The Devil and Daniel Johnston

Where do I even begin?  I guess at the beginning...Robert mentioned that the Beauty Bar was opening a brand new venue on the East Side called the Beauty Ballroom and would be having two nights of extravagance for the grand opening weekend.  I didn't think much of it until he mentioned that Daniel Johnston was going to be performing.

Rewind four years.  My mom, sister and I go to Austin for Spring Break to check out the city and find out what Austin was all about.  Among some of our activities included going to the ZACH theatre to see Speeding Motorcycle the Rock Opera based on the music and art by Daniel Johnston.  I hadn't been listening to his music at the time, but I did manage to recognize the song "Speeding Motorcycle" from the Target commercial.  

When Leanne and I moved to Austin about 2 and half years after that we finally got around to watching the documentary, "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" which blew my mind away.  If you have not seen it yet, I highly HIGHLY recommend you see it. Now.  Really. Get off your computer and go watch it!

Are you back now?  Ok.  After I saw the documentary I knew that he was a musical genius (alright, I might be a little late on that one).  I also knew that I needed, yes, needed to see him perform.  I heard a couple times that he would randomly appear in Austin and do shows and then, right before my very eyes I saw his name on the playbill!  

Now let's get back to the opening of the Beauty Ballroom...Robert and I are cruising by the venue scoping it out before we found parking and there he is the man, the myth, the legend, Daniel Johnston!  Just standing outside the front doors, smoking a cigarette.  No joke!  I was convinced that he would have gone back inside by the time we found parking and walked over, but no, he was still there.  Just chillin'.  I so very much wanted to get my picture with him, but being the lame person I am, I just walked by not wanting to disturb him.  He performed a total of two songs with very shaky hands, but he's still got it!  I still can't believe I got to see him, I knew it would make my life here in Austin complete.

And now how do I explain some of the other things that went on that night...

Even though I was there to see Daniel Johnston, Robert was there to see Jason Reece one of the creators of ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead.  See that guy in the black shirt looking to the left?  That's him.

I promise one of these beers belonged to Robert....

This Ambitious Orchestra backed provided some wonderful music as part of an Elvis and David Bowie tribute.  They looked like they were having fun and definitely weren't your typical orchestra.

Oh yeah, and there were acrobatic burlesque performers from Lady Circus hanging from draped cloth in the middle of the dance floor.

And of course, Daniel Johnston...

So. Awesome.
It's really incredible how many artists have covered his songs (full list here).  One of my favorites is Karen O's version of "Lucky Shoes" that she did for the "Where the Wild Things Are" soundtrack.  So finally, I will leave you with this:

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Our Night at Hopfields...

Robert and I have had quite a few obsessions during our time together.  There was the mochi ice cream phase, the baguette, goat cheese, and wine phase, the Phil's Ice House mini burger phase, the Wheatsville Co-Op sandwich phase (I think we're still in that one) and finally, the Live Oak Primus phase.  We accidentally came across the Primus when we went to the Yellow Jacket Social Club and they were out of the Live Oak Hefeweizen, the bartender suggested we try the Primus and we reluctantly agreed.  Man we were surprised at how yummy it was! I'm not a beer snob by any means, it wasn't until somewhat recently that I started being able to decipher between the different flavors and find some that I actually enjoy.   Unfortunately for us, the Primus is a seasonal beer and was tapped out at Yellow Jacket only a few weeks after our discovery.  When we were driving up Guadalupe the other day (leaving Wheatsville after getting some sandwiches) I noticed a bar that I had not seen before, Hopfields.  Robert checked out their website when we got home and immediately noticed our glorious beer, the Primus, was on tap.  You bet your butt we drove right back there and got us some!

Even though this place is kind of small and there are always a lot of people in it, the ambiance is very nice.  There are vintage relics scattered about and the menu is written on a huge scroll that hangs almost from the floor to the ceiling.  Robert and I were lucky to snag a little two seater corner booth right near the entry.  We could see who was coming and going, weren't far from the bar, and didn't have to rub elbows with the big crowd. Purrrfection!

