What's on Tonight?

Lone Star Summer

Allen Weiner — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:58:47 -0700

Yes, I know none of it makes any sense. We leave in a few days for what we are calling our Lone Star Summer. After years of silly summer trips to silly places, wasting a bunch of money, we purchased a second home in Austin, Texas. We leave this Wednesday (July 2) and are driving to Austin for an unspecified amount of time. I know it makes little sense to go from one hot place to another (especially since Austin is both hot & humid), but to us it makes sense.

We’ll be driving via El Paso figuring we’ll make it there in one day and then reach Austin on day two. That gets us there in time for July 4^th. It will be a mix of work and fun for the summer including trips to South Padre Island, Corpus Christi and perhaps even San Antonio for a AA Texas League baseball game.

It will be an adventure filled with food, fun, new places and a lot of video. I am hopeful our Lone Star Summer invigorates my video activity which has been light for quite a while.

Stay tuned ya’all.

Music Under The Tube

Allen Weiner — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:46:40 -0700

A guitarist entertains passers-by along the Piccadilly Line on my way to train headed back to Gloucester Road.

Borough Market (again)

Allen Weiner — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:25:10 -0700

My 4th trip to Borough Market in London yielded many treasures: Chelsea Buns, flavored sea salts, exotic dried fruits, fabulous olives...

Wilson Performing at The Belmont (Austin, TX)

Allen Weiner — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:59:15 -0700

Wednesday nights are kinda slow in downtown Austin (relatively speaking) with music really hitting its stride Thursday night through Saturday. Along 6^th (North of Congress), we stopped into a few places and happened upon a band called Wilson playing at the open air venue of The Belmont restaurant. Here’s their rendition of “We Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

Hut's Hamburgers in Austin

Allen Weiner — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:10:40 -0700

Since the day we moved here, I have wanted to walk up 6^th Street to Whole Foods (about one mile) and look at all the restaurants along the way—and there are many. The one I have been dying to stop in to try is Hut’s Hamburgers, one of those places heralded by Jane and Michael Stern in their Roadfood site and books. To say the least, we were not disappointed.

Flyjack and Uncle Bruno at Antone's

Allen Weiner — Tue, 27 May 2008 07:51:15 -0700

We walked out the front door and headed two blocks down Colorado and there on the right side is Antone’s, the legendary Austin music venue. It was a quiet Monday night and it was Super Soul Monday, featuring Flyjack and Uncle Bruno. These two local bands were just fantastic as they played for close to three hours wit ha few songs in which members of one band jammed with the other. This was truly one of the great reasons we moved to Austin.

Airport Travel Made Easy in Austin

Allen Weiner — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:12:45 -0700

Having owned a second home before, we quickly learned that transportation costs can get out of hand. For starters, our new place is in the middle of everything in Austin—food, music, etc…--so we can either walk everywhere or take Capital Metro, a great local public transit system.

Where you can really rack up the expense is in getting to and from the airport. In Austin, however, for 50 cents, you can take the Airport Flyer (Capital Metro 100) from ABIA and you whisked into downtown or the UT campus in minutes.

Music at the Austin Farmers Markets

Allen Weiner — Sat, 24 May 2008 16:01:56 -0700

Been a while since I have been at the video switch. Our first day in our new second home in Austin included visits to the two Saturday farmers markets, one down the street at 4^th and Guadalupe and the other out in Sunset Valley. And if you are the live music capital of the world, there would have to be music at the markets. At the Downtown Market there’s Brian Byrne and Borrowed Time; out in Sunset Valley, it was a fill in for one of the regulars, so I didn’t catch his name

Friday Night @ Lamberts

Allen Weiner — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:59:28 -0700

We'll be seeing Suzanna Choffel at Lamberts.

Videos on the Way

Allen Weiner — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:38:59 -0700

Sorry sports fans, it's be a while since I have posted any videos. It's been a rugged few months with work travel but I will be posting more videos shortly.

