I got a buddy in Austin..

...who has one of these that's not quite this pimped out. Ewan, this one's for you!

When in Austin...

..., you gotta see some live music. We're just hangin' out at Club 115 listening to Jabarvy. They kick ass...

Dinner and a movie comparison

You may remember that a couple of years ago, I wrote a post called Things I'll miss about Austin (if we ever leave).... Well, we've left. I really was hoping to find a replacement for the Alamo Drafthouse. For those of you who don't know, the Alamo is the best place in Austin to see a movie. Here's how they describe it:

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is Austin's only independently owned and operated movie theater. We serve a full menu of dinner and drinks to your seat while you watch the movie. The theater is laid out like a traditional movie theater, except every other row of seats has been replaced with a long narrow table for your food and drinks. Those who have never been to the Alamo may worry about disruptions during the movie, but we have devised an ordering system that minimizes interruption during the film, allowing you to order, eat and enjoy the movie with minimal distraction. We recommend arriving 30 minutes early so you can order while the lights are up (it gets tough to read the menus in the dark). seating begins 45 minutes before the show and there is always pre-movie entertainment on the screen while you wait for the movie. We have waiters that serve you at your seat; orders before the movie begins are taken in the traditional way. Once the movie starts if you need anything at all, there is paper and pencils at the table, write down what you need on the paper, stand the paper up on the card holder attached to the table. This acts as a flag, your waiter will only come by if he sees the card, otherwise he will stay out of your way so you can enjoy the film.

Last night we went to the Buckhead Backlot 6. This is an AMC theater which they described similarly:

Do you love movies? Do you enjoy going out to restaurants? How often have you done dinner and a movie? Then how would you like to do both simultaneously? At AMC Buckhead Backlot you can enjoy a first-run movie while having food brought to your seat by our friendly servers and staff. Located on Piedmont Road at Tower Walk, we offer a full bar-style menu, plus a wide range of draft and bottled beer, wine, and beer alternatives. Buckhead Backlot is the perfect spot for a night out with your significant other, or for a casual night out with friends.

Buckhead BackLot is also available for special events and business meetings. Details are available at the theatre.

If you would like to download our regular in-theatre menu, click here.

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Here's how I would say they compare:

• Parking: Backlot has a parking garage and they validate, so parking is free. However, it's a hassle and really only is an advantage when it's raining. Alamo just has a plain parking lot (like most other theaters). Advantage: Tie
• Pre-Movie Entertainment: Backlot plays still commercials and trivia like most theaters. Alamo plays bizarre, old, film clips which may or not be related to the movie that you're there to see. Advantage: Alamo
• Drinks: Both serve beer and wine and have a good selection: Advantage: Tie
• Food: The Alamo has wonderful food. It compares favorably to restaurants in the area. Backlot has food. It compares favorably to frozen dinners. Advantage: Alamo
• Waitstaff: The Alamo has perfected how to make their waiters blend in and not be obtrusive, that wasn't the case last night at the Backlot. Advantage: Alamo

We only went to the Alamo at mealtime, because we loved their food and it saved time, because you had dinner and a movie, in the time it takes to see a movie. We did have a nice overall experience at the Backlot and I feel sure that we will go back. We won't go at dinner time. Summary: Backlot is a nice theater and is probably great if you haven't been spoiled by the Alamo.

Busy Weekend

Thursday: Work until 2:00PM. Go to airport. Fly to Atlanta. Dinner with Amy. Watching Lost (it's Tivo'd, don't ruin it for us).
Friday: Job interviews at 10:00, 12:00 and 12:30. Lunch at some point. Drive to Auburn, AL.
Saturday: Watch Auburn beat the Razorbacks of Arkansas. Tailgate with family and friends.
Sunday: Brunch with Family. Head back to Atlanta. Anniversary dinner with my lovely wife.
Monday: Fly to Austin. Take care if ticket.

Free University of Texas Basketball !

The first two games this years for both the University of Texas Men's and Women's basketball teams are free this year. Here are those games. We went to see a University of Texas game last year and had a hoot. If you go to a Men's game, be sure to cheer for Round Rock hero, A. J. Abrams.

10/31/06	Men's	Lenoir-Rhyne(Exhibition)	Austin, TX	7:00 pm
11/02/06	Women's	Houston Jaguars (Exhibition)	Austin, TX	7:00 pm
11/06/06	Men's	Xavier (La.) (Exhibition)	Austin, TX	7:00 pm
11/07/06	Women's	Trinity University (Exhibition)	Austin, TX	7:00 pm

Things I'll miss about Austin (if we ever leave)...

Waterloo Records - The best place to buy CD's, especially Austin or Texas artists.
Chuy's - The only place in town to eat Tex-Mex.
Alamo Drafthouse - Dinner and a movie, all in one.
Round Rock Express - Double-A baseball, soon to be Triple-A

A great church...

My lovely wife and I are members of St. George's Episcopal Church, Austin, TX. I serve on the vestry and also on the school board of St. George's Episcopal School.

Great local musicians (Austin)...

There are lots of great musicians in Austin. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Asylum Street Spankers
• Marcia Ball
• Guy Forsyth
• Malford Milligan (formerly of Storyville)
• Patrice Pike (formerly of Sister 7, present member of The Black Box Rebellion)
• Bruce Robison
  
• Charlie Robison
  
• Bob Schneider (formerly of Ugly Americans, present member of The Scabs)
• Kelly Willis
  

Sports teams in Austin...

I first moved to the Austin area in January of 1993. When I got here, there were no professional sports teams. Now there are several. The Austin Icebats (Hockey), The Austin Wranglers (Arena Football)and The Round Rock Express, (Minor League Baseball). I've been to one Wranglers game, two Icebats games, and countless Express games. They are every bit as exciting as their major league counterparts.