Yet more jazz

OK, we do other things besides going out to hear great jazz--but most of the stuff we do really doesn't lend itself to interesting photos.

Here you see a recent set at The Elephant Room. What a quintet -- Jeff Lofton on trumpet, Alex Coke on reeds, Dr. James Polk on piano, Michael Stevens on bass and Masumi Jones on drums. (At the point I snapped this one, Jeff was offstage while Alex took the lead and it was impossible to get James in the shot.) The whole group was quite a rainbow coalition-- three African-American men, an Asian woman and a white guy.

With that kind of talent on stage, the place filled up in a hurry. Each of these musicians has a following. In fact, by the time the first set started, there was a line up the stairs and people were having to wait until seats freed up to get inside. (We got there an hour early to secure a front row spot.)

Just another reason why we love living downtown. When we were on Shoal Creek, it was always, "Do we feel like driving down there, finding a place to park, one of us can't drink, etc."

By the way, I think you can see why I always laugh when people say that jazz doesn't draw a crowd in Austin. Oh-- and tonight, we'll be setting up shop in the lounge at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse to hear the Jeff Lofton Trio and ring in the new year. If anyone is downtown, drop by and say Happy New Year!

Shot with my iPhone.

Nice Ride

Don't know if it was someone's present but this car was sitting in front of Jo's Coffee on South Congress the day after Christmas.

Lakeside view

Yesterday, I went to our club to work out and have lunch. As I was leaving, I noticed a couple in a small boat fishing (they are in the middle here). Since my iPhone was handy, I whipped it out and took this shot. I thought maybe our compatriots on these boards would like to see a photo from sunny Austin. The weather-casters are predicting snow for us today, though. From the looks of things outside, I doubt it will happen.

Crepes Trailer

This trailer is on South Congress and it sells sweet and savory filled crêpes. The 'mille' in the name means thousand. I think there are 'mille crêpes' desserts in France that are made with many layers of the thin pancakes with sweet fillings but maybe this establishment was just hoping to sell its product by the thousands. We haven't tasted because we seem to spend fewer and fewer meals eating out of trailers. Have to try is some time, though.

I've Been Adopted!

On Saturday there was a mobile adoption station on South Congress. Word was: this fellow found a home.

Reflection in the Lake

FFP shot this a couple of afternoons ago from the pedestrian bridge showing our building apparently casting light into Lady Bird Lake. That's the Monarch apartments on the left.

Happy Christmas

No snow in Austin...although much of the rest of the U.S. has seen a few (or many) flakes. But the shop window of the downtown St. Bernard store gave the impression of a snowy wonderland and the clothes for it. It was really windy and cold when I snapped this yesterday, for Austin anyway. Gusts of over 40 MPH around our building I'd say.