Street art is everywhere (the Austin, Texas edition).

I went to Austin, Texas last week. And I could tell you about the food (oh my god, the food--there was so, so much of it). Or the people (they were just like us Angelenos, it turns out--save the fake parts and the bleached blonde). But I'm going to save my words and show you the art instead. Because the art--it was everywhere, on every street. And in one case, the same wheatpasted, bespectacled, afroed fellow appeared over and over again. The street art in Austin ranged from the pasted to the tagged to the stencils in multitude. And it seemed to fit the landscape as much as the live music and barbecue.

The Simple Life.

I hope soon to stop selling people things that they do not want. I hope to stop wanting the things I am being sold. I hope, specifically, to stop wanting the new Gucci flats and the Marc Jacobs handbag and the Bond No. 9 eau de parfum before their refund windows expire. I hope to move to Austin, Texas where the rent is low, or to Bennington, Vermont where my memories tell me I was happy, before I lose myself and my money to more handbags and high heels and other such things that don't keep well over time. I want to want a simple life.

[Image Credit: Andrew Wyeth - Christina's World]

Happy early Hanukkah from Jessie B. R. and the state of Texas.

I didn't realize there were Jews in the South...or anywhere between LA and New York for that matter. But according to this video, not only are there Jews in Texas, but they sing country. While I'm no News 8 broadcaster, it looks as though this particular Jew, Mark Rubin, also enjoys his fair share of potato pancakes.

I'm sure we'll all want to note that this musical moment was brought to us by Don's Grass & Landscaping.

Happy early Hannukah,
Jessie B. Rubin and my fellow Jews of Austin