Browsing Category

Austin

Austin, Film

Please help one of the last great video rental stores in America

When I moved to Austin, TX, in 2008, it was exactly what my weary soul needed. I had left a career in Los Angeles as a Hollywood assistant and was seeking solace in a new town — a town I had never even been to but knew would be my salvation.

You see, Los Angeles had taken my love for film — a love that includes forcing horrified friends to watch Last Tango in Paris at the tender age of 16 and being the proud owner of the first DVD release of David Lynch’s Eraserhead and putting photos of a shirtless Marlon Brando from A Streecar Named Desire on my college dorm wall and carrying around a ragged copy of Harpo Marx’s autobiography Harpo Speaks! — and completely squashed it.

Realizing that Hollywood was only marginally full of masters of art and creativity was one of my biggest heartbreaks as I entered adulthood. Instead of being immersed in the excitement and magic of cinema, I worked with producers, agents and lawyers — three types of common players in Hollywood who are often angry, greedy (more…)

May 22, 2019 by hipstercrite

Austin, Pop Culture

How to Help People Affected by Harvey: An Updated List

I’m currently hundreds of miles away from my adopted home state of Texas. It feels weird. I feel helpless. However, I also know there is not much I can do right now other than donate money.

You might be feeling the same way too–helpless. And you may be wondering the best way to donate your time or money to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Since there are so many links being shared around on social media, I decided to compile a list. I’ll be updating throughout the coming days.

P.S. You may be itching to donate your physical being now, like I am, but this will be a long recovery. Remember: Our services will be needed weeks or months down the road when the threat has passed.

9/5/17:

-Mayor Adler has updated the list of needs for evacuees which includes toys for kiddos. Read about it here.

–Houston Food Bank is accepting volunteers for the next weeks and months.

–Habitat for Humanity Houston has volunteer opportunities available over the next few months.

–Sign (more…)

August 28, 2017 by hipstercrite

Austin, Hipstercrite Life

I Will Trim Your Trees at Night

Once in awhile, when darkness falls, I will sling my trusty hedge trimmers over my shoulder and march up and down my street looking for neighbors whose brush encroaches on the sidewalk. I will snip, snip, snip as fast as I can and scurry off to the next offender.

Before you think I’m that one weird-ass neighbor every has, let me explain.

A handful of my neighbors do not regard their lawn as something that deserves care or maintenance. Fine and dandy. It’s their property to do what they see fit. However, when their overgrowth overtakes the sidewalk, it’s a slap in the face of all neighbors. When elderly people and children are forced to walk in the street, it’s downright villainous. VILLAINOUS, I SAY!

But day after day, no neighbor comes forward to speak to the offenders and the growth continues to expand.

Except for me.

I’m coming forward, mother f’ers.

I realized that in order to take care of business, there were a couple avenues I could pursue:
1.) I knock (more…)

July 24, 2017 by hipstercrite

Austin, Hipstercrite Life

Yesterday a Homeless Friend Gifted Me Lunch

I have a friend.

His name is Tyrone.

Tyrone is homeless.

We’ve been buddies for years now, and we have each other’s backs.

Our favorite pastime is to hang on my front porch, chewing the fat on the troubles and joys of this beautiful and sometimes hateful world.

I could write a novel on our relationship — like when he and I pooled our resources to buy him a van to sleep out of, or when he wanted to heal the stye on my eyelid with a needle and whiskey — but I don’t feel it’s appropriate or necessary to write about it in a public way. Maybe one day.

However, there is one thing I want to share:

Two days ago, my boyfriend mentioned to Tyrone that I lost my job.

Yesterday Tyrone came by my house to gift me lunch.

Tyrone, who has no home, no steady employment and who struggles to find healthy and satiating meals on a daily basis, brought me lunch because I lost my job.

I love Tyrone.

And I’m thankful for his friendship.

(Note: I used Prisma to obscure Tyrone’s face to respect (more…)

July 13, 2017 by hipstercrite

Austin

Unbarlievable, the new racist bar in Austin

This morning social media in Austin lit up with talk about a circus-themed bar on Rainey Street. However, the talk wasn’t about how kitschy the theme is, but rather about the plethora of cruel and hateful responses the establishment has left for customers, in addition to racist comments from the owner, Brandon Cash.

