I love when wisdom comes from comedians; they’re often the most keen observers of our crazy world.
A big part of being confident is being brave, and you can’t be brave unless you’re scared.
Bo Burnham
Apparently this quote is from the film Eigth Grade, which I need to check out.
Austin is geared towards the outdoors. Even in the blazing hot summer, the mornings and nights are consistently outdoor-friendly. You may want to duck inside during the heat of the day, but you can reliably enjoy your favorite trail in the morning and your favorite coffee shop + beer garden at night.
But today, it is 37℉, the November rain is here — and my brother is visiting town expecting nice weather. 😆
Here’s the quick list of things I put together for him to do while stuck in “sunny” Austin during a bout of winter. It’s kind of specific to him, but you might like it too.
Crux Climbing Center – bouldering, etc. I even learned yoga at the original south one.
Punch Bowl Social – an entertainment “complex” in the middle of downtown; it’s a chain, but it’s cool what they’ve done in this historic building.
The Contemporary Austin – a small but amazing modern art museum downtown – very close to Punch Bowl Social. ^
The Blanton Museum of Art – another modern art museum downtown, this one featuring Ellsworth Kelly’s Temple for Light called “Austin”.
The Texas State Capital – leave politics aside for a bit and just enjoy this amazing 1882 building and surrounding park with panoramic views down Congress Avenue.
Violet Crown Cinema – a great artsy movie theater with good food and a stylish bar. Dare I say it’s even better than the Alamo Drafthouse?
Toy Joy – a fun little toy store across the street from Violet Crown. ^
Whole Foods flagship store – lots of good food, a nice rooftop patio in sunnier weather, but there’s also a bar in the back by the meat.
The Mean Eyed Cat, yeah, there are lots of bars around town, but this is the the Johnny Cash bar. 🙂
Cidercade – games & wings by the lake. I’ve never been, but I’ve hear it’s fun.
Pinballz – a classic arcade (they have a couple of locations).
Playland Skate Center – a retro rollerskating rink near Pinballz. ^
Here’s a new addition to the European swimming pool agenda. And this one is not some fancy Parisian resort pool. In fact, it has to be the most remote (and cold) pool I’ve see so far.
Here’s how to find Seljavallalaug pool: From Reykjavík, Iceland, drive two-and-a-half-hours along the coast. Then park and hike 20 minutes past some glaciers, volcanoes, and a waterfall. 😮 Now jump in!
Once you get there, it’s free. In the summer, it might be “dyed a beautiful shade of green” due to algae, not unlike our own Barton Springs Pool here in Austin.
If I ever make it to Iceland, I’ll remember to bring my swim suit (and a really warm towel)!
I’ve been sitting with this theory for a while that what matters most is who you are when all your stuff is stripped away – your house, your car, your bank account. Who are then then?
I think Sophia Loren is right by focusing in on your skills and your positive impact – and tying that to eternal youth. 🤩 Have you noticed that great musicians like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Paul McCartney just keep going and going?
There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love.
Sophia Loren
(The other fountain of youth IMHO is swimming. 🏊😉)
I was out for walk last night when a neighbor called out from his yard, “Hey, are you gonna vote tomorrow?” “Yep,” I said. “Okay, cool. Just don’t screw it up,” he said. 😆
He didn’t tell me who to vote for, and I won’t tell you. But I will ask some pretty pointed questions.
Do you think we should do something real about the global climate crisis, or do you think we should sit on our hands and just hope things get better while the world burns?
Do you think we should make our own life-altering decisions or do you think the government should make these decisions for us?
Do you think we should take steps to keep our kids from getting murdered in their schools, or do you think that is just the price of freedom?
Do you respect our elections or do you support officially overturning a free and fair election using made-up claims?
Do you believe in civil discourse or do you believe in undermining political foes in their most tragic moments?
I could go on about how Republican policies are damaging lives. 😩. They also seem oddly scared of you voting and aim to keep that from happening.
If you believe in personal rights, respect for democracy, and solving problems in America, it looks like you may be down to one real option*.
*Libertarians seem consistent and ethical but don’t have a great answer to “things that affect everyone” like climate change and gun violence.
If you disagree, then vote your conscience and let’s get through this together. ✌️
I’ve been on a bit of a kick about visuals lately. Then this post popped up on Medium with some more great visuals.
Here’s my favorite from the set. 👉 You might also like this post with more visuals from the same guy.
In honor of last night’s World Series no-hitter (this first since 1956) here’s a quote from Yogi Berra, the guy who never said most of the things he said. 🤷🏻♂️
Apparently he was frustrated with his coach, who told him to think his way out of a batting slump. 🤷🏻♂️
How can a guy think and hit at the same time?
Yogi Berra
If you’ve tried to hit a 90 mph pitch (which I did once or twice at a batting cage), you know exactly what he’s talking about. You can’t even see the ball at that speed much less think about hitting it.
What are some other things you can’t think and do at the same time? Offhand I’m thinking of skateboarding, singing, dancing, playing guitar, shuffling a deck of cards, telling a joke…
Via The New Yorker.
patmcg.com 