AroundAustin.Com

March 2007 Calendar

Want to use this as your screen background?  In Windows XP

1. Click on the picture (which will take you to Flickr
2. Right click, and on the menu that pops-up choose "Set as Background"

January 2007 Calendar & Screen Background

Want to use this as your screen background?  In Windows XP

1. Click on the picture (which will take you to Flickr
2. Right click, and on the menu that pops-up choose "Set as Background"

November 2006 Calendar Wallpaper

Want to use this as your screen background?  In Windows XP

1. Click on the picture (which will take you to Flickr
2. Right click, and on the menu that pops-up choose "Set as Background"

Renewing your Driver's License?

A little white card in the mail....crud....can't renew the driver's license online.  They want to see my social security card.  Last time I saw that card was in high school.  I have never held down a real job and thus never had to produce it.  After digging through piles of boxes, I actually found the card my social security card was attached to...hmmm...wonder if that'll be good enough.  I went down to the DPS main office to renew the driver's license and it looked like people were waiting in line for tickets to the Texas-Ohio State game (anyone got any to share?)...crap...looked like a several hour wait.

Here's a clue...If you need to get your Driver's License renewed and can't do it by mail or online I'd highly recommend going to an alternate office such as the one on 1500 Congress (near the Capitol) between 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  I was told by the Sergeant that's a slow time.  At peak time (lunch) I waited 15 minutes.  There's parking out front (take quarters). \  Oh yeah take cash/check they don't take credit cards.  You can find alternate offices where you can renew your driver's license at the DPS website.

Whew!  Legal again. 

Lake Travis Panorama

One of the best ways to cool off on a hot summer day is to head out to Lake Travis and take the boat out.  This year Lake Travis is extremely low (659' right now, full is 681').  So if you're going sailing especially with a full keel watch out for those sometimes islands.  This time I decided to just take a few pictures. 

If you want to see a larger version of this panorama go to http://www.tejasphotos.com/laketravis.htm (remember you can use the mouse to scroll, the shift key to zoom in, the Ctrl key to zoom out).

360 Bridge Panorama Shot

I got curious on how to create a 360 degree panorama, and after endless hours of research on the internet I finally figured it out.

I'd like to thank our sponsor MicroAssist for supplying the webspace for this 360 degree panorama of the 360 bridge.  You need QuickTime to view the panorama.  Click and drag your mouse to move in a direction (or use the arrow keys).  Use the Ctrl and Shift key to zoom in and out. 

http://www.microassist.net/panoramas/360bridge/fullscreen.htm

I'm planning a few more panoramas around Austin.  Among the sports I've already thought of are:

• Capitol
• University of Texas Tower
• Lake Travis

I'd love to do a couple inside some musical venues, and perhaps one inside Memorial Stadium.  What other places can y'all think of?  Reply in Comments.

Need a Ticket? Call Ticketcity.com

My mother's never been to a football game. Ever! I needed to trade in my two tickets for four so she could go see her first football game (yes I know it's just Rice but what the heck). I called and Austin owned business Ticketcity.com (1-800-SOLD-OUT) and a few minutes later they'd traded my two tickets for four.

Ticketcity.com is owned by my good friend Randy Cohen--an Austinite. He's managed to get tickets for all types of events from Longhorn sports, local concerts, Broadway and Las Vegas shows, and even international events like the World Cup. Best part is you can go pick up your tickets at Dobie Mall instead of worrying about whether a ticket broker will mail you the tickets or not.

Another cool Austin business.

Spectacular photographs of the heavens by an Austin Photogapher

The Statesman has a story today about Russell Croman, an Oak Hill photographer, who is taking spectacular astrophotographs from his backyard. The website http://www.rc-astro.com/ is worth a gander. Check out the equipment section to see the observatory. The prices for these original photo's are quite reasonable too.

SXSW - Music, Movies and the Internet

March brings SXSW madness. Entire parks are roped off. Hotels are overbooked. Even the limited free parking available around town becomes paid parking. Venues are distinguished by what SXSW events they'll be hosting.

Meanwhile, thousands of music, media and film fans and professionals are making their way to Austin from all over the world for the event, Austin's largest annual conference. The original Music and Media Conference & Festival, started in 1987, is now only one part of a multimedia event including the 11-year-old offshoots, the SXSW Film Conference and SXSW Interactive Festival.

It's the classic mixing of business with pleasure. Industry professionals network and browse the latest technology at the trade shows, share trade secrets in panel discussions and recognize the best talent with well-coveted SXSW awards. But mainly they're out there doing what they love and do best--showing their films and playing their music. And, fans--both one-timers and die-hards--eat it up. Since SXSW is known as a setting for discovering fresh talent, it's a chance to catch some rising stars as well as to see those who've already made their mark.

Registration runs between $150 (for students) up to $525, for up to 10 days of exhibitions, panels and performances. Individual admission without a registration badge is venue-specific. Check www.sxsw.com for schedule and rates.

Buy your tickets online from an Austin based ticket broker

Chip Rosenthal's blog has a number of interesting articles on SXSW at http://www.unicom.com/chrome/

TheDeliciousLife.com - Dining Guide, Restaurant Reviews, Catering in Houston, Texas

Heading to Houston? Check out TheDeliciousLife.com a website created by a good friend with reviews and more of Houston's best restaraunts.

TheDeliciousLife.com - Dining Guide, Restaurant Reviews, Catering in Houston, Texas