20120325 Austin TX Clear and cool early, clear and warm later, everybody outside
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We had pledged to be at Susan & Bryant's by 1000 and we made it. The overdrive in the truck wasn't working, but we charged onward.
We had coffee and sat a bit before going to Threadgill's #1 at 6146 N Lamar. Ken Threadgill was a country musician and auto fixer who bought a gas station on the north side of Austin. He turned it into a restaurant and started putting on music. He sold out later to Armadillo International, but the place is still a tradition. Link to web site: http://threadgills.com/
We arrived there just before 1100, when the music was supposed to start – but the sound guy was late, so everything backed up. We had brunch, perfectly adequate, good $3 Bloody Marys, and good omelettes.
Today the players were Brian Byrne and “Borrowed Time”, a home-grown bluegrass outfit of electric bass, mandolin, two guitars, banjo/guitar and harmonica. All-in-all, a good little hometown outfit playing for tips. We donated as we left to go to our next gig.
We went downtown next, riding around the UofT campus on the way. We found and entered the Ritz Theatre, a movie place with a theme. It has every other row of seats removed and replaced with an aisle across the theatre and a table across the theatre. They serve beer, wine, mixed drinks and a limited menu. The “previews” include harsh warnings about making noise, turning cell phones off, threats of ejection of noisy parties, etc. That made the movie very enjoyable.
The flick was “My Fair Lady”, Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn. It showed us what a real 1960's Broadway and Hollywood musical was like – we loved it.
We expressed an interest in a book store, so they took us to Book People. We spent an hour looking around and selecting things to buy. Excellent store.
Then we wandered around for a bit until we arrived at another truck/trailer food stop. Everyone had some small thing, then we stopped at another trailer and got pies for the evening. Sales person said the pies were rated #3 in Southern Living. There were people all over South Lamar at the shops and bars & restaurants. Many dogs.
Back then to Susan & Bryant's house. We sorted things out. We headed back to the little house. Found that not only overdrive wasn't worked, the alternator wasn't providing power. Back at the ranch, I wiggled wires and unplugged the GPS, and took down the alarm callout on the dashboard (12-24-24-55). I started the truck and all was normal. Hmmm......
So now we're relaxing, doing computer chores, and so forth.
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