Post Decemberists...

 

 

 

I went to see one of my favorite bands, The Decemberists! Good times! Plus, a good pub afterwards! 

A day to breathe...

The Texas State Fair!

Well, maybe not a day off, but I took a couple hours and left the building. Meagan, Guillome, and myself checked out the Texas State Fair. Can you say Fletcher's Corn Dogs! And Corn!!! I love corn!! I even had fried oreos!!

The day has come...

October 19 - The Big Gala!

Check out all the hard work from over 40 artists and a team of over 100 to make the Art of the Can a reality!

Oh, and this is just Day One...

Team Creative!

Meagan and Aaron getting on the WiFi in the production office. So much to be done.. So little time..

Slowly but surely..

Things are arriving for the paties we are having to celebrate the opening of the exhibit...

Man down...

Ok, our curator, to meet the deadline, worked himself to the wee hours. I wonder if the floor here is better than a Sleep Number mattress...

All over the city...

I was blown away by the size of this.. The real thing is less than 2 feet tall. I think this exhibition is going to suprise everyone!

Back in the big D...

I am back in Dallas... This time for a month. I will be here until mid November for the Red Bull Art of the Can exhibition. Should be a lot of fun and hard work! (But I know I am going to miss my beloved Austin!)

Sweet John lite!

Naughty...

Diana and I headed out to the usual hangout, Dallas, as it was one of my last nights in Austin for awhile.

Trouble...

Noah, Jenna, Diana, John
Sonya, Jinny, and Jac...
T R O U B L E!!!

I am so proud...

Diana is going to school! I am so happy she is going in the direction she wants to after so much she has gone through to get here. Way to go Potter!

Jac hearts me!

More Shots!

Another night of fun!

Well, I finally upgraded.. I love this camera.. Expect to see more bad ass shots soon..

ACL Fest 2006 Album

Austin City Limits Festival 2006

Here is the ACL fest album. It was a great weekend. Good music, fun, and friends.

I was in Dallas for a couple hours on Thursday. I know it was ACL time when I got off the plane to a band in the airport. I love Austin!!!

And I almost believed it all...

That's right... Austin City Limits Festival time!! Thanks to my good friend Amy who could not go she has passed the savings on to me...

My bad...

Wow it's been awhile since I have really posted something here. A lot going on.. The event in Dallas is in its crticial stage, final design decisions, and then I disappear to there for a month.

In other news... ACL (Austin City Limits Festival for those not in the know..) is this weekend. I can't wait. BoDeans, Willie, Petty, Gnarls Barkley... The list goes on. Check it out if you want!

I was seeing someone until recently. Awesome girl. Not like anyone I have ever known before. But it seems that with so much going on for both of us it caused more turmoil than it was worth. Who knows what will happen next...

I do have a new love of sorts. We met a few times over the past year... Always thought about what it would be like if we were together. And one day... I made the decision. I am talking about my Nintendo DS. And Mario Kart. Addicted. If you love or loved Nintendo as a kid you will love this too. Mario rocks on it. Brain Age makes me feel stupid. But I love my DS.

I am going to keep up on the blog. Back to daily posts. Especially when I am in Dallas. And during ACL fest. I plan on taking tons of pictures!

More later....

Late night adventures... Nothing like Taco Cabana after a night out. Diana was really excited about the thought of queso!

I was going through my pictures and I thought this was fitting. The light at the end of my tunnel. Ha.

Anyone have a breath mint???

We all make mistakes in our lives. Yes, this is me typing this and yes, I do make mistakes. Plenty. I wish right now I had an internal censor that would prevent me from putting my foot in my mouth. It seems to be a brilliant talent of recent.

I really need to stop not just burning bridges, but also stop burning the cities they are attached to.

Time to rebuild once again. This time I will have to start from scratch as there will be no second (or 23rd in this case) chance.

I went to the JFK Museum in Dallas. There is the grassy knoll where it all happened. The car is over the X that is in the road where the first shot hit. It was prety intense being there.. A place I have always wanted to see.

How does one spend $100 on a $25 ticket? He finds out about the show a day before it happens. Glad I went. Sang my favorites... Had too much 8.75 a cup beer. Good times!

