoz3J-1KaJKAmbHyn8W_Xkm8t6R0fxbJircNGAcKBRRoCKyQNRlwPaZXHAXl-Zadi/s400/milkweed_Xylocopa_micans12_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
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Again, no special effects, but just a shot of a bug that is ALL OVER the milkweed. Turns out it's called a Milkweed Bug. Harmless, except to milkweed, which is a problem for us since the milkweed is much needed for butterflies. We are not going to discourage the MW bugs, but instead are headed out to buy some more milkweed plants - so maybe there will be enough to go around.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYYUqDbVb2AxvyDy5OSqyrYdkL1GBg40WQNC9ROy3FiNJplbn2s5RZLsVCpiHa232x9Dknb9FNCh7j3nezNAVCSQ7n-M6lzhO_MMLiueo0cBcsTTIfSqcZOkEnZJ2-GhhJkd1/s1600/milkweed_bug09_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYYUqDbVb2AxvyDy5OSqyrYdkL1GBg40WQNC9ROy3FiNJplbn2s5RZLsVCpiHa232x9Dknb9FNCh7j3nezNAVCSQ7n-M6lzhO_MMLiueo0cBcsTTIfSqcZOkEnZJ2-GhhJkd1/s400/milkweed_bug09_blog.jpg" /></a>Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-43066200809168465282013-04-10T18:35:00.000-05:002019-09-08T15:53:06.403-05:00Those boots<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmn5RTYy8rEdqCOAeDkGoE7moPm8NABO69Oyi5yYCFIwRHl00gX28tZMgdTbuqKKOVDSuzUvrduEVekzYLT8tWMJhcskARtCUb5uaN_5Y6-T0r4bRZFaNje5sl5_peGH-IK1a/s1600/sx13_a_boots2_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmn5RTYy8rEdqCOAeDkGoE7moPm8NABO69Oyi5yYCFIwRHl00gX28tZMgdTbuqKKOVDSuzUvrduEVekzYLT8tWMJhcskARtCUb5uaN_5Y6-T0r4bRZFaNje5sl5_peGH-IK1a/s200/sx13_a_boots2_blog.jpg" style="float: right;" /></a>Remember the pairs of mysterious gold boots that were draped, tennis shoe style over the wires around town? (Things can ALWAYS get more fabulous, and you truly never know what you will see during SXSW!) I didn’t think they were an official SXSW decoration (not corporate enough) but a rogue act. <br />
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I just went to the CD release for (awesome local band) <a href="http://wheelerbrothersmusic.com/">The Wheeler Brothers</a>, which is called “Gold Boots Glitter.” I have a very strong suspicion that the boots were a tribute. Anyway, I am kind of new to The Wheeler Brothers even though they've been causing a stir in the local music scene for awhile. They are a really good band, and know we know they have a lot of style too. Here's a video from their earlier record - worth watching on its own merits just for being fun.<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EKMFOTPIszo" width="560"></iframe><br />
A pic from the in-store at Waterloo Records:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63xbbvPc1zdA83oOEE0Oc6vYj_HG4dPJ9VvjiMyxFfQXwnMW3oqGmyEazlAp6yIMt2HvrcQ6cTtNiJ6ZiDwNMUqByEK1VOuu08vy6XVIlUGbq_ICaoyUaFC_SRDhT3-jULqQd/s1600/wb_screen.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63xbbvPc1zdA83oOEE0Oc6vYj_HG4dPJ9VvjiMyxFfQXwnMW3oqGmyEazlAp6yIMt2HvrcQ6cTtNiJ6ZiDwNMUqByEK1VOuu08vy6XVIlUGbq_ICaoyUaFC_SRDhT3-jULqQd/s400/wb_screen.jpg" /></a><br />
When I opened up the CD, my jaw dropped in amazement at the design of it! Flaps unfold, and unfold again, and eventually it turns into a popup! The insert slides underneath the burning guy. They don't give out prizes anymore in this town for album art, but if they did, this one should win.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq1VPVE9pgHk9Yf3phSIVMGIVwuOrcEkyz6vKfTRSOCd0m4_UwI7-KRJdP0ZWQiW2ZuVC67qfQSOTQxUr1dxCnm6yfxJ3mDiuuVUMPvcGmWr3uP-9wS8_FQOeQzZUt1xPoE_U/s1600/wb_cd_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq1VPVE9pgHk9Yf3phSIVMGIVwuOrcEkyz6vKfTRSOCd0m4_UwI7-KRJdP0ZWQiW2ZuVC67qfQSOTQxUr1dxCnm6yfxJ3mDiuuVUMPvcGmWr3uP-9wS8_FQOeQzZUt1xPoE_U/s400/wb_cd_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
