On and Off the Town

Austin Dispatches No. 160 Jan. 8, 2013

Away from stores, I noted even fewer lights and less Christmas music played than last year. After the bemused anticipation of the winter solstice, everyone apparently settled down to a long winter’s nap.[1] “Melanie Ordones Welker” and other salseras bestowed hugs and kisses after New Year’s Day, when the quotidian returned. Of course, my perspective on the end-of-year holidays could be skewed.

Christmas morning, I attended the earliest showing of “Django Unchained” before the temperature dropped.[2] The controversy surrounding the movie just proves too many people lack a sense of humor.[3] They likely haven’t seen as many movies as Quentin Tarantino.[4] Otherwise, they’d’ve noted the influence of “Blazing Saddles” and other ‘70s Western and black comedies.[5] The racially mixed audience in the theater was audibly entertained. So there, Spike Lee.

As with last year, on New Year’s Eve several clubs offered a chance to relive the ‘80s – this time, 1984.[6] It’s an entertainment trend that I can comment upon from a distance – in multiple meanings.

Those clubs’ option sort of reversed the premise of “The Philadelphia Experiment,” released that year: A secret U.S. Navy experiment jolts a couple of sailors into the then present, mostly so the producers could limit period costume and set design expenses.[7] It was grist for quips at a friend’s birthday party during our freshman year of high school. Regardless, my top two favorite films of all time were also 1984 theater releases.[8]

It was a great, even momentous year. Things happened the way they should’ve. After 10 minutes, I decided I was enjoying waxing indignant in my dry, warm home about the prospect of paying to witness these … these kids botch recreating my youth more than I would negotiating the cold, rain, traffic and cost for the possibility of a good time.[9]

In fairness, these young hipsters could botch that easily, since my 1984 was an idiosyncratic combination of the stock teenage experience everybody thinks of, the mainstream adult world’s 1984, and various extant art movements and subcultures that I assimilated to my style. Never mind an idealized recreation, which would still be esthetically close to reality.

Tentacles of Empire

The real 1984 was more about “pink neon and purple hair” than Orwell’s totalitarian dystopia, but too many people have tried to make up for lost time.[10] The Austin Independent School District is using electronic monitoring on truant students. It’s a voluntary program – for now.[11] In other words, a compulsory government indoctrination center is partnering with unscrupulous business to technologically surveil its inmates, probably uneducable anyway.[12]

Austin Death Watch

The Chronicle finally laments a section of Austin’s revamping, in this case the South Lamar Plaza, in its Dec. 28 issue. The article contains no mention of government involvement in replacing low-slung ‘50s-era buildings into a contemporary mixed-use development – maybe that’s the source of the lament. Normally the Chronicle urges the demolition of existing, sustainable mixed residential and commercial thoroughfares in town with government manipulation – Airport and North Lamar boulevards come to mind. The real story is that influential people among Austin’s power elite have tired of funky, retro esthetics and are using their clout to destroy established neighborhoods where regular people live and do business and replace the look with something more trendy from bigger cities, while justifying their esthetic caprices under a lot of buzzwords to signal status striving and to keep from acknowledging they’re no better than the rapacious Republican developers they routinely decry.[13]

Austin's police chief frets that traffic citations are down.[14] The new downtown post office opened Jan. 2 with fewer parking spaces than its predecessor. Downtown customers, many influential Austinites, complained to the Statesman about the consequences of the City’s anti-downtown parking policy.[15] Where have I heard that before?[16] Similarly, an annual “locals-only SXSW” mini-festival in early January offers a chance to see local bands in downtown clubs sans cover charge – but what about parking?[17]