My rooftop view!

First night in Dallas... Dos XX party.. Free beer? Yep.. And dancing...

10 stories up in Dallas... What a view..

Off to Dallas...

I am off to the big D again. Busy two weeks ahead of me. I am kinda disappointed about the timing. I really wanted to be part of the Sunshine Kids Summer again.

But, a lot of work to be done this week. Doing some of it whilst wi-fi'in at Gate 9 at the airport right now. I am going to be out like a light on the plane. But, a lot to do today. Meeting after landing, then off to the gallery to see all the fantastic pieces.

I would like to do some shout-outs right now. First to Diana for being amazing and also for taking care of two of my most valuable possesions. Second to Michelle for making an amazing binder for the art judging. (check out what I am doing in the big D at www.redbullartofthecan.com )

Funny how every time I go into Dallas I have flight issues. I am first at the counter today, but it took nearly 45 minutes to check in. Why? I had a corrupt reservation. What the hell is that anyway? Did my reservation go off and hold up a convience store? Did it work for ENRON?

Well, I am a B on a Southwest flight. Not a bad thing. I have my bag right up front. Gotta get the window on the wing!

I will update often this week. Stay tuned for my adventures!

I must have hit my head...

Sometimes things fall into place for us. Mostly I believe we put it in place for ourselves. Other times we try our hardest to make the square peg fit in the round hole.

I think I am going to buy one of those puzzles and put it on the wall in my apartment to remind myself of this.

In other news.. Thanks to everyone who made my 7th annual 30th birthday special. I really appreciate it!

Also, things in event world are going well. I will be leaving for Dallas soon for a couple weeks. http://www.redbullartofthecan.com Check it out.

A quick note in the rain...

Dallas was accomplished. Finally arrived. Three days of meetings. I made it home and have had zero time with every moment spoken for until 5pm on July 4th. (Really, every moment is spoken for until the end of the month, but I am taking a few hours then for my sanity) My birthday is next Monday, July 10th, and I am not sure if I will celebrate or not. I will have to see the goings on around town... I love this rain. I love this big patio umbrella I am under while typing this even more. I better get in before my beloved tablet goes kaput.

Well, it is to blurry to see, but the sign says boarding but we are actually still waiting. Yep, it is 12:20 alright. We finally get on and take off by 12:50. FInally arrived Dallas at 1:45pm. 3 hours later than we were supposed to. For a 45 min flight.

So I get booked on the next flight out. AND THEY TELL ME THEY DON'T HAVE A PILOT YET!!! So as you can see, I am a bit confused, angry, and delayed.

So this is what I arrived to at Austin Bergstrom Airport. It was not what I wanted to see for getting up at 7am.

On the road again...

I am off to the Big D. Dallas that is for some meetings pertaining to an event this fall. I get to meet one of the best in the event planning business this weekend. Should be interesting. Will post more soon about my trip and thoughts. Oh, and I will need a cold Lonestar when I land on Wednesday night.

And summer is here...

I love this time of year. BBQ's, tubing, pool days, and margaritas at a lakeside bar. This summer should be a busy one. I may be out of town for a good portion of it working on an event. Good for me, yet, I was looking forward to a lazy summer. Ran into some people I have not seen in awhile. Good to see some, awkward to see others, but good to see all none the less.

I hope the Dallas Mavericks win at home. It was a heartbreaker to see the loss last night. Two more games left. I really hope they pull it off.

We meet again...

I was out with some friends and I hear a familiar voice. I turn around and standing next to me is Zoe Bell. (stunt woman for Uma Thurmin in both Kill Bill movies) We had met during SXSW 04 when I had taken her and her friends out and took them out to some of the music festival. (I had to do it on the sly as SXSW, even though they showed a movie about her, did not want her to go to the music festival without having to pay for a badge)

It was kind of funny that I had written about her that afternoon and to run into her in Austin (she is usually in New Zealand or LA..) was really unexpected. She is shooting two films here, one in her normal role as stunt woman, and the other as a lead.

Small world. If you happen to run into her in Austin, she will definately have fun stories to tell.

We meet again...

