Artomat

Jun14

It is raining off and on in Austin today, so I find myself upstairs at Whole Foods eating some soup and salad and watching the storms blow by from the second floor windows. There is this old cigarette dispenser that has been retrofitted as an art machine – the Art*o*mat. Pretty cool. I was trying to decide between Joyce Lyman’s Folk Art Sculpture and “Stick Man – Put together a new friend”, and the Folk Art won because a new friend might turn out to be too needy. I put in my hard earned dollars, pull the handle, and out slides a groovy alligator in a box. Don’t be jealous. Joyce Lyman might make an alligator for you too if you ask nicely…

Republic of Texas Biker Rally

Jun13

This evening was the Republic of Texas Biker Rally in downtown Austin, including a motorcycle parade, some live music in the middle of Congress Avenue (featuring Asleep at the Wheel), and extra shenanigans on Sixth Street. It is always fun every year to go down and watch the bikers take over Austin. Everybody stay safe out there on the roads!

Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill

Jun12

I think I should just interview for a position at the Bass Pro Shops in Round Rock as much time as I have spent there lately. Today’s trip was for lunch at Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill located inside the store. As you can tell from the photos, this place is fully decorated as an undersea wonderland, including a giant shipwreck over the bar, two bowling alleys on either side, and schools of fish and several large sharks hanging from the walls and ceiling. My lunch was simple but tasty and consisted of a grilled chicken Caesar salad and iced tea. This place is definitely worth a visit for some food and fun if you like to bowl (shark painted bowling balls are an added bonus).

Bass Pro Shops

Jun10

Round Rock is getting a brand new location for Bass Pro Shops, and today is the Grand Opening. The inside of the store is not yet open, so I walked around and took a few photos. I will add some more if there is anything exciting happening on the inside. I am hoping that they have a nice aquarium full of fish to check out.

Spider

Jun8

If you walk the correct path at Mueller, you will find yourself beneath a giant Spider. The sculpture is called “Arachnophillia“, and was created by the artist Dixie Friend Gay. Today, the temperature was about 90 degrees which made for a hot walk in the direct sunlight. The sunflowers were loving it and the baby birds were using the spider for shelter as they chirped for dinner.

Kingdom III

Jun6

I went downtown to my favorite EDM club in Austin to see Chocolate Puma. Their set was short, but good. I got there early and took some photos using my iPod touch before Kingdom filled up with people. This club has one of the best sound systems in Austin, so check it out if you happen to be in town when a good DJ comes along.

Flaming Pizza

Jun5

My Friday evening consisted of a nice Jazz/Blues band at the Domain and a pizza on the patio of Flaming Pizza which overlooks The Great Lawn with its small amphitheater. This is a casual pizza joint that just opened a few weeks ago. My pizza of choice was the “Bacon n’ Shrooms” with white sauce, mozzarella, mushroom, applewood bacon, garlic, and arugula. Yummy! They only make one size pizza, about 11 inches, and you can build your own or pick one of their specialties off the menu. I believe they will all have a thin crispy crust, hot from the flaming oven. The next time I return, I will load up on a build your own version, starting with Canadian bacon and then piling on more toppings from there. 🙂

Round Rock West Greenbelt Trail

Jun3

I got out of work a little bit later than I had hoped. I looked for a nearby walking opportunity before the sun was scheduled to set, and decided to try the Round Rock West Greenbelt Trail – power lines, greenbelt, and 0.88 miles of asphalt walking path. I found birds, lightning bugs, a rabbit, the Lake Creek, and a nice sized deer that followed by me on the path for a short while. Overall, a cool, short walk at sunset.

Bee Cave Sculpture Park

May30

I visited the Hill Country Galleria Mall this evening in between rain showers, and it turned out that the concert in the Amphitheater was cancelled due to the weather. So instead of a rock concert, I caught the scene at the Bee Cave Sculpture Park . It was a wet evening, which made for some interesting photos and then a nice sunset.