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[olimario]

First, a picture from a scenic overlook on the way to Austin.

My brother (NORBIZNESS) has lived in Austin for almost 10 years now and I've been driving for almost 4 and I've never taken the time to go see him, so this weekend a friend and I drove out to see the capitol of the only state who's flag can be flown as high as the US flag.

AUSTIN TEXAS IS
-A cultural melting pot of people ages 18-30.
-A primarily liberal place... on campus at least
-A darn fun place to visit, not to live.

The trip up was an easy one down I-10 and off on 71. I got there before my brother got off of work, so I explored his side of town a bit and had a bite to eat. He lives on the South side, just east of I-35. Pretty crappy place. I found during my time there that the further North and West you go, the nicer Austin becomes.

South Austin

When he got home I dumped all of my stuff in the guest bedroom (record room) and called my friend Michelle who goes to UT. She found her way down to where Brett lives and we took off so she could show me the town. We went to a Peacock park, explored 6th street, and hit up a starbucks just down Oltorf from my brother.

Guest Bedroom

Frost Bank

When I got back my brother took me out Bowling and we had the occasion to share a lane with an 11 year old bowling prodigy. He father forced him to bowl and was quite the jackass, but the kid was good. We watched Goodfellas that night and then I crashed.

Anyhow, the next day I did Christmas shopping for my parents up on Lamar and found some really great ceramic stuff for my mom and some cool Hasukai (sp?) postcards for the father. Zanzibar is a great little store and after shopping there I couldn't help but listen to the Jack Black song on the way back. (I also saw a few college-age kids Anime role playing in the park :lol )

So I met up with Michelle and her boyfriend Ryan at a place called 'The Hula Hut' on Lake Austin for dinner and was rather impressed with the scenery. It sounds sappy, but there are these really cool telephone towers in the distance that have such an eerie, futuristic feel to them. I absolutely adore them.

Lake Austin

The towers

We drove a little ways up Mopac(sp?) and saw 'Finding Neverland' at the Barton Springs Mall. Absolutely wonderful movie. Should win all kinds of awards. Depp was perfect and the kid who played Peter is the best young actor I've ever seen.

So I went to their place in North Austin which was wonderful. Fancy 3 bedroom apartment for 840/m. Came complete with a beautiful swimming pool, large exercise room, indoor hot tub, hotel movie theatre with new releases, etc... Fancy.
So I chilled with them and their cat, played some NFS:U 2, and left there early morning for my brother's place. Packed up this morning and left.

Austin is a great place for a fun weekend, but the streets between 35 and mopac are so poorly layed out and the traffic is so horrible that I can't imagine living there. It's fine for fun, but not a good place to live out a life, I've decided.

AUSTIN, TX
6/10

 

[Lathentar]

I live in Austin. The traffic is no worse than it is in Houston. I live right off I-10 in Houston and its much much worse.

Also, I just came back from seeing Finding Neverland. Decent film. Thats really about all I have to say.

Next time you come up make sure you go to the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown. Its probably my favorite place to spend time here (I turn 21 in 3 months, so that might change). Also, you didn't even go to campus!? Are you mad?

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Austin is a great place for a fun weekend, but the streets between 35 and mopac are so poorly layed out and the traffic is so horrible that I can't imagine living there. It's fine for fun, but not a good place to live out a life, I've decided.

Actually, after living out in West Houston for 12 years, and now in Austin for 3, I can say that traffic is so much better here. At least traffic here moves during rush hour and doesn't stay clogged up from 6:30 AM to 10 PM. And once you get used to the streets, they are quite easy to navigate.

 

[olimario]

I live in Austin. The traffic is no worse than it is in Houston. I live right off I-10 in Houston and its much much worse.

Also, I just came back from seeing Finding Neverland. Decent film. Thats really about all I have to say.

I-35 is the worst I've seen. I live in Friendswood, but I've been across town many times during high traffic hours. Oh well, though.

Decent film? I find it hard to agree it's anything less than extraordinary. If nothing else, admit the kid who played Peter was a great child actor.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

I-35 is the worst I've seen. I live in Friendswood, but I've been across town many times during high traffic hours. Oh well, though.

Try to drive I 10 during the day, get a good book first though.

Oh, the radio here actually plays decent music too, oddly enough.

 

[Lathentar]

I-35 is the worst I've seen. I live in Friendswood, but I've been across town many times during high traffic hours. Oh well, though.

Decent film? I find it hard to agree it's anything less than extraordinary. If nothing else, admit the kid who played Peter was a great child actor.

It was a simple predictable story. The girl I went with was extremely bored during the movie and was extremely disappointed. The boy who played Peter looked like a monkey. Not my type of movie, I probably should have gone to see Closer instead.

