Been a little while since last post. Well, lots of finals and final projects for school have made things busy. But now it's Winter break, and it's been great so far: a white Christmas (which NEVER happens in Texas), a good New Year's, and some good progress on a few projects. Will post most recent guitar project in a week when it's finished. For now, here's some pics of the snowfall, recent experiments in coffee roasting with our canoe captain, and a picture of the monstrosity that is the FrankenCanoe (stored above last year's 20 ft, canoe, for scale). We still don't have a way to transport that beast. I hope we can get it going soon!

Team Zissou!

It's that awesome time of year again. Here's my Halloween costume- just needed a 24ft. racing sail yacht for the perfect accessory.

On a very, very sad note, here is just one tragic story of what is sure to be hundreds more from Sandy. I chose this one because of its classic, nautical theme.

One-Hundred-One!

This is my 101st post! The first pic here is of a swollen Colorado River at Little Webberville Park. The trip from here to Big Webberville Park is about 5.5 miles by river. It's a nice quick trip, and a calm section of the river (even when the water level is up). We have a cool wet winter predicted, and I'm hoping it bodes well for next year's Texas Water Safari! Although the rain recently was good, it wasn't a Charleston kind of rain (see pic 2). I've been to that market before and can assure you that it is NOT usually kayakable.

Ol' Blue

A good friend (and semi-neighbor) just inherited a beautiful blue Old Town 17 footer. Now with 2 canoes (and an extra interested paddler) in relative proximity, there should be more river time in the near future!

Casey's New Orleans SnowBalls

These are the only snow balls you're likely ever to see in Austin. Of course, in Texas, we call them snow cones. But these are New Orleans style, and Casey's is THE BEST place in town to get them; it's one of my favorite things about summer. I get the orange with whipped cream (real) on top, the wife gets sour apple with caramel on top, and the boy gets something new every time (tiger blood? they got it). Labor Day is the last day they're open each season, so we had to get one more before they closed. We have had such good Casey's kharma this year. Everytime we've been, we get there and there's 1 person in line. When we leave, the line is around the building. Here's to you, Casey's - until next year.

Castle Hill

Up on Castle Hill, where the thugs meet. I discovered this place a couple of weeks ago in a neighborhood I haven't been driving through in a while. It's a great find, and more reason cell phone cameras rule! Check out the slide show here

. PS- If you go, wear close-toed shoes, or risk contracting HepC.

Last of the Summer Weekend Projects

As I got home today, and set my groceries down to fish for my keys, I could hear the local high school marching band practising in the distance. Makes me think of that White Stripes song about going back to school. Anyways, here's a short of my last weekend project of the summer: a guitar I made out of an old neck and a couple of brownie tins. Many thanks to cigarboxnation.com for tips on how to wire it for use with an amp. I will definitely be making more of these!