Walking Austin: North Shoal Creek

Behind our backyard at Shoal Creek

One nice thing about having man's best friend around, walks. With my pup Sadie I have walked over 75 miles in the neighborhood since moving to our new house in Shoal Creek. The reason I know this? My Nike app for the I-phone tells me, otherwise I would just know that I walk her (some jogging) for 45-60 minutes a minimum of 5 times a week.

You would think after all this time Sadie and I would get bored? Not so much. Usually we follow the river, or head off in directions that are new to us.

Lightning Bolt TV Beaming Signal Dish

Today we decided to head south along the river, and we came across a couple of tv satelites with lightinging bolts on them. Sadie and I couldn't help but wonder, which came first, the lightning bolt, or the satellite?

Frodo Sees an Elephant

Later we found an elephant (prounounced elee-Phant like lord of the rings), a perfect tube, and some open space that reminded me of Winter's Bone.

Winter's Bone?

Polluted Tube

I listened to LCD          Soundsystem's most recent CD, and Neil Young's Greatest Hits (tracks 1-5), as we clocked in 2.59 miles in 1 hour and 4 minutes. Not a bad start to our day.

Back Home in the Dog House

Finally we ended up back home where Sadie looked for shelter. Live Happily Ever Now!

Leyla Kuhn Photography

My wife Leyla is an amazing photographer.

San Diego by Leyla Kuhn

She takes pictures that I cannot understand as to how she decided to take them at the interesting angle that she does; but they always give me an interesting perspective on the way she looks at things. She has a great website that you can view here, or go to www.leylakuhn.com. If you want to see more about what inspires her, you can view here blog here.

Cheers to Leyla for expressing herself in a way that makes the world a more beautiful place! I'm also looking forward to seeing what she will soon be capturing with her brand new lens (Tokina 11-16mm). I bet it will be amazing for her first official SxSW assignments this March! Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from Leyla's portfolio, one is in San Diego, and one is on the Island of Elba. Live Happily Ever Now!

The Island of Elba Summer 2010 by Leyla Kuhn

Girl Talk Review: Austin Music Hall

After seeing Girl Talk at Austin City Limits two years ago, Girl Talk has been a staple of any party playlist that I create. We were very excited to get another chance to see him (missed the free show at UT), and this sold out show did not lack energy. Packed to the brim with college kids (we were in the floor GA section), I was on the older end of the spectrum. I asked a college kid what was with all the 80's outfits, he told me it was a "frat thing". I apologized, and told him I was just an old guy, in fact I was so old that I was married! He told me hey man, "there are married people in college". I just smiled and walked off with my cold Lone Star. Here is some video footage for those of you who didn't make it to the show, also you can download any mashup master piece created by gregg gillis (Girl Talk) here.  Cheers to being old! Dirty 30 in April on the 30th!

Steve Thomas and Noll Surfboards

For a California surfer turned Texan for the last 3 years (this April), I was so stoked to receive a package from one of my friends Steve Thomas at Noll Surfboards and Gallery several weeks ago. Steve was my next door neighbor growing up, and he was someone that I looked up to in all aspects of my life. 

Steve on the cover of Longboard Magazine

His dad Chris (I love him like an uncle) taught me how to surf, and I remember when we would all go surf how hard Steve would charge (Chris was pretty good too for an old timer... JK).

Me and Chris Thomas aka My Uncle

I wanted to surf like Steve so bad, and still remember vividly how stoked I was when we were surfing at Capitola one day when Steve told me that I ripped (keep in mind it took me six months to learn how to stand up). Steve currently manages Noll Surfboards and Gallery in San Clemente, and has a blog Nride that you should read here.

One of my favorite boards Shaped by Jed Noll that is fun on all sized waves

Back to the package, when it is cold and dark in Texas, I now Steve to thank for my new favorite hoodie to keep me warm; some awesome dvds to remind me of why I surf, and a couple of notarized mags and stickers. Cheers brother!

Authentic Hoodie now in Austin, TX

Cake New Years Eve 2010 At Austin Music Hall

After a crazy New Years Eve in New Orleans last year (Hockey was the soundtrack), I was wondering if Austin could live up to the standard set in 2009. It turned out New Years Eve in the live music capital of the world went the distance in 2010! Upon our cab pulling up to the Austin Music Hall, we had the pleasant surprise of watching fireworks over town lake (video below) before heading into the show.

Here is one of their new songs titled "Long Time" from their upcoming album Showroom of Compassion:



The place was packed when we got there, and the crowd was quite festive (some hipster sightings too).Leyla and I had been looking forward to this show for quite some time. I'm a long time Cake fan (half my family is from Sacramento), and we were very excited to spend our New Years Eve with Cake and some of our good friends.

Overall, we had an amazing time with Cake. Even though we didn't get home until 4:30 in the morning (with over $30 Jack in the box and Pop a Lock at Brents...), it was a great New Years Eve and Happy Birthday to the Twins!



Also, cheers to John McCrea, Vince DiFiore, Xan McCurd, Gabe Nelson and Paulo Baldi of Cake for coming through as always! May 2011 bring more Happily Ever Now!