April 30, 2008
Tonight is Kanye West’s Glow in The Dark Tour with Rhianna concert at the Erwin Center, and if I weren’t so committed to playing sand volleyball, I’d go. Ok, ok, if I had bought the $70 tickets right when they came out, I’d go, but since that’s not the case, I will be playing sand volleyball out at Zilker Park.
You could also go to Doc’s for another week of SoCo Run Club!
We can’t talk live music without mentioning that it’s Willie Nelson‘s birthday. The old man is 75 and still wears wifebeaters. I’m not so fond, but so many Austinites are that in the interest of keeping readers informed, I had to mention it. But is he even playing anywhere? I can’t find the info, and I don’t like him enough to keep searching. Fill me in if you know!
Posted in Going Out, Music, One-time event, Sports/Fitness |
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April 29, 2008
I’m hosting a Kentucky Derby party on Saturday afternoon–more because it was a good excuse to get dressed up than because I’m super-into the Derby itself–so I set out on my buying liquor mission yesterday. Before Spec’s came to town, Costco Liquors was THE cheapest place to buy liquor (and a small selection of beer and wine). I lived in Houston for awhile, here Spec’s began, and Spec’s is the cheapest–and easiest–place to buy liquor there. But when Spec’s came to Austin last year, I wasn’t convinced it would be cheaper than Costco.
Yesterday, however, I stopped at both and was surprised to discover that Spec’s is as cheap, if not cheaper than, Costco! Granted, that’s comparing Spec’s cash discount price to Costco’s price, but the cash discount price is usually only about a dollar cheaper per twenty dollars or so (proportional to the cost of the liquor). However, on my 1.75 L bottle of Crown Royal, Costco was $2 cheaper at $41.99, whereas at Spec’s it was $43.99 cash, $45.99 charge.
BUT Costco has a limited selection and only sells the BIG bottles–which isn’t too much of a problem. 
Both stores offer experts with good suggestions, Spec’s obviously offers a much, much wider variety of liquors, liqueurs, mixes, mixers, not to mention beer and wine. If you need to pick up more than just liquor–liqueurs, snacks, beer, wine–Spec’s is definitely your place. But if you’re just buying a large quantity of alcohol, Costco is a good pick!
One time, I went into Spec’s on a Friday afternoon to pick up a keg for a party my brother was throwing, and I came out thirty minutes later buzzed and giggling to my annoyed brother, who’d been waiting in the car for thirty minutes. Moral of the story? Friday and Saturday afternoons, Spec’s plays host to tons of beverage samplers. It’s a fun trip to check out all the liquors, try a few different types, and all for free!
Location-wise, Costco is at 183 & Braker, whereas Spec’s is at Mopac & Breaker in ArborWalk, down south off 290/Brodie & Mopac, and on Airport Blvd. right next to Highland Mall, which could have a major impact on your decision of which store to shop.
Summary: I like them both, but maybe I’m only partial to Costco because we have a history in Austin that predates Spec’s arrival on the scene … old habits die hard?
Posted in Going Out, Shopping, Things to do ... all the time |
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April 28, 2008
I was thrilled to find this missed connections post on craigslist: http://austin.craigslist.org/mis/658406389.html
It could have been us! My girlfriend (platonic) and I are magnets for this sort of thing (the one guy-two girls sort of thing? I don’t know exactly what a this sort of thing is), except that for once in our lives we didn’t dance with any strangers. Upon reading this, my friend responded via email:
1. WOW!! That could totally be us. If we weren’t so involved in the friends we were with, I would really think it was us.
2. Did this happen?
3. Maybe this guy would actually get our numbers?
4. THREESOME?!?!?!!!!!!!!
Someday I will be a missed connection … or at least half of one! We’re lucky in Austin to have such an active craigslist–for everything from couches to jobs to roomies to cars to missed connections! I didn’t realize people in other cities weren’t as into craigslist as Austinites are. Way to embrace free classifieds, Austin!
Posted in Going Out, Good people/services, One-time event, Thoughts |
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April 27, 2008
West Sixth Street really came into an identity of its own in the last two or three years. Some of the tourists haven’t caught on, and Austin’s burgeoning see-and-be-seen crowd has taken to the west side of Congress for its upscale bars, lounges, and restaurants. West Sixth is the antithesis to the craziness that spills out of the East Sixth into the streets so much so that they close it down from Red River to Brazos. It’s classy.
