Alex came to Hollywood to visit me, a long time ago and I knew exactly one place we had to go:  Alex Donut.  That little drawing of a donut on their sign got me every time I drove by.

Happy Birthday to Alex Koll and be sure to catch his comedy act.  He’s funny.  Funny enough to be on tv and stuff.  I knew him when.

Bob lives in the Spring Tower, next to the railroad tracks with the sharpest turn in the United States.  At least, the box cars squeak loud enough to make me believe that. It sounded like some kind of avant garde squeaking symphony.  We went to visit him and Piggy on the 21st floor.  Had some wine, crudités and saw a sensational sunset on Frost Tower, but somehow it doesn’t look as good in black and white so I’ll show you some guitars instead.

It’s not a hair pin, it’s a hair pen.  Get it?  Oh so clever.  Eileen is stylish and she also always knows where to find a pen.

Sabia was founded by Jessica Slutsky and she has created an airy, sophisticated apothecary and spa. Sabia recently hosted a workshop by Brooke Howsley of Pollen Floral Art.  Brooke does outstanding floral arrangements for many favorite Austin businesses and weddings.  She also has been featured in a New York Times article about a younger generation becoming interested in floral arranging.

For the workshop, Brooke gave everyone a start on learning how to make unique floral centerpieces.  She has a true vision for incredible combinations of flowers, greens and vines, paired with interesting vessels.  See for yourself…

On my way to Marfa, I bumped into a total cutie in Marathon, a Mr. Billy Faier.  He plays banjo and for a long time he lived at Woodstock in an artists community in the 1940s.  He was charming and a great storyteller.  Be sure to check out his banjo playing, it’s the real deal.

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I’m a little sheepish that I got back a roll of film and had managed to fill it with only three lunches with three guys.  I really should just become a food critic, it would serve so many of my needs.  Like enjoying good food.

So here we have

Mike, champion dart thrower with a laconic Dallas-surfer accent, enjoying Garrido’s on his birthday.

Jason, aka Middlebrow, literary professor and able drinker at Eastside Showroom.

Jim, radio announcer in training and triumphant sushi eater (at Musashino’s, not hard to be happy there!).  Also a birthday meal.  Could everyone please just have lots of birthdays, for the sake of my dining needs?

Every year, the Round Top Antiques Show has a Gypsy Prom.  Last year, when I was photographing for the book “The Round Top Experience“, I saw not just one but many Elvises.  Not only was it a fun doubletake, I appreciated the effort they made to bring Twinkies with them.  I made my pal Alina (of La Dolce Vita Photography) pose with the Elvises (is that the correct plural of Elvis?).  In fact, we went around posing with just about every cool thing we could find.

Another birthday girl, today it’s my friend Jenn.  She’s a fellow photographer and I know that she prefers to be behind the camera rather than in front of it.  She went with me to shoot a wedding in Mississippi and what a trooper, shooting even with that southern moss hanging in her eyes.  So that she’s not feeling all exposed, I’m including a photo she shot of me.  The bride and groom were cracking up about me, this short girl with pig tails, commanding them to kiss while she sticks a camera in their face. 

Today is Amy J’s birthday and I’m dedicating this blog post to her, but in a round-a-bout way.  When her grandpa passed away, her family kindly let me photograph his garage. They knew that I’ve always been fascinated by tools with years of use on their handles and that meant that I understood Amy’s grandpa. He was a drill bit salesman and he had an immaculately organized workshop. You could just tell that Amy’s grandpa cherished his tools. 

Happy Birthday to Joel, my father-in-law, who ordered this awesome guacamole ceviche extravaganza at South Congress Cafe.