Party like it's 1999!

Leighton is the king of partygivers in Austin, his legendary parties have been an outrageous string of no holds barred, spare no expense, outfrickingrageous events. This years Halloween party was no exception. In fact, we have "videoslides" running on the current Spring front page showing several hundred thousand random cuts from this event and the Fourth of July party a few months back.

HHave one 'round the holidays, so's I can check it out!

OK I'll see what we can do, what dates will you be around?

12-25 thru 12-29ish

Are we going to get to meet for a Spring get together then?

I'd like to.

Let's do it!

Sounds good... when? I need to fit in a visit to our fave Italian chef in Far West, a couple of beers with old friends and dinner at several local joints, a run around Town Lake (old times sake) and (I HOPE) a bike ride.

Sounds like a party!

Well, I'll be at work almost the entire time that you're here, so it shouldn't be too difficult to work your visit in. And if it is, tell me where to bring you yo' stuff, madam.

I might actually stay until 1/3, but tix have not been purchased yet so... I'll let everyone know.

Let us know! We'll plan something.

will do!

This is something you expect to experience in California, but it happened ratch here in the Texas Hill Country. I had a wonderful time at the Dubose Natural Farm in the hill country outside of Austin. Such a happy scene and so many nice women and men. We played and sang and talked and ended up around the campfire late at night. The highlight was Mangala and Patricia Dubose descriptions of how Patricia came to be caretaker of this incredible 1600 acres. The sun was warm and we put our feet in the cool river. We went swing out over the Little Blanco River on a rope swing. Someone brought some beautiful horsemint to the campfire and we passed it around. Oh yeah. Sue came and played songs off her new CD. Sue's in the Feldenkraus body workshop. Her Mother Eagle song is a gorgeous tearjerker. "Tears of love, blessed are my tears . . . " And Patricia got her account of Bo's cremation published in a book of pagan rituals. My friend Katrina was there sparkling all over the place, she's so vibrant and aware. And so pretty. And her friends Lyndon and "reesa". The Spring slide show is of this event (warning, there is one "full monty" scene of mail frontal and dorsal nudity of a guy swimming in the ice cold Blanco River"); promise you won't turn me into the decency police? The river with clear springs feeding into it was something to behold. The landscape was awesome. I plan to spend a day exploring it sometime, or better even a week.

I wanna go!

There will be more. And this Thanksgiving party happens every year.

It was fun going out "on the town" with Stacey and Kitchen Manager. Now, today's party. Don't miss it! New Years Day January 1st, 1998 2 pm till very late Bring: family & friends pot luck 5 pm snacks tv/game room potluck volleyball byob dominoes games *BONFIRE* music Internet feed on instruments http://www.spring.com Bring Yule Tree to burn At Cidneyes Hwy 71 East to Bastrop out of Austin, Texas Hwy 969 - 3.3 miles Turn right at the Yin Yang sign Call 512.303.4000 if you get lost and need directions or 303.3418.

I agree Terry, and thanks! Don't know if we're going to make it today, I just woke up. Happy 1998 to everyone there...

Didn't see you or Stacey there, could it be that you guys peaked too early at Fados?

Could be... Didn't get to sleep until 6 am wed night/ thur morn, so, I was somewhat tired. Maybe next time...

Paul, the festivities sounded great but we left town to get Mr. Brandon back on a plane to Colorado. And my parents planned a family portrait... I am sorry I missed it.

When's your next Austin trip?

I'll pitch in on your air fare!

Not until the summer probably... Spring break is always an option but nothing has been planned yet.

Just got off the phone with WER, kitchenmanager, and he said his mom came through ok! Wonderful news, isn't it!!! Hope you can stay longer next time and we can plan some more activities (and maybe even get in some workouts).

yes! Great news! And yes, I'd like to stay longer next time!

that could be nice

and of course it will be!

= - )

