Eastside Hostility

Ever since I moved to the east side of Austin a few years ago, i have seen a very noticeable undercurrent of hostility. Austin was constructed to be segregated. The city was split down the center by I-35. The whites lived on the west side, and the blacks and latinos were forced to live on the east side. With the super cheap prices and “gritty” neighborhoods, all the artists and creative class eventually moved east. Then the development started. Now, the rent is no longer cheap and the only thing that is more common than new condo developments here are signs that say “Fuck Off Yuppies”. This past Saturday a brick got thrown through a long time east side white resident’s window with the message “Keep east side black, keep east side strong.” So what is the answer. The neighborhood was run down. No one can argue that. But that doesn’t mean the entire history has to be erased off the east side. There is always a loser when it comes to gentrification. Is the hostility merited? Is there a way to keep the east side from being the next Williamsburg? Let me know. Here is the link to the newspaper article.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/07/25/0725brick.html

Austin Fashion Week

This Monday marks the beginning of Austin Fashion Week. I was un-aware until yesterday. because even though I am constantly fascinated by classic design and an huge admirer of Karl Lagerfeld, alas, I am a fashion simpleton. Regardless, there is a whole host of events going on this weekend representing Austin’s voice in fashion.

Click on the Austin Fashion Week logo to take a look at their website to see the list of participants and events.

It was all a dream...

I have been working on a new project that got me thinking about the struggling creative class. Or i guess more specifically hustlin’ if you are in the creative class. I work every day on new art. I am always working on a new project but that doesnt change the fact that Im crazy flat broke. Since I am going venture to say most people who read this blog are of this class and are just as busy, I figured I would ask a question. What does everyone do to keep themselves focused, their spirits up and motivated? Leave a comment and let me know. How does everyone deal with having to hustle with no pay off in sight?

Paul the Collector

This is Paul the Collector. I have to be honest in saying I am pretty disgusted with his collections. Watch the video. If you have any ideas for new things for him to collect, leave a comment and Paul will start collecting it, and we will put up the video of it. Comment here on the blog or email me at puffyfriends@gmail.com

FIELD TRIP!!!!

Can you believe it is already our 7th field trip? For this one i sent my webmaster Julie to the Grilled Cheese Invitational held at The Moose Lodge a month or so ago. Sadly, the fog was alittle bit too much for my crappy litle camera to handle so some of the pictures are alittle blurry. No amount of fog can overcome melted cheese.

FIELD RECORDING

It is time for another installment of Field Recordings. This time is with Austin’s own The Lovely Sparrows. The shoot was incredibly laid back and a whole lot of fun. I cant thank them enough. So here they are. The Lovely Sparrows