The Smallest Minority

I'd make sure I walked through Bookpeople and Whole Foods over on Lamar.

McBride Guns on Lamar is pretty good also, for browsing. High prices.

Nice walks or runs along the riverwalk.

Read Freehold yet?

Good romping read.

That's in the Baen Free Library, you can read it online, or PDA...

All MZW's Baen Books. I also liked The Weapon. It's set at the same time period as Freehold, and is more ass-kicking and action-filled.

http://webscriptions.net/p-662-better-to-beg-forgiveness.aspx Better to Beg Forgiveness is a good read too. *ahem* He has a lot of characters there you'll probably recognize. (Wouldn't add my comment with that many links...)

Hey Kevin,

If you like SF, and since you obviously have an internet connection, you could always hit the Baen Free Library:

http://www.baen.com/library/

I usually download the HTML versions to my laptop when traveling just in case.

Sorry, not in Austin, and last time I stayed there I was on base at Bergstrom (no defunct).

Hope this helps

Great minds, Unix-Jedi

Randy: HAH!

FIRST! :)

I'm in the Austin area, shoot me an email if you want and we can figure out something to keep you entertained.

I'm in Austin as well, shoot me an email if you have some time to spare.

Austin is where we keep all the hippies. Get out of there and see the real Texas.

I'm in Austin. Hubby and I would be happy to take you out to the shooting range, or to the Alamo Drafthouse for a flick -- we're planning to see the new Rambo this week. Depending on the weather, I can also arrange a private star-gazing session with a really nice telescope facility. Send me an email if you're up for something.

I'm about 3 hours south of you right now. If you want to setup a meeting let me know. I'm about 40 miles north of Corpus Christi.

Mark

Get someone to take you out to the Salt Lick. You'll never find it on your own...nor would you find your way back, but it is worth the trouble.

As for the pretty, we've got a really nice botanical garden on Barton Springs Road near the park, and by driving up into the hills surrounding Austin you can get some incredible views.

Enchiladas Verde at Manuels...I love Austin

I could go for some 80 degree weather. Even if it was muggy. Up here in Oregon it hasn't broken 32 for days, and there's an inch thick layer of ice on most of the roads. Lets just say the daily "commute" gets very, very interesting...

Cool! We can have a mini-blogbash!

You're not missing anything here in Tucson today, it's cold and nasty.

I always vanish into the many, many comic book shops Austin has when I visit there, or go birding, but something tells me that's not helpful to you...

Hey Kev,

I actually like Austin a lot. Though I do drink, and like live music. Every conference in Austin that is even remotely up my alley I try to attend...

Anyway... Eating... Both of these places are on 6th Street...

Iron Cactus... Get the Pork Chops... Otherwise decent Southwest food.

Even better is a place called Casino El Camino (http://www.casinoelcamino.net/). This is the best Hamburger I have ever eaten. Seriously. It's an odd place, but after 4 or 5 locals told me to eat there I gave it a shot. If you see fake Incan architecture... You are in the right place.

Otter

Sorry for the length... I posted this for a blogmeet we had in Austin two years ago. Everything should still be more or less correct!



Best Free Show - The Congress Street Bats - Every night at dusk, about a gazillion Mexican free-tailed bats come swarming out from under the bridge and go flapping off into the sunset in search of their nightly feast of 10,000 to 30,000 pounds of mo-skeeters and other insects. Don't miss the bat-hat vendors!

Best Breakfast - The Omelettry - Located at Burnet & 49th, The Omelettry will serve up omelets as big as your head, and some wondrous gingerbread pancakes ("Prozac on a Plate"). Get there early, or plan to wait, it gets crowded. They'll pour you some coffee while you wait for your table, though!

Best Non-Alcoholic Drink - Lemonade at Player's - Player's (which better still be open at MLK & Guadalupe!) serves up a pretty decent burger, but the real draw is the lemonade. I've never had better, anywhere. They must use lemons fertilized with crack cocaine or something. I've driven 50 miles out of my way for some of this sweet nectar!

Best Hole In The Wall - The Hole In The Wall - It was shut down for a while, but Austin's smallest live music venue is back up and running! I can't count the times I lugged amps & drum kits in and out of here back in my roadie days. It's on Guadalupe (The Drag!) across from UT campus. If you pass the Jack In The Box, you've gone too far!

Best French Fries - Hyde Park Bar & Grill - Good sammiches, great fries, and a nice cozy little neighborhood eatery. Worth seeking out. 4206 Duval St

Best Grocery Store - Central Market - This is where God shops when he's throwing a bash. You need it? They've probably got it. From demiglace to dill weed, it's a gourmet's paradise. A better beer & wine selection than almost any licka sto'. Two locations in Austin.

Best Bookstore - Book People - Largest Bookstore in Texas! These folks carry such a wide selection, you think you're in the Library of Congress, only with price tags. The price tags ain't cheap, but if you're looking for that obscure mystery series you read back in 1978, it's probably on the shelf. Makes the selection at Barnes & Noble & Borders look like the paperback rack at the drug store. 6th & Lamar

Best Music Selection - Waterloo Records - Second verse, same as the first. Great independent music store, with knowledgable, non-snooty help. 6th & Lamar (across the street from Book People)

Best Tequila Drink - Mexican Martini at The Tavern - You're never too far from 12th and Lamar! Ask for a dirty Mexican martini. It's basically a margarita with a dash of olive brine (for the salt!) served in a HUGE martini glass. They also leave the martini shaker, so you really get a drink & a half. Worth every penny, but after 4 of 'em, best call a cab!