Don't Drink and Drive

New Year's Eve? I hope everyone stays safe out there tonight.

We were out having a snack at Ruth's Chris Lounge over on West Sixth one night before Christmas.  I looked out the window and I saw a guy riding this fellow. Not the usual Austin sight in downtown (or anywhere else) but not unheard of to see it. Then when we walked home and there was the horse, tied to a bicycle rack in a No Parking zone by the Austin Ale House. (I've never been to this bar and grill. Now, I have to say, I'm a little intrigued!) Especially since a couple of days ago a facebook friend happened by and there were two horses 'parked' outside.

Happy Historic holidays

This elaborate model of The Driskill Hotel is in their lobby for the holidays.  We went over and stayed there (staycation) on Dec 26.  This place was the center of so much of Austin's social life from the 1800s on.

Another great quote

Here is another quote from a great Texas songwriter named Doug Sahm who left this world far too soon.

Quote from O. Henry

This pithy quote is on one of the rocks outside of The Long Center. O. Henry was a famous Austinite who wrote some of the most memorable short stories in history.

Backstage at the Nutcracker.

Forrest is posing here with one of the Ballet Austin Nutcracker dancers who is in the Columbina costume that we funded.

Christmas grump.

Here is a suitable post-Christmas Day shot. We saw these abandoned caps on one of our downtown walks.

Oh Christmas tree!

The Driskill Hotel, one of Austin's most historic places, always has a beautiful tree. Here you see Linda posing with it.  Merry Christmas to you!

Curious George on Congress Avenue

Lots of happy kids watched the balloons in the Chuy's parade. Here is Curious George who delighted the children who saw him.

Parading downstream

This mermaid was part of the Christmas parade. Lots of colorful outfits in the procession!

No, not Fifth Avenue

  

 In honor of the season, I'm going to post a few photos from the Chuy's Christmas Parade

that happened a few weeks ago. Here you see the Coca-Cola bear floating down Congress Avenue.

Toyland, toyland . . .

We ate lunch on Thanksgiving at the Four Seasons and took this shot of the train set and village they have in the lobby when we were leaving.

JW Marriott Hotel is in the near future

Here is a morning shot of the JW Marriott Hotel going up in downtown Austin.  It will be the biggest Marriott in the country when it is done.

Turkey trotting

This shot from our balcony shows runners on Riverside Drive, the Drake Bridge and Cesar Chavez, doing their thing on Thanksgiving Day. Lots of people like to run in these races, that's for sure.

Texas style elves

This version of Santa's elves will be getting plenty of attention.  I love our town.

Hard to disagree

Hey bartender, two umbrellas this time!

Car as blackboard

This car has been redone to be a blackboard. I guess if someone has chalk handy, they can write on it.  Anyway, this bumper sticker on the left gave me great amusement.

Young love

This cute couple wanted us to take their photo with their iPhone. Linda did the honors and I shot one with my own camera as well.

Art Purse

We dined at the Goodall restaurant at the new Ella Hotel (the refurbished former Mansion at Judge's Hill). This sculpture outside looks, hmmm, a lot like a Chanel purse!

Heaven and the real world

I loved the sign outside this brewery on Barton Springs Road.

An early start

Workers were going full steam ahead on the new JW Marriott east of us on Congress Avenue one recent morning.  I thought that this bright green reflection was interesting -- like someone flashing a code word.

I love a parade

These band members were very well-disciplined and their playing was excellent.  They must have a good director.

Cycles on Congress Avenue

These vets were having fun riding their motorcycles in the parade a few weeks ago.

Let's file it in the stack . . .

Yes, I have a lot of books half-read.  I remind myself of a kid who goes through a candy box leaving a lot of sweets half-eaten.

So after this is over . . .

I love watching moms and their kids in parades. Everyone seems to be having a good time.

Not Your Usual Pedestrian Bridge User

One day on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge this fellow had set up his gongs for entertainment or meditation with his back to the runners, bikers, walkers, dogs and strollers.

