7/31/09 - The question is...

Well... do you?

And for those not in the know, this picture was taken at a local skating rink used in the Tommy Lee Jones film "Man of the House."

7/30/09 - Texas License Plate 12Z-BF7

What an asshole. 'Nuff said.

7/29/09 - Redbox

I love Redbox. I stopped to rent a movie on the way home (Rambo) and grabbed this pic. If you'd have told me 15 years ago I would one day be renting movies from a vending machine, I wouldn't have believed it. The upside: convenience, cost and no overpriced temptations at the checkout line like there is at Blockbuster (i.e. M&Ms -- damn, I love those things...). The downside: limited selection.

7/28/09 - McD's Jurassic Park Promotion

I had just started working at McDonald's when Jurassic Park came out, and they were doing a promotion for the film. These are two of the six collectors cups McDonald's would give out if you "Dino-sized" your combo meal. I came across these this morning--at one point, I had the whole set. God only knows how I managed to keep these two over all these years...

7/27/09 - Water Tower

I came across this water tower in an area of Austin that I hadn't been to in a while. I thought it resembled an inverted mushroom, which I liken to something I'd expect to see on a secret level of Super Mario Bros. 3...

7/26/09 - Sunflowers

I see these sunflowers in the field everyday, and yet I never tire of looking at them...

7/25/09 - Braker Ln

This is my dog, Braker. I took this picture this morning in the backyard. Braker is the sweetest, most gentle dog you can imagine... until he gets around another male dog. When that happens, things like this happen...

He did a number on my right thigh last night. That bite mark would have been in the neighbors dog, instead of my quad, if I hadn't intervened. The neighbors thoughtlessly let their dog roam the neighborhood and Braker wanted to eat him for dinner when I tried to walk him last night. After the scuffle was over, I informed the neighbors I'd be calling the cops the very next time I see that dog off a leash--and possibly INS. I'm not mad at Braker, but the owner of the other dog, for his native stupidity and inconsiderate actions.

7/24/09 - Curiosity Satisfied

I had a little time to kill after an appointment this afternoon, and I just happened to be in the vicinity of an office complex where I once worked 4 years ago. Behind the building I worked, was a bike path where some of the questionable co-workers would like to "hang-out" on their lunch hour. I always thought they were getting stoned, but was never certain. I was always curious about it, and having the time on my hands today, decided to finally satisfy my curiousity...

I didn't venture more than a quarter mile in... And, I suppose I could have looked at a Google Earth image to satisfy my curiousity, but then I'd have robbed of the sheer joy of seeing this on the path...

Nice, huh? This was probably left by one of those phony, pretentious people that love to don those "Keep Austin Weird" T-Shirts... And then, there's these pics...

In continuing with yesterday's theme of postings pics from days gone by, I found these last night. Taken on this date in 1993, at Western Playland in El Paso, Texas. Featured is my best friend at the time, Chris Fuller. I am the one wearing the shirt that makes me wonder WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING wearing a shirt like that on such a hot day at an amusement park.

7/23/09 - Trattoria Lisina

A modest winery, Trattoria Lisina, located in the Texas Hill Country.

As it happened, I came across this picture that I took exactly 12 years ago today. This was in the parking lot of the Budgetel Inn, located in Bloomington, Minnesota. My friend Kyle and I drove from South Dakota to visit the Mall of America and set up camp here. Eerily, we stayed in the very same room where WWF wrestler Brian Pillman was found dead only two and a half months later.

7/22/09 - A Little Birdy

This poor little guy fell out of the nest on the porch. I did what I could to help him, but basically all I could do was try to make him comfortable. He hung in there for a while, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. I took this picture while he was still alive. There's two birds left, almost fully grown (lest we forget the parents). From what I know, these birds are called "Chimney Sweeps," deep blue feathers with a gold chest--very beautiful.

7/21/09 - Signs, signs, everywhere a sign...

I noticed this in the parking lot of one of my favorite restaurants. I guess it'd been a week or two since I'd been there, but this is definitely something new. The funny thing is, it's usually the shop owners/employees in the strip mall that are out smoking, loitering, etc... (basically all the things the sign is admonishing)

7/20/09 - The Ice Maker

This was yanked out of the freezer this morning by the GE repair man. Hard to believe the whole assembly had to be replaced... but, it's nice to have ice again.

7/19/09- On Target

I noticed this in the Men's Department while making an exchange at JCPenney. It was sitting on the end of the sock display. I wondered, how long it had been there? And how much longer it will continue to sit there until an employee takes notice?

7/18/09 - Dead End?