But as I’ve mentioned before, I LOVE to dance, and the only places to really dance, with dance floors and deejays worth a spin, are not on West Sixth. Now, there is The Boom Boom Room at Union Park. I do like Union Park–there’s always good scenery! Whenever I tell my friends I want to dance though, they suggest The Boom Boom Room. I think they like it more for the name than the dancing, because anyone who has ever danced in there can attest: it is not a good place for dancing. The website even describes it as “a space ideal for intimate conversation.” Um, intimate conversation and grinding beats generally don’t go together. It’s crowded, hot, and people are constantly walking through–not dancing. Why is this the only place to dance on West Sixth? Just because it’s a devoted room?
So why the dearth of dance spots on West Sixth? Do people dance less as they get older? Is it uncouth to be seen sweaty on a dance floor if your whole point to going out is to be seen? Is the older crowd just less fun? I haven’t been to The Ranch yet, so it’s possible it is a dance spot, but I doubt it. Can we just move The Marq to West Sixth? I know it’s making the 5th & Congress corner cool again, but West Sixth could use the help too. Brothers Bachelor, where are you?
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April 25, 2008
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m way behind the times. Phil’s Icehouse caused quite a stir when it came on the Burnet Road scene (at the very beginning of a Burnet Road scene even existing) because of its mini burgers, funky decor, shared space with Amy’s Ice Creams, and playscape out front.
Today I shared lunch there with my dad, and it was awesome. I ordered a veggie burger with avocado on a wheat bun. The veggie burger was crisp, fresh, and tasty. The avocado tasted like guacamole, and was delicious. And the wheat bun? Melty, thick-cut bread, hearty with a hint of sweetness … I liked it so much I took the top off of my veggie burger and ate the burger with one piece of bread, choosing to eat the second piece after my meal like dessert. (disclaimer: I often eat my sandwiches or burgers with only one piece of bread, otherwise I don’t feel like I get the full flavor of what’s inside. But rarely do I eat the piece of bread I removed!) This is the kind of bread worth spending a day’s calorie allotment on.
I also stole some sweet potato french fries from Dad’s mixed basket, and they were excellent. Perfectly crispy, seasoned to allow the natural flavor to come through. Plus, they’re much better for you than regular french fries (as far as deep-fried items go). Dad enjoyed his burger, though I don’t think he’ll change from his regular burger spot. In any case, the atmosphere is light and airy, a little quirky, a little kitschy … overall, a great place to go!
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April 25, 2008
Based on cocktails and appetizers alone, Sago was delicious! Their signature Z-Martini is a spicy-sweet number sweetened with agave nectar–low on the GI scale, so less of an impact on your blood sugar!–and it even has little pieces of crushed jalapeno floating throughout! We also tried a martini whose name I can’t remember, sort of a blackberry margarita, and it tasted perfectly sweet and fresh-picked. Rob the cute bartender was just a bonus to the delicious drinks!
And the food they walked around with was an interesting selection: yucca fritters, portabello quesadillas, ceviche, campechana, and pork gorditas. The yucca fritters were by far the best–silky and squishy on the inside, crispy on the outside. One friend likened the app to what you would get if you could fry mashed potatoes. The other apps were good, except for the pork gordita. The meat lacked any real flavor–another friend with me mistook it for chicken!–and the fried shell was flavorless and soggy.
We didn’t try any “real food,” so I can’t really call this a real review of the place. But for drinks and appetizers, I’d definitely recommend it. It may be a little more expensive than other places in The Triangle ($8 martini), but the atmosphere here is swankier to go along with the prices. A third friend in my party said when we walked in, “This place is too classy for me, I’m just here to get drunk.” Look for the disco ball wall!
Rumor mill: Tribeza magazine had a photog at the event, which was sponsored by Austin Monthly. What’s up with that? Friendly competition? Working in tandem? Does anyone have the scoop?
Posted in Eating, Things to do ... all the time |
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April 24, 2008
So many events, so little time. Thursdays are hot in the ATX! (literally and figuratively, natch)
Top Billing: Sago Modern Mexican opening!
