tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706185.post7455425228409445598..comments2023-10-28T04:04:43.525-05:00Comments on Easter Lemming Liberal News: Very busy - just a noteGaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17414725749450659875noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706185.post-39434070963079418472008-06-11T22:27:00.000-05:002008-06-11T22:27:00.000-05:00To respond to Rick's point: first, here's a link t...To respond to Rick's point: <BR/><BR/>first, here's a <A HREF="http://www.sfsite.com/geeks01.htm" REL="nofollow">link to some of Rick's other essays</A>. Great stuff there. <BR/><BR/>I was in Austin during a downturn and couldn't come close to making my rent (and although my rent was a little high, it wasn't that high for Austin--especially since not having a car limited my choices about where I could live). Bookstores are a dying venue, and it's hard to compete vs. online prices. I'm sure a little ingenuity could reinvent the concept. <BR/><BR/>My main complaint about Austin boils down to the fact that I can't find a decent (and decently-priced) restaurant. One can say a lot of crappy things about Houston, but our lack of restaurants is not one of them. <BR/><BR/>That said, I've met a lot of very cool people in Austin --much more than I ever found in Houston.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706185.post-62950281092992355672008-06-11T22:04:00.000-05:002008-06-11T22:04:00.000-05:00I also did not include in my post that Austin was ...I also did not include in my post that Austin was having a "Keep Austin Weird Race" that weekend.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17414725749450659875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706185.post-69260161813186793112008-06-11T22:02:00.000-05:002008-06-11T22:02:00.000-05:00I wish to really thank both Rick and Robert for th...I wish to really thank both Rick and Robert for their comments and essays. <BR/><BR/>I had previously read but had forgotten Robert's essay on why Houston is a nice homely misstress while Austin is a great girlfriend who kicks you out when you run out of money.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17414725749450659875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706185.post-30994567372228273722008-06-11T16:33:00.000-05:002008-06-11T16:33:00.000-05:00Gary,I've posted "Secrets of a Jedi Bookseller" on...Gary,<BR/><BR/>I've posted <A HREF="http://darkforces.powbangzap.com/blog/2008/06/secrets-of-jedi-bookseller.html" REL="nofollow">"Secrets of a Jedi Bookseller"</A> on the Dark Forces blog so you can share it with your friends.<BR/><BR/>Robert,<BR/><BR/>I read your piece on Austin. While I can't disagree with a lot of it, it's that very "creative class" that you lament that keeps me here.<BR/><BR/>Money is not everything. I've made my living for the past 20 years (after moving from Houston) in Austin primarily as a bookseller. As you may know (or not), bookselling is the lowest financial rung of retail. (I discuss the economics of bookstores in my book) Hell, I could teach or work at Wendy's and make more money. Even so, I've never been homeless or hungry. It's just a matter of the choices you make. (And I live about 4 miles from campus. It can be done affordabley.) On top of that, for most of the 20 years, I've been happy.<BR/><BR/>So things aren't as gloomy as you portray. And as for Houston, I'd have to be making in the mid-six figures and doing something I really love to move back.Rick Klawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336520875214427738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706185.post-58406484500086885032008-06-11T08:02:00.000-05:002008-06-11T08:02:00.000-05:00You might enjoy my Austin sucks essay . It compare...You might enjoy <A HREF="http://www.imaginaryplanet.net/essays/literary/austinessay/austinfoobaressay1.php" REL="nofollow">my Austin sucks essay </A>. It compares Austin to Houston and discusses the dynamics that make Austin what it is (for good and bad). <BR/><BR/>I am so jealous you got to go to the bloggers' powwow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706185.post-90787433225224675592008-06-11T07:09:00.000-05:002008-06-11T07:09:00.000-05:00It was a serendipitous I discovered Klaw's book wh...It was a serendipitous I discovered Klaw's book while thinking about Austin. "Secrets of a Jedi Bookseller" was the essay.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17414725749450659875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706185.post-875839678991935242008-06-10T21:30:00.000-05:002008-06-10T21:30:00.000-05:00Thanks for the humbling words. I am very glad you...Thanks for the humbling words. I am very glad you enjoyed Austin and <I>Geek Confidential</I>.<BR/><BR/>BTW, which essay did you want to share with your friends?<BR/><BR/>Thank you again for all the kinds words.<BR/><BR/>RickRick Klawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336520875214427738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706185.post-23220957931962568522008-06-10T02:41:00.000-05:002008-06-10T02:41:00.000-05:00Keep Austin Weird.Keep Austin Weird.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com