END OF AN ERA: BURGER CITY

Well, it's the end of an era. For four years, Ben Tipton has been bringing us my favorite weekly event, Burger City Rock N Roll. And BCRNR has never failed to bring us great tunes, live shows and good pool times. I loved the event from the start, as in when I heard the word "burger..." In fact, a while back, I featured Burger City and Ben on a local blog Launch787.

I'll be sad to see it go, but tears are useless. Let's let Burger City go out with a bang tonight with BURGER CITYS ADIOS AMIGOS 4TH BIRTHDAY AND LAST HOORAH! Tonight's band is The Best, which is composed of members of local bands Bad Sports, Bad Lovers and Flesh Lights. I saw them live for the first time at a previous Burger City, and they live up to their name.

Lets all eat some greasy burgers (or veggie burgers if that's your thing) in honor of our Burger City homies. Now I'm hungry.

NYLON DAILY: Austin, I love you.

Last week, when I got asked to work as Nylon's Austin reporter, bringing you information from the capitol of Texas, I was awe-struck and didn't entirely believe it. However, when I awoke today to find the announcement on their website; now, I believe!

Click here to sign up for the Nylon Daily newsletters. I will be reporting on Austin, but feel free to figure out what's going on in the other four amazing cities.

Thanks so much, Nylon, for this opportunity!

Breaking News: Antone's is Emo's now

Emo's nightclub is taking over operations at Antone's club, which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. Susan Antone, who runs the club, will continue to book bands.

Austin Fashion Week

Hello all,

This week, I'll be covering events for Austin Fashion Week. Saturday, I was already at the kickoff party, which was pretty fun. Tiffany performed. You can watch her singing "I think we're alone now" on Adored Austin's blog, as well as the fashion show. I sat in the front row for the show, which was exciting. I can only dream of being in the front row for a show like Von Furstenberg or Lim in Milan or London someday. Anyhow, thanks very much to the Launch 787 people for making me feel special with my labeled chair.

After the show, News 8 Austin interviewed Indiana, Joanna (of Keep Austin Stylish) and I -- we all got to sit next to each other -- about the fashion show and Austin's fashion scene. I think my voice sounds silly, but I'm glad they used the bits where I talked about my favorite look by Louise Black and Austin designer Boudoir Queen. Speaking of which, I just came across this Carney video that BQ styled, and I am in love. It's amazing: the wardrobe, the woman, that lead singer (babe alert!)... thought I'd share with my readers. YOU'RE WELCOME.

You wanna be on top?

ANTM is coming to Austin

America's Next Top Model is having a casting call for Cycle 16 (there has been that many?) in Austin this month, so all you beautiful Austinites who have what it takes to be taking semi-nude photos on national television, judged by Tyra and sucked into a wormhole of model madness in a big house of skinny girls should definitely stop by and try out. I would love to see an Austinite on television. Check out the CW page for all the rules and application.

Details:

July 8th from 2-7pm
@ The Driskill Hotel
604 Brazos Street
Austin, TX 78701

Rarest of Them All ft. ME

So braggy of a blog post, but

I got 2nd in Best Local Blogger in Rare's Rarest of Them All issue!

In all my glory

Every June, Rare Magazine does a poll, locally, of all the best Austin digs, including restaurants, retail stores, people, etc. This year, I was named 2nd in the Best Local Blogger poll, which is insane. I rank among Austinist and Austin Eavesdropper? I'm surprised. I didn't even ask anybody to vote for me. Thanks to any reader who did, I am so glad you like my blog! I am honored to have even been voted for once!

I honestly didn't know this blog was popular enough to get votes. My head is growing by the second.

Check out the issue online or hunt for it IRL.

P.S. Congrats to all the other winners of the polls, I was happy to see some favorites like Stag, Uchi, Buy Definition, Rio Rita, Shangri La and Barbarella listed.

How do you roll?

Well hello hello, I'm back!

