Monthly Archives: August 2009

(Community Matters)
I don’t get it. If our state’s unemployment fund is so overextended, how can I be receiving a “surplus credit refund” of unemployment taxes I paid on household employees. Posted from my blackberry.

(Community Matters) Big surprise (not) former Vice President Dick Cheney is upset about the investigation of torture. Imagine he’s a bit worried he could spend time in jail.

(Community Matters) ok, staying in. Steven prepping case and we’ll watch our current favorite show.

Mad Men’s Jon Hamm
photo: Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair

January Jones & Jon Hamm

I don’t know why I feel compelled but when a particular show enters the contemporary lexicon, I just have to understand and sample it. I’d heard references to it over the last year. And, while with ST, Kip Keller & Michael Mitchell over dinner, I was startled to learn Steven and Kip had watched every episode and spoke of the show near reverently – well, at least they talked about others speaking so reverently about it. While in Marfa, I decided to sample. Since there’s no television at the Marfa house, I downloaded the first season from iTunes, then the second.

It’s smart, engaging and a different pace than I thought we were use to, or that captures Americans’ attention. It’s about a successful man’s vulnerability & insecurity in the face of overwhelming external praise, a topic of late talking about politicians. Given all that’s written about its authenticity, I’m quite taken about an era I lived through but because of my social/economic and geographical status, had zero familiarity with. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres of literature, and this is it on television.

undoubtedly, this has some impact on my choice to decorate my office in a mid century motif; however, that’s the predominant design style at our host, Thinkwell, so probably more the latter – and my desire to have a bar in my office 🙂

update: disappointing episode – writers only investing time in the Peggy Olson character – all the others were quite flat. The Paul Kinsey & Harry Crane characters were especially a big miss
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(Community Matters) There are should be NO first amendment rights to free speech for corporations (ie., participation in the political process).

Corporations are completely government created entities which shield individuals from unlimited liability and are, obviously, a unique and efficient way to raise, deploy and create capital. The only rights they ^should have are those granted. In exchange for granting this franchise, governments appropriately expect taxes and public benefits – whatever else they deem to require in exchange for this special franchise.

To argue that they have some inherent right to participate in the political process – well, the logic escapes me. Their employees, stockholders & other stakeholders, yes of course. And, yes corporations IF our government so grants.

(Community Matters) Don’t accidently type in The Austin Project.com, it’s quite different from dot org. Dot com a Christian evangelical project in Austin. Dot org the Rostow collaboration focused on helping children and families through education which is honoring Earl Maxwell at a fundraiser on Oct 22.

(Community Matters) Interesting . . . Michael Mitchell blogged about a Michael Sullivan. I couldn’t remember if I knew him, so I querried him in Facebook – returned 9 Michael Sullivans and 1 Michaela Sullivan – I’m friends with none but lots of mutual friends. The first, networked to Austin & Texas A&M I have 18 mutual friends with including Evan Smith, Fred Zipp, Brewster McCracken, Gardner Selby & Mark Strama – but no Michael Mitchell, so that’s not him.

The second Michael must be it – 7 mutual friends including MM, Soo-Jin Lee, Martin Zimmerman, Kelly Howe, Jenny Connell, Ann Ciccolella and Alex Alford – obviously Austin theater person. The third – 2 mutual friends, Mike Martinez & Matt Curtis (obviously political).

#4 – someone in San Francisco also friends with Mike Maples, Jr., EJ Bernacke & Timothy Cavanaugh (likely a gay man in startup high tech) #5 – from San Antonio and friends with Patrick Manley. #6 – in DC and friends with Daniel Sepulveda. #7 – Dallas/Ft. Worth, mutual friends with Larry Pease. #8 – not sure where from but mutual friends with Sarah Russ. #9 evidently also Austin, friends with Martin Montenero. And, Michaela not sure where from, evidently with the Houghton Muffin Company and mutual friends with Marc English. There’s also a Mikey, but I didn’t count him.

(Community Matters) RIP- Mrs. Brown

Mrs. Brown was an longtime resident of and advocate for Clarksville neighborhood. I was lucky to have met her many times through her friend, Margaret Keys. Our condolences to her family & friends.

(Community Matters) It’s been way too long since we’ve spent an evening with Rosa Rivera & Juan Miro – especially since we’ve been treated to Rosa’s extraordinary cooking.

Rosa telling Dana & Mark about the art piece

Juan and his niece, Clara

Terrific evening with Rosa, Juan, Clara Miro (visiting from Spain & hanging with Abby Meredith while she’s been in town), Dana Friisen-Hansen & Mark Holzbach.
Rosa really is a gifted cook – baked sturgeon, a homemade gazpacho, veggies, baked peaches and my homemade, 21-egg yolk ice cream. We loved the little baked ginger cookies in the shape of a peach pit inserted just right.

What a whirlwind summer for the family – Japan, Madrid, a European cruise. Unfortunately, Diego and Daniela were staying with grandma so we weren’t able to spend time with them – next time, soon.

(Community Matters) Lots of sweet things were said about me the other night (I’m still paying off the favors 🙂 )

These from my 3 Austin-based godsons are especially moving:

Nico Maykus, 10 years old: “Eugene is the best godfather ever. He’s like a 6^th grade boy trapped in an adult’s body!”

Ben Maykus, 16 years old: “To have Eugene as a godfather is to have guardian who can always be counted upon to take care of those who count upon him. It also means to have a friend who is loyal, trustworthy and loving.”

From Austin, 19: When I think of godfather, I immediately think of Francis Ford Coppola. Having Eugene as a godfather is a little like having Coppola’s godfather in your life…..except for all the guns and horses and things such as that. Eugene is a godfather who is all about family. He names his family and he takes care of family. He loves us no matter what, and he let’s us know that he will always be there for us. He also holds a mirror up to us to let us know who we are. Eugene knows more people than anyone really possibly can…he makes the Royal Family look like social slackers. I consider myself more than fortunate to be a part of Eugene’s family.

(Community Matters) Eileen & Drew Liedeker harvesting ABPorter basil which’ll be sold at Wheatsville starting today

(Community Matters) For at least the fourth time, Sarah Palin has flaked as the speaker of an event built around her appearance – again she claims she was never asked.

If it walks and quacks . . . either she’s boozing, drugging or she’s just a jerk. Have a nagging feeling it’s one of the first two – hope not.

(Community Matters) Although, I don’t always do so immediately (just because I don’t alway remember to moderate them), I usually post submitted comments. I’m more judicious about anonymous comments, so if you want me to publish an especially controversial comment, please have the courage to submit with attribution. And, I appreciate the emails; I’ll always ask before publishing those.