This just in from Leighton Hodges Four Score and yadda yadda............. Enough already!!! Interdependence Day Party Friday, 6:00 P.M. July 3,1998 6209 Bon Terra That's right an In-ter-dependence Day party. The wind beneath the wings of the 4th! To celebrate our interdependence on each other for community, support, harmony and fun! Bring someone with whom you are interdependent (even a co dependent will do!). You can celebrate being in-de-pendent from your ex-lover, your kids, your parents, the bank or the British on the day after this party. We'll probably talk, eat, and then play acoustic music until 9:00 after which we'll drum and dance. Feel free to bring musical instruments. I'll provide Margaritas, mineral water, soft drinks, virtual fireworks, Barbeque and fixen's. You can bring something additional to snack on (a dessert and/or a drink). If you want, BYOB. Bring someone you're with whom you're interdependent and we'll expand from there. Come and be a promiscuous hugger (hugging five people you don't know in one evening), sing, harmonize, talk, eat, listen and dance interdependently. DIRECTIONS: Go west from MO PAC and 2222 three lites and veer down the hill on 2222 going towards the lake. Right on Dry Creek (by the Quix store). Fourth right is Bon Terra. Red lites on house. 454-7971 if you get lost. I'll provide Margaritas, mineral water, soft drinks, virtual fireworks, Barbeque and fixen's. You can bring something additional to snack on (a dessert and/or a drink). If you want, BYOB. We'll probably play and sing acoustic music until 9:00 after which we'll drum and dance. Feel free to bring musical instruments. Bring someone you're with whom you're interdependent and we'll expand from there. Come and be a promiscuous hugger (hugging five people you don't know in one evening), sing, harmonize, talk, eat, listen and dance interdependently. DIRECTIONS: Go west from MO PAC and 2222 three lites and veer down the hill on 2222 going towards the lake. Right on Dry Creek (by the Quix store). Fourth right is Bon Terra. Red lites on house. 454-7971 if you get lost.. from Leighton Hodges

Wow, sounds great. Damn distance, and damn poverty!

Let the Spring party continue. Give Jeff Kramer a round of applause for getting us back up and running a few minutes ago. If you feel like there was a lost weekend, you're not alone. Full details later. And we're starting to build a newer, more robust and bulletproof server. No one dislikes downtime more than me.

THANK YOU Jeff!!

Thanks for fixing that in a jiffy, Jeffy! We're all truly grateful, as this is where we come to when even our loved ones get tired of us.

i think we should have a spring-party, which we can all (me n riette included) come to =)

I thoroughly agree! But where, deary? Don't think they're all going to come a'flying over here just two see us two fruit cakes! Not even if I lured them with wiffs of my sensational fondue . . .

Well, actually, I'd probably have Stacey sitting on top of my stove, staring into the cheese bubbles with stoney eyes, and drool dripping from her dainty, drooping dottom djaw (for the sake of poetry!) within minutes of sending out those wiffs.

pretty darn accurate there, Riette

And which wiffs should be sent your way, Mithtew Kitchen?

at this point, I assume yours and Stacey's...

Okay, but I'll just send Stacey's - I know the hypnotizing effect those'll have on you.

now, where'd you get that idea?

ESP coming from you. Every Single Pant, that is!

well i think you and i should fly to austin :)

Sure, when? WHERE is Austin? And you must promise not to get airsick, alright? Because Chris collects sickbags, and he'd never forgive me for bringing back a yuksies one.

austin, texas, usa. depending on when we flew, it shouldn't be *too* expensive.

with enough planning, the rest of us could probably pitch in...

Are you guys being serious here? If so, then we're going to have to plan way in advance, because with my third world passport I have to apply for a visum over a month in advance. Boy, it's so unpractical coming from the bush. But we'll have a blast if we do that, I'm sure!!!

i'm serious. not for a while, obviously...maybe to celebrate something. anyone got anything to celebrate? christmas? new year party?

Sure, we can make it an October or November New Year party - I have to be home in December (exhibition coming up then). I can probably make it November, but have an exhibition the end of August, which is akward. Or we can wait and do a big spring party early next year. That is, if I'm still in Z�rich by then.

Next Spring party in Austin: July 18th. Email terry for details.

Thanks, Terry! Shall we try and make that one, Mike? That's time enough to make arrangements, and I should know withing the next four or five weeks whether I'm going down under or not.

July 18th?? I can't make that - no cash. sorry :( something later in the year, or early next year would be better.

I thought that WAS next year? Because I can't make this July either - going on a very short holiday to England at the end of it, so no extra cash here either. Oh, what a bore to live out here!

We'll have a big one on the first day of Spring next year. Our tenth anniversery as an organization and our 5th year on the net.

And of course we'll have to do something for the millenium.

Mike and I WILL be there! Right, Mike? Shall we fly from Heathrow?

How about the first weekend in August?!? (that's when I'm coming down!!!)

Sure, we can do a party then. Are we talking August 1-2 or August 8-9?

er... somewhere round there... (tickets haven't been bought yet!)

Let us know when you get your tickets and we'll have a swim party here at Spring World HQ, in your honor!

WooWoo!!!!!