Okay, so, my Internet has been rocky since I have been back to Austin (yesterday) so once again, another horrible blogging week. New York was amazing, so perhaps I'll be updating with some vaca recap photos. I am excited about revisiting sometime in the near future.

I have even better news though!

Maki "How Do You Roll?" Sushi is finally opening tomorrow - June 1. I have been awaiting this day for a while, calling the Domain location and asking more than twice haha. Who wouldn't want to check this out.

It works a little something like this:

1. You get to pick a wrap - the traditional seaweed or a newer soy kind.

2. You pick the meat (or nonmeat) you want - salmon, crabstick, tuna, you name it.

3. You get two veggies, or more for additional cost - carrot, tofu, avocado, etc.

4. You can add a sauce on top - including my favorite eel sauce

5. A number of sides - miso, edamame, etc.

Enjoy!

Read about my previous experience there!

Let's go!!!

All my single ladies

Austin seems to always rank highest in opportunities for those in the dating world. Most recently, Lemondrop, an AOL lifestyle blog, has rated Austin #1 city for single women -- I would agree in the sense that I have been single in my entire Austin habitation, but that is not quite what they mean.

To quote the article, Austin's median age is 29, which is good, of course, for those 20-somethings looking for a mate, but stating that "35 percent of the population is single and looking" does not necessarily mean that these contestants are exactly savory.

I have come across a number of exemplary opposite-of-savory men in my time here, not to say that there are no good, clean, compatible dudes out there for the single girls out there -- I'm just saying that you'll probably hit four losers with that stone before you get one good one.

Thus, in the Liz Lemon style, I have decided to come up with a number of "dealbreakers" I have come across in Austin that every woman should be aware of... and probably already is (making this blog a moot point).

Deal breakers.

In no particular order, but kind of, but not really.

10. Doesn't take you out. I mean that in a couple of ways. First of all, it is obvious when you are booty-call material rather than girlfriend, when the dude only calls to hang out late at night and doesn't want to continue to when the day rolls around. But also important, if a guy is courting you and you are picking his ass up, whether he just doesn't have a car or is an avid biker, that's just a no-no. I understand it is economical and environmental to go by bike, but you've got to be kidding if you expect somebody to haul your ass around everywhere and take herself & you out on dates.

9. Never offers to buy a drink. I am not old-fashioned by any means. In fact, I'm sort of a feminist in many ways; my closest friends could verify this. However, if you don't even offer to buy a drink, when you are trying to woo me, you automatically look cheap and selfish. I don't care if a guy has a lot of money, but if he won't even spare a few dollars on me, he probably won't want to spare his precious time, either. In fact, if you offer to buy me drinks, I will likely end up buying your next round.

8. Afraid of a little P.D.A. I hate PDA as much as the next girl, but being gross and kissing in public is not what I mean by this. If a guy doesn't like to look "coupled" off with you, he is probably trying to keep himself available looking for the next hot girl he sees.

7. A disgusting place. I don't just mean messy, because most people's places are oft to get a little disoriented as our lives get hectic. If a guy leaves things like porn out in the open, underwear all over the floor, has no dishes clean ever, it is not a very welcome environment to guests -- which reflects poorly on his own openness.

6. No ambition. I understand that we are in an economic rut, at the moment, but if a dude seemingly has no job, isn't in school, and isn't trying, he is probably just a loser. If there's a will, there's a way.

5. Drugs and drinks like a fish. We are all young and like to have a good time, but there is bold line between what's "fun" and what's just plain gross. If a dude is drunk more than he isn't, he's an alcoholic. If he's doing blow, well, he's just not very smart. Hedonism is never a good start to a relationship of any sort.

4. Boys Only club. If your potential mate does not seem to be inviting you to his outings with his friends, not just boys, of course, girls included, he is probably avoiding having you bond with them -- thus sees you as temporary. If somebody is actually interested in you, they will probably want you to meet the people in their lives.

