It's been raining like crazy around here for weeks now, but that just means that the wildflowers will be better in April. In the meantime, the mountain laurel is starting to bloom, which means that the air smells like grape juice. Sounds odd, but it's a beautiful smell until the flowers start to go south. Then it just smells stinky.
Other signs of spring: SXSW starts soon, which means seeing friends who come into town once a year.
And finally: not really spring-related, but this weekend we visited two pieces of Austin retail history. The new North Lamar Half Price Books which, I'm so so sorry to say, has "replaced" the store on Guadalupe (this is the saddest thing to happen in my extended neighborhood in some time). The new place is huge and beautiful, but like so much else, we can't walk to it.
And: the brand new, gigantic Whole Foods Headquarters. I cannot describe the scale of this store. It has at least three levels of underground parking, like an organic food Hall of Justice or something. It's really absurdly big, but I admit I had a blast there and can't wait to go back when there aren't sixty gazillion people milling around open-mouthed. Don't know when that'll be, though, because the novelty's not going to wear off quickly.
Comments
Wait, you're in Austin? I must have known that when I started reading your blog, but I had forgotten. Greetings from Puh-flugerville! Are you going to any SxSW events?
Posted by: Michael at March 9, 2005 10:30 PM
Yessir, I am here. I thought you knew...Not doing any SXSW stuff, just hoping to see a few people in town for it. You?
Posted by: Heather![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.hemmungen.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 9, 2005 10:35 PM
I subscribe to Texas Music magazine, so I'll be going to their party, and probably some of the other music stuff. No other current plans, but I'm hearing from some other people who plan to be in town, so I may get together with some of them.
Posted by: Michael at March 10, 2005 05:27 PM