Blogs from Austin, Texas, United States, North America - page 2

I played with manatees in Crystal River, haven't done that for about 8 years. It's a rare and exciting experience, but the place has changed. Some people take the eco-conservation attitude to absurd levels. I got yelled at (literally) by some dingus for swimming beneath the surface of the water. Snorkeling is permitted, but apparently the snorkel must always be breaching the surface. Because people diving down to get a closer look is going to cause certain extinction. I couch surfed in Tallahassee for a few nights, reliving the college experience with some very welcoming hosts. I was lucky enough to see my aunt and uncle in Mississippi. More more love love! We had a little adventure getting lost in a swamp with the dogs. Family is important, it's you're identity. Love your family!! Between these ... read more

Christmas Letter - 2016 Dear Friends and Family, Most of you know that I have been living at Brookdale Gaines Ranch, a senior-living community in Austin, Texas, since last January. Thanks to Erika, my interior decorator, business manager, medical confidant, morale booster, half of my vacation-planning team, mother of my oldest grandson (Daniel, age 11), and my loving and supportive daughter. I am happy in my stimulating environment that provides intellectual and cultural programs, daily exercise options both in and out of the pool, outings to dinner/theater, movies, horse races, “bat” cruises, weekly in-house live music/happy hour, new friends, kind staff, good food, and … well, this is why I now consider this is my new home. Matt and his wife, Megan, are the second half of my vacation-planning team. Their son, Cash (age 3) and ... read more

The self proclaimed "most liberal city" of Texas. It's this line that drew us here, and had us miss Texan cities such as Houston and Dallas. We were aware of the differences between the north and the south but never really knew how deep it went. Apparently Austin is the trailblazer for forward thinking and acceptance of all people of colour, gender and sexual orientation. We think the popular 6th street, lined with bars and pubs with happy hours offering large cocktails probably helped. When attempting to book accommodation for Austin, we found it incredibly difficult to find somewhere affordable and close to downtown. Turns out, our time here is right in the middle of one of the 2 biggest music festivals in Texas. This one became so popular its now on 2 separate weekends. Austin ... read more

Geo: 30.2676, -97.743Most of the more significant incidents in U.S. history are immortalized with some sort of memorial and/or museum but the Branch Davidian tragedy in Waco might be the one exception. Eighty two Branch Davidian followers and 4 ATF agents were killed in the siege which ended when the compound burned down. Apparently there is a plaque that sits near the residual of the burned buildings but it is on private property now and the reception has been reported as a little hostile so we gave it a pass (it also seemed a touch ghoulish for us to visit). I suspect that the tragedy is still a little raw and given the controversy around who was at fault for the ending, it may be some time before there is any formal recognition of the event. ... read more

It only seems like yesterday I was played my first game for the mighty Christies Beach Primary School Tigers Under 10's. You no the kid that stands out on the ground and stares at his boot laces and reacts to the ball when it has already past him? Yep, that was me! Well, to start with anyway. I still remember taking a mark in the back pocket and had the choice: handball to two free Christies boys or kick the ball to the best player surrounded by 10 players wearing the red and blue Pimpala guernsey. Yep, you guessed it! I kicked it and it went to one of the Pimpala boys who then kicked a goal. Funny thing was, I didn't care! I had got a kick and back then, just getting a touch made ... read more