3. Dating past is painted on walls. If you know at least three girls they've dated, that's probably a bad sign. If they've dated that roommate and that other roommate, and her sister, etc. etc. yeah... you get it. Austin is full of incest to a ridiculous point. Who wants to date somebody they've already heard all the dirty deets about via their best friend?

2. Liar, Liar. Anytime everybody tells you one thing and he tells you the opposite, he's probably lying to you. Men, as all creatures, can have sociopathic tendencies -- once they start pulling that crap on you, it ought to be finito.

1. Unresponsive. If you ever find yourself asking, why doesn't he ever ask you to hang out, why doesn't he respond to your texts -- why are you wasting your time? If someone wants you, they'll make it happen.

(Of course all of the male gender pronouns can be replaced with female, these rules are quite universal for all genders and sexualities -- I was just fitting them to my standards)

for your pleasure / hello 1992

Bleach Online's "Hello 1992" issue is getting ready to launch Wednesday, which is so exciting to me, because I contributed a number of pieces. I am happy to say that Bleach is upgrading and changing up the layout for your aesthetic pleasure.

There will be a million intriguing, provoking pieces this time around, including street artists, musicians, filmmakers, etc. Along with the release of the issue, we are throwing you all a party! Manolo Black, Orion and uLovei will be DJing, images from the issue will be projected, and the drink specials will be spectacular! ($2 Lone Stars, $2.50 other beers,$3 frozen drinks)

Come one, come all to Lanai Wednesday night -- I am excited to see the reveal myself, from the artistic mind of Daniel Perlaky AKA City on Fire

Here are some sneakviews of the issue (via Bleach Online Drop):

Spike Jonze, the one and only

Spike in the city, filming teens

There seem to be a bit of film buzz recently in Austin, or maybe I am just hearing more about it than I used to. Spike Jonze came to talk to the master class at UT Tuesday. However, in even more exciting news, he and Arcade Fire are teaming up to create a sort of short film featuring late teens, supposedly a story about "friends growing apart." Source / Source
The shoot is expected to start April 22 and last 5-7 days.

Spike, cast me please!
I often pass for 16!

Austin makes a book!

Hey hey,

I am probably posting this a little too late, but I figured--better late than never, right? I thought the good readers of Austin is Burning would like the opportunity to be one of the final submissions for...

+

=

AUSTINMAKESABOOK.COM

Basically, you have a page as your canvas and you can do anything on it, just submit it by this Friday. You can theorize, write about your day, tell secrets, doodle, sing songs, write poems, love notes, anything. I think it's just a great outlet for any creative juices you have pent up inside. Plus, everybody will see it and your $30 fee buys you a copy.

Check it out for yourself.

Update: accident, etc.

This is about to get pretty personal. My blog has not typically been too insightful on my life, but I thought now was a good time to tell a story. (Sorry if I say "I" a lot here, I promise I am not totally egotistical).

Precursor

So, I literally got 3 visits to this blog Sunday. I suppose that is what happens when you don't update for a few days. Sad. I had a little bit of a pause in my life, and now I am trying to play catch-up.

Anyway, I deleted that previous post of mine, because it almost sounded accusatory. Sorry about that. I just meant to update, and obviously send out a cautionary message. I felt it sounded a little rude, so I took it down. I thought I would update any interested parties on the status of my life as of late, though -- about the accident, mostly.

The Accident

On late Thursday night / early Friday morning, I was hit by a drunk Ford truck driver on my scooter on Red River St. (around in front of Plush). I was going North, toward home, in the left lane, while the truck was going South. He decided to take an unprotected left turn as I was passing through the intersection and our vehicles collided. Well, his vehicle and my body rather, considering I was on scooter. I don't know if he just didn't see me, though my headlight was on, or if he was just too drunk to register the situation, but it happened either way.

