Nature's Rorschach test

I see a moose face. What do you see?

Bears

Spotted at the NCAA Swimming and Diving National Championships: bears.

Discussing things.

Cheering.

These vicious carnivores were actually fans for the University of California (the Golden Bears). There were about 15 guys who bought these costumes and wore them to the meet. They are pretty much the most awesome fan costumes I've ever seen anyone wear to a sporting event - and I've been to a lot of sporting events.

I received reports later that the guys wore the costumes down to 6th Street. I would like to have followed them around just to see the looks on people's faces.

8th Street Mural Project

Tulips

(Guest photographer: Johnny Austin)

Ninja Style

Butterflies

Cornice

Lemens Finance Building

The Lemens Finance Building has a couple of stories. First is the story of why the building is still here. In the 1980s, a developer tried to buy the building so he could build yet another bland skyscraper. The owner refused to sell, so they built the behemoth around it. Some thirty years later, it remains - a stalwart reminder of old Austin in the midst of marching development.

The other story is that the building was part of MTVs first attempt at a prime-time situation comedy in 1997. The series was called "Austin Stories," and one of the characters was a columnist at a weekly newspaper (like the Austin Chronicle). The Lemens Bldg. was used as the front for the fictional newspaper.

The city keeps growing.

Spring is here.

Pedicab accordionist

So many questions. When does he play it? Surely, he doesn't try to play and drive/ride at the same time, right? Does he play it at stoplights? Does he use it to draw in customers, like an Italian Pied Piper? How heavy is it? What does he play? Just...why?

Good advice

Toy Joy

Toy Joy has been Austin's coolest toy store since the last 1980s. Until last year, it was on Guadalupe, just north of campus, but last year it moved downtown to 2nd Street. The sad news came down a couple of weeks ago that the store is closing. So I made a special visit on its last day, Sunday, May 16. There was a little less inventory than usual, but it still looked like magical ole Toy Joy.

It remains to be seen if anyone new will buy the name and inventory. The current owners used to work at the store under its previous owners, so it was a labor of love for them. I'm sad to see it go. Hopefully if someone else buys it, they'll keep the kitschy spirit of the place.

Last day of SXSW

Filming on the bridge

I ran across these guys filming something on the pedestrian bridge. I didn't have time on this particular day to ask what they were filming, but from the equipment involved, I'd guess it's a student project.

SXSW line

This is the line outside the Moody Theater for the iTunes Music Festival. There was even an overflow line of "stand by" people across the street.

I would not stand in this line. Doesn't matter who was playing. Somewhere along the way I got way too tired to stand in lines this long.

The beaver in the wall

East Sixth mural

My Butter Half

Film wheel

Skyline

What's a dog gotta do...

...to get a beverage around here?

Regatta

Superhero

Uptown Sports

Liz and Dick

Now, that's a hat!

Hyde Park

Flower power

Rosedale Oak