the way is saw it saturday, UT vs WVU

Well, that was pretty terrible to watch.  So to blow off some steam, I will try to break it down.

David Ash, another great performance.  Made all the right reads, all the right throws.  Looks like a 5th year senior out there.  The receivers dropped a few balls that would have extended drives.  I have no idea why we are having snapping issues.  That last one probably costs us the game, well the missed field goal, but it put us in a position to need a field goal.  Git rid of the "wild horn", very little success, and David Ash is too clutch to ever be off the field.  Git rid of the goofy 5 player shifts before the play.  Just line up and run it.  Please, please stop doing the speed sweeps against smaller and faster front 7's.  When you have size, you use it.  Go up the middle, set up the play action.  Not enough shots down field.

Defense had some great stands.  Scored a touchdown.  Critical fumble recovery at the end of the game.  But still getting gashed up the middle.  Kenny is a man child, but he isn't a linebacker.  I lost count how many times Kenny was brought up into the 3rd linebacker spot.  That's not good.  That last touchdown had WVU's front 5 dominate our front 7.  We have serious linebacker issues, that's why every play is either a big stop at the line by the front 4 or a big gain and tackles being made by the DB's.  Had a lot of success getting to Gino, but on the last drive, the rammed it down our throats.  Hicks please get well soon.

Special teams..... makes me want to vomit.  Once again you had a few nice plays that won't make it seem as bad as it really was.  2 huge runs back to start the game.  Still don't have a field goal kicker that can make a 40 yard kick.  Not acceptable at Texas, period.  Last week I said special teams would costs us multiple games if not fixed.  Count this as the first.

At the end of the day, WVU was a better all around team.  2 months ago we all thought we would probably lose this game and we all just hoped we would keep it respectable.  Then the team showed us they were better than we thought and we all got our hopes up.  This doesn't change anything as long as we don't let this one game beat us twice.  Lots of positives, fix special teams and we probably win that game.  On to next week.  Beat OU!

Hook'em

Austin City Coucil Weighs Apple Subsidies

The Austin city council is debating whether to give millions of dollars to Apple so that they will bring more business here.  In return for the subsidies, the council claims Apple will generate thousands of jobs.  Which really means all of us locals will have to pay higher property taxes so that Apple won’t have to pay any.  The council argues it’s a cheap way to generate jobs.  The opponents say that those jobs were going to come anyway.  The real question is whether the government should have the right to offer these subsidies.  Why should they get to decided?  Is it right to give Apple a 8 million dollar property tax break and at the same time be slashing school budgets which are funded by property taxes?  It’s probably easy to fire a faceless teacher who you will never meet and in return, the chance to wine and dine the Apple exec’s.  Maybe you say that isn’t a fair way to look at it.  And maybe it isn’t.  But you still have to ask the question.  You could argue that if you cut back everyone’s property taxes, we all would have more money to spend, and that spending would spur the economy (isn’t this why conservatives always want tax breaks?)  When it really boils down to it the thing that frustrates me is the web of taxes and subsidies that make it impossible to know where everything is going… or why we need them.  And I’m not saying it’s wrong, I just want to have the ability to decide.  Put it on a ballot (of course that’s a whole other can of worms, I know the system isn’t perfect) and just have it say “Every property owner in Austin will pay an additional $100 in 2012 to Apple Computers so that they will build a call center here.”  If it gets approved then I can’t blame anyone but the man in the mirror.  I know it’s over simplistic, but it would be nice to get the chance to decide.  Instead of a group of "all-knowing" goobs who get to spend our money in what ever way they see fit.

cool, no worries, it is what it is

-G-

happy 4th to us

Don't worry, I know I didn't post yesterday.  It was totally on purpose.  Linz and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary last night.  We went and stayed at the Driskill downtown and had a great time.  So blogging was put off for a night.  I'll double up tomorrow so that we are all square.  Deal?

First off it rained big time.  So when we were outside, it was just to run between the hotel and the car.  We had diner out in Dripping Springs at the Wilson Appliance store.  The Human society was doing a fundraiser and had 5 different food trailer chefs cooking up meals.  It was fun to mingle, drink wine, sample amazing food, and try to justify some really interesting silent auction items.  60 min cat massage anyone?