 

[Kon Tiki]

How can it be a melting pot and liberal? Unless you think democrat is liberal.

 

[Naked Snake]

Post pics of your brother, I bet he's hot.

 

[olimario]

How can it be a melting pot and liberal? Unless you think democrat is liberal.

Cultural melting pot.
Generally likeminded on political views, it seems to me, but they come from different cultures.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

How can it be a melting pot and liberal?

Mainly the fact that the university is there.

 

[olimario]

Post pics of your brother, I bet he's hot.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Cultural melting pot.
Generally likeminded on political views, it seems to me, but they come from different cultures.

I believe you have never been to West Campus at the beginning of the semester.

 

[Lathentar]

Post pics of your brother, I bet he's hot.

 

[Naked Snake]

*Thumbs up*

Any more?

 

[Kon Tiki]

Cultural melting pot.
Generally likeminded on political views, it seems to me, but they come from different cultures.

So there is no real melting if they get along. I am aware melting pot is a term, it suggests tension and hostility.

 

[olimario]

So there is no real melting if they get along. I am aware melting pot is a term, it suggests tension and hostility.

No it doesn't. Melting pot is a term used when a lot of parts combine to become one big thing. It's like a soup... A lot of ingredients but one unique taste.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

So there is no real melting if they get along. I am aware melting pot is a term, it suggests tension and hostility.

Not really. The only time there is tension is when the Young Conservatives of Texas pulls a publicity stunt like Straight Pride Day, and most people tend to agree they just act like dicks.

 

[olimario]

Not really. The only time there is tension is when the Young Conservatives of Texas pulls a publicity stunt like Straight Pride Day, and most people tend to agree they just act like dicks.

I'd wager to say that "_____ Pride Day" or "_____ Pride Parade" are just a bunch of people acting like dicks. Fill in anything in the blank.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

I'd wager to say that "_____ Pride Day" or "_____ Pride Parade" are just a bunch of people acting like dicks. Fill in anything in the blank.

There is a difference between showing pride in who you are, and just trying to be vicious

 

[olimario]

There is a difference between showing pride in who you are, and just trying to be vicious

You can show pride for who you are without rubbing it in everyone's face. I think the people running the 'straight pride parade' are dicks, but I also think that gay pride parades are oganized by dicks and have a bunch of jerks participating in them.

It is how I feel about that.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

You can show pride for who you are without rubbing it in everyone's face. I think the people running the 'straight pride parade' are dicks, but I also think that gay pride parades are oganized by dicks and have a bunch of jerks participating in them.

It is how I feel about that.

What, did you go to one and get made fun of because you were straight or something?

 

[Drozmight]

Texas..... thumbs down.

 

[Grizzlyjin]

My friend's girlfriend works at Hula Hut, I should have told them to give you "The Special." :lol

North Austin is awesome though, been living up here for about 4 years now. I'm pretty close to everything that interest me, so it all works out. Glad to hear you enjoyed Austin.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Texas..... thumbs down.

Austin isn't only sorta Texas. Its an odd blue island of liberals in a red sea of conservatives.

Oh, and its probably the prettiest area of Texas, the hill country is beautiful.

My friend's girlfriend works at Hula Hut, I should have told them to give you "The Special."

Is there ever a time when Hula Hut isn't crowded by the way? Almost every time I have tried to eat there, there is an hour wait.

 

[Drozmight]

Never been to Austin... might have to go there next time I'm down there if I can.

 

[Socreges]

You can show pride for who you are without rubbing it in everyone's face. I think the people running the 'straight pride parade' are dicks, but I also think that gay pride parades are oganized by dicks and have a bunch of jerks participating in them.

It is how I feel about that.

That's pretty damned ignorant. I've never been to one myself, or, in fact, even spoken to anyone that's been to one, but it remains a pretty obvious concept.

It's a matter of people having to lead very sheltered, handicapped lives because of who they are. Parades or 'Days' give them an opportunity to be publically proud of who they are and express themselves.

Generally the perception of "rubbing it in everyone's face" is characteristic of homophobes.

 

[olimario]

That's pretty damned ignorant. I've never been to one myself, or, in fact, even spoken to anyone that's been to one, but it remains a pretty obvious concept.

It's a matter of people having to lead very sheltered, handicapped lives because of who they are. Parades or 'Days' give them an opportunity to be publically proud of who they are and express themselves.

Generally the perception of "rubbing it in everyone's face" is characteristic of homophobes.

I feel that way about all 'pride' days or anyone who flaunts who they are.
It made me sick to see a street preacher in Austin with a megaphone screaming at everyone that they needed God.
It made makes me sick when I see shirts that say stuff like "BLACK POWER".

I just wish people could live their lives and be content with who they are instead of pushing it on everyone.


