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Book Review: Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris

October 20th, 2011
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The latest installment in our infrequent Book of the Month series. Colonel Roosevelt is out in paperback this week. Brought to you by our good friends at BookPeople. Eat pizza, read books, and on with the review.

“My father always wanted to be the corpse at every funeral, the bride at every wedding, and the baby at every christening.”
-Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Roosevelt’s oldest daughter

The Third part in Morris’ three-part Theodore Roosevelt Biography series, Colonel Roosevelt is tough to read (as opposed to a tough read). In this installment–as with the first two–Morris gives a flowing account of the man and his life.

It’s a must read. But like the greatest movies, you’re made to feel it’s going to end poorly.

The Book itself.

His Roosevelt is a lovable man-child who wants to do what’s right always (and generally does), but he just can’t himself in certain situations. As any father knows, you never stop pulling for your children, sometimes even disregarding right and wrong. It’s this paternal love for Roosevelt as a person (created by Morris) that keeps pages turing, even through the tough stuff.

This is not to say that the book is one gut-punch after the other. There are great, fast-moving moments and historic triumphs: a king’s procession through Africa, a gale-force tour of Europe, and several personal and moral victories. But I found myself taking a lot of beaks during episodes like his failed third run for the White House–reading through my hands to sheild the impending crash.

The Mixer at work.

Most people have a cartoonish understanding of the President and his works (I certainly did.)–think Yogi Bear’s Jellystone as opposed to Yellowstone National Park. Teddy was a man who stood for something, lived his word, and ate life like no other. From sick kid to the embodiment of physical strength and virility. Impossible prude. Moral to the core. Slayer of animals. Bird nerd. Voracious reader. Unrelenting mixer/ fighter. Prolific author of books and letters. Historian. Embalmer. Etc.

Colonel Roosevelt’s history provided is must-know-material, but the insight into Roosevelt’s person is the reward. Read the series and you will have banter for cocktail parties, but you’ll also have known, revered, and lost one of the greatest MEN ever.

-JD

Hunting for Food: Ethics etc.

October 3rd, 2011
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Hunter With Gun. Photo by Jody Horton

Atypical of most local free magazines, Edible Austin is super dependable, well written, and informative. There is a great article in the current issue on sustainable hunting.

It goes into the ethics and sustainability of wild game, and it hits it right on the head. Take Marshall Wright, for example:

“Hunting certainly brought me closer to thinking about how bad I want or need food,” explains Wright. “I have a clear idea of why I’m hunting and what I want to get out of it, and it’s not to put a deer head or duck on my wall. For me, hunting is all about honoring the animal and the sustenance it will provide my family. I don’t feel any different about that than I do about humanely harvesting a domestically raised animal.”

As a modern man, sometimes-hunter, and always-fisherman, it’s gratifying to know there are other, like-minded folks out there.

Austin is the best.

-JD

Cars Etc.

August 26th, 2011
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P.J. O’Rourke doesn’t write a much as he should these days, or is it he’s just not published enough? Either way, as a snarky, budding, and want-to-be writer in the 80′s, I always looked forward to his Rolling Stone articles. In college I was introduced to his books (Modern Manners is one of the only laugh out loud books I have ever read–the other is Confederacy of Dunces.).

When I sold my 2006 Wrangler earlier this year, it broke my heart a bit. Such a great car, but it was getting a little ratty. I lasted about 6 months (maybe closer to 3). As I wait for my new 2012 to come in, I’m remind of his jeep article from 2010. He hits it prefect, and more importantly, he makes it okay. Article here.
-JD

Krause Springs

August 22nd, 2011
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I took my boys out this weekend for a last gasp, summer camping trip. We chose Krause Springs as it was close, and it came highly recommended by everyone who’d been.

Talking only half of Toy Story 3 to get there, we arrived before we even got settled into a proper drive. (The kids almost complained.) Anyway, the lady at the front was supper nice and informative. Warning: they only take cash, so come prepared. Camping is a bit on the pricey side, but they do have quite an attraction with the springs–especially this summer. Well worth the money.

The Cliff

Sites were level and accommodating. After we got situated, we went down to the pool. It is spring fed and cold. Nothing quite as exhilarating as jumping in very cold water. Such pleasure and pain. The boys loved it, especially since it was draining/ half full (done every evening). After that we went down to the spring-fed lagoon which was as shocking as the cold water. Beautiful. It’s basically a swimming hole with a thirty foot, fern-encrusted cliff. I honestly don’t know why a it took me so long to find this place. Brilliant. Access is iffy and the in-and-out of the water is tricky, but it’s refreshing to see a place that’s a bit feral in this respect; they have it fixed up just enough.