Phillies Lose to Nationals...Again

Allen Weiner — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:38:50 -0700

Phillies are off to an 0-2 start. This clip, courtesy of Redlasso, is from ESPN.

REM is Back

Allen Weiner — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:14:34 -0700

We missed them at SXSW and are kicking ourselves of not seeing thm live at Stubbs.
Anyway, the first song for the new album, Accelerate, is Supernatural Superserious. It will be song of the year.

Cactus League Final: Cubs-Brewers

Allen Weiner — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:34:55 -0700

Spring training came to an end with all the Arizona games starting an hour earlier to allow teams to make a quick get-away. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but the 10-10 tie between the Cubs and Brewers seemingly went on forever. Because the teams play each other early in the season, neither used any of their regular pitchers (for the most part), so naturally it was a high-scoring affair.

A few notes: it was really cool seeing George Foster before the game, signing autographs alongside Fergie Jenkins. He looks as mean as the day he smacked more than 50 homers in a season (back went it meant something). Also, I will tell you that Kosuke Fukudome is the real deal. He has an arm like Ichiro and looks like he may have the pop of Matsui. The Cubs may have themselves a right fielder. (The best once since Jim Hickman).

Sad to say Cubs fans, I think the Brewers are better than your boys this year. If the Brewers get any pitching, they will win the NL Central. They can mash.

Andruw Jones: Centerfield Heavyweight

Allen Weiner — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:43:19 -0700

Andruw Jones is now patrolling center field for the Dodgers after playing his first 1,761 games with the Braves. He might be a solid addition, but he looks beefy in his Dodger Blues. ESPN says he’s 210—now way, he’s easy 225-240.

Larry Bowa Lives

Allen Weiner — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:20:08 -0700

I think about the first time I saw Larry Bowa: he was a good field, no hit shortstop coming up through the Phillies ranks in the ‘70s. In the minors, we was teamed with Denny Doyle and later found his calling when he was paired with Dave Cash as the Phillies double-play combo. Bowa, a former manager and coach, now is the third base coach with the Dodgers and is a true testament to what hard work can do for your career in baseball.

Qik

Allen Weiner — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:14:09 -0700

Here is my live channel on Qik

Cactus League 2008: Los Angeles Dodgers host Los Angeles Angels

Allen Weiner — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:37:17 -0700

Well, it was history in the making when the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Los Angeles Angles in a stadium outside of Southern California. After 55 years in Vero Beach, Florida, the Dodgers are moving their spring training home to Arizona next year. As a warm-up, the Dodgers played the Angels in a game at the spring training home of the A’s who are in Japan getting ready to be slaughtered by the Bosox to open the season.

It was a huge crowd mostly filled with Dodgers fans who have been longing to see their team in spring training. A seven-hour drive versus a flight to Florida…you do the math.

It was semi-surrealistic to see the blue uniforms on a spring training field, and LA started most of their regulars except for the handful who are hurt. It was also really odd to see Joe Torre in an LA uniform wearing Steve Garvey’s old number.

The Angels look fairly formidable even without Vlad in the lineup. Torii Hunter is a huge addition to the team, and speaking of huge, Andruw Jones, the new centerfielder for the Dodgers, looks like he spent the offseason exercising the knife and fork.

Ah, one more note: with Nomar and Andy LaRoche on the disabled list, Blake DeWitt, one of the Dodgers top prospects is filling in at third base. He is a native of Sikeston, Missouri, the home of Lambert's, the top place to pig out in America (according to the Travel Channel).

Music in the Air: Austin Style

Allen Weiner — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:11:33 -0700

You have to hand it to the folks in Austin; they can make a horrible flight delay enjoyable. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has a program called “Music in the Air” at various locations throughout the terminal. While we waited for some nasty weather to blow through (which shut down DFW), we saw Michael Bellew perform at Highlands Lakes Bar by Gate 9.

