Subtext of the coverage of Hurricane Ike: In Houston that they're talking about downed signs, sunken yachts, and people without power (as opposed to, say, neighborhoods flattened and people trapped in their attics by flooding) looks to be a sign that things are not nearly as bad as feared there ( Read more... )

I had a good mini-trip to Austin. Just a quick jaunt to pick up stuff and get a few supplies, not much time for socializing. The weather was great though. Lots of stuff closed for the Holidays, including Las Manitas and Eva's Botanitas, but I did get a Tex-Mex meal at Trudy's before heading back ( Read more... )

Hi from Austin. I drove in yesterday. Passing through Lake Charles, the blue tarps reminded me of home. Feels a bit strange being in a fully functioning 21st century city; this is my first time out of the NOLA metro area since the start of October ( Read more... )

We had a good final day in Austin-- in between errands, we had lunch at Ruby's, which was highly reccomended to us by a couple different locals for good local BBQ. mshollie and I both had the BBQ sandwich-- frankly were not impressed. The brisket was too fatty. No complaints about the homefries ( Read more... )

Saturday was the "barn dance" benifit in south Austin, on some nice land towards the end of Slaughter Creek Road. It started at noon; H & I got there about 1pm. The beautiful setting is called "Freedom Oaks". It includes someone's private house (or perhaps their "country house"), with various outer buildings and sheds, two stages, a goat pen, and ( Read more... )

Interstate 10, which had closed areas Houston through Lake Charles LA, is supposed to reopen Monday, which means we can take the shorter quicker route to go back home. Yay ( Read more... )

H & I just got back from hearing a great Western Swing band, the "Ridgetop Syncopators", who have a regular Wednesday night gig at the Hole In The Wall on Guadelupe ( Read more... )

In another development much less bothersome since it looks like I can go back to NOLA soon, the gig tomorrow at Quality Seafood is canceled (evidently the owner changed mind about having a band for the first night of being open in the evening or something. Bandleader Doc is quite angry, as is his right ( Read more... )

Well, plan now is we'll be staying in Austin through the weekend, as things have been moving slowly in New Orleans and quickly here ( Read more... )

Eating, playing jazz, meeting people, and more eating.Ms. Hollie & I were taken out to brunch by Bonner's cousin Elizabeth "ET". We, Bonner, Robbie, Little Brian, a couple other cousins, and another New Orleans refugee who E.T. is putting up went to the Bake House. I had the "Carlos' Favorite" omlette in a tortilla; Hollie the chocolate chip ( Read more... )