Yay! Blog! v2.0
Category: Austin

The ordinance to ban smoking in bars, bowling alleys and other public places passed yesterday 52% to 48%. It takes effect September 1. News 8 Austin interviewed someone outside the polls who was against the ban, and he said something that offended me greatly as a musician:

Really what we're talking about is Austin's status as live music capital of the world. We're talking about an ordinance that if passed would severely harm Austin, and cut right to the heart and soul of what Austin is: its live music scene.

Why won't smokers still go to the live music shows and step outside to smoke? Is smoking so important that they'll cut out the wonderful experience of live music from their lives just because they have to step outside for a cigarette?

Anyone want to go with me to a bar featuring live music and clean air September 1st?

I early voted this week, and I'm so proud of myself. I wanted to cast a ballot for the smoking ban that's caused much controversy here in Austin. It will ban smoking from bars, and smoking drunks are up in arms. Actually, bar owners are up in arms because they claim their bars will shut down if people can't smoke in them. I call bullshit.

The most ridiculous claim I heard is that the smoking ban will hurt the South by Southwest Music Festival because no one will come to the shows. Am I supposed to believe people go to those shows just to smoke? It's not the South by Southwest Smoking Festival. I call bullshit.

Anyway... I voted to ban smoking. The last live music show I went to in a bar was a special non-smoking show. It was full of people.

The cast of MTV's Real World is in Austin now. I haven't seen them yet, but I heard one of them got in a fight and had to go to the hospital for stitches (camera crew in tow). I also heard where their house is. It's a converted downtown warehouse across the street from the convention center and 3 blocks away from Sixth Street. Here's a picture I took on the way home from work tonight:

There's a lighted sign on top that says "Austin." I'll try to get some more pictures another day.

They'll be in town during South by Southwest. I bet they'll be involved with the festival in some way.

I haven't watched the show since they were in Boston. That was season 6. Austin is season 16. I suspect I'll watch season 16.

I just discovered this... Grackle News.

Headlines include:

Houston Rockets No. 1 in BCS The new rankings also listed LSU No. 2, USC No. 3, Oklahoma No. 4, and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders No. 5.

Every Single Road in Austin Now Under Construction (not so far from the truth!)