6:00-7:30pm … Sponsored by Austin Monthly and featuring free apps and martinis, the launch of this new restaurant in the Triangle should be an awesome event.
Others:
Austin Monthly is also hosting a trunk show/event at Ven Shoe & Handbag Salon … I didn’t know mags were allowed to sponsor TWO events in one night, but nonetheless, this event runs from 6-9 with apps by Imperia and cocktails, plus DJ Jericho One.
Tribeza magazine’s monthly happy hour at Shiki & Eliza Page
6:00-8:00pm … Free hors d’oeuvres and wine by TASTE Select wines, Delish Cupcakes, Tito’s Vodka, and Dry Soda. Make a purchase and enter to win a $100 spa gift certificate!
Estilo‘s “Through the Looking Glass” Spring Fashion Show
7:00-10:00 … a fanciful Alice in Wonderland take. Features a fashion show where the cocktails flow–made with 42 Below–and all the fashionistas go! 42 Below vodka drinks will be accompanied by catering by Suzanne Court.
Q: [sigh] What’s a hipster to do with so much to do??
A: … I’ll be at Sago! Look for a review tomorrow.
Posted in Eating, Going Out, One-time event, Shopping, Things to Do! |
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April 23, 2008
Wednesday this week is offering a doubleheader of athletic options. There’s always SoCo Run Club, the awesome run club I won’t stop talking about, but now there’s a new competitor: Wednesday pickup volleyball at Zilker.
So, there’s a friend of mine who started the meetup.com volleyball group (you can access it through atxvb.com too … he’s a web developer). Normally I would think he’s awesome for starting something like that, but I must admit that I’m a little snobby/territorial about playing volleyball at Zilker. See, I started going out there last year, and it’s where I met a bunch of the people I now consider my closest friends. And I didn’t use a meetup group! We just met! Naturally!
Which, of course, is some silly logic. I should be glad that other people are getting a shortcut to making friends, I should be proud of my friend for starting something that helps other people make friends, I make friends from the group, and so on. I just don’t want these people to think I made my friends off the internet … because I didn’t! But what’s so wrong with that? After all, aren’t I encouraging readers of my blog to participate in things I tell them to–through the internet–and therefore make friends ostensibly from the internet?
And the funny thing is, I like a lot of the people from the meetup group. And if I didn’t already go to Zilker, I would be THRILLED to find the meetup group, I would join, and I would start going to Zilker! It’s just that sense of wanting everyone to know that I was there first…
However, you should ignore my elitist, proprietary ramblings and come out to Zilker tonight to play some sand volleyball with some cool people. Myself excluded, as I have just demonstrated that I am not, in fact, cool.
Posted in Sports/Fitness, Things to do ... all the time |
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April 22, 2008
Today being Earth Day and all, area HEBs are passing out free reusable bags in exchange for just 5 plastic bags! Stop by from 3-7 and become a part of the reusable bag trend.
I have about 7 reusable bags, mainly because once I bring them in the condo it takes me awhile to remember to bring them back out to my car. This may be a bigger problem for me than for most, since it’s a long six-unit walk from the parking lot to my condo, but I recommend stocking up on reusables so you’re never without!
Posted in Good people/services, One-time event |
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April 22, 2008
As I have experienced the business world–and do take into account that my business is the media–I have come to the conclusion that it is almost entirely about who you know. That said, if you know someone but the quality of your work is shoddy, it won’t help you at all. But frankly, if you don’t know someone and you have awesome work, there’s a very small chance that anyone will ever see it. You have to be tough and tenacious and, well, meet people!
Which brings me to tonight’s activity: the mediabistro.com all-media party. This is an event set up for professionals in the media only (no interns or students) by the journalists’ go-to site mediabistro. The site has become the hub of journalism news, industry scoop, and job postings. Anyway, everyone who is anyone in Austin media has made an appearance at one of these happy hours or another.
And I, a writer who has been back in Austin for just over a year, have been to every single one of these happy hours. And at every single one, I have met someone who has gotten me a assignment or assignment lead. Looking back, I’m kind of amazed. Moral of the story: go network!
Tonight’s all-media party is at Cedar Door from 5:30-7:30. Or 6-8. I got two conflicting emails, so I’ll probably go from 6-7:30.
Posted in Business, Going Out, One-time event |
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