Given the logistics of the surrounding area and the current layout of the neighborhood, I think at best this might wind up being a cul-de-sac. In 1-2 years' time, I suppose I'll find out.

7/17/09 - Global Warming

This caught my eye from across the street. I've never set foot in the place, but will make it a point to do so in the very near future.

7/16/09 - Woodlawn Baptist Church

I passed by Woodlawn Baptist on my way home and thought this looked interesting. Funny that I'd never noticed it before...

7/15/09 - Time

I took this in downtown Buda... at 1:45 pm. If nothing more, at least I'll remember what time it was when I took this picture...

7/14/09 - Office Space

In keeping up with the movie motif from yesterday, here's the location where Office Space was primarily shot in Austin, TX. It's funny, because I had driven by this office building a handful of times and never recognized it. It was recently pointed out to me and I felt like such a fool...

7/13/09 - Las Peliculas de El Paso

I knew about this spot well before I had ever seen The Border, but the instant I saw it I knew where it was filmed (after having filmed Los Gringos, I damn well know EVERY nook and cranny of El Paso). I got a real chuckle out of the reverse shot which follows, because it was obviously filmed nowhere near where Jack Nicholson is standing...

The same goes for Lone Wolf McQuade, which mainly surprised me because, unbeknownst to me prior to viewing, the house used in the film was right behind my Grandparents' house...

7/12/09 - The Mom and Pop

Long before there was Albertson's or Super Walmart, there was the Mom and Pop. Every El Paso neighborhood had one at some point--the choice was either visit your local corner grocer or drive over to Piggly Wiggly. Despite the fierce competition these small shops now face with 7-Eleven, Circle K and the like, it's nice to know that a few of them are still around.

7/11/09 - The Pershing Theater

While there have been great improvements in the overall movie-going experience (i.e., stadium-style seating), there was something grand--something special about going these old local movie houses. At one point, every community had one. Mine was THE PERSHING THEATER at Five Points. It was here at this one-screen theater where I saw great films for the first time like "Back To The Future" and "Brewster's Millions." Today, visiting a local multi-plex just isn't the same; they lack a certain elegance that theaters once possessed. Coupled with skyrocketing admission, inferior films and over-priced concessions (to concede that one, concession prices have always been excessive), you're forced to sit through 15 minutes of trailers for films you'd most likely pass on only to be further disappointed by the actual feature film itself, or the obnoxious jerks on their cell phones...

7/10/09 - An El Paso Institution

I've never met an El Pasoan that didn't have a soft spot in their heart for Chico's Tacos (even if they DID close my favorite location on McRae and STILL don't take credit/debit cards), but you know what's even better? Another dish I can only get in El Paso -- my Grandma's tacos...

7/9/09 - Cars 2?

I snapped this leaving the parking lot this morning. The garbage men (or "Sanitation Specialists," to be more PC) were inside having an early lunch, and I thought the front of the truck had such a personified look that it could star in the inevitable "Cars" sequel.

7/8/09 - Crystal Pepsi

Am I the only one that actually liked Crystal Pepsi? I guess so, seeing as how it didn't last more than a year or so on the market... For whatever reasons (most likely lousy marketing, et al), I think people expected it to taste EXACTLY like original Pepsi... but it didn't. Back in '93, my "friend" (Lord only knows why I hung out with that unfoundedly cocky, pretentious, supercilious fellow) in high school said it "tasted like turpentine" -- which, rather than making him look so decisively "witty," merely begged the question: how the HELL would he know what turpentine actually tastes like? I, on the other hand, actually liked it and was disappointed when Pepsi discontinued it.

7/7/09 - Tres Telefonos Publico

As we all know, the proliferation of cell phones means payphones are going the way of the dinosaur... But, I can't recall the last time I saw 3 payphones together... Usually, all I find is one, and the ground down bolts where others had once stood beside it. Anyway, this was taken at the 7-Eleven (obviously) on 1st and Ben White, and will be yet another payphone pic that I submit to the Payphone Project.

7/6/09 - Back to VHS

This was the first VHS movie I ever "owned." I recently came across it and still can't believe I've had this for 20 years. Somehow, it's dodged all of my trips to Goodwill...

7/5/09 - Sam's Parking Lot

I nabbed this picture in the parking lot of Sam's this afternoon, just before the owner returned. I heard what sounded like a Rooster crowing coming from inside...?

7/4/09 - 2nd Best BBQ in Texas

After Sol's BBQ in El Paso closed in 2006, Rudy's BBQ in Austin is the next best thing... I mean, where else can you see an indoor outhouse?