“Around the Republic: Roundup of Austin Blog Posts Week of November 8th 2009″

2009 November 17

by Rory Dillo

Why spend Sunday Monday Tuesday reading the New York Times? Each week we bring you our favorite posts from local Austin bloggers. If you see a post from your fave Austin blog and want it to get recognized, email Rory (rory[at]republicofaustin[dot]com) and let him know!

Fun Fun Fun Recaps Recaps Recaps

Fun Fun Fun Fest marks the end of festival season in Austin–and all our lovely music bloggers have finished it off with an exclamation point. Before we drift into the dismal abyss that is Winter, let’s take a look back at the last hurrah: the trifecta of fun.

Nathan over at Austin Town Hall drops his Bottom 5 of Fun Fun Fun Fest.
Christine at Delicious Noise has some great pics of people at FFF (and she gives a shout out to our humble blog!).
Eric Uhlir’s Flick feed has great pics of Fun Fun Fun Fest live performances and bands.
And don’t forget Mary Rehak’s Flickr Feed with pics of performances. We like her Ratatat pics, but can’t stand the band.
Austin Sound live-blogged and reviewed several performances <–It’s like being there, but without all the sweaty kids, mud, ear eruptions, and cheap beer…
Josh over at the Backline Show caught up with some of the bands backstage. Check out his podcast for interviews.
Lots of video interviews with FFF Fest musicians from the good folks over at ‘NITES blog.
More More More videos from ULoveI
This personal account of Fun Fun Fun Fest from Lazy Smurf is hella cute–esp the pic of her sleepy puppy.
Vanessa over at Sailor Legs bids adieu to festival season.

Nosey Noise

On the realz, I can’t stand people that move into a neighborhood that has always had outdoor music, festivals or events nearby and then COMPLAIN. Sadly, thus is the case in our fair city, and the grownups higher up are trying to turn off the music from the masses.

Acoustical consultant Joshua Leasure over at Austin Noise takes a scientific look at the noise coming from the Nutty Brown Cafe and says it’s WAY over the limit prescribed by three different ordinances and guides.
On November 16th, an addendum to the Noise Ordinance went into effect. The new ordinance states: “A person may not operate sound equipment in a watercraft audible or causing vibration 100 feet from the equipment.” Joshua at Austin Noise again uses his scientific powers to determine that the new ordinance would mean that you’d basically have to choose between talking to your friends or listening to music–but not both. He also argues the ordinance is unfair. <–DEF A GOOD READ

Slap My Forehead and Call Me a Teabagger

My Granny Dillo has no idea that the word “teabag” has a sexual meaning to it. For some who haven’t tried it, the word is offensive. Snowed In has been waging a war against the offensive word when used in reference to the group of folks who are vaguely protesting something (taxes? socialism? racial equality? Who knows?) and trying to connect it with the Boston Tea Party.

On Tuesday, he got pissed off at twitter user @anamariecox’s continuous use of “teabagger.”
On Wednesday, he discovered that the word was used by members of the conservative group to describe themselves. He feels upset that someone on “his side” would use such an offensive term. He doesn’t want to be around a movement that uses language that is offensive to his children. Ultimately, he says that everyone (on both sides) needs to grow up and stop using the word.
I, for one, completely agree with Snowed In. Let’s all stop using the word “teabag” when referencing politics. I mean, I don’t want to think of those teabaggers when I’m trying to spice up a Tuesday night with the ole Dillo missus, if you know what I mean.

Waller Creek Project No Longer in Drought

Looks like the Waller Creek Project is starting to flow again. Jude over at Downtown Austin has notes from the last week’s meeting.

She Lived Her Life Like a Candle in the Wind

World-renowned night blogger Freaky Franky Mae recently moved back to Austin from Brooklyn to be back in the city she loved, covering the folks that she loved. Many of us met her in real life for the first time at the Bleet-up. Sadly, her time here was short lived. After a cocaine binge, Franky was found bludgeoned to death in her living room.

Caleb over at Rusty Screw Productions captured Franky at her finest at the Bleet-Up. He also was there when her life was so brutally taken from her. Franky and her party rats will be very greatly missed. Check out the video for more:

Caleb Does the Bleet Up, or: My Bleety Valentine from Rusty Screw Productions on Vimeo.

SUPER MURAL!

Will over at Public School painted a mural at Super Yoga Place. Here’s a stop-action video of the painting process:

From Austin City Hall

The City announced enhanced usability and functionality on the homepage. If you ask me, it looks like they added a little makeup–but it’s still jumbled and overwhelming. (http://www.cityofaustin.org/).
Trail of Lights dates have been announced. No outside contractors and only half the park means no $5 entrance fee. If you don’t bike, parking is $10 per vehicle. Check out this gem from the city’s marketing dept:

“At a time when so many families are having to scale back their holiday plans, I am delighted that the Parks and Recreation Department has put together a program that will allow families to create lasting holiday memories without affecting their personal budgets,” said City Manager Marc Ott.