Monthly Archives: December 2008

(Community Matters) well, guess it already is, but mean preparing for tonight. Up very early to further prep the cochinita pibil. Wrapping four huge, achiote-marinated pork roasts in banana leaves and will slow cook all day for tonight. Also making frijoles negro, arroz blanco, tamales (these bought – thx MK) and a few other dishes as sides.

Last night outstanding. Fantastic meal at Cochineal with so many friends – Tana & Joe Christie, Margaret Keys, Jill McRae & Stephen Yelenosky, Michael Barnes & Lawrence, Michael Mitchell, Kala Philo, Zach, Jessie & Scott Collier, Gary Cooper, Richard Hartgrove, Heath Riddle, Graydon Parrish, Susan Ghertner, Hazel Barbour, Karen Aboussie, Christina Gutierrez and, of course, Steven Tomlinson.

Can’t wait for Amy Bryant & Palo Chalupka to arrive. And – yeah – just an email from Kim & Kyle Hughes that they’ll be joining us too. Oh yeah, Jan & David Hughes coming too. And, several Marfa friends. So love bringing together new and old friends. Happy New Years!

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(Community Matters) Yesterday was another good day in Marfa. Steven and I mostly enjoyed our last down day before most friends arrive this afternoon. And, we put together goodies for arriving friends, stocked up for the party, napped, read, took walks and hung out. The Paisano lobby where there’s a fire has become my unofficial residence (wireless). Much love and appreciation to Kate, Paul, Mary Elena and all the staff for putting up with me even though I’m not a guest this year.

Since the coffee shop doesn’t open until 8, I make a thick, foamy latte at home, bring it with me to the hotel, then pop around to Farma for my second. After a wonderfully intimate dinner of pancakes and sausage last night – which ST made while I was putting last minute touches on some goodies, he retired to reading & I popped over to the hotel lobby. It was hoping. After a bit I thought I saw Scott Collier. Sure enough, and there was Kala, Jessie and Zach. They aren’t staying here but at our friends’ (Tom & Vilis’) apartments. They hadn’t been given fully entry instructions so Mary Elena helped them out by calling the manager at home (it’s a small town).

Chatting with one of my two best friends from 3rd to 9th grade over Facebook – we’d just reconnected last night. he’s in CA and was a Countrywide manager – laid off 40 people last quarter & then jumped ship himself – I was sorta overhearing the conversations of two groups also hanging in the lobby, both from Austin. One a small group of 20-somethings who had just arrived and are staying at the Riata. The other two, 30-something guys. Sounded as if they are in the music industry, one living here, the other just visiting. Interesting political perspectives and broad range of conversation.

Then, my old teaching assistant and his girlfriend show up – David Roth & Jessica. David’s now living in Boulder, Jessica in Manhattan. Knew they were coming in yesterday but thought I’d missed them. Great catching up with these two. David the all time best TA ever, up until Joey, then Patrick, then up until Doug. And, I won’t pick between them 🙂

(Community Matters) She ought to be recognized and applauded. good samaritan

(Community Matters) John has a good point here

The amount sounds way steep. If there is realistic thoughtfulness to it, this should be explained quickly. In these economic times when city services are being cut, when demand for social services outstrip budgets, there could be hell to pay for not-thought-out prioritizations.

(Community Matters) Concise, succinct and unambiguous opinion from Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman on government spending during this economic crisis.

(Community Matters) Lori Hawkins isn’t just a favored business reporter, most of us have known her, confided in her and laughed with her during the last 10+ years. She’s blogged about several economic predictions.

(Community Matters) Another gorgeous and warming day in Marfa. Hit Alice’s Restaurant this am after picking up a coffee at Marfa’s newest coffee shop, Frama, owned by former S. Austin residents Daniel & Jessie Browning who also run Marfa’s Tumbleweed Laundry.

Alice’s is closed on Sundays but she’s always there feeding her boys – the Marfa ranchers who gather for coffee each day. So, when I asked she didn’t turn me down and fixed me a plate of bacon, eggs and hash browns. I did fib just a little bit by answering that yes, I am Catholic – well, I was born and baptized Catholic.

Loitering in the Paisano Hotel lobby in front of the fire, pirating their free wireless to read AAS, the NYTimes, Huffington Post, John Thornton’s Insomniactive, Michael Barnes’ Out & About (where I loved seeing the pics from Tana’s & Joe’s) & a host of other on-line journals, I’ve bumped into a couple of friends, including Terry Mowers from NYC and the Paisano’s newish GM, Kate Hunt. Ran into Terry’s wife, textile design extraordinaire Suzanne Tick & friends last night at Pizza Foundation. Steven then retired and I joined Gail Papermaster & her newish beau, Fletcher, for mucho good wine in front of a fire. They are staying at Quality Quinn’s abode, just a block away from our own (wish Quality was in town – miss her roaring and infectous laugh). Michael Barnes will take it over as they move out on Tuesday. Yesterday, ran into AAS statesman editor Fred Zipp and his fantastic wife Jodi at Marfa Bookstore. Hoping to connect later today or this evening.

Steven and I have been having wonderful conversations with Marfa influencers about Marfa’s future, sustainable economic development, the arts, affordability, etc. Imagining there might be a project ABPorter could possibly assist with. We started the fund to support conversations and art – feels like a brilliant intersection.

(Community Matters) Frank Rich on Obama and Warren.

(Community Matters) At least they use to wear robes. here

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photo: Lois Greenfield

Spoke with Charles Santos this morning. He and Rickie are at his in-laws in Philadelphia. Charles was telling me about David Parson’s newest piece, a collaboration with the East Village Opera Company premiering at the Joyce next month. CDS attending the premiere performance. Don’t know if I can stand to miss. Love David’s work. hmm . . . .

(Community Matters) A couple of friends from New York and a couple from Marfa over for dinner last night. Exactly what was called for. Super evening.