I hope that there is always a need and a purpose for physical album art. Maybe the resurgence of vinyl will ensure that, for awhile anyway. I really like <b>Gold Boots Glitter</b>, and thin maybe I should buy some more Wheeler Brothers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5D8pksj_SHMQJJBiv_G4WVWl37LiWD0UH8Zy1Agvp3Be4Xxn7L9HbnxBUzQWdSt-XBHIZzhGWzWgWF_Lu0UdrM98jtSB0lLiwNkcKt_l28cD1UGjcv7QDmeiCju5yq4hjE5Y9/s1600/goldfootandbombs.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5D8pksj_SHMQJJBiv_G4WVWl37LiWD0UH8Zy1Agvp3Be4Xxn7L9HbnxBUzQWdSt-XBHIZzhGWzWgWF_Lu0UdrM98jtSB0lLiwNkcKt_l28cD1UGjcv7QDmeiCju5yq4hjE5Y9/s400/goldfootandbombs.jpg" /></a><br />
Image from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061014/combined">Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs</a> (1966)<br />
<br />Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-71867594317186827082013-03-27T18:21:00.000-05:002013-03-27T18:21:55.137-05:00It's poppy time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygZD5cIpgUDafDYKgBmThv7FoqlbnBMDz1cAC_sEHmHLEsZhU-3WhQHA3yZY7CPr4bk_dh-GvwRTMdyW2K4MjklHt2Xv2IvvTM186ieQl-naNj9ZgDQxWxWY4Pi4BTcLhoamb/s1600/poppy2013_01_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygZD5cIpgUDafDYKgBmThv7FoqlbnBMDz1cAC_sEHmHLEsZhU-3WhQHA3yZY7CPr4bk_dh-GvwRTMdyW2K4MjklHt2Xv2IvvTM186ieQl-naNj9ZgDQxWxWY4Pi4BTcLhoamb/s400/poppy2013_01_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ-CE4B-Y-lTh9M61fKpaCdZpgA7-E288sHTlFNQ2VYeRi_idwImJignhr2Dqn1R2rIDiXn8Z3hHQFkAk81TADjt_W7mGiFMEe4q_AiOqSWp1VIX0tdrYr0SCMyT9QRcIjtqQ/s1600/poppy2013_02_blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ-CE4B-Y-lTh9M61fKpaCdZpgA7-E288sHTlFNQ2VYeRi_idwImJignhr2Dqn1R2rIDiXn8Z3hHQFkAk81TADjt_W7mGiFMEe4q_AiOqSWp1VIX0tdrYr0SCMyT9QRcIjtqQ/s400/poppy2013_02_blog1.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg43QHDtd_aeHhvec8ybtzVmLVT6BCX30Mi84phIoB4yxct11lyxk_5JKtylNR90b94FIhuDoiXpJoGAP7a5LeGUlZw6quf8HcdM4V5CzcuB3iSwOevafG-LAXnfUNGm9UN7qL/s1600/poppy2013_02_blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg43QHDtd_aeHhvec8ybtzVmLVT6BCX30Mi84phIoB4yxct11lyxk_5JKtylNR90b94FIhuDoiXpJoGAP7a5LeGUlZw6quf8HcdM4V5CzcuB3iSwOevafG-LAXnfUNGm9UN7qL/s400/poppy2013_02_blog2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
This zoomed-in view looks almost painted!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk7jBr_HEO0h6NPpRFbxxXykxMVptxnV7lKWoFT1P-zJmaUTaJ1DhvUm2xq_L0sheo_sDrp1VT3uXZbXIdw1MPOpi8isYipQnKkfS_BTJQi8_UGmrGJp_8d_xugOM1Zsa9uKn/s1600/poppy2013_02_blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk7jBr_HEO0h6NPpRFbxxXykxMVptxnV7lKWoFT1P-zJmaUTaJ1DhvUm2xq_L0sheo_sDrp1VT3uXZbXIdw1MPOpi8isYipQnKkfS_BTJQi8_UGmrGJp_8d_xugOM1Zsa9uKn/s400/poppy2013_02_blog3.jpg" /></a>Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-57549742676350701412013-03-24T13:28:00.000-05:002013-03-24T13:28:14.675-05:00Quote<blockquote>Peter Walker [American space physicist; researcher at Rice Univ; contractor for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory/Space Science Div.] quotes —<br />
<br />
“…..The supreme arrogance of religious thinking ~~ that a carbon-based bag of mostly water on a speck of iron-silicate dust around a boring dwarf star in a minor galaxy in an underpopulated local group of galaxies in an unfashionable suburb of a super cluster would look up at the sky and declare, “it was all made so that I could exist!”</blockquote><br />
I've seen this quote here and there, and can't verify whether the quote is genuine or not, but that part doesn't matter as much as the fact that it's an awesome quote.<br />