Some very kind civilians, I suppose people who had just left the bars / clubs after 2 AM, saw and rushed to my help. They carried me to the sidewalk, brought my scooter over to the sidewalk, and called 9-1-1. I was conscious the entire time. The truck driver even came out and talked to me for a short bit. He asked me how I got into the accident (without telling me it was him who I got into the accident with). I explained the situation, about how I was going straight through a green light, and he proceeded to tell me he also had a green light. I was shocked that the driver was trying to take the blame off of himself, so I just asked if it was him who hit me. He said yes, and walked off.

The Hospital

I was taken to the ER in an ambulance. I was told by the police there that the driver had admitted to having 12 pints of Guinness, was driving drunk and was arrested and put in jail that night. Luckily, he had insurance.

The doctors in the ER ran some X-rays, found that there was nothing terribly wrong with me. My knee was bleeding, but it was fine. My shoulder hurt, and some joint in my clavicle had apparently been slightly dislocated. This, the doctor, told me often heals itself and wouldn't be a big deal. I was released a little before 4 AM, feeling battered and sore but pretty lucky to be alive.

Sad little legs.

The 2nd Visit

However, the next day, I noticed that every time I coughed or laughed, I had a shooting pain in my chest. My sternum was incredibly sore, but I just attributed that to being hit in the chest by my handlebars. After attending class, I went to the university doctor and had X-rays taken of my chest. They let me go and I went about my day, taking my friend out to a birthday dinner and everything, when the pain became noticeably worse. I could barely laugh or cough anymore. When I spoke, I started hearing a muffled voice instead. I felt like there was something like air in my throat, keeping me from talking normally. I went to the ER at Brackenridge, again, around 7:30 PM.

The UT doctor had left a message saying I had pneumo media stinum, meaning an air leak into the middle of my chest between my lungs and around my heart, which shouldn't be there. They took more X-rays and could not determine the cause. I had a CT scan, which also didn't answer any questions, so I had to stay the night, so that they could try to determine the cause or check for improvements in the morning. My little sister spent the night with me, and two of my best friends stayed with me until about 2 in the morning (cutting one of their Birthday celebrations short, sadly).

The Next Day

By morning, I apparently did not show much improvement, so they talked about keeping me another night, which I dreaded obviously. They also talked about putting a camera down my throat and into my chest, which would determine the cause of the air leak.

I waited and waited (starving, cause I wasn't allowed to eat) for the pulmonologist, lung specialist, to come visit me, but he was stuck in the ICU helping people with much worse issues. I, of course, do not begrudge him or the hospital that, I was just so, so hungry. He ended up coming around 6 PM and told them to let me eat, and that the procedure would be unnecessary. I should be able to heal in time on my own - if not, I would go back and visit. I was released around 7 PM Saturday night. My mom and older sister had cut their St. Louis vacation short to be with me, which was really nice.

Sister, friends, new friend Theo

Home/Reflection

I am now back home and feeling better and better with time. Today was better than yesterday, and hopefully tomorrow will be better than today.

The only sad thing is that I thought since I am always a safe driver, I wouldn't have gotten in an accident on my scooter. I suppose I can't control other people's actions. I was wearing my helmet, luckily, and didn't receive any trauma to my head or face. The nurse & pulmonologist told me that I was only one of two people who did wear a helmet who had been in a motorcycle/scooter accident this year. I do not need to stress how important it is to wear helmet if you ride a moped, scooter, motorcycle or bike. So important.

I am so thankful for everybody who visited me, all of the gifts and well-wishes I received, the doctors and nurses who helped me out at Brackenridge and the random civilians to helped me the night of. Michelle told me in the hospital about how times like this are good for reevaluating yourself and your life, and I wholeheartedly agree. The situation definitely sucked, or sucks rather, but there is hopefully something positive to be taken out of it. I know that people in my life really care about me. I know that random strangers can be really great. I know that shit can really hit the fan, and that I can only really do my best to make my life as healthy (and long) as possible. Hopefully now also anybody who reads this might be a little more cautious with drinking and driving. Especially when you are well over twice the legal limit (which is .08).

