Get In Touch With Your Roots

This weekend, I was fortunate enough to spend a good two hours hiking at Wild Basin Preserve off of Loop 360. The weather was beautiful, and the hike was meditative and a nice stress-management exercise.

My only advice, arrive far ahead of the sun's departure (moonlight isn't exactly hiking-trail appropriate), grab a trail map and don't hike with an over-confident hiker...getting lost IS possible. The trails on the preserve are over 3 miles long and you're bound to see deer, waterfalls, and walk stream-side for at least a mile. If you don't already love nature, go on a hike, your computer trained eyes and always-on-the-go self will appreciate you.

Admission to the preserve $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and children under 12. Technically, the trail hours are from sunrise to sunset so arrive with enough time to do some exploring.

OSHO: Insights for a New Way of Living

Throughout this flourishing self-help, or should I say, Pursuitofhappiness revolution, many are offering their wisdom out for a minimal price to readers and consumers. The catch, not everyone selling their wisdom is exactly up to par with guru-status. 

Sure, many writers have life experience to teach from and the ability to motivate consumers seeking happiness and ways to be a more well-rounded successful human as a whole, yet many lack pure, genuine insight.

OSHO, other wise known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, can guide anyone and everyone with a happiness dilemma in the west (look at his beard..how could you not trust the man). In the 1960's he was a philosophy professor and spiritual teacher that traveled India as a slightly controversial public speaker. In the 1970's and 80's Osho gained most of his popularity in the West shortly after he created an Ashram that attracted many from the west part of the Human Potential Movement. The Ashram, otherwise known as the International Meditation Resort in Prune, India is still open to those seeking Osho's spiritual teachings. 

Although Osho died in 1990, his lessons, which emphasize the importance of meditation, awareness, love, celebration, creativity and humor are still gaining popularity all around the world today. For an easily accessible door into his teachings, check out the website dedicated to his knowledge.

My favorite part about Osho's work, which inspired this blog-entry, his books. I'm currently reading Freedom: The Courage to Be Yourself. The book is part of a series of books on "Insights for a new way of living" which also includes other topics such as, Courage, Creativity, Maturity, Intuition, Joy, Intelligence, Awareness, and Intimacy.  They are all simple, and Osho's insights are easy for your western-conditioned brain to wrap it's head around.  They're the kind of books that leave you quoting exerpts to others and highlighting important phrases. I've read a handful of all-in-one spiritual, psychological, philosophical like books, and Osho's seems to have many other authors beat when it comes to intuition.

His books are still being sold and very accessible. I encourage you to check them out for a worth-while and satisfying read...you know you've been waiting for the excuse for that trip to Book People...  

Austin Bleet-Up

So, if you're fresh to the Austin Blog scene and would like to poke your face into the growing community of writers AND readers, this Austin "Bleet-up" event is worth attending. This July the Austin community of bloggers held an event at TRIO for local bloggers to meet, discuss, and share ideas over Hors d'oeuvres and wine and apparently it was sucessful, and had a large turn out so they're planning something new. This time, the "bleet-up" will be even more snazzy, with bands, fashion, photos and drinks at the Mohawk.  Check it out...perhaps we'll meet.

Minor FUN!

So, being the glorious age of 20 I am, there seems to be increasingly amounts of things to do in Austin that do NOT involve drinking in public. That is, I guess I've just greatly come to appreciate them this past, slow-motion year.

1. Become a Foodie. 

Simple and satisfying. Trying a new restaurant a few times a month will not only increase your knowledge of good food and palette, but it will make you seem cooler when you know exactly where to take each and every out-of-towner for a good dining experience. Not into dining out? I've recently taken a cooking course at Whole Foods. Informative, learned lots... impress your guests with innovative and savory dishes.

2.EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE

The weather is perfect for it right now. The trail around Lady Bird Lake is even going under renovations to become even MORE BEAUTIFUL than it already is, motivating your lazy butt to get off the computer and go for a jog. Rent a kayak, ride a bike, go for a hike at Wild Basin Preserve even. For all of those that prefer indoor workouts, yoga is my personal favorite, all around town, affordable. Also, for all the cardio and weightlifting desires, memberships to the YMCA seem the most affordable and useful to students.

