More 360

A lot of people we talk to don't know where the 360 Condos are located. Either they must not go downtown (or anywhere in view of a skyline) or maybe they aren't so 'invested' in it! I took this shot from the AMLI deck on Saturday the 3rd, going to a spot where I could see most of the building. In this shot and this shot and this one I didn't let the 360 be the star as I have often done in the past (see below) so I thought you'd indulge if I showed it again today.

Other 360 views: the deco grills on the garage, framed by Austonian cranes , reflecting fireworks, reflected in Front Bank, towering over the Long Center ring, just starting to rise behind the demolished Intel shell, dark in the night sky with crane still attached, with the Long Center bridge as a frame, reflected in Long Center glass, before it was topped, with Ballet Austin in the foreground, the architect's model, rising behind its sales center sign, and when it was barely a pip on the skyline.

Of course, at the moment the sales site has a WEB cam that shows a new view every hour or so but I wouldn't steal their photos for display here. For my desktop, yes.

Doors to the Future

These doors were painted back in some other era when this run down building on West Sixth was used for a club or something. The building looks like it is awaiting a buyer to be turned into something different for the future. Currently, though, the doors make me smile. I believe this is on the side of the same building.

The Face of Retirment

We went to this man's retirement party yesterday. A casual get-together at Mother Egan's. Most of us don't look this good when we finish a career. Tony Casati retired from Ballet Austin after "Don Quixote" (he'd only had his make-up off from Sunday's performance for about an hour). He spent fourteen years dancing for Ballet Austin and has truly been an amazing force for dance in Austin. He said he will spend a week fixing up his boat before deciding on what new careers to undertake. I told him I spent a few weeks doing yard work and chores before deciding to do not much in retirement (including yard work and chores!). With his good looks, one wonders why he doesn't embark on a career in acting!

Lights, Action, Digital Camera

Friday after the ballet at the Long Center and I put the point and shoot camera on the setting for 'Night Landscape' and tried to hold the camera very still to get the lights of the little round stage and the ones on in the 360 Condos and other downtown buildings in focus. The young ladies were moving and creating these nice dancing swirls.

Dancers

Michele Thompson is beaming in her beautiful green dress after a triumphant performance as Kitri in "Don Quixote." Ballet Austin used an expansive set to celebrate their first performance in the Long Center and Michele did a wonderful job in this leading role. (She'll do it again Sunday and trade the Dulcinea role with Ashley Lynn tomorrow night.)

Let them eat pie!

Last Sunday, we went to the "Mildred Pierce Pie Social" -- a "No Place But Austin" kind of event held at Alamo Draft House on South Lamar.

Lots of our friends were involved. Virginia Wood, the food editor of the Austin Chronicle, put together a benefit for the continuing medical care needed by Stephen Moser, the Chron's Fashion Editor (above left).

The benefit cost a mere $30 and you got all the pie you could eat, chosen from an array prepared by some of the finest bakers in town-- including a scrumptious Jalapeño Apple--my fave, Cherry, Country Blueberry, Strawberry/Rhubarb, Lemon Meringue and on and on. If you were really brave and off your diet, you could get scoops of Amy's ice cream on top.

And while you were eating your six-slice selection of pies, (there were over twenty) you got to see a screening of the classic film "Mildred Pierce." Of course, it starred Austin's own Zachary Scott and the inimitable Joan Crawford. The Veda character (Mildred's eldest daughter) is an iconic depiction of the ungrateful child.

How can you not love lines like:

Veda: With this money I can get away from you. From you and your chickens and your pies and your kitchens and everything that smells of grease. I can get away from this shack with its cheap furniture. And this town and its dollar days, and its women that wear uniforms and its men that wear overalls.

or

Monte: Oh, I wish I could get that interested in work.
Ida: You were probably frightened by a callus at an early age!

or

Ida: Personally, Veda's convinced me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young.

Oh-- the person to the right? That's local entertainer Saffire Trinity as Joan Crawford!

If any of you in Austin are reading this, there will be another fantastic benefit party for Stephen next Wednesday at Antone's--www.antones.net.

Sunset

We were at that party Saturday night on the AMLI deck when the sun went down. Our new home (we fervently hope) is the bluish building at mid distance (it's the 360 Condominiums) beyond the shadowy AMLI balconies.