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Saturday Evening Special

If the World was Fair

by Alex Mobley

if the world was fair

i would be the mayor

the one who calls the shots

the one who plots the spots

for things to start anew

when everything has come unglued

from the downfall of all kinds

to the revival of the signs

that this will work out for the best

instead of praying to be blessed

if the world was fair

I wouldnt have to stare

she would automatically assume

I wanted to be the groom

and her to be my bride

to stand side by side

as we accepted our small bands

placed upon each others hands

forever we would be

together just you and me

as simple as it sounds

the answer you have found

it doesn't end up great

for that is not our fate

alone we both shall stand

apart in our own dreamland

if the world was fair

i'd be the tortoise not the hare

slow and steady may win the race

but the one who controls the pace

owns the title in this town

placed upon his head a crown

from past successes at the top

never slowing when told stop

thus the leader he shall stay

until someone finds a better way

if the world was fair

i would be a billionaire

not struggling just to get by

with bills five miles high

of expenses that wont be paid

without something I could trade

for my soul would be taken

if I were not mistaken 

for somebody with clear sights

to reach the highest heights

instead of trapped under a lie

I will have til the day I die

if the world was fair

I might accept that dare

challenge myself to be great

stray away from all the hate

coursing through my veins

straight into my brains

releasing it to the world

as it was hurled

back into the face

of those who have disgraced

your name for their own gain

so they could rain

down on your parade

while you disobeyed

everything you were told

no longer am I cold

if the world was fair

I might sit in the chair

taking the verbal abuse

as I become the accused

for a crime I had no part

a villain from the start

stuck with the feel of guilt

the case they had built

made me seem like the crook

my whole world shook

rooted up from underground

all the way til the final sound

not guilty was the claim

no longer to be blamed

if the world was fair

I might actually care

that my life was getting better

while typing every letter

that makes up this simple poem

still I must show them

what is the reason for all this

to which it does consist

of everything I had dreamed

from weeks old it seemed

what is it you wonder?

the sky you must look under

for it holds the simple truth

the answer is in your youth

Fun Video Friday

Love is in the air...

and now it can be on your chest?  Yes!  

Wear this heart of gold front and center to show your loved one

 that you really love them or just love everyone!

and don't forget to check out the new Space Cardigans!

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Shoes or Art?

Is it just me or are shoes getting wackier and wackier?  I totally love the fact that brights and glitter are in right now, but it seems that Jeffrey Campbell, among other shoe designers, are really going to town with the extras and the height! Although my feet (and my wallet) aren't prepared for Mr. Campbell's creations, I do find myself attracted to more eccentric shoes, especially after I realized I had been on a black shoes kick for far too long.  What do you think?  Would you try any of these crazy stems?  If my feet could handle it, I think I would try the "Forget Gold & Glitter Stripe Platform Heels," so fab!

Jeffrey Campbell Strung Green Suede Studded Tassel Heels

Jeffrey Campbell Nightwlk-F Yellow Black Hearts Platforms

Michael Antonio Studio Gallista Yellow Velvet Cutout Platforms

Promise Manchi Silver Spike Peep Toe Party Pumps

Jeffrey Campbell Forget Gold & Glitter Stripe Platform Heels

Jeffrey Campbell Dressen Purple Fuchsia & Red Suede Sandals

Saturday Morning Special

How Big is Big?

by Alex Mobley

what if the earth was the size of a marble

would you think it was big or small

its always assumed to be so massive

but really its extremely little in comparison

we live on this giant globe

thats inside of an enormous solar system

which fits into an even larger galaxy

all a part of the biggest universe

we have no real size comparison

only what we see on a daily basis

truly we are but miniatures

in a endless outer space

how do we find our spot

in something so increasingly vast

can you make yourself stand out

become a remembered person

even after you move off this planet

is it all the little things you did

or just one big situational benefit

that you gave to all people

even those who claim to have it all

not everyone can change the world

but it's always possible to revolutionize

with the brain power that you possess

make it a priority to help everybody

even if everybody ends with yourself

the biggest differences can be small 

because size is tough to determine

without some kind of guide

to show what makes big, big

make change where it's necessary 

remembering that size truly doesn't matter

Fun Video Friday

I thought this was rather entertaining and all too true...

Take Me Back

I'm sure you've seen pictures of Robert around my blog (he is my favorite photo subject after all), but what I think most people don't know is that he has taken almost all the photos of me for the past year.  Robert has always been supportive of this blog and my Etsy store whether that meant braving the long holidays lines at the post office or running to Walmart or Joann's with me for supplies.  He tries his very best to get me out of my slumps and works very hard (probably too hard sometimes) to make me happy.


Robert started his first day of school yesterday and I couldn't be more proud.  He did a stint of community college years ago but had to stop going when his need to pay bills overtook his need for education.  Sometimes it's hard for me to understand what he was going through when he stopped going because I was lucky to have the support of my family when I decided to go to school, but I know Robert's situation was vastly different from mine.  I have to admit, I was doubtful when he had decided to go back.  He is 26 now and I know that sitting in a class of 18 year olds was not his idea of a good time.  When we returned from our November trip to California he immediately went to a counselor to find out what was required to take classes again.  Now, just two months later, he is back in school and I am his number one cheerleader!


Robert has inspired me to follow my dreams and never give up on something I truly want.  So what about you dear readers? Are you following your dreams or lending the support that someone may need to follow their dreams?  I would love to hear your stories!

Robert's first day of school.  Isn't he so cute with those notebooks?

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Where do you turn to?

I have a folder on my computer called "Things" and it is just that.  I mostly look to it for inspiration.  I hope you will find some in the few pictures that I pulled from it.  I know I could use some...

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Love Love Love

In just a few days these will be arriving in the mail.  I can't wait!

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