Thanks to anybody who took the time to read this. Love all of you readers. Really.

(Update) I was wrong about the three visitors Sunday. I accidentally deleted my Analytics coding, so I hopefully got a few more visitors than just three. I'm silly.

Alexander McQueen

R.I.P. 2-11-10
He was seriously such a visionary. Certain people's deaths should never weigh more than others, but it is just always sad to me when artist's of unmatched genius pass away. NYFW will mourn you.

Cannibalism pt. 2

Photo compiled by The Peen Scene

Good day. I am here to inform you about the latest installments to Bleach Online's latest issue, "Cannibalism." This one features artists Monster Girl (AKA Jenny Gacy of The White White Lights), EGADZ, City On Fire, Babyscotch and FAILURE, along with the already featured Alan Palomo (of VEGA and Neon Indian fame), Fashion Leak, Isa GT, and many amazing artistic photographic series. I am happy to have been a small part in the creation of this issue.

All of the contributors have been working really hard to bring you this content, so you should definitely stop by the Web site, look at all the visuals, learn about these talented/passionate people and drop a line letting them know what you think. Also, feel free to check out the multiple links I have above of the artists involved in this issue.

Have a great day.

SY x ACL

Now there is no reason to go to ACL at all this year.
Not that I was going to either way.

Read the Austin 360 article.

Bleach DROP / FashionLeak

Dear Blog,

Sorry I have neglected you a little bit these past few days - I'll work on that. However, I have been working on a lot of other, exciting stuff. Hopefully you guys (the readers) got the memo from other numerous social networking sites and announcements, but if not, let me be the first to introduce you to a couple of awesome gems. First of all, there is Bleach Online DROP.

This is meant to be a bi-weekly (bi-monthly? Either way, it is coming out every other week) newsletter brought to you by Bleach Online about happenings in Austin, future issues and features, and other news in fashion, music and art. The newsletter will be in blog-form, which I am obviously a fan of. Check it out for yourself now. It is definitely worth "following."

Secondly, there is FashionLeak, which is finally officially launched, after a lot of hard work and brainstorming from the same minds behind Bleach Online. FashionLeak "was created as an introspective exposé on the most innovative designers working today." The Web site will feature 12 fashion designers in a year, showing an insight into their daily lives, inspirations, style via video and more. After this, there will be a three-day fashion event featuring all 12 designers.

Right now, the featured designer is Dawn Younger-Smith, otherwise known as the Boudoir Queen. Check out her video, made by the videographer of Etsy, it's pretty amazing. I love Younger-Smith's collection in her studio. I would like to amass something as meaningful as that someday. Check out her Web site and look for her shop, there are a couple items for sale.

So, after viewing Bleach DROP, you may or may not notice my little tidbit at the end. Not sure if it has been made obvious or not, but I recently began 'interning' for Bleach this summer. Since then, my job title has transformed to "Communications/Contributor." I am also now doing basically the same thing for FashionLeak. It's been a lot of fun working with these ladies. They have a lot in store for you.

Love,
Td

RIP

Shuggie's shrine in front of the trailer.

Shuggie's

and

The Peacock

I ate some last chili-cheese sliders today. So good, yet sad, in my mouth.

MJ

D:
I love you.
Michael Jackson, "King of Pop" is dead at 50.

So sad.


Sorry, Mitchell.

CC

So apparently, Crystal Castles in Dallas was a fiasco. First, they canceled on Vega -- saying they wanted their friends' band to open for them instead, after I believe they'd already traveled to Dallas. Then, upon playing at the Granada Theater, they blew out the sound and their entire show got canceled that night. Cosmic Karma going on right there.

Poor babies.

Back Alley Social

R.I.P.

I wasn't positive about the Whisky Bar actually closing till just today. Now, in its place at 303 W. 5th St., is the Back Alley Social. DJ Richard Gear will be playing there from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. and it's absolutely free. So, there's something you can do with your Thursday evening folks.