The real fun began the next day at camp. In between jaunts to the water, I figured out were were put next to a small Militia meeting. (Clues: we kept hearing the words constitution and liberty.) Apparently there was supposed to be a lot of them because they had to realign their goals for the meeting. They said something to the effect of ‘since everybody’s not coming we need to get a bunch of stuff done and make sure they all know that they missed a lot.’ (Sounds like time well spent.) ‘They’ also missed, cheesy brats, regular brats, cheesy creamed corn, soupy ice cream (machine in the sun), coffee (and more coffee), and, beeeers.

Up first on the agenda, a 45-minute discussion on the pros and cons of different cigarette packaging. One guy claimed that he never thew away a single cigarette package and reused the good ones. Then they had a brand-loyalty discussion (Camel won!). They also talked–of course–about Obama (not fans, surprisingly), how Rick Perry was not constitutionally-minded enough (really?), and all the other things you’d expect. Best of all, they had a machine they used to constantly check each other for wires/ bugs, each of them previously victims.

They also did some indoctrinating and some electing. The fellow who was eventually chosen (nickname: rattlesnake), began his speech by saying he was not interested in a leadership role. He went on to say that should leadership be forced upon him or called for in extreme circumstances, he would, with hesitation, accept. Then he began to lay out his surprisingly well-though-out plan. (How Rooseveltian!) I regret that I was not around for the rest, but I had dependents to take care of.

Dinner.

We enjoyed our time at the springs. Regretfully, we did not make it to the gardens, but they looked very nice thru the gates. Birds and cypress trees were wonderful as well. Opie’s BBQ was fun for the kids, if not stellar, and the Spicewood General Store was an easy and quaint go-to spot for all we forgot.

A great, short trip to end the summer.
-JD

New Sounds: Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks’ new record Mirror Traffic

August 22nd, 2011
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For those of you who don’t know, we do a listing party almost every week at Waterloo Records. This week is the Beck-produced Mirror Traffic by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. Party is Tuesday the 23rd at 5PM Sharp. Free Pizza and a 1st spin!

On to the record.

Their last release, Real Emotional Trash, was one of 2008′s absolute best. All of their previous releases seemed to evolve towards it. Great songs, very jammy, and supremely confident, it was their best, easy.

The new, cleaner direction on Mirror Traffic is a pleasant surprise. Production is tight, and the songs are individually focused, referencing–but not reveling in–old sounds. It still has that meandering/ charming song structure that they now own, but Beck’s brought focus with tight production while allowing everyone their own space. Nothing ever gets out of control. They still pick it up for a few songs, but not unlike the 1st Malkmus solo record, there are some really great mellow moments.

Malkmus also continues his evolution into quite a guitarist. In the past very lark-y, he nails it throughout with maturity creeping in, which never seemed to be a threat previously. It’s a guitar record that your lady-friend would like.

I’ll be in line tomorrow for some free pizza and the new LP. Come see us.
-JD

Book of The Month Update

August 18th, 2011
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Hello. Were going with 2 September books.

September’s books are The Peregrine, by JA Baker (a new personal top 10), and The Quiet World, by Austin resident Douglass Brinkley.

Due to the paperback edition ariving in October, Colonel Roosevelt is moving to October.

-JD

Boulder CO: Austin of the Future?

August 15th, 2011
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Had a great visit to Colorado last week. I won’t even get into the weather situation (It was fantastic.). Business-wise, a link in our supply chain and friends in the industry reside in Denver.

We use Luguria Meats. The folks who own and run the company are as great as the product. Our contact is based out of Denver. Always good to see him and learn more about what we buy etc. We also visited with our friends from Anthony Pizza & Pasta, a real New York Pizza. Great folks putting out a wonderful pizza. They are primarily a dine-in place with over 25 local locations. Well run and friendly. It’s easy to see why they are successful at what they do.

The corner Bar @ The Boulderado

I stayed in Boulder, getting a room at the Hotel Boulderado. This is as close a hotel to the Driskoll as could be. Completely full of history and charm.

Boulder strikes me as Austin perfected. A lot in Boulder screams ‘if only Austin would…’ Lovingly known locally as The Republic of Boulder, it’s a mecca for outdoors urban life. Foot traffic and bike traffic is impressively heavy. They have a bike share program that’s pretty incredible. Austin is working on this as well.) I used it to get around town. video here.

The Boulderado is a block off of Pearl Street, downtown’s feature-attraction pedestrian mall. Here you can imagine our 6th Street turning itself into a direct copy of Pearl. Pedestrian only, it’s an ideal mix of restaurants, bars, and soft goods retailers. (Best shop was the Croc’s Store). I know there has been–in the past–talk of permanently closing a like section of 6th to traffic,

Pearl Street +/- noon.

and after seeing Pearl, only good can come of this for the city. Trees, Buddhist Monks, Mason the New Orleans Street performer, impromtu busking all combine to give it an amazing feel. Their weather is better, but the sun exposure on 6th would cooperate with this kind of set-up. It would mean less bars and more stuff, and it would greatly enhance the district and cut down on the violence and other issue.