Then we went back and hung out at the Driskill bar.  We had so much fun we just stayed there.  Tons of people in town since SXSW started today along with the Austin Rodeo (the rodeo queens were staying at the Driskill).  Linz and I had several rounds of Bat-tinis, listened to some really great live music, and watched the south by hipsters merge in and out with the cowboys.

Bat-tini at the Driskill Bar, same place LBJ and Lady Bird had their first date.

Slept in the next morning and went down to the 1886 Bakery.  Everything was so good.  The fresh made pastries and the Illy coffee really hit the spot.  It was the perfect morning to go.  We had a booth next to the window.  It was in the low 40's and rainy.  The old windows were giving off there own cool temps while the strong coffee warmed you up.

Every time I go some where that serves Illy coffee, I get so excited and drink way too much.

We went back to the room for some reading and relaxing before heading to South Congress.  It was starting to pour down rain, but we couldn't pass up stopping at the Dock and Roll trailer on South First.  I don't know how many of you have ever had a lobster roll, but they serve them right, and they are so delicious.  Since Linz and I travel to Maine every year, I feel like I can say with some confidence that these are legit.  If you go, don't forget to get some of their different home made sauces on the side to put on the roll. So, so good.

We couldn't wait to take the pic until after it was half gone.  It is just too good.

After the roll, we headed to SoCo and final exchanged my boots at Heritage that Linz got me for Christmas that where a size too small.  Ended up finding some really sweet shark skin ones that where everything I had been looking for in a boot.  So next time you go out dancing with us, watch out, I'm bringing my A game.

Finished off the day by heading up to the Bovards to pick up Louie.  We hung out with the kids for a few hours before coming home.  You know I can't go too long without posting Louie pics, so enjoy.

Those Bovard babies love that Lou-man

He really misses us when we are gone

cool, no worries, it is what it is

-G-

The best kite festivals are Zilker Kite Festivals

For all of you local Austinites, today was the 84th annual Zilker Kite Festival and if you weren't there you missed a beautiful day.  70 degrees, sunny, 10 mph breezes..... perfect.  Good pics below.

That boy loubie was ready for some kite action

Lilly and J Bo are ready to roll

Linz got me a killer sweet pirate ship kite

For some reason unknown to me, J Bo thought my ear made a good popsicle holder

Great views of down town from Zilker

Emily birthday party spread

Had a blast today!  We celebrated Em's bday.  Got to fly kites with the niece and nephews.  Had some amazing ague fresca.  Spent a lot of time chilling under our new pop up canopy.  Oh, and Louie is a rock star. Can't wait for next year.

Cool. No worries. It is what it is.

-G-

New Project - Blogging 7 times a week for a month

So today is March 1st and I've decided to make this a month long blog-tasta-thon.  I haven't written anything on here in close to 6 months.  Why?
Work?.... no.
Doing other things to release my creative side?..... no.
Not finding the time?..... kinda.
Mostly, I haven't written because it hasn't been a priority for me.  And I don't really know what happened.  I enjoy writing.  It gives me the cheap thrill of accomplishment.  And I always look forward to hearing what Linz has to say about it.
So, I've decided to make 30 posts in the month of March.  Warning.... I will probably run out of interesting things by day 2.  Other stipulations, no more than 20 mins will be spent on a post.  Why?  So there is no excuse.  And since most of the time I spend "blogging" is really looking for pics or stats online, there will be no pics or stats unless I took them or compiled them.  So be on the look out for all original content aka junk coming your way.  So in summary.

30 posts in 30 days.
no more than 20 mins allowed.
only original pics and other media allowed.

Cool. No worries. It is what it is.

-G-

Texas Football, The End of the Gilbert Era?

So its 3am and I can't sleep.  Texas just won a way closer than it should have been victory over BYU 17-16.  We used 3 different quarterbacks in the game and unless things change in a hurry, I am expecting to win about 6 games this season.  Why only 6, because we won't commit on a QB.  If we would leave Gilbert in the whole season, we would probably win 8 maybe 9.  But that just isn't good enough for Texas fans.  We'd rather throw away this season, so we can be "great" next year. 

Here is a question for you.  Who is the fan favorite at quarterback?
Answer: whoever isn't in the game.

Let me say this about Garrett Gilbert, he is head and shoulders above the other 2 quarterbacks when it comes to talent on this team.  The guy can flat out sling the rock.  He also has a decent set of wheels, remember the Nebraska game last year, in Lincoln.  He is one of the greatest QB's in the history of Texas high school football.  He won 2 state titles.  The guy can play!  His lack of success on the football field at UT belongs to the coaches and the unrealistic, spoiled Texas fans.