Publishing Picks of 2012

  1. Abrams, David. Fobbit. New York City: Black Cat.
  2. Arellano, Gustavo. Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America. New York City: Scribner.
  3. The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, 46th rev. ed. Ed. Darrell Christian, Sally A. Jacobsen, and David Minthorn. New York City: Associated Press.
  4. Avishai, Bernard. Promiscuous: Portnoy’s Complaint and Our Doomed Pursuit of Happiness. New Haven, Conn.: Yale UP.
  5. Bacon, Jono. The Art of Community, rev. ed. Sebastopol, Calif.: O’Reilly Media.
  6. Bawer, Bruce. The Victims’ Revolution: The Rise of Identity Studies and the Closing of the Liberal Mind. New York City: Broadside Books.
  7. Beinart, Peter. The Crisis of Zionism. New York City: Times Books/Henry Holt and Co.
  8. Bergen, Peter. Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden From 9/11 to Abbottabad. New York City: Crown Publishers.
  9. Chick, Jack T. Born Wild! Ontario, Calif.: Chick Publications.
  10. Chick, Jack T. Camel’s in the Tent. Ontario, Calif.: Chick Publications.
  11. “Christopher, Ben” [Lawrence Block]. Strange Embrace, rev. ed. Burton, Mich.: Hard Case Crime/Subterranean Press.
  12. Conway, Gerry et al. The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. XIV. Ed. Cory Seidelmeier. New York City: Marvel Enterprises.
  13. Conway, Gerry et al. The Fantastic Four, Vol. XIV. Ed. Cory Seidelmeier. New York City: Marvel Enterprises.
  14. The Data Journalism Handbook. Ed. Jonathan Gray, Liliana Bounegru, and Lucy Chambers. Sebastopol, Calif.: O’Reilly & Associates.
  15. Dempsy, Luke. Monty Python’s Flying Circus: All the Bits: Complete and Annotated. New York City: Black Dog & Leventhal.
  16. DiLorenzo, Thomas J. Organized Crime: The Unvarnished Truth About Government. Auburn, Ala.: Ludwig von Mises Institute.
  17. Doherty, Brian. Ron Paul’s Revolution: The Man and the Movement He Inspired. New York City: Broadside Books.
  18. Erickson, Steve. These Dreams of You. New York City: Europa Editions.
  19. Fulsom, Don. Nixon’s Darkest Secrets: The Inside Story of America’s Most Troubled President. New York City: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press.
  20. Gilder, George F. Wealth and Poverty: A New Edition for the Twenty-First Century, 2nd rev. ed. Washington, D.C.: Regnery Publishing.
  21. Gun Digest 2013, 66th rev. ed. Ed. Jerry Lee. Iola, Wis.: Gun Digest Books.
  22. Guy, Buddy [George Guy], and David Ritz. When I Left Home: My Story. New York City: Da Capo Press.
  23. Hagar, Sammy, and Joel Selvin. Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock, rev. ed. New York City: It Books.
  24. Huerta de Soto, Jesús. Money, Bank Credit, and Economic Cycles, 3rd rev. ed. Trans. Melinda A. Stroup. Auburn, Ala.: Ludwig von Mises Institute.
  25. Hyperinflation 2012. San Francisco: American Business Analytics & Research.
  26. Jodidio, Philip. Tadao Ando: Complete Works, 2nd rev. ed. Cologne, Germany: Taschen.
  27. Kantor, Jodi. The Obamas. New York City: Little, Brown & Co.
  28. Katz, Ephraim, and Ronald Dean Nolen. The Film Encyclopedia, 6th rev. ed. New York City: Collins Reference.
  29. Kersey, Paul. Escape From Detroit: The Collapse of America’s Black Metropolis. Lexington, Ky.: Stuff Black People Don’t Like.
  30. Kirby, David, and Emily Ekins. Libertarian Roots of the Tea Party (Policy Analysis No. 705). Washington, D.C.: Cato Institute.
  31. Klaidman, Daniel. Kill or Capture: The War on Terror and the Soul of the Obama Presidency. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
  32. Klein, Edward. The Amateur: Barack Obama in the White House. Washington, D.C.: Regnery Publishing.
  33. Knauer, Kelly et al. Time Almanac 2013: Powered by Encyclopedia Britannica. New York City: Time Home Entertainment.
  34. Lee, Stan [Stan Lieber] et al. The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus, Vol. II. New York City: Marvel Enterprises.
  35. Lee, Stan et al. The Avengers Omnibus, Vol. I. New York City: Marvel Worldwide.
  36. Lee, Stan et al. Captain America, Vol. VI. New York City: Marvel Enterprises.
  37. Lewis, Michael. Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World, rev. ed. New York City: W.W. Norton & Co.
  38. “Lord, Sheldon” [Lawrence Block]. 69 Barrow Street, rev. ed. Burton, Mich.: Hard Case Crime/Subterranean Press.
  39. Luna, J.J. How to Be Invisible: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Personal Privacy, Your Assets, and Your Life, 2nd rev. ed. New York City: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press.
  40. The Mad Archives, Vol. III-IV. New York City: DC Comics.
  41. Malkiel, Burton G. A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, 9th rev. ed. New York City: W.W. Norton & Co.
  42. Mallon, Thomas. Watergate: A Novel. New York City: Pantheon Books.
  43. Maraniss, David. Barack Obama: The Story. New York City: Simon & Schuster.
  44. Marks, Craig, and Rob Tannenbaum. I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution, rev. ed. New York City: Plume.
  45. Max, Tucker. Hilarity Ensues. Austin, Texas: Blue Heeler Books.
  46. McClure, Stewart, Joel Scambray, and George Kurtz. Hacking Exposed 7: Network Security Secrets & Solutions. New York City: McGraw-Hill.
  47. Microsoft Manual of Style, 3rd rev. ed. Redmond, Wash.: Microsoft Corp.
  48. Mid-Century Ads: Advertising From the Mad Men Era, Vol. II: The Sixties. Ed. Jim Heimann. Cologne, Germany: Taschen.
  49. Mort Drucker: Five Decades of His Finest Works. Philadelphia: Running Press.
  50. Norquist, Grover G., and John R. Lott Jr. Debacle: Obama's War on Jobs and Growth and What We Can Do Now to Regain Our Future. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons.
