What Would NEVER Happen in Brooklyn, New York

We came home last night to no water throughout the house.  Checked with each neighbor who all had water so  I called Emergency Water Services and spoke to Paul.  He took the info and assured me someone would be here within two hours.  On a Friday night!  Someone was here at 10:30PM and told us we had a busted main water pipe and were losing 6 gallons/minute.  He turned off our water and instructed us to get a plumber and let Water Services know it was repaired so we could be reimbursed.   I then called ABC Home Improvements where we're hooked up to their Emergency Services and this morning at 7 a.m. we received a call that the plumber would be here in 45 minutes.  He's out their digging now.  I repeat.  This would NEVER ever happen in N.Y.  Any emergency services required by our old loft building took days.  And sometimes (not too infrequently) we'd be without water for a day or night at a time.  I won't even mention the difference in $.  Austin, once again I am reminded of my love for you! On this one Abe's on board.

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY at the Violet Crown

We both loved this beautifully shot slow paced spy thriller.   It's nothing like any of the action packed modern spy movies of today.  More like a 1950's story of intrigue and story telling than a shoot em up terrorist flick. Abe thought it moved along like a novel.  Gary Oldman is brilliant.  These are actors who demonstrate their skill and craft at the highest artistic level. I recommend this film highly.

This morning I auditioned up at the Chancellor's House (actually pool house) for a Yale student's  film. Good screenplay, fun audition, UT Chancellor has a very elegant house.  The neighborhood reminded me of Scarsdale, NY (a wealthy suburb).  And then I came 5 miles back down south to our edgy diverse hood.  Like living in Brooklyn.

Came home to no water.  Called neighbors, everyone has water.  Called Emergency Water Services and they'll be here within 2 hours.  It's a Friday night!  Way to go Austin!

OFF THE WALL on S. CONGRESS

Abe's idea to go to First Thursday on South Congress and scout out some new local artists' stuff (we're open-minded about arts and crafts).  And lo and behold there were no crowds, just people strolling and some vintage shops opened.  Restaurants actually weren't filled to capacity.  SWEET!  That's because everyone is shopped out and the first Thursday in January isn't even advertised.  It's not for real.  But it was good for Abe and me.  We stopped in at Mi Casa and spoke to Jim who has sold us some wonderful hammered copper and recycled wood furniture.  And headed to Uncommon Objects which is always a good browse through for uncommon objects.  And then we stopped at Off The Wall where we always enjoy chatting with the owners.  And we spotted a find and purchased as well.  With a 24 hour clause to return if it didn't work.  It's a mirror with lots of African and local wood and a shelf and some steel rods and it's vintage.  (What a description!)  Best is it's  made by a local artist who has sold his stuff for years at the Armadillo Crafts Fair.  But not anymore.  And so we add to our collection of Armadillo Crafts Fair stuff.  And in this vein we continue to support local artists which makes it all worthwhile.

BANNED,BURNED,SEIZED,and CENSORED at HRC

I skipped Body Pump today to pump my brain.  (Cycled 45 minutes for those of you who are well aware of my flexible nature. HA!)  We went up to Harry Ransom Center where we were really engaged by the current exhibits.  THE GREENWICH VILLAGE BOOKSHOP DOOR is an actual door with signatures of 240 artists, writers, publishers, philosophers and just plain ol GV folks.  The years were 1920-1925 and the door was located in Frank Shay's book shop at 4 Christopher Street.  The BW photos, the maps, salvaged books, local newspaper articles, diaries are a wonderful memoir of a literary Bohemia that existed in that part of the city.  We were both transfixed.  The next exhibit on censorship is astonishing.  Can you imagine an annual book burning of obscene literature in NYC supervised by the NYPD? These were the years in between our wars.  God forbid you should read about sex for a breather!  In Boston the Watch and Ward Society truly gave birth to our current Tea Party affiliates.  As I said this is astonishing. Also on exhibit was a 1940 Frida Kahlo Self Portrait. I've seen many prints of this famous painting and was so happy to catch it here before it goes on it's many travels.

We ate at Kerbey Lane and then headed to the new Student Activity Center on campus.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  Modern, spacious, green, green, green and high tech.  A nice compliment to the UNION and just another reason we love UT.  Each time we're on campus we are reminded how fortunate we were to be able to send Liz here.  We each took the subway daily to our City University campuses.

Peanutty Double Chip Cookies and Community

I bake weekly.  No special occasion. Just was raised valuing the importance of thanking people who provide a service with food.  So aside from my family,  Foundation Community residents and staff, the ABC Pest Control guy, the plumber, Postal Workers, the tree guys, the contractor and his helpers,  UPS delivery men, and my favorites, the AFS interns are all recipients of my home baked cookies.  And it makes me feel so happy!  People really love cookies.  Here's what I baked today.  They're great.  Try them...you won't be disappointed.

Peanutty Double Chip Cookies recipe | m.ifood.tv

Lasagne and Those Old DVDS

Liz, Jared and Abe played tennis today to bring in the New Year.  And then came back to S 4th street for left-over lasagne.  When we first moved to Austin we took all of our old family videos and put them on a couple of DVDs.  And today Jared got to see "lil Liz" at her birthdays, dance recitals, elementary school graduations and family vacations where she spent hours looking for bugs.  Liz laughed her head off, Abe couldn't get over how much hair he had and how dark his eyebrows once were.  And I couldn't help but think how happy we all were.  Probably because the videos stopped once they were teens.  And now everyone's grown and photos are happy once again.

SHERLOCK HOLMES Second Time Around

Abe loved the action, special effects, humor.  I sat their holding my head up on one palm thinking "oy vey when will this be over?"  Marc Savlov in the CHRONICLE calls this a "revisionist Holmes explodathon" and while I could never think up a term like that it  describes it perfectly.  What really bothered me was that all of the actors always looked so shmutzy (translation:dirty).  I would pass on this but if you like films like Abe does then go see it and have a fun time!

We ate at El Alma on Barton Springs and it was delicious with Happy Hour prices.  Now that's a good way to begin the New Year.  May 2012 bring everyone peace, prosperity, kindness and a world that rewards human kindness.  And not just because it looks good on your resume.