Texas fans say they want to win BCS games and championships, well take a look at teams that do that around the country.  Very few ask their QB's to do what we ask of Gilbert.  Look in the SEC.  Bama and LSU are starting guys with half of Garrett's ability.  Instead, they use their running backs and defense to win games.  They throw the deep ball.... after setting it up with the run.... and only when they have a match-up advantage.  When we sub in Ash and McCoy 2, all we do is run, we have no passing game beyond 5 yards, yet magically, they led us on several successful drives.  HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?  Oh, because we have 4 Running Backs that most teams would kill to have 1 of.  If the back-ups can hand off the ball... then so can Gilbert.  The difference being with Garrett in the game we have an actual chance of throwing down the field passes, like the two 50+ yarders to Davis LAST WEEK.  How many catches did Davis have this week? 0!  Our best receiver had 0 catches.

If Gilbert would have gone to a SEC school or a BIG 10 school he would be talked about as one of the top QB's in their conference, instead he came to Texas, where he gets boo'd when he runs on the field.  How am I the only one seeing this?  So now what Texas fans?  Ash?  McCoy2?  So you can boo them in a few weeks when OU kicks our heads in?  Having no starting QB is the worst thing you can do.  Believe me, I was there in Dallas at the Big 12 championship game when Simms was boo'd off the field and we lost to Colorado, a team we had beat earlier that year by 30.  I was there in San Diego when VY got boo'd off the field at the Holiday Bowl and we lost to Washington State.  It's like we never learn.  I heard several times tonight that Gilbert didn't show enough leadership, that's because Texas fans have ruined him.  Booing him and bad mouthing him on local radio and message boards.  The coaches have given into it and yanked him off the field several times and now his psyche is shot.  If they didn't think Gilbert was the guy, they should have never started him this year.

The kids that Texas recruits are talented and gifted players.  Most of them can go to any school they want.  If the Longhorns lose on the field it isn't due to a lack of ability.  Playing for Texas has become incredibly high pressure, it's like playing for the Yankees.  The guys that are successful aren't necessarily the most talented, but the ones that can handle the rabid and fickle mob of obsessed fanatics.  But unlike the Yankees, these aren't 30 year old men making millions, they are 18, 19, and 20 year old college kids.

Texas fans need to take a deep breath, step back, and hope Mack sticks with Gilbert.  He is our best shot at winning the Big 12 and he has earned the right to be our quarterback.  Garrett has fought through the ups and downs and we as fans need to cheer for him and not against him.

Thanks for the read... hook'em!

The magic hour

From mid April through mid October something magic happens in Austin.  Just when the last rays of sun leave the horizon, it begins.  The sky begins to lose its color as it fades to deep navy in the east.  The bats billow out from under their bridge and rise into the air like wisps of smoke.  Crickets and birds both add their unique chirps to the evening symphony.  The first nocturnal breeze dances across the back of your neck.  Faces and familiar shapes grow mysterious and more beautiful.  You drink in the magic hour and you wish it would last.

Guardian by Herb Long - Austin Area Art

The thin but well defined mustache compliments the slender hair slicked back on his head. Eyes dim and distant. Head slightly tilted. Shoulders in permanent tension. A body and mind older than their age. In deep thought of the things he wishes he had seen and the moments he wants to forget. Hands in his pockets holding tightly to all he thinks he has, while the wind blows straight through his soul.

Guardian by Herb Long
San Gabriel Park
Georgetown TX

Thanks for the read.

Easy changes to be more green

response to original post which is here
Just wanted to give everyone an update to some easy changes we've been making to be a little more green.
1. Just changed my power bill to 100% wind energy.  It actually saved us 25% since we were on a month to month plan.  It was only 2/10ths of a cent more than the cheapest traditional power plan so how could I not? 
Yearly savings $300-$350
2. Signed up for curb-side recycling.  Almost half of our weekly "garbage" can be easily recycled.  All I had to do was call our trash company.  They come to pick it up for the first time tomorrow.
Yearly cost $48
3. Last month I started taking a sack lunch to work 4 days a week(I let myself go out for a long lunch 1 day a week wherever I want).  Fast food isn't very healthy and all those bags and containers end up in the landfill.  Plus it gives me more down time during my lunch break since I am no longer wasting half my time driving to lunch places and back.  Of course I'm saving money too.
Yearly savings $500-$600
So there you have it.  3 easy changes.
Yearly differences: net $750-900 in savings, 50-60 fewer trash bags in the landfill, and all our electricity will come from renewable sources.  More changes to come so I'll keep everyone posted.
Thanks for the read.