Spring Training 2008: Oakland A's host Arizona Diamondbacks

Allen Weiner — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:43:01 -0700

This is the life: sunny afternoon, A’s hosting the Diamondbacks in front of a full house at Phoenix Muni. Doug Davis (the most deliberate pitcher on earth) facing Dana Eveland whom the A’s got from the D-backs in the Haren deal. The A’s won 2-1 in a well-played effort that is typical of the later stages of Spring Training. Emilio Bonafacio on the D-backs looks impressive and gives Arizona hope if they (foolishly) pass on signing Orlando Hudson to a deal; this is his walk year.

These clearly are teams headed in opposite directions. It’s odd to see the Diamondbacks roll out a lineup that looks solid from 1-7/8 depending on who’s in the rotation. Good drafting and a few smart trades (like the ones for Chris Young and Hudson) go a long way to building a winner.

Lots of featured players: Upton, Drew, Keith Foulke (he’s back in an A’s uni) and a hard-throwing young lefty on the A’s, Blevins, who is so skinny… well, add your own joke here.

Our New Home

Allen Weiner — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 10:25:44 -0700

New videoblogging adventures await:

View Larger Map

Spring Training 2008: Oakland A's host Milwaukee Brewers

Allen Weiner — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:44:02 -0700

The calendar said March, so it’s time for another season on baseball. Our first Cactus League game took us to Phoenix Muni to see the Oakland A’s host the Milwaukee Brewers. Both teams started some of their regulars, but the game quickly turned into a showcase for the group of players hoping to make the final, 40-man roster.

These clearly are teams going in opposite directions: the A’s are totally rebuilding while the Brew Crew are hoping to win the National League Central. Featured in this video are a handful of players including Ryan Braun, Matt LaPorta (#1 Brewers prospect), Carlos Gonzalez (who came from the D-backs in the trade for Dan Haren), personal favorite Huston Street and former (emphasis on former) great closer Eric Gagne. To say Gagne looked awful is an understatement.

Jack Cust, a one-dimensional slugger on the A’s hit two homers. Interesting in light of the fact he was mentioned in the steroids report.

AT&T Austin Marathon

Allen Weiner — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:40:10 -0700

After a few lousy weather days, the sun was out on a beautiful Sunday morning in Austin for the AT&T Austin Marathon. It ran along Congress heading south and then wound around the city before ending back on Congress a few blocks south of the Capital Building. As possible newcomers to the area, we were taken with the spirit of those who not only ran but came to enjoy the scene.

Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Fest

Allen Weiner — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:08:08 -0700

Yes, it’s the first week of February and baseball is back. Here in Arizona, after a long cold period (40 is cold here), the sun is out, it’s 70 and baseball is in the air. Down by Chase Field, the Arizona Diamondbacks hob-knobbed with the fans in their annual fan fest. This year, it was a better organized event than last year with player autograph tables set up inside the park with a few interactive stands outside. Maybe I am sounding like a “homer,” but the Diamondback players seem to be a fairly nice group of guys that are patient with their adoring fans.

Featured here are a host of players: Conor Jackson, Chad Tracy, Orlando Hudson, Mark Reynolds, Chris Young, Stephen Drew, etc…

Super Bowl 42: Celebrity Flag Football Challenge

Allen Weiner — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:43:13 -0700

The day before the big game, the Valley (of the Sun) is full of events related to Super Bowl 42. There are parties (to which we are not invited), private functions (such as one hosted by Chris Berman) and events such as two flag football games for charity. We went to the Celebrity Flag Football Challenge which was hosted by former NFL star, Doug Flutie (on behalf of his charity). For some unknown reason, the game was out in Surprise at the spring training home of the Royals and Rangers.