The Hula Hut wasn't so crowded when we went. There was a 5 minute wait for our party of 4. Pretty good food at a decent price at a great location.

 

[Doth Togo]

The women in Austin are sluts.

 

[olimario]

The women in Austin are sluts.

All of them?
I noticed a lot of pre-teen skanks in the mall and at the movies.

 

[Dilbert]

I just wish people could live their lives and be content with who they are instead of pushing it on everyone.

But what does that MEAN? I don't understand what "pushing it on everyone" means, or why it's objectionable. Do you think that someone with a "Black Power" T-shirt is trying to convince you to be black? If someone is wearing a Lakers jersey, aren't they trying to "push" their fandom on you too? Please explain.

People tend to identify with groups -- it's a separate conversation about why that is or if it's a good thing, of course. But given that most people, when asked to describe themselves, give a response along the lines of "I'm a [group member], I'm also a [group member], etc." why would it be surprising that they'd like to have some kind of event to celebrate their shared bond?

 

[Azih]

yeah, why do you think somebody wearing a T-shirt is 'pushing' anything on you?

 

[olimario]

Just comes across to me that way. If you're black I already know it... no need to further push it.
If you're gay do you need to go around telling people? I'm sure people will eventually assume, like they do with straight people, after they see you holding hands with your significant other.

There's no need to go above and beyond to proclaim who you are.

 

[Particle Physicist]

"AUSTIN TEXAS IS
-A cultural melting pot of people ages 18-30. "


i disagree. when i visited, it seemed very homogeneous. very white.

i walked around campus. i went to many bars. walked the streets.. ate at several different restaurants.. most people looked the same to me. . and i barely saw other ethnicities. maybe compared to houston it seems like a melting pot. i dunno. that was just my view.

 

[olimario]

"AUSTIN TEXAS IS
-A cultural melting pot of people ages 18-30. "


i disagree. when i visited, it seemed very homogeneous. very white.

i walked around campus. i went to many bars. walked the streets.. most people looked the same to me. . and i barely saw other ethnicities. maybe compared to houston it seems like a melting pot. i dunno. that was just my view.

Traditionally Houston is considered a melting pot, too.
I guess we just had different Austin experiences.

 

[Particle Physicist]

Traditionally Houston is considered a melting pot, too.
I guess we just had different Austin experiences.

oh. well, ive never been to houston. but it could very well be that my view was limited. i just remember it putting me off quite a bit (a friend of mine has been trying to convince me to move there).

 

[beaglebot]

1. Austin is diverse, but extremely segregated. The majority of Hispanics (30% of the population) live in east or south Austin. The various racial segments tend to have their own grocery stores, restaraunts, bars, public events, etc. The farther north and west you go, the whiter you get. Your best bet for true racial mixing is in the student ghetto on Riverside between I-35 and 71 or in downtown east of I-35 where you'll see hipsters and artists living along side poor working class minorities.

2. What is the fascination w/ north Austin? North Austin is like any major suburban area anywhere in the country. Best Buy, Home Depot, apartment complex, strip mall, blah blah.

3. Most people who lives in Austin avoid I-35 if at all possible. I-35 is clogged with all kinds of trucks coming north from Mexico and other interstate traffic. Heavy traffic in other parts of Austin exists for about an hour at the edges of the daily work commute. Judging Austin traffic based on I-35 is like judging Houston traffic based on the western stretch of I-10 in Houston that's a parking lot 24 hours a day.

4. Austin streets are laid out fairly sensibly in the downtown area. Streets are prefixed with North if they are north of the river, South if they are South. East if they are east of Congress, West if they are not. 1st Street starts at the river and the numbers increment as you go north until about 51st St, when some othen arbitrary naming scheme takes over.

 

[Azih]

There's no need to go above and beyond to proclaim who you are.

Does that extend to nationality (Wearing a stars and stripes T-shirt, 4th of July parade etc.) or is that statement restricted to race and sexual orientation?

Edit: How about religion? (cross chain, WWJD bracelet etc)

 

[Macam]

I disagree with the notion that Austin is a nice place to visit, but not a good place to live. It's a great place to live, and it's far, far better than Houston, where I lived for 20 years. Houston as far, far worse traffic all hours of the day and basically amounts to being good only for eating and shopping. I certainly haven't found a terribly good Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin after 4 years like you can in Houston, but there are some decent ones. That said, I highly recommend avoiding Hula Hut like the plague (and Mozart's down the strip for that matter), unless you simply want to engage in the scenerey, as the food is terribly lacking compared to what else is out there. The Boat Yard next door is better, but it's a different cuisine style.

