This particular subject will take many posts. In fact, I can't foresee how many because there are so many opportunities to write about how Austin is determined to "Keep Austin Weird."

The “Keep Austin Weird” movement began sometime after 2000 when Red Wassenich phoned in to make a donation to the community radio station KOOP.
When asked why he was donating he made an off-the-cuff comment stating it helps to keep Austin weird. That flipped a switch for Wassenich.

My theory is that Austin would be in the top 15 Fittest Cities in America if it weren’t for the insufferable heat. We are number 24 according Men’s Fitness magazine’s 2008 survey. I look at the rankings closely and see that Albuquerque, a city in the Chihuahuan Desert, is number 3. My theory is blown. I start wondering how Men’s Fitness made their selections and investigate.

A city’s rank is determined by the grade given for each of 17 categories. A city can score between an A and an F (A being the best and F the worst).

We love our Margaritas like the French love their wine. Yes, we’ll have a round for lunch, dinner or an afternoon snack. Our excuse is the heat. Who wouldn’t want a finely crushed ice drink (similar to a Slurpee, if you are familiar with those) in flavors like mango, prickly pear cactus, strawberry or lime imbibed with Tequila. Or, if you like it a little bit stronger, you can order the “on the rocks” version with salt and a lime wedge. However, if you want to try an award winning Austin original you will have to look for the Mexican Martini. It is an offshoot of the Margarita.

Live music is a way of life in Austin. You really can’t escape it. You want migas for brunch on a Sunday morning and chances are there will be an acoustic trio persevering their mid-morning hangover and setting up in the corner of the restaurant. You will be surrounded by live Afro-Latin beats and dancing bodies while watching the sunset at Lake Travis. Live music is in every crevice of Austin.

Barton Springs. It will be a miracle if I get my work done before relinquishing all control to the shimmering clear water calling me from afar. Being an Austinite means quitting work early in the summer. We love our springs. We love our happy hour after the springs (happy hour and the springs is not reserved for Fridays by any means).
Swimming in Barton Springs is required if you are going to call yourself an Austinite. Dipping in a toe or seeing it from the hill side does not count. If you are visiting, we will be happy to baptize you in our doctrine.