I was out with some friends and I hear a familiar voice. I turn around and standing next to me is Zoe Bell. (stunt woman for Uma Thurmin in both Kill Bill movies) We had met during SXSW 04 when I had taken her and her friends out and took them out to some of the music festival. (I had to do it on the sly as SXSW, even though they showed a movie about her, did not want her to go to the music festival without having to pay for a badge)

It was kind of funny that I had written about her that afternoon and to run into her in Austin (she is usually in New Zealand or LA..) was really unexpected. She is shooting two films here, one in her normal role as stunt woman, and the other as a lead.

Small world. If you happen to run into her in Austin, she will definately have fun stories to tell.

10 years in Austin...

Tomorrow, June 1^st, is the first day I lived in Austin starting in 1996. My life has taken many directions over this time period but living in Austin has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Here are some of the highlights….

1996

Moved to Austin

First job was Houston’s Restaurant

Britt (girl I was dating in Houston) and I tried doing the long distance thing. It didn’t last.

Got a pager. (why I got one I have no idea)

I worked at Trianon Coffee house for extra cash.

Fell in love with Lake Travis and the “on the boat weekend”.

I finally got a dog. Maggie. Part Sheppard, part Jack Russell Terrier.

Met neighbor Marc Brown (who I am still friends with today)

Also fell in love with Liberty Lunch (best music venue Austin has had to date), La La’s, Crown and Anchor,

1997

Volunteered for SXSW for the first time.

Heather, a coworker at Trianon, became my roommate.

Went to Las Vegas for the first time.

Visited friends in Minneapolis for a “friends’ reunion”.

Discovered the “internet” via AOL.

Became a crew chief for SXSW.

Dated a girl named Maggie (which made it very hard with a dog named Maggie. No joke, I said “Sit Maggie” once and they both did..)

Karaoke at the Common Interest… What were we thinking???

1998

Heather out as roommate. Angela (old roommate from Minneapolis) in.

Broke both my arms in cycling accident. Had surgery.

I got my first cell phone. (PrimeCo)

Was a crew chief for SXSW again…

Had my first “internet stalker”. (What can I say.. the girl was in love with my digital self)

Y2K was the buzz….(everyone thought all computers would crash a year later when it turned 2000)

Wondered who the hell this “Will Ferrell” guy was and why everyone thought I looked like him.

1999

Left Houston’s Restaurant. Worked at Serrano’s Restaurant until I found a ‘real job’ at AT&T Wireless.

SXSW again. Met “The Three Bears”

Had an amazing 30^th birthday celebration. (and met a wonderful girl Ella)

Angela went back to Minneapolis and I went roommate free. (only way to live!)

Met Amy (longest relationship to date..)

The Millennium New Year’s Celebration. We all survived.

2000

I got my first Palm Pilot (important as items to do with that purchase changed my life in many ways, including a trip to Maui a year later)

Work became my life for the first time ever.

SXSW again.

Red Bull. Oh how this relationship has grown…

Purchased my first ‘real’ computer.

Discovered ‘craps’ in Lake Charles.

Negotiated a killer car purchase. (Those that know me know why..)

Waited in the rain for Bush to concede Gore’s Victory. Unfortunately that was not the case. And it took months to find out.

Amy and I ended things. Badly. (took years, but her and I are the best of friends now)

2001

Nearly lost my mind to anxiety and depression. Learned a lot of things about my weaknesses and my inner demons.

SXSW again.

Amanda W and The Kollers became some of my favorite people I have ever met at SXSW. (still friends today)

Met and dated Linda S and Stephanie B. (still friends with both)

Went to Maui on the company dime…

9/11

Left AT&T Wireless and went to T-Mobile.

After years of people pleading and begging, I dressed up as “The Cheerleader Guy” from SNL. Crowds cheered, people wept.

Unknown to me, met a Miss Tami Stout (who became a friend later) over promises of baked ziti.

XBOX and Halo.

The two Rhondas. (never knew a Rhonda before, but dated two in the same month.. Who knew!)

Found Maggie a knew home. (sad, but had to be done)

2002 (one of my favorite years in Austin)

The 33 and a third birthday celebration. Thank god I took pictures. Two words - Bucket drink -

One of the most fun times at a SXSW ever. More so due to the baked ziti story sweeping over SXSW volunteers.