  51. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. I: Sovereignty and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Genesis, 2nd rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  52. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. II: Sovereignty and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II: Appendixes. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  53. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. III: Authority and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Exodus, Vol. I: Representation and Dominion. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  54. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. IV: Authority and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Exodus, Vol. II: Decalogue and Dominion, rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  55. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. V-VI: Authority and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Exodus, Vol. III-IV: Tools of Dominion, rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  56. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. VII-VIIII: Authority and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Exodus, Vol. V-VI: Appendixes, rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  57. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol.IX-XII: Boundaries and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Leviticus, Vol. I-IV, 4th rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  58. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. Vol. XIII: Sanctions and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Numbers, rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  59. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XIV-XVII: Inheritance & Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Deuteronomy, Vol. I-IV, 3rd rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  60. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XVIII: Disobediance and Defeat: An Economic Commentary on the Historical Books. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  61. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XIX: Predictability and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Job. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  62. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XX: Confidence and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Psalms. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  63. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXI: Wisdom and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Proverbs, rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  64. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXIII: Autonomy and Stagnation: An Economic Commentary on Ecclesiastes. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  65. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXIII: Restoration and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on The Prophets. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  66. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXIV: Priorities and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Matthew, 3rd rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  67. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXV: Treasure and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Luke, 3rd rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  68. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXVI: Sacrifice and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Acts, 3rd rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  69. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXVII: Cooperation and Dominion: An Economic Commetary on Romans, 2nd rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  70. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXVIII: Judgment and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on First Corinthians, 3rd rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  71. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXIX: Hierarchy and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on First Timothy, 3rd rev. ed. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  72. North, Gary. An Economic Commentary on the Bible, Vol. XXX: Ethics and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on the Epistles. Dallas, Ga.: Point Five Press.
  73. Ozersky, Josh. Colonel Sanders and the American Dream. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press.
  74. Paglia, Camille. Glittering Images: A Journey Through Art From Egypt to Star Wars. New York City: Pantheon Books.
  75. Paris: Portrait of a City. Ed. Jean-Claude Gautrand. Cologne, Germany: Taschen.
  76. Pavone, Chris. The Expats. New York City: Crown Publishers.
  77. Rader, Peter. Mike Wallace: A Life. New York City: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press.
  78. Raico, Ralph. Classical Liberalism and the Austrian School. Auburn, Ala.: Ludwig von Mises Institute.
  79. Rand-Hendriksen, Morten. Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Expression Web 4 in 24 Hours, rev. ed. Indianapolis: Sams.
  80. Schiff, Peter D. The Real Crash: America’s Coming Bankruptcy – How to Save Yourself and Your Country. New York City: St. Martin’s Press.
  81. Schulz, Charles M. The Complete Peanuts 1983-1986 Box Set. Seattle: Fantagraphics Books.
  82. Scott-Heron, Gil. The Last Holiday: A Memoir. New York City: Grove Press.
  83. Scranton, Laird. The Velikovsky Heresies: Worlds in Collision and Ancient Catastrophes Revisited. Rochester, Vt.: Bear & Co.
  84. Shaffer, Butler. The Wizards of Ozymandias: Reflections on the Decline and Fall. Auburn, Ala.: Mises Institute.
  85. Shelly, Gary B., and Misty E. Vermaat. Microsoft Word 2010: Comprehensive. Boston: Course Technology/Cengage Learning.
  86. Shelly, Gary B. et al. Microsoft Excel 2010: Comprehensive. Boston: Course Technology/Cengage Learning.
  87. Slate, John H. Lost Austin. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia Publishing.
  88. Smith, Greg. Why I Left Goldman Sachs: A Wall Street Story. New York City: Grand Central.
  89. Sowell, Thomas. Intellectuals and Society, rev. ed. New York City: Basic Books.
  90. Stephenson, Neal. Some Remarks: Essays and Other Writing. New York City: William Morrow.
  91. Talbot, David. Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love. New York City: Free Press.
  92. Thomas, Roy et al. Man-Thing Omnibus. New York City: Marvel Enterprises.
  93. Updike, John. Always Looking: Essays on Art. Ed. Christopher Carduff.  New York City: Alfred A. Knopf.
  94. Vance, Laurence M. The War on Drugs Is a War on Freedom. Pensacola, Fla.: Vance Publications.
  95. Vermes, Geza. Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English, 6th rev. ed. London: Penguin Classics.
  96. Wein, Len et al. The Defenders, Vol. III. Ed. Cory Sedlmeier. New York City: Marvel.
  97. Wein, Len et al. Marvel Team-Up, Vol. II. Ed. Cory Sedlmeier. New York City: Marvel.
  98. Weiner, Tim. Enemies: A History of the FBI. New York City: Random House.
  99. West, Bing. The Wrong War: Grit, Strategy, and the Way Out of Afghanistan, rev. ed. New York City: Random House Trade Paperbacks.
  100. Wolfe, Tom. Back to Blood. New York City: Little, Brown and Co.
  101. Woodward, Bob. The Price of Politics. New York City: Simon & Schuster.

