Capital Bikeshare

Can't say enough about this program.  11,000 people have signed up for it in D.C.  When will Austin get on board?  So smart for transportation and a reduced need for oil!  Who could ask for more?  Check out this link.  The guy with the beard is Brooklyn Born/ D.C. Grown and someone close to us...our guy Josh!


http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Gas_Prices_Boost_Bike_Share_Popularity_Washington_DC-121001854.html

THE FUNERAL BY Canyon Darcy

Today I was picked up at 8:30a.m. for a shoot of an original screenplay by Canyon Darcy.  I had a hard time with this script as there were no rehearsals and the lines were similar but dissimilar enough to make a difference!  And so I struggled.  But not in vain.  We got to the set at a private residence in Oak Hill and everything was arranged.  A coffin and chairs.  The best was the cast!  17yo identical twins who drove 3 1/2 hours to the set and Alex, a UT student.  All actor by appearance.

The sound people were pros, Taylor and Canyon had good equipment, and they conducted themselves with professionalism throughout the shoot.  It is a pleasure being with young filmmakers who work so collaboratively.  And they take suggestions so well.  Yes, by the afternoon it was as hot as hell could be imagined.  Yet this was all worth it. And I'd do it again and again.

Pedernales Falls State Park

Today we went to Pedernales, hiked, looked at birds through a binoculars, stuck our feet in the river (which is low because of the drought).  Reed drove us and we ate a great lunch at Creek Road Cafe in Dripping Springs.
Good fun company with Reed who is a master teaser and upbeat.  He provides great historical info about Texas.  This was our second hike since moving here.  Town Lake is more my speed.  What can I say?  We're city folk.

Mazel Tov to William and Kate.  They should live and be well and be happy and do good deeds!

Itzhak Perlman/Austin Symphony Celebrates 100 Years

After AFS one of my favorite sources of entertainment is the Austin Symphony led by Peter Bay.  Tonight the program was diverse, historical (they played the same two pieces by Mozart and Luigini they played 100 years ago on Opening Night) and creatively selected.  I heard a piece by Respighi PINES OF ROME that was just beautiful!  The audience approved.  Mr. Perlman played a violin concerto by Bruch and received numerous standing ovations.  There was a light show, cupcakes and champagne.  Joe Long who with his wife Teresa brought us the gift of Itzhak made a down home Texas speech with a broken microphone!  HEB sponsored the concert...what a town!..I soloed this event so was able to have a great seat.

Back to studying lines. 

Violet Crown Cinema/AFS

Finally!!!  Our own Film Forum, IFC, Angelika.    Right here on 2nd Street.  With free parking, a great looking cafe and in the heart of cool restaurants, yogurt and salad bars.  Could we ask for more?  A theater that shows indies, art films and foreign films.  No more stressing that Abe doesn't feel the drive to Arbor is worth it.  We're so used to hopping on the subway!

Tonight we saw THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK.  A great documentary about a wonderful and creative  man, politician, in a time of change in an era with so much potential. And Mayor Moscone.... a tragic loss for us all. The trial and outcome left us shocked and depleted. It was painful to be reminded.  The theater is beautiful, comfortable, four different screens and there was Agnes Varnum, AFS Marketing Director to greet us!  Who could ask for more?  AFS previewed the theater with a great selection of Criterion films.

Today was UT classes and as typical these days memorizing lines for a week-end student shoot.                   Night y'all.  I'm catching on.

Austin Film Society/XALA

We're still seeing post colonial African films by the filmmaker Ousmane Sembene and Abe and I are enjoying them.  They are straight-forward, very real and unpolished.  XALA (a curse) is a  film that satires the bourgeoisie that come into power after the French.  They are puppets of the French, accept bribes and never become independent.  The curse falls upon a businessman who thinks he has it all and decides to take on a 3rd wife.  She is young and virginal.  He is unable to consummate the marriage.  There are some hysterical scenes here.  The movie is not pure comedy as it harshly depicts what happens when you perpetuate the corruption of the previous regime.  The vengeance carried out by the "undesirables" is not pretty and very humiliating. 

On another note I wanted to comment on Austin buses.  I'm an MTA, NYCTA New Yorker.  And when Abe has the car and I have to bus it it's always an adventure.  And today getting to and from the gym by bus was quick, on time, and nobody on the bus was hallucinating.  There was a smelly drunk though.  It only cost $1.

What They Wore to Malina and Tony's

Oops...I goofed!  Malina wore a beautiful dress, Tony was handsome in a fitted shirt and slacks.  Diego, handsome as ever wore what he always wears but the shirt had buttons, and the other women wore dresses or beautiful shorts.  So it wasn't recycled t-shirts a la Austin...sorry. 

And the food!  Tony and Malina cooked for 3 days!  There was tabouleh, cucumber and tomato salad, stuffed cabbage, flounder, sausage, pickled onions and peppers, zatar bread, cheese pie, cheese and grits.  And the desserts...OMG.  Trifle, lemon bars, brownies, ice cream and ices, home made baklava.  Just gorgeous!

And the conversation and people:  interesting, interested, funny, intelligent, warm and real!  What a lovely dinner!