High above the ground

Here you see astronaut and famed video game developer Richard Garriott playing Mother Ginger for Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker. OK, I had to take this shot with my iPhone, so no flash and it's blurry. But you get the idea. I've recruited the VIPs to play Mother Ginger since 1997 when we started using social all-stars for the role.

Let's Pretend

Even after living downtown for over two years I sometimes feel like it's all pretend especially with the big buildings that have cropped up. This is more graffiti that has appeared on the railroad bridge over Lady Bird Lake. The AMLI on Second, W Hotel and Frost Bank tower can be seen behind it.

Shop at Big Bertha's

There is a uber-cool little vintage shop called Big Bertha's in the same center on South Lamar as the Alamo Drafthouse. Go there and buy boots or a colorful vest. Or a cool vintage dress.

Million Dollar Bridge

The funny things about this sign and the graffiti? The sidewalk is really not a sidewalk but a bridge which takes one directly across Cesar Chavez to the north side from the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge (which is really a bike and ped bridge). It used to end abruptly overlooking that street and one had to go down a ramp (bikes, brave walkers) or stairs (walkers, trick bikers) to the south side of the street. One still has to do this. So it wasn't really closed so much as never existed. Also the bridge (which has been under construction for quite some time) takes you to a new apartment house or the Lance Armstrong Bike Way where theoretically pedestrians aren't allowed. Since there is no sidewalk along Cesar on the north side here, peds sometimes use the bikeway or walk beside it in the grass. I understand that the sidewalks underneath Third Street have 'been improved' (haven't tried it, takes me a bit out of its way and used to be sort of harrowing because of the narrow sidewalk and heavy traffic) and that a path under the railroad tracks will be built to reach Third Street (possibly not in our lifetime, very expensive, how will they make it safe at night?). So the graffiti writers who seem upset at the 'closing?' Who are they? Random pundits? Bikers? Apartment residents? Sadly when the 'sidewalk' opens it won't add much to our walking experience except give us access to this picnic table. Sunday, when we took this picture, we were on our way back from a walk to the movies at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar. Not a hard walk but could be made easier with some pedestrian improvements.

New Graffiti

It seems as soon as they paint over the graffiti on the railroad bridge over Lady Bird Lake that it is like a new canvas asking for additions. This particular piece, shot from the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, shows what could be some advice for people doing an outdoor yoga class on that wide park-like bridge. In the background are several of the newer downtown buildings including the new W Hotel, the Austonian and the Ashton .

Winding Down the Holiday

Snapped this at the Driskill the Friday before Christmas week. I imagine the decorations (including this magnificent Gingerbread house) will be up through the New Year. I guess we will soon return to regular programming here. (And stop wearing Christmas colors!)

And A Merry Christmas to All

We don't usually appear portrait-style but here we are to wish a Merry Christmas. We are posing with one of the Headliners Club Christmas trees. Whatever your religious and cultural traditions, best wishes to our City Daily Photo family.