Here is just a sample.

Did someone hack the bar’s social media accounts? It’s doubtful considering that the Cash has a record of questionable behavior.

How does a business person like this become successful in Austin?

Update: For further reading on Unbarlievable, check out stories from Reddit, Statesman, Austin Chronicle, Austin Monthly and Eater.

Update 2/29/17: Owner Brandon Cash has released a statement on the bar’s website.

June 28, 2017 by hipstercrite

Austin

Please Keep Your Implicit Racism Off NextDoor

I joined NextDoor in September of 2015. At first, I was thrilled to have an additional resource to help me get more involved in my East Austin neighborhood. NextDoor was a great way for me to discover urgent matters, when the next neighborhood association meeting was, what volunteer opportunities & meet-ups were available and which neighbors needed support or assistance.

NextDoor has and continues to fulfill this role, but I quickly learned that it is also a dumping ground for people’s implicit racism. In my gentrifying neighborhood of East Austin — a historically black neighborhood — implicit racism and culture insensitivity is becoming so commonplace, that I deactivated my NextDoor account out of disgust and frustration.

This post written by a young white woman was the first red flag:

“I was walking — — – on — — – around 6pm as it was starting to get dark when a red sedan approached me, coming south. The front of the license plate read “Don’t Panic” but it was not like (more…)

March 12, 2017 by hipstercrite

Austin, Pop Culture

Want to adopt a furry friend? Let Zappos pay your adoption fee.

Sponsored by Zappos

Friends, I usually don’t do sponsored content, but a partnership opportunity from a socially conscious brand that I’m a fan of came my way, and I was excited to get involved!

As some of you know, I love me some animals. This year I took in a feral kitty, FatFace, and she has absolutely changed my life. Like, I’m a total nutjob who has created a friggin’ hashtag for her.

If you too are looking for a pet to go ga-ga over and create a hashtag for, Zappos is doing this really cool thing where they’re sharing adoptable pets AND paying the adoption fee at their ”Friends with Benefits” Road Show on January 27^th-January 29^th at 1327 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704. So far Zappos has covered over 11,000 adoption fees across the country! (In addition to pet adoption, there will be food, music, giveaways and MANY, MANY SHOES at their event.)

Check out which pets are adoptable from their partners at Austin Animal Center and Austin Pets Alive!

And make sure (more…)

January 25, 2017 by hipstercrite

Austin, Pop Culture

Small businesses you should support this holiday season

I have a lot of friends and acquaintances that are crafty and creative, and I wanted to share their products with y’all so you may consider them for your holiday gift list!

——-

For the Win Inc.

If you dig patches, pop culture, horror films & mythological creatures, check out For the Win Inc. ($1.99-$4.99)

TX Stitch

Check out these sweet embroidery patches & patterns from Kerissa at TX Stitch. ($1.25-$6)

JenniferHeartsArt

Jennifer over at JenniferHeartsArt makes an array of pop culture and feminist jewelry and artwork. ($4-$600)

Into Dust: The Thunderbird Chronicles

For the young adults (or adults) in your life, check out this young adult novel by Amy Quick (more…)

December 16, 2016 by hipstercrite

Austin

36 Hours in Austin: What the New York Times Missed

Last week you maybe saw the New York Times’ 36 Hours in Austin, Texas.

And maybe you thought to yourself, “Eh. At least they pointed out Ramen Tatsu-Ya and Valentina’s.“

Or maybe you spat at the screen or crumpled up your newspaper and shouted into the air, “DAMN YOU, NEW YORK TIMES. DAMN YOU AND YOUR LIST.”

We have to remind ourselves that these New York Times’ 36 Hours In essays are written for visitors with disposable incomes, but it’s still hard to see Rainey Street bars and over-crowded BBQ joints listed as must-see places in our city.

As a counterpoint to the New York Times article, I’ve written my own guide for people who A.) want to experience the “real” Austin and b.) who are broke as shit.

FRIDAY

Photo from Veracruz All Natural

1.) Straight to Veracruz All Natural, 2:30 p.m.
On your plane ride from New York City, the only thing you can think of are Austin’s delicious tacos, and you’ve been texting taco emojis all day to your Austin friend, Lucy, who is (more…)

March 10, 2016 by hipstercrite

Older Posts