3. See Live Music

I don't know how to elaborate...lots of music venues around town aren't 21 and up, and feeding off crowd vibes are always fun. Stubbs on Red River consistently offers worthy shows for underagers, as well as Antones on west 5th st. If you're into discovering music, obviously, Waterloo Records on Lamar Blvd. is your spot to discover new artists that meet your specific tastes...

4. Become a Film/Theatre Geek

The Alamo Drafthouse will always have a movie or event to suit your tastes...ranging from sing-a-longs to that cheesy 80's horror flick you love. All three awesomely located drafthouse locations are 18&up. For more sophisticated tastes, say plays, the Zachary Scott Theatre on Riverside Dr. always features local acting talent, as well as a diversity of visiting plays.  

5. Grace the Nightlife

Okay, maybe I'm teasing a little(lot), but there ARE 18&up clubs in Austin. Spiros, Paradox, Midnight Rodeo, Momo's, and The Back Room among others will allow your baby face in the front door for dancing and soda-sipping. Explore at your own risk! (Warning: Young Austinites may be bratty, pretentious and showy.)

If you're sitting somewhere in public, perhaps a coffee shop, reading this post while you sip a glass of Merlot or Lonestar to quench your thirst, then please disregard this as I congratulate you in all your legal glory.

AUSTIN POST

Yes, Austin Post is non-profit and serves news only via the internet. But isn't that how all of news is these days? Either way, it felt nice that my blog writing was accessible via the internet and the pool of Austin readers. The editor of Austin Post, Lyssa Allen contacted me. She let me know about Austin Post and it's mission, and asked me to double post some of my blog entries as articles on the web site.

If you're interested in checking out local news, concerns and stories of Austinites, check out the website and read extensively from the collection of information. The best part: anyone, citizen journalists, students, non-writers, published writers, aspiring journalists, blog writers, etc. can post to Austin Post if they've got a voice and something valuable to say about the city.

October 31st in Austin,Tx

Plans for halloween, Austin? It's less than two weeks away slackers, and I suggest if you haven't gotten your costume yet, to do it ASAP. Obviously there's only one shop in town that beats out the rest when it comes to halloween attire. Lucy in Disguise on S.Congress Ave. has your assortment of wigs, hats, masks, headdresses, shoes, gloves and need I say COSTUMES. Whatever your festive desire, the store has it, or at least the accessories to top off your home-made costume. Most costumes are available for rent, making it convenient for you to dress as you please for each and every costume party you plan on attending. Check out the store soon, as it's a bit claustrophobic feeling inside, to get the exact costume you want. My picks this year: Michael Jackson, Carmen Miranda or a Flapper Girl. Hm.

Got the costume but don't know what to do? The Austin Enchanted Forest it's holding it's 10th annual costume show and ball Friday the 30th and Saturday Halloween Eve. The Forest won't be holding a Haunted Trail as it has previous years but the scene at the costume ball and dance party is always promising surely entertaining. Admission is still TBA but typically ranges under $10.

If you prefer something horrific and real-life scary, check out The House of Torment, rated in the Travel Channel's top haunted houses in America. The House of Torment is open 7 until midnight the next two weeks, as well as the first two weeks of November to fill all of your horror desires for $15.

Still not your scene? There's always an assortment of festivities downtown Halloween weekend. The Driskill (need I remind you, Austin's most haunted hotel!) will be holding its 2009 Ghoulwill Ball on Friday October 30th which donates all of it's proceeds to Goodwill and its job-related services. The Ball is catered, will be serving cocktails all evening, and includes auctions and costume contests. Tickets range around $125 or however much you wish to donate for the cause.

Review: Paranormal Activity

Adrenaline highs are an incredible feeling. Let's face it, that's part of the reason why human beings like myself love scary movies, for the suspense they create in your body. This is true despite they fact that they may keep you from your precious sleep and run your electricity bills high from keeping all the lights on many nights in a row (at least this is my personal case).  Paranormal Activity, a low budget film currently showing in a limited amount of theaters, does just that, keeps you from feeling safe closing your eyes at night.

