Food Trailer Mission & a Few Things in Between

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Austin Landmarks and Graffiti Art

To me, some of these photos are Austin landmarks ... South Austin landmarks that have been etched in my memory (visually and/or emotionally/psychologically) since the mid nineties. If that sounds cryptic or disturbing, I don't mean it to be. I have so many positive, thoughtful memories from the 17 years I've been here (on & off). Holy moly, that is an unbelievably long time! Many cities have seen their independent businesses disappear - Mom & Pop stores get replaced by big chains. It happened on the drag, here in Austin and it even happened in New York. I always tell myself I need to photograph a sign, building, or business that looks like it's on its last leg here in Austin and sometimes I actually get around to doing it. I got a small handful of them, here. Something else that can quickly disappear - graffiti art. It can quickly get "cleaned" up or replaced by another piece ... so the sense of urgency to capture it before that happens is even stronger. I absolutely am so in love with the graffiti art I saw on this day.

Austin is an amazing city. I think it's changed a lot. I can't tell. I can't tell because I'm in it. That's not true. You know though, how they say it's good to have an outside view of a personal situation? Well, I guess that wouldn't work because if you haven't been here then how would you know? I'll stop being lazy and just talk about it, then. I started writing this so I may as well finish it. It's what I used to say about exercise - Just put your shoes on and the rest will fall into place.

So.

I think there are more hipsters in Austin. More young professionals. Or maybe I've grown up. Maybe it's just a trend (the hipsters) - a sign of the times. Nobody really escapes that anymore. OK, what it really is is that I've had 1/2 a margarita and I totally feel it. So I'm looking around, thinking about the rowdy days with friends - would that fly here? Because although everyone is totally chill and just in their moments, it seems a little stiff. Like being at that Dale Watson concert in New York somewhere between 98 & 01.  Little round jazz tables where Stubb's dirt ground should have been; people hootin' 'n hollerin' and flyin' around. Instead, everyone just sat quietly and watched like we were at the theatre or something. I wore a dress that night that was totally see-through. I didn't realize that or else convinced myself you could only see things in a certain light and it was night time anyway. 

So, has Austin changed? Yeah. But more than that, I've changed. I'm exactly the same as I've always been as far back as I can remember - to about age three or four. I have the same spirit, the same soul. It's hard to explain how I've changed . Do I talk about it as relates to what happens inside of a relationship? That's way too much. Hmm. How I've changed? I have a lot less to react to at this point - maybe. OK, here it is: I have different things to react to now. Oh my god. Life is amazing. 

Newborn photography. Precious baby Ella.

This is my sister's baby. I knew when I held her I'd feel the same sisterly bond I do with Lora. I loved her and I knew her before she was born. It's been pretty surreal - my little sister having a baby. I've asked her lots of questions. I'm learning from her. 

This little girl is so pure. This is the first life I've seen in it's brand new existence. Looking at her fingers, her long arms and her long legs, her protective skin and her little lips adapting to the more developed human's form of eating. Translation = adapting to sucking on a breast rather than having an umbilical IV. 

She's about a week old, here. At some point early on during my visit I couldn't help but think about the abused babies of the world; I couldn't imagine how anyone could harm something so miraculous.

I then wondered why I would think of such a horrible thing. The dark side of me rarely makes appearances so all I can conclude is that, through a blessed bond with my sister, I have felt the only thing I can closely perceive to be a miracle. 

This is blood.

Bathrooms. I like 'em; it's part of the whole adventure!

Capri

Rome

I've told you before that I love bathrooms. They fascinate me. Beautiful ones with dressing rooms, quirky bathrooms in hotels, dingy bathrooms in dive bars or on the road - they all have character and help provide that little something that contributes to your experience outside of your home. It helps define a place and perhaps - a person.

Where are your favorite bathrooms? One of mine is at Dry Creek Saloon at Mt. Bonnell. The whole place is rickety and of course, perfect for a slasher film where teenagers are hanging out having a good time at night. There's a pool table on the street level. Old windows around the pool table open up to soft air and tree branches, through which you can see a sloped hill that would eventually get you down to Lake Travis. Above the main floor of the bar is the rooftop "patio" with mismatched furniture like old plastic bucket seats for school desks. Back down the wooden stairwell outside and down a few more cement steps that lead from the main floor of the bar and you'll find the bathrooms. I always make whoever I'm with check 'em out as I comment "How awesome is this?!" Not everyone gets why I'm fascinated with the bathrooms, which are more like outhouses. Sometimes I just like old, uncared for stuff. If I go somewhere and wouldn't necessarily want to go back often, still, I can always find something to love just about anywhere I go. And I happen to like the non-chalant vibe of this place. These bathrooms certainly represent the unadorned decor and I don't give a hoot attitude of the owner. Leave it to Mike, though, to get him talking a little bit and maybe even a slight grum"hmph" and a nod for a pseudo-laugh.