AG

Interesting Quote

AG | April 20, 2009 |

I’m a little behind on my reading, I’ll admit. But I find Sundays are a great day to catch up on many of the things that pass you by…..all while enjoying a mimosa or glass of wine. Anyway, last night, wine in hand, I was reading through Austin Monthly‘s March 2009 Issue (the Music Issue) and an interview with Andy Langer piqued my interest. Andy Langer is not only an Austin music journalism institution, as he’s covered the scene for years and years and lived in Austin for quite sometime, but he’s a national contributor to magazines like Esquire, and has traveled seemingly everywhere to see shows and meet bands.

Anyway, the interview was essentially just a bunch of quotes from Mr. Langer, and one sort of popped out as not only a strong sentiment, but also as being particularly relevant to this blog:

“Find me a place that doesn’t have cranes in the sky building expensive condos and you’ll find me a place that’s seriously depressed and probably a place where I can’t have The New York Times delivered on my doorstep. And I think that’s probably not a place that I wanna live.”

Andy’s credentials don’t necessarily qualify him as a real estate expert, but he’s arguably got a pretty good background in social culture and the issues surrounding Austin’s social scene. And it kind of sounds like he’s saying that the cities that aren’t building and that aren’t building projects in a way that embraces urban density and development are the cities that probably don’t have or won’t have the cultural reach/appeal that most of us generally recognize being an enhancement to our quality of life.

Source: Austin Monthly, March 2009 Issue, “Things I’ve Learned” with Andy Langer, by Paul Carruba.

My Saturday – A Day in the Life of an Urbanite

AG | November 15, 2008 |

9:00 a.m. – Awaken to my view. Make some french toast and a fruit cup. Eat it, then out the door to the nearby gym, the Tower Health Spa connected to the 555.

12:00noon – Off to Whole Foods on 6th. I take the trolley, or The ‘Dillo as it’s known. I have a breakfast taco and a water, then I do a little grocery shopping. Trolley back to my place.

1:30 p.m. – I walk from my place to Roar, which is on 5th across from Eddie V’s. I’m getting a little glam in hair, a la a chunk of bright blonde in my bangs. Rory is the bomb, and he does an awesome job.

3:00 p.m. – Come home to take a rest and get ready for my Saturday night. My next door neighbor drops by a made-from-scratch pecan pie (the crust is made from scratch and everything!). It is AWESOME having neighbors that are just a step or two away!

6:00 p.m. – I’m on my way out to go walk to the movie theatre and have a couple of beers. That’s right, I’m headed to The Alamo Drafthouse on 6th.

It was a great day, and it’s going to be an awesome night.

A (non-work) day in the life of an urbanite. Pretty great.

Veteran's Day

AG | November 11, 2008 |

“Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property, according to standing laws. He is obliged, consequently, to contribute his share to the expense of this protection; and to give his personal service, or an equivalent, when necessary.”

— John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776

As you all are winding down today, take a moment and reflect on the important day today is. It’s Veterans day.

Downtown Austin held host to a parade honoring those who have served our country. The event began at 9 AM from the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge and traveled up to the Capital Building. Viewing wass available all along Congress Avenue. A Ceremony at the South Capital steps followed the parade.

The Best Thing About the TV Show? No Reading.

AG | November 10, 2008 |

Downtown Austin is special for quite a few reasons. Those that live, work, and/or play here already know that, of course. It’s so special, in fact, that there is a TV show on KLRU dedicated specifically to downtown Austin. It’s appropriately titled, “DOWNTOWN”

Per the show’s website, “DOWNTOWN highlights the people, places, stories and situations that make DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets™.”

The Emmy® award winning show is definitely worth a watch. You can watch previous seasons on the website, and the new season, season 4, on KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. The show is sponsored by the Downtown Austin Alliance.

Source: http://www.downtownaustintv.org

Proposition 2 Fails

AG | November 6, 2008 |

From the City of Austin web site:

Voters did not pass Proposition 2, which would have prohibited the City from entering into future agreements to provide financial incentives in connection with the development or redevelopment of property that includes one or more retail uses, and to stop the City from providing financial incentives under certain existing agreements in connection with the development or redevelopment of property that includes one or more retail uses. The unofficial vote tally on this proposition was 126,064 “for” and 136,609 “against.”