It aint easy being green

It ain't easy being green.....
Why? I don't really know. So much of it seems like common sense to me, that it is hard for me to understand why it has taken all of us so long. We have the technologies, we just don't have direction. There is really no set definition for "green" living, which makes it hard to know what to do. It also covers so many things, big things, things that would take a change by industries and governments.

We need reasons we can all agree upon. I don't know if global warming is true or not. Seems like there are smart people on both sides of the fence. So lets drop it as a reason as to why we should clean up our air. When you are jogging and a semi-trunk drives by, you can tell. It gets hotter and the air gets sticky and it gets harder to breath for a second. No one wants to breath exhaust fumes so lets keep more of it out of the air. It doesn't matter to me if it does or doesn't cause global warming. How is cutting down air pollution a bad thing? Same goes for water pollution, have you ever ordered water at a restaurant and thought to yourself "man I hope there is extra pesticide run-off in my glass." Instead of arguing about the huge-can't wrap your head around scientific studies, lets focus on the things we can agree on.

More recycling, reusing, and re-purposing. I challenge you to spend an hour walking around your city/county landfill. I've been to my county landfill probably half a dozen times, it is a life changing experience. Until you go for yourself, it is really hard to understand the amount of trash we all make. We already have regular garbage service that comes to the where we live, so its not like it would be hard to recycle. How is less trash in the landfill a bad thing? It's not just throwing our cans in a big tub, it's finding new uses for common things; and buying used instead of new.

Reducing our consumption. I'm not saying we can't have the stuff we want, but maybe we should all just take an extra second to think about how much of it we need. It's really about being frugal with what we have. It involves thinking ahead about what we will use during the day. My brother started carrying his own water bottle around, and that alone probably keeps him from buying a dozen water bottles a week. That's money in his pocket and fewer empty bottles in the trash.

Finding other sources of energy. We need clean, safe, and renewable energy. You can't look at pictures from the gulf and think "that looks clean and safe." Listen, I realize that a huge part of our energy needs are met by oil, but eventually it will run out. It may be 20 yrs.... it may be 200. It really doesn't matter. The point is this, as there are fewer sources of easy to reach oil we have to seek out more difficult sources. Like the bottom of the gulf, which if there is an accident, becomes a big problem. Same goes for coal, eventually it will run out, and it puts chemicals and smoke in the air when we burn it. So it's really a question of whether we will be pro-active or re-active.

We need to start doing something... anything. The problems will only get bigger the longer we wait to get serious about them. Making small changes can make a big difference. If all 300 million Americans decided to make it on 10% less: gas, electricity, junk food, trash..... that would be like 30 million people using 0. That is something we could really do and it would be a difference in the landfill and in our wallets.

Thanks for the read.

Tri Tales

So I've been focusing on some last minute training for a triathlon that I was doing on Memorial Day.  I was hopelessly under-trained and proud of it but I figured it couldn't hurt since I haven't done a tri in almost 2 years.  So after a couple of weeks off I am returning to the blog-o-sphere.

The race went OK minus a few set-backs.  I got down there with plenty of time to spare.... maybe too much time.  I spaced out sitting under a tree for 75 minutes waiting to start.  Only to look up and see my age group already in the water ready to start.  I ran to the dock, but couldn't get through the next wave in time to get to the start.  Of course I passed the timing mat which started my time and then was forced to stand on the dock for a 5 min penalty for being late.  That put we swimming with the next group, which all had different cap colors and made it look like I was way behind.  I got through the swim, ran to transition, grabbed my bike, and headed out.  I made it 2 miles from the staging area when I had a flat in the rear tire at the bottom of the hill.  No problem.  I took out my spare tube, grabbed the tire tool, and reached for my pump....... which was sitting back at the transition area.  None of the race volunteers had a pump, so I grabbed my bike and started running back in my bike shoes.  3 blocks down I found 2 bike cops who had a pump and are more than willing to help. Great! I get to work on taking the tire off and in my excitement the tire tool slips and I get a spoke underneath my thumbnail.  Now I am bleeding.  I am very great full to those two officers and I returned the favor by filling out the "citizen in distress" paper work.  First name..... tick tick tick Last name...... tick tick tick.  Oh well, it's not like I was going to win the thing anyway.  The run went smoothly except for the sunburn on the arms.  All in all I had a great time.  Another tri coming up in 3 weeks...... maybe I should go for jog before then????

