Where he Went to University

FFP is only a few miles from all the schools he attended. The closest, of course, is the University of Texas where we frequently walked from our downtown condo. (Currently, due to COVID-19 we are avoiding getting outside our apartment as much as possible.)  Here FFP is looking across the fountain on the mall looking toward the Tower. Because of the events of August 1966, that edifice always gives him pause. Today is Theme Day at City Daily Photo and 'school' is the theme. Click here to see what others have offered for this theme.

Paint it Orange and Slap a Logo on It

I'm always amazed at the souvenir junk that gets trotted out for the local team.

Barbara Jordan

I love this statue of a woman who stood up and made a big difference on the national political scene. She was also a fan of UT's Lady Longhorns.

On this day . . .

Back in 1966, there was a shooting at The University of Texas that took 17 lives. I was part of the group that urged UT into action about erecting a memorial to the people who were killed that day. Each year, Linda and I visit it to pay homage and I give silent thanks to the universe that I was spared. (A man standing three feet to my right was killed.)

Special meaning

This vertical piece of glass that has an "Open" sign on it is located where a newsstand used to be in 1966 on Guadalupe Street, across from the University of Texas. Along with two of my friends, I was standing just to the right of it, when a bullet came past my right ear and killed a man who was in the doorway of the newsstand. It is a memory that I have tried to shake for 52 years now.

Study time -- tests are coming up!

I took a walk around the UT campus the other day and saw these students absorbing knowledge. Took me back to my days in college.

Open Air Stairs

This stairway is exposed at the new business building under construction at the University of Texas.

Tis the season!

We had a festive time the other night listening to the UT orchestra and chorus play and sing. Very heartwarming.

Jazz musicians on the way up

We attended a terrific jazz recital at UT recently. These young players knocked it out of the park. Several of the pieces were their own compositions.

Surround sound at University of Texas

About a month ago, we heard a fantastic concert at The University of Texas by the UT Symphony. Magnificent!

My City's Skyline

There are plenty of skyline pictures in this blog showing soaring downtown office and condo buildings. But, when we saw that the theme day for City Daily Photo was "My City's Skyline" for the first of the month of August, we immediately realized that an image of UT's iconic tower would appear here. When it was finished in 1937, this 29-story, over 300-foot tower had no competition on the skyline except for the Capitol Building itself. (Amazingly the Capitol is about the same height.)

Fifty years ago, on August 1, 1966, a sniper ascended to the observation deck of the tower and killed and wounded a number of people. A memorial is being held today in the Memorial Garden north of the tower with the unveiling of a memorial to those who died that day.

Click here for other interpretations of the theme from around the world.

Towering Symbol

We've probably posted lots of shots of the UT Tower. I like this ones of the steps from the east side of campus. That's FFP in the picture. And a sculpture that makes you go 'hmmm!'

Holiday concert -- very inspiring

We attended a holiday concert at the University of Texas in Bates Hall a few days ago. What a treat! The students are fantastic players and singers.

Big Bertha

Our friend Jackie recently attended the Texas Tribune Festival and The University of Texas brought their giant drum (called 'Big Bertha") to show off during the food trailer lunch.

Iconic Texan

Barbar Jordan's statue on the UT campus. Her statue is also at the airport. She was a legendary Texas Democrat. She was the first African-American elected to the Texas Senate after reconstruction. And the first woman elected to the United States Congress from Texas I believe.

The Family that Suns Together

We took our exercise walk to the University of Texas one day in June and snapped this picture of a turtle family sunning themselves at the Turtle Pond. (Or Memorial Garden.) This little enclave is north of the Tower.

Foam sticks to the fore

These groups of UT students were getting ready to attack each other with foam sticks the other day. I think this is some type of graduation ritual.

How bout them Horns?

You have to love the sense of humor here. This is at the fire station near the U of Texas campus.

Missing about 100,000 People

We were at a party in the party room at one end of Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium. This is what it looks like empty!

Ye who enter here . . .

This list pretty much covers it all. These steps lead to a co-op in the west campus area of The University of Texas.