<br />
We might be made of stardust, but we are not stars.Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-76262727797338392692013-03-20T05:14:00.000-05:002013-03-22T16:39:57.194-05:00Zombie Day and The EndWe got downtown early enough to be able to head back to the Waterloo Records parking lot to see The Zombies, a band I have loved since I was about 12. They still have enough principal original people in the band to keep their credentials and sound solid (with Colin Blunstone, lead vocals, and Rod Argent, keyboards). <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Zombies</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG40U_t27MHkITWmM-9buekJs3wdPxhIsSzJDnw9JBt0T-9TxgHPDYHwQSk4NC5aAqQKwyspVuspn3S3Zbt0Vw3yXHuc3tgYEcOGMYYcvP-J68VnlS7hnsLz32pBxf2wSH96pr/s1600/sx13_5_z01_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG40U_t27MHkITWmM-9buekJs3wdPxhIsSzJDnw9JBt0T-9TxgHPDYHwQSk4NC5aAqQKwyspVuspn3S3Zbt0Vw3yXHuc3tgYEcOGMYYcvP-J68VnlS7hnsLz32pBxf2wSH96pr/s400/sx13_5_z01_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
Some old footage:<br />
<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/M8BkkFJI910" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
We saw them at noon, then again at 2pm down the street at a bike shop (<a href="http://blog.kexp.org/2013/03/16/kexp-at-sxsw-2013-day-4-the-zombies/">where KEXP of Seattle was hosting their SXSW live broadcasts</a>). We were pretty close at the Waterloo parking lot stage, but really just inches away at the bike shop. Tickled pink. <br />
<br />
Our friend who was with at the KEXP show drove us over to Threadgill's for the Folk Alliance party, which was certainly the most relaxed and easiest event of the week. You could go inside or out, order dinner and drinks, sit wherever you like, listen to good music, and chat with friends. I finally got to see Willie Nile (after years of recommendations) and he was good - also a blast when he came out to dance with the audience.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Willie Nile and dancer</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijngioFInNah71r2MZndW2o3eux0zDPsK8nyuCMMG3cicjczuct-8Ce0OZDUhooHNKNMibZaJMubNEDxB3u1vAkwe8IrK2YFn5XVfZJ1Mij45Qff1lxn6u8v2NDO4ldNKdaYby/s1600/sx13_5_wnile_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijngioFInNah71r2MZndW2o3eux0zDPsK8nyuCMMG3cicjczuct-8Ce0OZDUhooHNKNMibZaJMubNEDxB3u1vAkwe8IrK2YFn5XVfZJ1Mij45Qff1lxn6u8v2NDO4ldNKdaYby/s400/sx13_5_wnile_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
It was Saturday afternoon and time to start winding it down for the week. We don't don't anything on Southby Sunday, even if it IS St. Paddy's Day. Dem's da rules (unwritten). We headed down to South Congress to hit the big stage at SXSJ (South by San Jose), another parking lot and just jammed full of folks. MrB was a hero and wiggled us up to the front, where we got to see Dawes for the last time. Here is a well-recorded video of one of their shows from the week.<br />
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/jrNNLt5iPtY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
We saw:<br />
Caroline Brooks, Courrier, Seryn, The Preservation, Emily Reid, The Royalty, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Quiet Company, Dawes, Delta Spirit, John McCauley, Kopecky Family Band, Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons, Quiet Life, The Lone Bellow, Guards, Foxygen, Michael Fracasso, Nels Andrews, Nathan Hamilton, Birds of Chicago, von Grey, Shakey Graves, Milk Carton Kids, The Dunwells, Billy Bragg, Jesca Hoop, Frightened Rabbit, Alt-J, Richard Thompson, Billy Bragg, The Relatives, The Mavericks, Emmylou Harris with Rodney Crowell, The Zombies, Trey Hawkins, Willie Nile, Sahara Smith, Heartless Bastards.<br />
