What Do You Do on Friday Evenings?

This is what we do in Austin. 

Meet Sage and Echo.

Leslie Cochran's Memorial

Sweet, stubborn, passionate, loved, loving and a willing Austin icon...

You will be missed.

You will be remembered.

You are loved.

83rd Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival (2011)

I was very excited about attending the 2011 Zilker Park Kite Festival.  I prepared our kite the night before, charged 4 backup batteries for my cameras, polished the lenses, oiled my bike chain and formatted my flash drives.   The next morning, I packed oranges and cashews into my pre-packed photo-bag, strapped it to my back and headed out for a day of kite and photo fun.  
(click on any picture to enlarge)

I expected to see a scene like last year:

(photo credit to somethingtocelebrateblog)

However, this is the scene I was greeted with: 

Let me begin by saying I truly appreciate and respect the men and women of the Military,  National Guard and the Texas State Guard.  These amazing individuals have dedicated their lives to the idea of protecting me, my family, my community, state and nation.  

My deepest gratitude for your service.

"The Texas State Guard (TXSG) mission as a branch of the Texas Military Forces is to provide mission-ready military forces to assist State and local authorities in times of state emergencies, with homeland security and community service through Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA). To augment the other two branches of the Texas Military Forces, the Texas Army National Guard and Texas Air National Guard as force multipliers"







I asked numerous soldiers why they were there.  Each responded in the same manner: "We are here to aid with security."  

 




After numerous such responses, I went to the "Command Tent" and the officers gave me their attention as I asked why they were there.  The gentleman who addressed me advised me that his troops had been working hard all year and this was their reward.

Wouldn't it be  a better reward to give them the day off and let them enjoy Kite Day with their families?  



Would they be any less vigilant in watching over their community if they volunteered without the uniforms?






I don't think so.
 

Rather than inculcating a military presence into the consciousness of our community, maybe we could focus on continuing to strengthen the bonds our community is famous for.

The command center was the recruiting center, located between the restrooms and the primary drop-off/pick-up points for the school buses that shuttled families in - supervised by the Guard.

There must be other venues more appropriate for a military recruiting tent.

 If organizers believe that a recruiting tent for a branch of the Texas Military Forces is necessary at the family (children's) kite festival, maybe they would consider a proximity away from arriving families and an agreement to maintain conformity with other vendors and organizations. 

I respectfully request that uniformed soldiers not be involved in ANY security or policing duties.

In retrospect, can we agree there are better ideas than setting a military perimeter around a children's festival? 

Although most of the TXSG was courteous and respectful, a good number appeared to find the presence of a long-haired guy on a bicycle with a camera in South Austin to be a concern.

 

 



 






























This is a family kite festival and there is no need for a military presence or this level of security.

After contacting the organizers of the festival with my concerns, Billie McCulley contacted me let me know that "...Amazingly enough we have fewer than 20 members who are able to work the fest..."  "...we rely heavily on volunteers, usually numbering in the 800s." 
          "...This year we asked the Texas Guard to volunteer and to set up a recruiting booth."  

"...The Guard is a gallant and patriotic organization that sounded like a group of volunteers who could help us take care of 30,000 attendees."    

I let her know I am thrilled that the TXSG wants to volunteer their talents in security and logistics, but that it's a concern when done by the same people in uniform. The children that attended this function looked at generous volunteers offering up their time and saw military uniforms instructing them where to go and running security.  From my "Keep Austin Weird and America Free" perspective, I view this as a potential slippery slope for our community culture.

Ms. McCulluey asked me to come to one of the Kite Festival Planning Meetings to voice my concerns and to share some of the ideas I have to let more people know about the festival and how they can contribute.  You know I'll be there!

The ‘Kite Tournament’ was created by The Exchange Club of Austin in 1929 with a mission to encourage creativity in children. It is still owned and run by the club.

I've attended the  Zilker Park Kite Festival for years before we became residents of Barton Hills. We love our neighborhood, our park and our community.  We look forward to attending again...When my backyard is military uniform-free and filled with children flying kites in a creative, care-free environment.

Please help get the word out!  This is not a city event.  This is an organization that needs inspired, creative, committed help.  It doesn't cost anything to volunteer.  

They are struggling to accommodate crowds attracted and inspired by a great idea.  


 If you or your organization would like to volunteer  talents & resources to help with the festival, please click here.


My hope is that others would:  Share their point of view with the sponsors of the event with respect, love, reason and ideas with an intention of positive change.  Let's continue the tradition of non-uniformed community volunteers at the Zilker Park Kite festival.

I truly believe that there is a better way.

I love you, I'm sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you. ~ Hoʻoponopono

The Nation's First Red Astro Turf

My experience in high school was one of a counter-culture individual (no culture selected) who attended a school where it was ALL ABOUT FOOTBALL! When I have attempted to explain how over-the-top the football emphasis was there, people have looked at me as if I were crafting a story of extremes for impact and attention.

Below is a photo of my alma mater's new pride and joy:

The nation's first red Astro Turf.

Today, I am vindicated!!!

Article link here.

Austin Love

I was told this isn't common in many cities.

I love Austin!!

Rally to Restory Sanity - Austin 2010

There was:

Attention getting:

Show supporting:

Representation from the far right:

Same-sex embracing:

Calls to action:

Calls to research:

Voices of moderation:

Voices of reason:

Signs for fun:

And my absolute favorite!:

Pure Austin Weird Event

I hope you will all join me for the Electro Circus, an interactive participatory circus arts jam, today from 3pm-10pm in Zilker Park at the Polo Picnic area. There will be DJs all day and the Daily Juice will be there to provide fresh juices and smoothies. The community will provide all sorts of toys like hula hoops, poi, staffs, juggling goodies, slacklines, and lots of training to learn fun new skills. There will also be massage therapy, face painting, sidewalk chalk and a misting tent.

For those of you that can't this is a bit of the fun you will miss:

Electro Circus - You are the star of the show!

http://yourheartisaportal.com

Sponsored by C.U.@Circus (facebook group)

Public Hoop Out - Austin, TX

OK all you hoopsters, newbies and wannabes...it's time for a little springtime fun, Austin style:  A community hoop-out!!

Bring your favorite hoop or use one/some/a bunch of the many provided.  There should be plenty of hoops in all shapes, sizes and weights.  

Informal class for beginners at 1pm.  

DJ Manny will be spinning.

Here is one of my favorite hoopers from Canada, Sandra SaFire Sommerville.  She has only been hooping since about late 2006.  I hope she inspires you as much as she does me.

I'm still trying to convince Arlene to let me do hoops, poi and whips in-doors.

Check out Hoopcircle.com for more info and details.

Santa Rampage Pictures

Click here or on the picture below to be taken to more pictures of the Santa Rampage last Saturday in Austin, TX.

From Santa Rampage, Austin, TX - 2008

So you wanna be a part of Santa Rampage Next year?  Click here for the official link to a list of gatherings all around the world.  

Are you Santa enough?