Summer Swim/Dance Party starts 4 pm Saturday July 18 at the Spring, 9011 Quail Creek Drive Directions: 183 to Peyton Gin Road (between Lamar and Burnet exits), left on Quail Creek about 3 blocks on right or go past 183 on Lamar and turn left on Quail Creek and right on Little Walnut (turns in to Quail Creek) Vegetarian Potluck * Dancing * Music call 303-4000 or 302-4000 for more info/directions Music Mix by MixMaster Bob Nagy: Rock * BritPop * Euro * Techno * Ethnic * swing Ska * Reggae * Mambo * Salsa * HipHop * Zydeco bowling on the green * croquet * water volleyball and basketball * dancing * swimming * synchronized swimming contest with prizes * live webcast If you cant come in person, drop by http://www.spring.net for the live video/audio feed

coooool i think we should get something vaguely definite about riette and i coming over, and wolf, wer, stacey, autumn et. al. dropping by :) sometime during the later months of the year (flight prices cheaper then), perhaps?

this Saturday... We are headed up to Leadville, CO for the COurage Classic. Three day charity bike ride to benefit Children's Hospital. I received enough sponsorship to participate and am terribly excited about three days of riding and camping! The ride takes us from Leadville to Copper Mountain on Friday, CopperMountain up to Loveland Pass and back to Copper on Saturday and from Copper to Leadville on Sunday!

good luck!!! (and more importantly, enjoy!)

That sort of weekend would positively KILL me.

What do you mean, Riette?

Well, I love cycling - in Germany or Holland, that is. And I love camping - in dry, desert conditions, that is. But I love room service even more.

Then you need to cycle to a desert campground with room service.

ha-ha!!! Something like that. Think I'll have to get to heaven first to find an arrangement like that, and the chances of my getting to heaven is like. . . . . slim.

My idea of roughing it is staying in a hotel that doesn't have a lot of outlets...I can't imagine that fugitive hiding out in the Appalachian Mtns. for 6 months. I mean, at least in prison he'd have cable!

Absolutely!

The party is rumbling closer. It will be webcast. The marguarita machine has been delivered. The pool light has been fixed and I dosed the pool with "Pool Clear" to make it sparkle tomorrow. I picked up the smoke machine and the colored lights from rock and roll rentals. The dance music has been skillfully chosen and pieced together into a 5 hour tape by Bob Nagy who is going all out for this thing. Bill has called about 200 folks around Austin. Leighton has done his bit with his party mailing list. I think, we're about . . . ready to rumble!!!!! Bob will be by in the morning to set up the scene. Bill has about 89 more calls to make. I can feel it, this one's going to be ... big! Are you ready for a webcast?

Yes. You mean the little photos will appear in the front page? And DAMN! You all partying, and me having to do some shopping to keep my children from starving. DAMN.

Yep, while you nourish those little buggers that kept you up all night, we'll be partyin' down. Feel free to watch the pictures fly by on the web page and listen to the sounds and music! I hear Bob has put together and awesome sound track.

Blimey, that sounds like one *heck* of a party :)) "But I love room service even more." I love that line, Riette :))

�rolling on the floor blushing my arse off�

typing in straight from Terry's party...

What? It's still going? SPEW? The wine not very good (I spitefully hope)?

not sure...was drinking margaritas... (spew is yet another alter ego...)

A multi-personality muffin! The one in 'name the puppy' sounded like his name should have been Spew . . .

There wasnt' much wine. The margaritas were spellbinding. wer looked somewhat stunned (must have had a grueling day at Lilitaly). Bob's music mix was awesome, anyone here see us live?

I looked at the pictures, but my computer won't do that audio-thing, the ba$tard. The margaritas probably just made Wer shy! And so did you all have a great time, Terry? And don't you dare say yes!

It was just miserable, Reitte, wasn't it wer?

You have to say it like you mean it though.

Do I hafta?

Yes. Otherwise I might burst out in tears. �BIG SMILE� How long did the party go on for altogether?

Till about 3 am. Replays are still going on.

i heard some of the music as you were setting up. I think it was Bob phoning answermachines to leave messages "Hi, the xxx people, the xxx people and the spring dot net people are having a party, and you're invited!" :) Nice one L:)

That was Bill making those calls. He did a good job, I think we had about 80 folks.

cool..that's what i love so much about the states. randomly phone people up to invite them to a big party, which would never hapen in this country, and then they come. which also would never happen in this country.

What WOULD happen?

So what did you think of Bill's spiel that Bob wrote?

it wasn't the margaritas, Riette, it was a social gathering, therefore I was out of place, so shy will work just fine... was initially shy when I first met Terry and Stacey, also...

what would happen in the UK? Nothing. Nobody would organise a big party, nobody would get invited and nobody would *ever* come. we're just so "restrained" (read: boring)

Lies, all lies!!! The English are wonderful people, and open, and very very funny, and just so normal. My greatest times and only great parties here in Europe happened in England. Or perhaps it just FEELS that way because of sterile Switzerland? ARGH! Whatever. Just wanted to defend Mike's tribe! Don't worry Wer, I also get quite shy when I have to meet people I don't know. No, really!! So you DID meet Stacey! Did you like her? And did she like you? Or are you just teasing? I can never tell.