Maybe someday.

Overheard at Lunch

August 15th, 2011
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I had lunch at Zen on Anderson today. I enjoy this place. Very good, very fast, and you sit–very cleverly–right in there with a bunch of other folks doing the same thing you are.

Anyway, I was next to two girls having quite the conversation. I, pretending to read my Chronicle, happily listened to them. The gist follows:
**For brevity’s sake a omitted all of the “likes,” and, “yeah, no” comments. There were a lot. **

Girl 1: I’m selling all my music stuff on Craig’s List. I’m not being paid enough, and I want to travel.
Girl 2: Yeah. Me neither. I need to sell some stuff. I think you should be a college graduate to travel. Get that out of the way. Then you can travel.
1: Yeah. I have to call that yogurt shop back. They’re probably waiting on me. No one’s giving me enough money.
2: Yeah. I need a job
1: I could never work here. The music is so annoying. They are really busy. That would drive me crazy. [ed: Not sure if she was referring to the music or the customer volume.]
2: Traveling is awesome, and I think everyone should do it. Did you get your food yet?
1: No. These people are &%*&% [slang for a disabled person--omitted].
2: Totally.
1: You think that’s yours sitting on the counter?
2: Probably. Idiots.
It was her food, obviously.

So, I walked to my truck, and heard the following:
Lady: Look how huge these shorts are. [ed: Here she proceeds to lift up her shirt and tug on her waste line. No comment.] Can you believe it?

Takeaways:
1. Maybe if you wish for money and graduations and selling stuff you’ll actually get all that you ever dreamed of. Just be patient.
2. Thank god for The People of Wal Mart.
3. This town is hilarious.
-JD

August Book of the Month coming soon.

July 31st, 2011
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It’s summer, I moved, and I have read three not-so-awesome books in a row. So, we will resume the BOTM series in August with Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris. Full report posted the 2nd week of August.
-JD

Interview with The Tiger’s John Vaillant.

June 18th, 2011
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As a follow-up to our Austin’s Pizza Book of the Month, Vintage/ Random House was kind enough to grant us an email interview with The Tiger’s author John Vaillant.

John Vaillant: First of all, many thanks for your interest in The Tiger. I am flattered, and I love the idea of linking books with pizza – two of my favorite things! I wish you every success with this program.



JD (from Austin’s Pizza): Both The Golden Spruce and The Tiger deal with survival in harsh environments. Why does this struggle resonate with you?


JV: I think because it’s at these outer edges of physical and psychic experience that you get a window into a person’s – and an animal’s – essential character. Also, both of these stories highlight fault lines in the human-nature relationship, and these generally occur in challenging environments, far from human settlement. How we manage these tensions will determine the fate of countless species, including ours.

JD: The three central figures in The Tiger are hard to classify as typical static protagonists/ antagonists thru the narrative. 



JV: I think reality is in its nature, ambiguous and subjective. There are, in my experience, very few truly simple, black and white situations or characters.
One of the reasons this story appealed to me is because of its real-world ambiguity. Once you get to know the characters, it’s harder, I think, to take a black and white view of them. I see all of them as embattled, vulnerable and somewhat tragic figures who are at the mercy of forces far more powerful than themselves.

JD: Who do you think is the protagonist and the antagonist? Is this distinction even possible?

JV: There are many readers who root for the tiger on principle, and I sympathize. I guess I would have to say I see Trush as the protagonist because he is stuck with the thankless of task of trying to keep order and save lives in this chaotic and dangerous situation.
In a more nuanced story (like this one, I hope), I think identifying the protagonist and antagonist has more to do with the reader’s own character and personal biases.

JD: When considering ideas and the like, what is the key element that says book instead of, say, an article etc.? What does a certain story need to make it book-worthy?

JV: These are the author’s eternal questions! I would have to say that, for me, the key elements are drama, depth and a multitude of accessible levels. The story of the tiger and the hunt could be handled pretty well in a magazine article, but it would also miss so much in terms of character, background, motive, history, biology, anthropology, and suspense. In order to make the leap to a book, you have to determine A) is there enough raw information to meet the demands of a deep investigation, and B) Are the lead characters and their shared predicament interesting enough to sustain interest over three hundred pages. Also, it’s something you, the writer, are going to be living with for years – so you need to be feel deeply invested.

JD: Have you ever been to Austin? If so, what was your impression?

JV: Coolest town in Texas. That said, I’ve never been but have heard =great= things about the people, the music, the vibe. I’d love to visit.



JD: Is there another book currently in the works? If not, what’s next?

JV: I just finished a draft of a novel (my first) that happens to be set in the southwest and in Mexico.