The plot is simple, and follows a young couple whom buys a house together and is troubled by a possible demonic presence.  Unlike most films involving possible demonic possession by a human, the entire film is based around a home camera the couple installs in their bedroom in hopes of catching footage of the demon that's haunting one of the main characters, Katie,  in her sleep.  

Overall, the effects were played off successfully considering the amount of money spent on making the film as a whole (less than $11,000).  The entire film was suspenseful, however slow until the last thirty minutes the the demon's vengeance is taken out in full. The movie gets it's points in character development, and it's ability to let you feel connected to the characters...Katie in specific, until she spirals down into demonic quality and murders her love companion, Micha, right in front of the camera's lens.

In the end, the movie makes you question your capability to be possessed by a deamon...and just what happens to your body when you sleep....a true horror staple in my opinion.

Feathers: Four Year Anniversary Party

Sorry for all the updates regarding Feathers! But really, ladies, LOTS OF NEW BOOTS! VINTAGE! JEFFREY CAMPBELL! AND DRESSES! AND CHAMPAGNE! AND PHOTOGS!

Fall Threads in Austin, Texas

Northfaces, beanies, leggings and boots. According to the fashion-runway-streets of the city it's officially fall in Austin, Texas.  Not only is this a nice break from the flip-flops and tank tops and sweat-stained shirts, it's almost as if there's a newfound appreciation for the city at the start of a fresh season.  (I retract this paragraph as I sit, two days later, editing this post and wearing all three of those above mentioned summer items. Texas in October at it's finest).

While most of us familiar with the city have these fall items ingrained in our wardrobe, others may be lacking. Here's where to go to revamp your functional fall wardrobe, with a twist from this season:

Whole Earth

Pricey but quality and timeless. This store carries outdoorsy-clothing shoes and gear with brands like Northface, Patagonia and Beringer. Plus, they've got an assortment of warm and orthopedic shoes, cozy yoga pants and organic cotton long-sleeve tees. Not so fashion forward, but perhaps more for the functional, comfortable dresser (Yes, you in the birkenstock's and socks, this store's for you). 

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And for the more fashion forward dresser...

Searching for motorcycle jackets, lace-up boots, leggings and other sorts of trends? Check out The Domain up North off of Mopac and Century Oaks Terrace. You'll get the quality items you want, with that extra in-style flare. Ladies, I recommend checking out Free People for all sorts of fun dresses, leggings and fall attire. Also, another favorite is the newly opened Zara, for ladies AND men, carrying trendy coats, scarves and shoes at actual affordable prices.

Tarka Indian Kitchen

Did that last date at the Clay Pit leave you feeling uncomfortably American and like one huge, un-cultured taste bud? Maybe you just pretended to know what kind of curry you liked, or perhaps you were overwhelmed by the spice and didn't want to reveal this to your dining partner. Either way, you're not alone. Clay Pit is expensive for the frugal student, and not accessible for a quality Indian meal on the go in a busy lifestyle.

I've found the perfect solution to the above problems this past week, however. A new restaurant in Sunset Valley, Tarka Indian Kitchen is a sister restaurant to the Clay Pit and offers quick and quality Indian food for take-out, or a more casual Indian dinner dining experience. Whatever type of Indian dish you're looking for, Tarka serves fresh and authentic food, and satisfies everyone from the Curry connoisseur to someone looking to grab some quick biryani with vegetables.

The restaurant opened nearly a month ago and has already acquired popularity from the neighborhood. During my dining experience, 30 bucks payed for a meal that satisfied three. We ordered Wine, Chicken Pakoras and garlic naan bread to start off with and then Biryani with shrimp, vegetable kabobs and coconut curry to feast on. While the food came out pretty quickly it tasted just as quality as a cooked meal from the Clay Pit, with the perfect amount of spice and combination of flavor. The menu is simple and easy to understand for those not as familiar with Indian food, and, drumroll please...is a lot cheaper than The Clay Pit with smaller portions and entrees for less than ten bucks.  

My favorite part about the place was the dining atmosphere. Although it's mainly resturaunt  meant to be faster, for a meal on the go, the inside is lovely for a casual dining experience, or for enjoying wine on the patio while waiting for your dinner. I'll definitely be back.