During the year, I also read 78 computer books and about 250 other books I can recommend. There’s some overlap among the three categories.

Media Indigest

The University of Texas’ National Public Radio affiliate has split its programming by frequency. The original KUT-FM focuses news and public affairs, while the new KUTX focuses on music.[18] It’s a pleasure not to hear NPR’s smug yuppie pinkos when I press a preset button on my radios in search of tunes. Too bad they can’t all contract chronic laryngitis.[19]

The Jan. 3 Onion contains two jabs at Millennials.[20] They’re the latest I’ve seen in what seems to be a rising number of attacks on that generation in periodicals and on the Internet. Just a few years ago, Boomers were constantly praising them and comparing them favorably to those evil 13ers.[21] Of course, Boomers have been beating on us since we were in the womb.[22] I’ve pointed out to my Millennial acquaintances that the Boomers’ praise was just a divide-and-conquer tactic so they could cling to power.

Should D’Oh Acquaintance Be Forgot

I found a Web site that hosts animated cartoons, including the seasons of “The Simpsons” I hadn’t seen, between the time I got rid of my television (the end of season 10) and the series began appearing on Hulu.com (season 20).[23] Friends and bloggers ascribed to a widespread view that “The Simpsons” had declined during this interim.[24] But now I’ve seen the episodes and I just haven’t found evidence of decline. I think the show’s shift in emphasis from family dysfunction in the earliest seasons to social satire ever since has helped sustain its quality.[25] The source material for social satire is almost inexhaustible and allows for episodes focused on supporting characters so the writers don’t have to overuse the titular family.