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43 shows, 38 acts (a few more than once, accounting for there being more shows than acts).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>A pig and a unicorn went downtown...</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O082hecS9XZkWZfwK3ef9hRHjj4mGBXyDFwX1aPVI1KZpl05dGk9MmNMaVFUbo3Y34S3o1gLMMEj-GtvMh9d6hIEUSgCm4FrDsTZR6X9Zi6dBImOeijbdZrirgaDZJgk4z0n/s1600/sx13_a_street2_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O082hecS9XZkWZfwK3ef9hRHjj4mGBXyDFwX1aPVI1KZpl05dGk9MmNMaVFUbo3Y34S3o1gLMMEj-GtvMh9d6hIEUSgCm4FrDsTZR6X9Zi6dBImOeijbdZrirgaDZJgk4z0n/s400/sx13_a_street2_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
"Goodnight Austin Texas... wherever you are." <br />
-- Frank Zappa, Armadillo World Headquarters, 1975 <br />
-- Jack White, Austin City Limits, 2012<br />
<br />
Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-71900811340457698702013-03-19T18:48:00.001-05:002013-03-22T16:36:42.677-05:00A Day at the Park(ing Lot)Friday was easily planned. <br />
(A) Go to Waterloo Records.<br />
(B) Stay all day.<br />
<br />
Waterloo's SXSW day shows have outgrown the inside of their record store (which actually hosted Iggy Pop & the Stooges in 2007, INSIDE the store from a tiny stage), and have more recently been held in the parking lot. The line waiting to get in was about a block long, but we still did great and ended up on the front rail. It was at capacity all day, and you can see why from this stunning lineup:<br />
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Frightened Rabbit, Alt-J, Richard Thompson, Billy Bragg, The Relatives, The Mavericks, and Emmylou Harris/Rodney Crowell<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Mavericks</b> featuring Raul Malo</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFci9B4XnyLJ7weGstFlrY1isqrt9wO69Pmi5uNYp480ipel2-gUnV9EQq8pHa_wvxZyshFiL6PKUAcpUlASa_FvtxI9DT7gii-PfxXovsJXAqBg8gIiZYyoSnR2albfT8ZrbQ/s1600/sx13_4_mav01_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFci9B4XnyLJ7weGstFlrY1isqrt9wO69Pmi5uNYp480ipel2-gUnV9EQq8pHa_wvxZyshFiL6PKUAcpUlASa_FvtxI9DT7gii-PfxXovsJXAqBg8gIiZYyoSnR2albfT8ZrbQ/s400/sx13_4_mav01_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
All folks that I either already loved or was wanting to see for the first time (Alt-J being in that category). It was all great, and there were autograph opportunities after each performance, for those willing to lose their concert turf and go into the store, that is... someone not me.<br />
<br />
Here's The Mavericks with one of their badass new songs:<br />
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EiIzChCyB8s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The legendary <b>Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN8qfLKtH56NGxgM28sdumbl-CF7qDtWZJioo4LDcq34fXYWKHst7SrEh55WwL1kwDcpvElZAMffzbUgKhWqLLtX7e4V2XfwG0tBDp6CDHIV4dbBW8hm3yWHPBGzcyfl90hT9/s1600/sx13_4_er02_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN8qfLKtH56NGxgM28sdumbl-CF7qDtWZJioo4LDcq34fXYWKHst7SrEh55WwL1kwDcpvElZAMffzbUgKhWqLLtX7e4V2XfwG0tBDp6CDHIV4dbBW8hm3yWHPBGzcyfl90hT9/s400/sx13_4_er02_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XYb2Kc4pX8zNIYsvfnqsM7UUqBqdtWIe8PIAXdc0V7UzAhW3K2blU9MvBWnWN15lcuqgMFbJQhaQM0RCxNujGsC0zTlPB4G4PRws0g8rFdJFf2exTo6suWeXW7JdXzkuepjJ/s1600/sx13_4_er04_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XYb2Kc4pX8zNIYsvfnqsM7UUqBqdtWIe8PIAXdc0V7UzAhW3K2blU9MvBWnWN15lcuqgMFbJQhaQM0RCxNujGsC0zTlPB4G4PRws0g8rFdJFf2exTo6suWeXW7JdXzkuepjJ/s400/sx13_4_er04_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