Art Outside 2009

I mentioned Art Outside in a previous post of mine about the Enchanted Forest. While the Enchanted Forest will not be hosting Austin's 5th annual Art Outside this year, it's still going on and will be bigger and better than ever this season. This year the three-day event beginning Friday the 9th will be held on Apache Pass  Northeast of Austin.

If you aren't familiar with Art Outside, it's one of the biggest art shows in Austin every year, hosting some of the cities finest local artists of all kinds.  The festival is $29 per day or $50 for all three days which includes unlimited access to the festivals array of performers, musicians, fashion, comedy and yoga workshops offered all day long. For a full schedule of events and info check out the Art Outside 2009 website.

What I'd be most excited about seeing (if I didn't have a conflicting work schedule!)... DJ Freq Nasty. Yes he's freaky and yes he's nasty, but he'll get your body moving. After all, he dee-jays for the one and only Santigold herself. He's dee-jaying on Saturday from 1am-2:30 am...always subject to change. Check him out, or, one of the other hundred plus bands and dj-s performing this weekend!

Previous years...

Review: Whip It

Leaving the theater post seeing Whip It, I had this giddy, inspired feeling.  Not because the film had an incredibly deep and meaningful message, but mainly because it was full of lively character, humor, and youth culture which is highly relatable being an Austinite. 

The film starred Ellen Page as Bliss Cavender, a distraught teen discovering her passion to become a roller derby chick, in high contrast to her mother's hopes of her being a beauty pageant queen.  Page plays the nerdy but cool teen's part well, surprise surprise, as do her other spunky, tattooed, free-spirited, derby team mates. The film includes a love interest of Bliss Cavender's played by Landon Pigg, a wise derby coach played by the charming Andrew Wilson, an arch-nemesis by Juliette Lewis, a perverse and comical derby announcer played by Jimmy Fallon and teammates including hip-hop diva Eve, and a spunky Drew Barymore who directed the flick also.

The film was Barymore's director debut, and although some may hold her to high, difficult standards, to my knowledge of how to direct film-making she did an average job. While most of the film was shot in Michigan, Barymore's interest in Austin was apparent in the plot (The Derby is held in Austin, while Bliss and her family are from Bodine, Texas), various artsy shots of Congress, Guadalupe and South Lamar, and countless allusions made to the city i.e. South Congress vintage shopping, stoners, and all around out-there, quirky personalities. Aside from the characterization, the skating--both minimally violet and sexual, was entertaining to watch.

In the end, the film made me want to pick up a pair of skates, throw on some fishnets, dye my hair purple and learn how to take a hit or two just for the day. Not bad Barymore... 

SEAHOLM: A Fresh Event Space

Never have I felt so lucky to be young and living in Austin, Texas amist it's growth and flourish than I felt Friday night. Broken Social Scene played a  free show at the Sea Holm Power Plant Friday night, debuting the new event space to the public . It felt strange and serene, but in a really great way. 

When hearing that the power plant was going to host two evening shows the weekend of ACL, one might not know what to expect from a building that has been vacant for so long, but the lighting, sound, and fresh vibes all worked perfectly together to make the show an overall worthy experience. Supposedly a grand total of 4000 people came out to bring the venue officially to life.

Having lived in Austin for two decades (I know, I'm old) , it's sometimes difficult to get excited about live music events and bands that have been to Austin countless times.  However, Friday night's show made me feel completely different. Not only is the Sea Holm Power plant such a historic landmark to Austin, it is now about to be a landmark of the future too...at least that's what's being discussed. It's strange that a place over half a century old can be both old and new.  Plans to turn the old power-plant into a new social space are now underway. The project will include condominiums, shops, and a large event space. Interesting. Perhaps it wil help in the local economy? We'll see. Check out the project site for more info.

Back to the show...you know the feeling you get when you're somewhere new, a feeling that anticipates many good nights to come in that same space? Well, that's exactly what I, and I'm sure the thousands of other people felt while at the power plant Friday evening. Who would have thought of creating an event space out of a power plant anyway? Austin, Texas, of course. Looking forward to the coming changes out of Seaholm...