As for North Austin, it's nice. The northwest hills have a breathtaking view, there are some nice places to shop, but my favorite part of North Austin is the the Regal Cinemas Arbor off Great Hills Trail -- it plays nothing but low-key, independent, artsy films, in a relatively small theater, which I like tremendously. Houston, despite being the 4th largest city in the US, doesn't have anything like it. Of course, the Drafthouse locations are a nice alternative for that sort of thing as well.

That said, I don't disagree with Drozmight. Texas, on the whole, is a giant thumbs down. I've been to nearly every major city and then some in this state, and barring Austin, the other cities are a real drag. Houston and Dallas are practically the same city as it is, and West Texas is just an empty field. Austin is the exception; it's about as close to the California style as you can get, just a hell of a lot cheaper.

 

[Doth Togo]

All of them?
I noticed a lot of pre-teen skanks in the mall and at the movies.

Yes. All of them.

 

[beaglebot]

Macam, you're either a ridiculous Tex-Mex snob or you haven't gotten out much in 4 years. There's TONS of good Tex-Mex food in Austin. We can quibble about definitions and requirements on a Tex-Mex menu, but Maudie's, Curra's, Las Manitas, Polvo's and many others in town are certainly good food, although they may be closer to the interior mexican end of the spectrum. I've often heard real Tex-Mex has microwaved velveeta and fritos as a main staples so I'll concede to a lack there in Austin if that's what you're looking for.

 

[Lathentar]

I just came back from the Maudie's on Lamar. YUM YUM!

If you want a little more high class looking the Maudie's off 360 has just as good of food. Also, Chuy's, whats the problem there!

 

[Macam]

Ha! I'll admit to being something of a Tex-Mex snob, beaglebot Still, most of the recommendations I get have been letdowns and I haven't had the time in the last year to really dig around since Acclaim went under. Curra's I've heard about have yet to go there, and I've certainly never heard of Las Manitas nor Polvo's -- I'll be sure to check those out. Maudie's is okay, it just doesn't cut it for me.

As for Chuy's, Lathentar, well, let's just say that's near the very bottom of my list of places to dine out at.

 

[Incognito]

I cannnot stand Austin, TX. The place has turned to such a shithole, and the traffic is hell on earth. The only redeeming quality is the abundance of TRUE BLUE LIBERALS THAT ARE JAMMING THEIR IDEALS AND VALUES DOWN PEOPLES THROATS!!!

Oh wait...

 

[Chipopo]

I know I'm being a real dick in bumping this thread, but in retrospect, I just can't allow myself to leave Olimario's comments here without the proper garnish.

OH TEH NOES!
GIVING OUT BIBLES IS WRONG!

People have the option to NOT accept the Bibles being given out.

Okay. I feel better now.

 

[levious]

I drove out to see the capitol of the only state who's flag can be flown as high as the US flag.

Why do people still believe this/mention this... or was it a joke?

http://www.snopes.com/history/american/texasflag.asp

The defenders of the Alamo were not people to be proud of either.

Traffic should continue to improve in Austin as construction continues... horribly designed though, as has already been said.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

I know I'm being a real dick in bumping this thread, but in retrospect, I just can't allow myself to leave Olimario's comments here without the proper garnish.






Okay. I feel better now.

The people handing out bibles are the MOST annoying people, EVER! ESPECIALLY when they have a damn preacher. Personally, I want to start the Brotherhood of Apollo to counter preach whenever they are there.

 

[StoOgE]

Lived in and around Austin for 22 years and love it..

The streets downtown are easy to figure out.. they are in perfect blocks.. starting at the river headed North they go up one number at a time.. and the cross-streets are named after Texas rivers... the further West you are in downtown Austin the further West the rivers headwaters are in the state. Further East, the further East in Texas the physical river. The only thing that is confusing is they shut down Congress at the capital. It used to go right up the capital, and then split around both sides of it (northbound went around the east side, southbound around the west side). You can thank idiots with bombs for that one.

North, Northwest and West Austin all suck. They all moved to Austin because they thought it was a cool laid back place, and they are neither cool nor laid back and are fucking with the cities vibe. South Austin, East Austin and Central Austin are the true spirit of the city. Sadly, Oli your brother seems to live in one of the shitty parts of the city.

Austin is very liberal and is a melting pot in the parts of the city I described. Most people who go downtown go to 6th street.. which is the cheap part of downtown. 4th street/wharehouse district is where the real fun is to be had.

 

[levious]

that Pecan Street Festival always seems cool

 

[AirBrian]

Austin kicks ass, prettiest (big) city in Texas. And as far as traffic goes, it's third in the state behind Houston and Dallas. Yeah, I-35 can get ugly, but you guys don't have 635 and 75/45 in addition to I-35.

And +1 for Austin girls.

 

[Cioran]

and some cool Hasukai (sp?) postcards for the father.

Do you mean Hokusai? As in Japanese print artist?