My 70s Goddess - I've only seen her once before and it was from back in the cheap seats. These free 'seats' proved to be much better. A sweet day.<br />
<br />
Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-40200467343945561472013-03-19T07:42:00.000-05:002013-03-22T15:56:08.247-05:00Hop, skip and jump around<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmn5RTYy8rEdqCOAeDkGoE7moPm8NABO69Oyi5yYCFIwRHl00gX28tZMgdTbuqKKOVDSuzUvrduEVekzYLT8tWMJhcskARtCUb5uaN_5Y6-T0r4bRZFaNje5sl5_peGH-IK1a/s1600/sx13_a_boots2_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmn5RTYy8rEdqCOAeDkGoE7moPm8NABO69Oyi5yYCFIwRHl00gX28tZMgdTbuqKKOVDSuzUvrduEVekzYLT8tWMJhcskARtCUb5uaN_5Y6-T0r4bRZFaNje5sl5_peGH-IK1a/s400/sx13_a_boots2_blog.jpg" /></a>Golden glitter cowboy boots had been wrapped around high wires in several places around town. How they got there is a mystery.<br />
<br />
As yesterday, we started at the Paste party at the crack of noon. The first band was “von Grey,” which we knew absolutely nothing about… turns out they are a very listenable group of 4 young sisters who sing and play various acoustic instruments (very well), and for lack of a better description I would say they play contemporary pop/grass Americana with just a slight Nashville flavor. Wow - that was a genre salad. See what you think:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/XGdTsijaLrs" width="400"></iframe><br />
<br />
We left Paste (The Stages on Sixth) after von Grey and walked some blocks over to the Pandora Discovery Den, which is usually known as Antone’s nightclub (that is until it moves to the Eastside this week). They have great lineups as well, and it’s really pleasant and cool inside. Also, maybe a bit less crowded than some other places because you need to RSVP for a wristband (which is free) and they don’t have free refreshments. Anyway, it makes for a nice atmosphere. We saw Shakey Graves, an Austin-based singer/songwriter who I <i>highly</i> recommend - a little along the lines of John Fullbright and maybe some Ryan Bingham flavor in my opinion - lots of soul. We talked with his manager while we were waiting in line. He was a really nice guy from Canada, although his name escapes me.<br />
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/RNsGJiVvmF0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
Next up was the Milk Carton Kids from Los Angeles. They reminded me of Gillian Welch/Dave Rawlings (esp. Dave's guitar), Chad and Jeremy, early Simon and Garfunkel... and their stage banter was dry and funny like the Smothers Brothers. Sweet stuff.<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Milk Carton Kids</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH51awMJ3eIMkrkeDCOqcvTNsajmCBmrA1WhCDkoiGHYXWJp7jFRqezPBrdtAK0rRtoLg4rbJrQHzE0SBvudKU6oRRY1DQDaOcleuCkoLhsA-92Vp5GimHAXDlTW_VVBk3HjQ/s1600/sx13_3_2mck_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH51awMJ3eIMkrkeDCOqcvTNsajmCBmrA1WhCDkoiGHYXWJp7jFRqezPBrdtAK0rRtoLg4rbJrQHzE0SBvudKU6oRRY1DQDaOcleuCkoLhsA-92Vp5GimHAXDlTW_VVBk3HjQ/s400/sx13_3_2mck_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