The game was really fun with DMC performing at halftime. We actually arrived at halftime and missed the Flutie Brothers Band but saw the second half which featured Flutie, Chad Johnson, Willis McGahee, A.J. Feeley and others…

I am truly impressed with how the NFL players handle themselves with the fans. They are far more cordial and natural and don’t seemed annoyed by the fan worship. Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers stood in the concourse and chatted with fans for 10-15 minutes just having a good time.

Super Bowl 42: NFL Experience

Allen Weiner — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:48:43 -0700

We finally got into the Super Bowl 42 mix by attending the NFL Experience down by the University of Phoenix Stadium, site of the big game.

It was a long, and I mean long walk from the parking lot adjacent to the event and the line for folks waiting to buy tickets was outrageous and wouldn’t be surprised if it was a 90 minute wait, and this was late in the afternoon. We had to wait in a short line for will call tickets.

Once inside, it was crowded, but well organized. The “Experience” included a number of interactive events (kicking, throwing, running, catching) that also had long lines, exhibits of such things as uniforms throughout the years and sponsored booths featuring current and former NFL players. That was our main focus.

This video includes: Chad Johnson, Brayon Edwards, Reggie Wayne, Antonio Gates, Marc Bulger, Alex Smith and a host of others. The players were all friendly and some even talked on fans’ cell phones, saying their hellos to jealous friends “back home.”

The NFL Experience is still going today, but it would not be someplace I’d want to be near given the traffic, crowds, etc.. We’re off to another SB 42 event.

RedBall Scottsdale: Super Bowl 42 Festivities

Allen Weiner — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:24:50 -0700

Our last encounter with the RedBall Project came as part of the Super Bowl 42 festivities. Well, maybe not exactly, but we saw it about a block from the ESPN stage at the Scottsdale Waterfront and in the middle of SB42 Party Central. The ball was outside the Bentley Gallery as part of the Thursday night “artwalk” which is different than the Super Bowl Artwalk scheduled for Feb 2.

RedBall Scottsdale: Pinnacle Peak Park

Allen Weiner — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:27:15 -0700

We missed a few of the Red Ball’s stops in Scottsdale this past week—a combination of bad planning and misreading of its schedule. We would have loved to have seen it at the Arabian Library, a cool new library that has an odd entry-way that would be perfect for the Red Ball.

We caught up with the Red Ball as it sat (was perched?) in a Ramada at Pinnacle Peak Park. The park was busy with hikers and climbers wanting to make their way up the mountain. Yes, we have mountains in the desert. Next stop will be at a senior center in Scottsdale (which we will miss) with other stops in Downtown/Old Scottsdale later in the week as it gets closer to Super Bowl 42.

RedBall Project, Scottsdale, Day One: Marshall Way Trolley Bridge

Allen Weiner — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:03:56 -0700

The first stop in Scottsdale for The RedBall Project was The Marshall Way Trolley Bridge. In the background is the Scottsdale Waterfront (I kid you not). We really do have a waterfront.

RedBall Project, Scottsdale: Kurt Perschke's Vision

Allen Weiner — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:29:08 -0700

Circled in red on our calendars was our first Big Event of 2008: The RedBall Project . The RedBall is a large red ball (obviously) made of PVC that moves from city to city (and in Scottsdale within the city) and sits in various locations awaiting interaction. Or not. The Red Ball is public art and an experiment in human interaction. From what we read, as the ball has visited such ports of call as Portland, Sydney and Barcelona, some folks gently touch it while others try and pound on it. Part of the fun over the next few days will be observing the Red Ball locally (and how folks in these parts interact with it) as it moves from downtown Scottsdale to a skate park up near our part of the city to a new library to … well, you will have to tune in later to see where it’s headed next and how it fared.

We were lucky enough to meet Kurt Perschke, the artist behind the RedBall Project. This first clip has some thoughts from Perschke on the RedBall Project.

She Works Hard For The Money

Allen Weiner — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:03:56 -0700

While most folks are watching the Colts-Chargers game in the Rio Hotel sports book, a dancer struts her stuff on top of a bank of slot machines.