Boy in tha Hood

New signs seen in and around the Bouldin Creek neighborhood: “No Event Parking in Neighborhood.” I’m not sure who is distributing them or the specific events they’re targeting. Auditorium Shores festivals? City-wide Garage Sales at Palmer? Or are residents frustrated with folks choking our streets during First Thursdays? Sometimes I think we’re trying to have it both ways. We herald the unplanned mishmash of businesses, galleries, and quirks that make it unique. But then also attempt to sculpt the neighborhood– forgetting the organic nature of how vibrant communities take shape. I think I’ll put a sign in the front yard that says “Not in my backyard!”

My rule for a good skateboard video is that it has to make me want to skate afterward. So much so that even if it’s midnight, I still must go forth and get my shred on. Last weekend Sarah and I went to see “Bend it Like Beckham”. Following the movie, I was so psyched that I wanted to lace up the cleats and bust a rainbow or perhaps a nutmeg or two. But since I don’t know shizznit about soccer I chose instead to go skateboarding. After dorking around on South Congress, I cruised downtown and went to one of my favorite spots: the bank parking lot across from the library. See, when you can no longer skate, a simple waxed curb is as good as it gets. Click-clacking around under the buzzing orange lights with the shins a little bloody was rad. After fumbling, flailing, and falling, it was time to reward myself with a beer. I thought I would people-watch in the Warehouse District. As Party Boy Bueller might say, it was “off the hook.” Wow, there are a lot of girls driving the bike cabs now. Neat. That dude is so hooking up. “Ludwigs”– must be new. Don’t like the name. Cold Bud on warm evening. Hail yes boyee. Yeah yeah, you got a mini cooper, whatevs. OK, it looks dope. Honda Element. Kinda dig it. Wait, don’t like SUVs. I’m hungry, what to eat? Brat cart on Sixth Street. Skated down to Sixth Street and ended up at Lovejoy’s. It was nice going from complete anonymity in Warehouse District to finding a table of friends here. This city is good that way. A few more people randomly showed up and everyone agreed it was a perfect Austin spring night to be out. Moments later a guy from Australia joined us. He was with the Cirque du Soleil and hadn’t been home in like two years. He said Austin reminds him of Perth. We all concluded the evening by heading back to South Austin for tacos and chatting on the patio… Skated home on empty streets.

Will the beloved Mercury live on? Reports about its demise (turning into a booty club) surfaced a few months ago. But they’re booked through May according to their site.

Hole in the Wall is another mystery. They officially closed down and the marquee has been advertising shows for Beerland. But I noticed the other day that it now says “Hole in the Wall Rides Again.” Same location? What’s the story?

April 30th, 2003