Home Archives

NOTES

[1] AD No. 88n1 (Dec. 23, 2005).

[2] Mashood, Farzad, and Jazmine Ulloa. “Cold, Snow on Tap for Texas.” AAS 24 Dec. 2012: B1.

[3] Ryzik, Melena. “Spike Lee Dismisses ‘Django Unchained.’ ” NYT 25 Dec. 2012: 3; Samuels, Allison. “Tarantino Lets Loose.” Newsweek 17 Dec. 2012: 48-49; Scott, A.O. “The Black, the White and the Angry.” NYT 25 Dec. 2012: 1; Vineyard, Jennifer. “Pride and Profanity.” New York 31 Dec. 2012: 76.

[4] AD No. 157n13 (Nov. 3, 2012).

[5] Adiós Amigo. Po’ Boy Productions, 1976; Blazing Saddles. Warner Bros. Pictures/Crossbow Productions, 1974; Boss Nigger. Dimension Pictures, 1975; Darktown Strutters (a.k.a., Get Down and Boogie). New World Pictures, 1975; The Legend of Nigger Charley. Paramount Pictures, 1972.

[6] “New Year’s Events.” AC 28 Dec. 2012: 49.

[7] The Philadelphia Experiment. Cinema Group Ventures/New Pictures, 1984.

[8] EAD No. 9n8 (Oct. 23, 1999); Repo Man. Edge City, 1984.

[9] Pricer, Asher, and Ulloa. “Two Fatal Crashes Follow Light End-of-Year Rainfall.” AAS 1 Jan. 2013: B1.

[10] Elliot, Bruce. “1984.” Retro Hell, 143.

[11] Taboada, Melissa B. “GPS Prompts Class Attendance.” AAS 2 Jan. 2013: B1.

[12] Albrecht, Katherine, and Liz McIntyre. Spychips: How Major Corporations and Government Plan to Track Your Every Move With RFID. Nashville, Tenn.: Nelson Current, 2005: 173-176; Doherty, Brian. Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern American Libertarian Movement. New York City: PublicAffairs, 2007: 55; Gatto, John Taylor. Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher’s Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling. Gabriola Island, B.C.: New Society Publishers, 2009; Rothbard. Education: Free and Compulsory. 1972. Rpt. Auburn, Ala.: Ludwig von Mises Institute, 1999.

[13] Whittaker, Richard. “Southern Exposure.” AC 28 Dec. 2012: 20-21.

[14] Harmon, Dave, and Tony Plohetski. “Traffic Tickets Plunge in Austin, Other Cities.” AAS 2 Jan. 2013: A1+.

[15] Beach, Patrick. 3 Jan. 2012: B1.

[16] AD No. 155n24 (Aug. 18, 2012).

[17] Hernandez, Raoul. “Free Weekend.” AC 4 Jan. 2013: 60; Mongillo, Peter. “Austin Sampler….” Mongillo, Peter. “Austin Sampler….” Austin 360 3 Jan. 2013: 6-7+.

[18] “Headlines.” AC 4 Jan. 2013: 9.

[19] AD No. 127n22 (Sep. 21, 2009).

[20] Gillette, Amelie. “The Tolerability Index.” The Onion 3 Jan. 2013: 12; “Study Finds Millennial Generation Stays On Phone With Parents Throughout Entire Day.” Idem., 1+.

[21] Strauss, William, and Neil Howe. The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy. New York City: Broadway Books, 1997: 233-251.

[22] AD No. 140n47 (May 4, 2011).

[23] Groening, Matt. Simpsons World: The Ultimate Episode Guide, Seasons 1-20. Ed. Ray Richmond et al. New York City: Harper, 2010.

[24] Coupland, Douglas. “Forward.” Turner, Chris. Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Defined a Generation, 1st ed. 2004. Rpt. New York City: Da Capo Press, 2005: x-xi.

[25] Owen, Rob. Gen X TV: The Brady Bunch to Melrose Place. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse UP, 1997: 65-66.