Worked on the Sunshine Kids boat day for the first time.

Deanna, Sara, and Kate. All have special places in my heart.

This year was so much fun it was a blur.

My first ACL fest.

Sushi and I become close friends! (I love sushi now!)

2003

Left T-Mobile to work for SXSW full time. This lasted 4 months.

Flugtag (Thanks for the hook up in VIP Red Bull)

Barton Springs.

Got my current dog Mollie.

Met and dated Jennah D. We don’t speak.

Enjoyed 6 months of unemployment. (Thanks SXSW! I had a blast that summer!)

Worked with Sunshine Kids again.

Started at The Cheesecake Factory. Again. (Worked for them before I moved to Austin in 1996)

Dated Kim H. We also don’t speak.

The O.C.

ACL fest again.

2004

Went to my first SXSW as a partial ‘civilian’.

Red Bull House. This was also a life changer.

The “Joan Jett incident”. Let’s just say a not so fun scene infront of 2000 people with an ex. “I love Rock and Roll” was not the best soundtrack for that one.

Never play tour guide to a New Zealand stunt woman. (Zoe Bell) Also never try to go drink for drink with one.

The summer of Foundation, tubing, and Shannalita.

Parties at the Hilton.

ACL fest again.

MySpace. Enough said.

2005

I purchased my first laptop. And a Sony PSP. And an iPod.

Started Revolving Events event planning.

Helped coordinate Red Bull House 2005.

Jinny Carder’s “Envy birthday party”.

The Club DeVille patio.

My 36^th birthday aka “Napoleon Dynamite Prom”

LOST.

ACL fest again.

Molly, Laurie, Fez, and a lot of Lonestar.

2006

My first CAT scan. (Damn door!)

Coordinated Red Bull House 2006

Coordinated Red Bull Music Labs Houston

My first Tablet PC. (oh how I love thee)

Renewed my lease for a 10^th time.

There is so much that has happened that it is so hard to even come close to describing everything. But here’s to you Austin. I like to think I help ‘keep Austin weird’!!

Talk is cheap...

I am referring to when it comes to putting your money where your mouth is. It is kind of funny reading other blogs and all there is to it is whining. (Not all, some just are really enveloped in self pity)

If you don't like your life, make some changes. Stop waiting for your destiny to be handed to you. And get a clue. Just one.

It's time for some content...

I really have not had a post with some real content in awhile. Life has been pretty busy, and also for the last couple months, drama free. It's funny when you have changes in your life where people come in and out, and you can see after they have left the effect they had on you.

Everyone knows the people that claim to be drama-free yet always are immersed in it. I tend to gravitate towards these individuals and I add fuel to the fire. Hey, does make for some interesting blogs, so maybe without them it could explain my lackluster performance in postings of recent. But, it has been nice not being around the negative or self-destructive. Or crazy. Did I mention it is incredibly wonderful not to be around crazy? But, life is a lot of fun when you have a crazy in it. Oh the stories! (hmm, maybe people keep me around for the crazy... I will have to think about this...)

A couple of interesting highlights. Event planning is going in a direction I want it to. Also, I have met some pretty interesting 'scene' people who really redefine hipster in a good way. Austin is wonderful in the way that you could literally be 3 or 4 degrees from anyone. You never know who you can be talking to or who they may know.

Also I know a supermom that just got a modeling gig. I was so happy and proud of her. She keeps a wonderful attitude about so many things. I think she would be amazing on a show like The Apprentice where they put book and street smarts against eachother. She would have EVERYONE eating out of her hand by the end of it.

It is getting really hot again. Who knew that summer would be upon us again so soon. Time for Barton Springs, Movies in the Park, and tubing!

Thomas & Le Popov (Factory People) and myself after a couple libations at PLUSH.

What a wild few days I have had. Last night was an afterparty with She Wants Revenge and OK GO. Those guys sounded awesome at the show and were a lot of fun at PLUSH. (Adam from She Wants Revenge is pictured above) Friday was Cinco de Mayo and birthday celebrations. This week we have movies in the park and more!