War Whoops and Stork Report

The McKennas are multiplying, congratulations and welcomes to the Baby Shea! You can pop over to the link somewhere there on the right for pics and data. What a looker. I've already phoned with Swaddle re-pointers.

Jane has recited a song to celebrate. Well, she was moved to sing rather. Lot of that happening around these parts, these days.

Happy Halloween. Happy Days in general.

A Flibbery Jibbet from Austin McKenna on Vimeo.

Whole Hog / Pork Fog

Processed another hog this weekend, my first since Brews and BBQ in Charlotte around 5 years ago. First pig done soup to nuts without Haweser, sorely missed. This went down on a ranch in Blanco, TX, about an hour from ATX. Pit was fabricated by a local, hi-tech. Pig sourced from Johnny G's meat market, 85 pounder. Looked like a greyhound. Lean and skinny, tough ask. Two man cook team, with an assist and balking from the boss. No napped it, need new body. 10 hours, case and a half of beer, half pack of Tums, cheek meat sandwich.

Good times though, here's the run of show.






Popped by the fabricator's joint, JACKTOWN, it was like Christmas Island all over again out there. Toys for every hobby, mountains of loot and contraband.





Went fishing for 35 minutes right before sunset on the Blanco river. First cats on a fly and a killer bass, caught on crayfish pattern.








Back at the ranch, saw this, about the size of an adult hand, jammed my camera up close, found out later they are aggressive and often leap towards their prey, destroying most of the nerves and soft tissue locally. Attaboy McKenna.



Warming up / baptizing the the pit.










Kiddie relief next day. Good event, though I blacked out for most of it.











May sit the next five out and segue to consulting.

CODA, Jane from early summer, doing the bug dance / cannonball.

Hamilton | Poolbot from Austin McKenna on Vimeo.

How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

We are all about the new Walkmen record at the Drake. Perfect for karate training, rug tinkling, sending of dinner back. Moms all into Sleigh Bells. Feels like a holiday away.

Tonight was pumpkin selection round one. I'm going back for the mother of all gourds tomorrow, but we got the porch covered with the carvers. We also dug up the scary Halloween stuff, which has the Jane vexxed. She's unsure if they are scary enough, but is terrified of making an issue of it. We will work this out in workshop.

Scenes from the patch.





Big roadtrip to Dallas this weekend. Failed to card any pictures of the providers, typical. However, did capture Don Cole holding court at the end of the banquet table.




Rocked the playground before shower down. Pretty 2nd grade implements, nice for ninja drills. Our hosts were genius, unlike my evidence of this intrusion. We also may be pulling for the Rangers.






More from this series coming, a teaser, no firecat.



Indications that my influence is spreading.



Moments from costume reveal. Mom killing it. Swami hat not in costume box, emergency measures in place.

Austin City Un-Limited Mega Post

We just has some kind of weekend. HH / Ambriel in town for ACL + Jane flyby. Gorgeous weather for a change, dad busy putting bands on billboards. Jane rehearsing her trick or treat. A little shattered today, too much beer and excitements. Never been to Coachella or Sasquatch or whatever, but this ACL business is big business now. I mean, the Eagles were in town.


Kicking things off, the SHINER Local Stage concept and preview. This thing almost killed me. Night before the festival, below.



Morning glory. 10 bands. 100 permits.



My wide shot. I do sort of miss making 30 second TV commercials, but this almost makes up for it. That thing with the can on it has more technology inside than a self propelled lawn mower.



Off to the festival Friday afternoon. Soft Pack first up. Not ready for big time yet, but a good opening 16oz.



Britt and his Spoons. Maybe best set since Soft Effects from Brownies, when he still played the electric acoustic. Performance complete with staged piano bashing from little guy on noise shaker. Forgiven on account of opening with Car Radio.



Colleagues.



Gotta lot of shit for the lucky hat. Client said I looked like a goober. Who uses that word anyways?



View on Black Keys. Mad house.



Behind me. This thing was packed.



Speaking of packing.



Hawes, moments after the CHOKES.



Day two, on site. Me and Black Joe Lewis.



Hickoids. Perfect.




WHITE RHINO, my new favorite band.







Wrapped and home for dinner with guests. Charles ate all the steak.



Trix.



Down time before the men hit the clubs.



And Black Joe Lewis, Continental Club.



Coco moments.





Great visit, wish I had taken more pics. Too busy making the mouth move. Jane crushed to see her "people" leave. Wants to know where are they.