Thanks for the read.

if it walks like a duck.....

and talks like a duck.....

then its a duck......

The words "terrorist" and "terrorism" are being throw around a lot this week after authorities caught the guy believed to be the Time Square bomber.  And this brings me back to something that really bothered me a few months ago.  I wrote down some notes and was planning to blog about it, but I had just started this thing and at that moment it just didn't feel right.  But now with it fresh in our minds again I have two questions..... what exactly is a terrorist?  and how is Joseph Steck not one?

This guy wrote a bunch of anti-US-gov statements, snapped, took a plane, and crashed it into a gov building with the intent to murder people.  And our elected officials and the talking heads did everything they could to NOT call this guy a terrorist.  Why?????????

Is it because he owned the plane?  Or that he looks too much like the "average American"?

Or was it that his "I pay too much taxes" rhetoric is gaining popularity in some political circles?????

Thanks for the read.

Alllllll Aboard

So it's finally March, which means 3 things: spring is right around the corner, its time to fill out our NCAA brackets, and once again Austin will be announcing the official grand opening of its new light rail service from Leander to downtown.

What???? the first two things happen every year, wouldn't a grand opening only happen once? Well, yes in an ideal world, yes. But this month will be the third and (fingers crossed) final grand opening. The project was slated to be finished in March 2008, and then March 09, and now after going over budget by around 50% and changing contractors (legal suits pending), March 2010 is when its really going to happen, no really, really sure about this, I think.

Let me be upfront with my opinion. I love the idea of a light rail system. I think, if done correctly, rail could really help traffic and make seeing all parts of the city affordable and fun. But..... these things aren't going to be accomplished.... yet. There is a new rail line that is up before the city voters that would link downtown to the airport via south Austin. This is the rail that should have been built first.

Ok, I have to stop a minute and say, anytime you discuss this type of topic there are 2 different things to talk about. The things that could/should have been (not all that helpful to hope to change the past, but valuable for future lessons) and the things that could/should be (much more benifical as long as someone looks at past mistakes as to not repeat them). So, both of these have to be included or else I am wasting my.... breath??? wasting ink??? wasting digital space???? I guess just wasting my time.

So back to the Downtown to Airport line. This is the one Austinites should support. It accomplishes what a light rail system should, to rapidly and cheaply move steady streams of people across the city. From the airport to the state capital, or from South Congress to UT.... you know the major hubs of people in this city. But, cap metro is going to have some issues getting us on board. Why??? because in life you only get one chance at a first impression. A decade ago when light rail was put before us, we went for it. With stories in the Statesman about high speed trains in Asia and talk around town about Austin making its leap to metropolis status, we all bought into this idea. Now, a decade and a dollar later(100 mil but hey whose counting?) we stand at the great unvailing and...... and........ and......... well (insert let down music, or the sound of Texas fans after Colt was injured, or Mario falling down a hole). Really, after all the build up its like getting the first 5 of 6 numbers right in the state powerball. Yes! you won $500 bucks but if that stupid ping pong had been one digit more you would be cashing a check with 4 more zero's on the end.

So lets be honest with ourselves, we already put this thing in at 3.3 mil a mile. We already bought the trains and built the stations. Yes, I know, the stations could be in better places. You're right we don't have a train going to UT. That's true we don't have a line going to the Gtown-RR-Pville burbs where 200k+ peeps live and Dell is located. But, we do have a Leander to Downtown line that while not perfect, it is built. So we really have only 2 choices, we can complain and gripe and blame cap metro for an imperfect system. Or, we can ride this sucker like a mechanical bull at the old coupland dance hall.

Nick channeling his urban cowboy.

We've already paid for the light rail. So, lets get a return on our investment and find a way to make this thing successful. So when you have the chance to ride the train..... cowboy up and jump on it.

Thanks for the read.