OUR LUCKY DAY: UNOFFICIAL SXSW

As a rule, I don't go anywhere near Austin, TX during SXSW. The older I get, the less tolerance I have for traffic jams and mob scenes. Plus, it costs a fortune to get into any of the "official" events. What I didn't know, however, was that there are many, many "unofficial" events going on at the same time, some of which are free of charge. Still, there's that bit about mob scenes and traffic jams. Plus, they were predicting thunderstorms all day Wednesday -- the day Hubby had invited me to go hear some music down on S. Congress with him. I was still dragging my feet when he said the magic words "The Trishas are playing." Even then, I wouldn't commit. I went to bed saying "We'll see what the weather's like in the morning.

Turns out, this was gonna be our lucky day! We woke up to an absolutely gorgeous sunny day, with all chances of rain erased from the forecast. We left home by 10:00, and the traffic was not too terrible. We thought we'd have to park miles away and walk, but not only did we manage to get a spot in the parking garage right behind Hopdaddy's, it was a spot on one of the lower levels! Then we managed to beat the crowd to Perla's, and enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch out on their terrace -- a most excellent spot for people-watching (though you will pay through your nose for that privilege). That's the very best thing about being in Austin you know. The people-watching! Luckily, we had some time to kill before our concert, so we had plenty of time for that, as well as my other favorite activities, just wandering S. Congress and window shopping.

Shiner Bock has been sponsoring this free concert event, on the outdoor stage next to Hotel San Jose and Jo's Coffee, for 17 or 18 years now. The Trishas are just one of many who will perform there this year --  but the only ones who could have drawn me down into the chaos, for I've been dying to hear them again ever since they performed at Susanna's Kitchen in Wimberley, a couple of years ago.

One of the band members, Savanna Welch, is daughter of musician Kevin Welch, who lives in Wimberley.

My only regret was that the bands were kept to such a tight schedule that they didn't get to sing my favorite song, High, Wide and Handsome (aka Mother of Invention).  Which really makes it Hubby's lucky day. Cuz if they had played it?

Well, I surely would have dragged him out there on the dance floor to join these brave folks.

Hubby's headed back down there today to see his personal favorite, Ray Wylie Hubbard. What a lucky boy!