We left Antone's and hiked over to the Whole Foods rooftop just in time to catch The Dunwells from Leeds UK. I really like those guys, they are good and lots of fun to watch too. Go and see them if you can. This picture looks pretty comical where the guitar player on the right in concerned.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Dunwells</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKOGMNl671OtnAwgB3j0VM3idAhyhuyfYBrQ3-E_FmXg2dWgPktP2sil2BkOgjcwsptJktM8cDSKvRIqFEGLt2CbcpqDfDAE7jpKntLM5rgtawPt0PRIccp5ZLnKf3kzawCsz/s1600/sx13_3_3dun03_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKOGMNl671OtnAwgB3j0VM3idAhyhuyfYBrQ3-E_FmXg2dWgPktP2sil2BkOgjcwsptJktM8cDSKvRIqFEGLt2CbcpqDfDAE7jpKntLM5rgtawPt0PRIccp5ZLnKf3kzawCsz/s400/sx13_3_3dun03_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
The East/West bus was uselessly slow, so we walked back to Antone's in time for Billy Bragg and Dawes (3rd time). I have wanted to see Billy Bragg for years. Checked another one off of the must-see list.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Billy Bragg</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd30htPL49IFfh3a3bK3FgJDek5C_sHf3Tfsx2LYSeBKwxPCN_ie67RzNxtvK29QsZ4-_YGssHprnMmxvNtO59PJrhf4qywXtiWK32ODzEQf9OwwexgS03aN9FfDPUpot7w_Q/s1600/sx13_3_2bb_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd30htPL49IFfh3a3bK3FgJDek5C_sHf3Tfsx2LYSeBKwxPCN_ie67RzNxtvK29QsZ4-_YGssHprnMmxvNtO59PJrhf4qywXtiWK32ODzEQf9OwwexgS03aN9FfDPUpot7w_Q/s400/sx13_3_2bb_blog.jpg" /></a> <br />
Yet another hike back west got us in to see Jesca Hoop, who has a beautiful and hypnotic vocal and guitar style. We sat cross-legged on the floor in a really terrible music venue for her, but during southby there is live music coming from every nook and cranny.<br />
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Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-52479402965137753192013-03-18T19:59:00.000-05:002013-03-22T14:07:45.925-05:00Wednesday Day ShiftIt was hard to be at the bus stop, all packed for the day, at 9:30AM after not getting to bed until around 3:00 the same morning. On the bus ride ride in, there was a big thump of a noise in front of us. A motorcycle and car had collided right in front of the bus. The rider was wearing a helmet, and fortunately was able to be helped to the curb, possibly injured but alive. The driver of the car was an old man who I think was probably too old be still be operating such dangerous machinery - but tragedy was averted, as far as we could tell.<br />
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We started out at the Wednesday <a href="http://pastemagazine.com/">Paste</a> party, they never fail to present a lineup that's very impressive in quality. The venue is a great place to see a band, there's a stage indoors and one outdoors in the back under a tent... and real working bathrooms (not a small benefit, esp. for a woman in the SXSW throngs). They also have (free while they last) t-shirts, good beer, and cold Honest Tea. Yum.<br />
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The Lone Bellow was one of our must-sees, and they blew us away. Spectacular! Three strong voices to make you tingle and swoon. Also saw Guards, Foxygen (a young band channeling some mid-sixties and sound and style), and then Dawes (again) (I will try to hold back the gushing for now).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Lone Bellow</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UhAQ7OhtwkWSdhEXNMuTyxvEmnnu8d6JF92pGUX4w9RLihKQVLzkZORyhs5YmP5M9pIMhskzlNc4vGgzaGTZegZsBkP5_GvbdbMMf3ve6ebOXx3A9HLr4HfJRETVWaSae43U/s1600/sx13_2_1lbscreen1_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UhAQ7OhtwkWSdhEXNMuTyxvEmnnu8d6JF92pGUX4w9RLihKQVLzkZORyhs5YmP5M9pIMhskzlNc4vGgzaGTZegZsBkP5_GvbdbMMf3ve6ebOXx3A9HLr4HfJRETVWaSae43U/s400/sx13_2_1lbscreen1_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Foxygen</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7o_DFLpuwqgZKvmt7sJpvi51QjK_MCjGJTNVdvHNWQzRNXaC0JyNM__SQqzSjNJ1DToMkYxObPPou