Darkness Comes

One day we were walking over the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge just as darkness started to take over the downtown skyline with our building in the center.

Clouds and Cranes

One day last month I shot this picture of the clouds and the construction and the JW Marriott on Congress from just north of it on Brazos.

Giant Octopus

There is a group of folks who raise money for Aids Services Austin. They call themselves the Octopus Club. They throw parties where everything is donated or underwritten and give all the money to a fund called the Paul Kirby Fund. They help people fighting HIV/AIDS to overcome temporary financial obstacles like buying drugs or food or paying rent or getting transportation to appointments. This fab balloon octopus decorated Brazos Hall for a big annual OctoTea event. At this party the group topped two million dollars of donation since its inception. Doing good while having fun!

Life is Short

As we get older we can really sympathize with this graffiti and with the ephemeral nature of graffiti and everything man makes around us.

Uranimum Savages rise again

This band, named Uranium Savages, was a popular act here in town back in the seventies. They got together for a reunion show at Waterloo Records a few days ago. The singer is Kerry Awn.

Looking Out

One morning I shot FFP's picture while he was trying to get the perfect sunrise picture from our condo. Today is City Daily Photo theme day. Today's theme is 'looking out' which is bound to be interpreted in a variety of ways. Click here for other interpretations.

Whole lotta photos going on!

This was the scene during a recent sunset on Lady Bird Lake a few days ago.I wonder who was conducting the photography class.

Please say cheese!

This youngster was squirming while his photo was being snapped.

Dine Out

We were at Snack Bar on South Congress yesterday and saw them preparing this sign. So if you were looking for a place to go out to eat...now you know.

New apartments looking good

I snapped a shot of the new apartments going up in our neighborhood.  It took a while to get the skin on this building, but it is looking good now!

Delish F1

Everyone got into the act for F1 including this cupcake shop on Third (Delish Bakery).

Now That's a Tree House!

This is in a east side area called French Place. What a magnificent tree and tree house.

Bugati

In honor of F1 some Bugatis visited the Four Seasons. The Upscale Four Seasons Residences are reflected in this one.

F1 Brings Cars

Last weekend was F1 at the Circuit of Americas track. This F1 car was in the lobby of the Stephen F. Austin hotel!

E.A.S.T. 2013

Every year for a couple of weekends there is a massive tour of artists' studios and galleries on the east side. Called E.A.S.T. (East Side Studio Tour) there are literally hundreds of artists to see showing work and demonstrating stuff. We went last Sunday (the tour goes again this weekend). We always visit with Jennifer Balkan who lives and works in French Place. Jennifer's been featured here before (in 2007, 2008 and 2011). We always get a friendly welcome, too, as she talks about her work and watches her son draw on the floor and tells everyone to hold down the fort while she fetches cream puffs from the house.

Free poppies

This nice lady was handing out red poppies for people to wear at the Veterans' Day Parade. The fellow in front of her had a big POW/MIA banner. It's fun being able to walk to parades from our home.

Patriotic Spirit

This fellow was really into the Veterans day parade.  He was yelling thanks to just about all the people who passed and waving his flags.

I love a parade

The LBJ High marching band was part of the Veterans Day parade down Congress. Their uniforms are not quite as formal as ours used to be.

Friday in the park with swans

These ladies were chatting while others fed the swans and ducks at Lou Neff Point on a recent afternoon.

Good morning sunrise!

This was the view that greeted us on a recent morning.

That's a heavy pour!

This sign is in the window of the bar downstairs.  I hope they don't mean all at once!

Sounds like a great time!

This sign on the Ballet Austin building across the street is advertising a fancy party that will be held during the Formula 1 weekend coming up.  Sounds like fun, but not our cup of green tea!

Urban Garden

This apartment dweller at the Gables Park Plaza is really making use of his balcony for gardening.

Portage

After some recent rain Shoal Creek had been reduced to a trickle but these bikers still had to gingerly get across to continue on the trail.

Crew

We see lots of boats on Lady Bird Lake. But the other day there was an actual regatta. Caught this boat streaking along about to go under the Drake Bridge.