774PGsnruqsfjjc1jKcxs0Zx0ysLfLHWkr-q3mCwhkIwbRGQxnsnfs4/s1600/sx13_2_1foxygen_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7o_DFLpuwqgZKvmt7sJpvi51QjK_MCjGJTNVdvHNWQzRNXaC0JyNM__SQqzSjNJ1DToMkYxObPPou774PGsnruqsfjjc1jKcxs0Zx0ysLfLHWkr-q3mCwhkIwbRGQxnsnfs4/s400/sx13_2_1foxygen_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dawes</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdt59xncoHFJ0O7NU1218Rq3Ahjtifzt9DFTUoHtLRC17EXLgH8YCfYmadxFdAcWCaV-c0zadEH42EXgMf4Z9C2epjhbTpxzvhC9aPFW0wPp3pSCu8f-ptehUz72q6WpH6t7v0/s1600/sx13_2_1d04_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdt59xncoHFJ0O7NU1218Rq3Ahjtifzt9DFTUoHtLRC17EXLgH8YCfYmadxFdAcWCaV-c0zadEH42EXgMf4Z9C2epjhbTpxzvhC9aPFW0wPp3pSCu8f-ptehUz72q6WpH6t7v0/s400/sx13_2_1d04_blog.jpg" /></a><br />
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There was time for lunch at Koriente, a hike to the bus stop and headed south for Guero's Taco Bar courtyard - something called <a href="http://comboplatebooking.com/news/">South-by-Soupfest</a>, a benefit for the homeless shelter. It's a nice area for hanging out, big trees, picnic tables and benches, kids (and adults) romping it up and dancing. Watched several great local and not-so-local singer/songwriters before another of our must-see bands came up - <a href="http://birdsofchicago.com/">Birds of Chicago</a> (from Chicago and Canada). Soooo wonderful, so under the radar too. LOVE. Here's the scene right after sundown.<br />
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A fine day with beautiful weather.Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12694343.post-54053538763559963622013-03-17T21:30:00.000-05:002019-09-08T15:54:02.798-05:00Tuesday rowdinessWe went to the Dyn party last year, so this year when I RSVP'd they sent a code for VIP status. That meant that in addition to the free music we got free drinks, food, and swag (lighted tambourines, sunglasses, t-shirt, backpack, and hardcover journal), plus access to the side balconies where it was a teeny tiny bit less crowded.<br />
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A great, high-energy lineup, including Kopecky Family Band, John McCauley (Deertick, Diamond Rugs, Middle Brother) Delta Spirit and Dawes. <br />
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Delta Spirit's singer Matt Vasquez has been known to do some acrobatic stuff, and I hope he always makes it back down safely. Fun to watch... but OH NOOOOOOO!<br />
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First time to see John McCauley after wanted to see him for a year or so. This was the first of FOUR Dawes shows for us during SXSW, but I believe they played 14 times so it's not like we went to all of them. ;-) SXSW shows range from about 15 minutes to maybe 45, with most being a half-hour.<br />
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This was the hardest party to do for us because MrB had to work all day after getting up at 5:00am (not me though, I took Tuesday off). Then we hustled over to the bus transit center. The ride in went smoothly but the ride home with the "Night Owl route" (running on detours due to festival traffic), not knowing exactly where to catch it and then overshooting the transit center because - hey - I didn't not know they CLOSED it... sheesh... but we were walking on blisters after 7 hours of standing for music - and the half-hour commute took 2.5 hours.<br />
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Worth it? Yes.<br />
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Blueberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357299403457746440noreply@blogger.com2