He's telling the truth, I was there. And they seemed to hit it off. The three of us met at Fados down on Fourth Street after dinner at Little Italy.

That is great!!!

Yep, Terry chaperoned so us kids wouldn't get in trouble...let's see, Terry and Stacey came in for dinner, I cooked for them, they left and went to Fado's where I met them after work. After a couple of beers or so, went to another restaurant (Magnolia Cafe) and ate, Terry dropped us off at Stacey's car, she gave me a ride to mine, we talked for awhile, went home, took a nap, me the wife and kids met her at Kerbey Lane for breakfast...

That sounds nice. I think it must be very interesting meeting one of the spring people like that. I mean we talk to each other so often, I wonder if one would suddenly not know what to say anymore if confronted with the other face to face.

So are you and Mike meeting in Manchester?

No, I'm afraid not. He's going to be too far South, and I can't take more than about 10 hours for journeying and meeting up. And anyway he is a working man now! But I'm sure we'll manage it next time I'm in London. Listen, a moment ago I wanted to respond to the bit about Seagal, but hit some button, and managed to go out of the net altogether. Now I'm back, but I can't remember the topic name anymore, so I'll just answer that question here. Yes, I did read the bit about him being elevated to tulku. I was somewhat taken aback, but he WILL be the coolest tulku alive!

Tonight is Jim O'Brien's vegetarian potluck. On Melridge, just above Barton Springs. A great event!

Will we see it on the spring cam?

It's tomorrow night. I went to a movie tonight. Maybe.

You movie-man, you!

maybe?

Nope, wasn't able to do any video.

Bruce Sterling's parties are not to be missed! PARTY INVITATION. In totally informal conjunction with the annual South By SouthWest Multimedia Festival, my wife Nancy and I are throwing another Open House Party on the evening of March 16th, Tuesday, starting, say, 7:30 pm or so. If you're in Dead Media Project, please consider this your formal invitation to attend. Bring anybody you trust. There will be cold beer. And (even more astonishing and provocative) there will be cigarettes. If you've never been to my house before (once memorably described by TIME magazine as "the leafy tranquillity of Sterling's well-appointed Austin, Texas home"), send email and I'll ship you the directions and a phone number. Mind you, the SXSW Multimedia Party we threw last time was not half shabby. These digital-arts people are definitely a self-starting crowd. No Charades or Twister was required to break the ice. Quite a good time was had by all.

I really, really wanna go to this!!!!!

It's at 3410 Cedar Street, near Guadalupe and W 33rd Street. The house with the big stone pillars, it's the most impressive house on the block.

Sounds like a cool bash!

Tres cool, indeed. I hope to see at least wer there.

Once more. ***************** PARTY INVITATION. ***************** In totally informal conjunction with the annual South By SouthWest Multimedia Festival, my wife Nancy and I are throwing another Open House Party on the evening of March 16th, Tuesday, starting, say, 7:30 pm or so. If you're on the Viridian List, please consider this your formal invitation to attend. Bring anybody you trust. There will be cold beer. And (even more astonishing and provocative) there will be cigarettes. If you've never been to my house before (once memorably described by TIME magazine as "the leafy tranquillity of Sterling's well-appointed Austin, Texas home"), send email and I'll ship you the directions and a phone number. Mind you, the SXSW Multimedia Party we threw last time was not half shabby. These digital-arts people are definitely a self-starting crowd. No Charades or Twister was required to break the ice, and a good time was had by all. Bruce Sterling (bruces@well.com) It's at 3410 Cedar Street, near Guadalupe and 33rd.

Hey Terry, I don't have time to fly over - do you webcast that MAJOR event?

I would but Bruce doesn't like cameras.

I have to f*****g work now!!!! How late will this thang go on?

Long time. Hey, we're doing the live webcast of Capzeyez as I write this. Call them up at 472-2225.

Bruce Sterlings party and his palatial digs, don't miss it!

I'm trying!!! (not too miss it, that is...)

Dont' Doug Block at Alamo Draft House in half and hour.

Correction, 5 pm tonight. I was a little early.

Justin Hall comments on the party at Bruces last night: we wandered over somehow to bruce sterling's house - he'd invited the near-whole of south by southwest to his 1912/frank lloyd writey custom designed/build admirable family pad. respected but unread pat cadigan science fiction author i should know better, bruce sterling holding court in his office, showing off computer crime books, ru serius and his wonderful welcome-matt-flinging ladyfriend eve, demi-stars and the 13 year old dj, who may have put on eminem more than once, though it may have been carl. adam powell told me about fugazi with the most incredible fervent look in his eyes, as he is want to do describing a trip to eat a burrito. paul with recent videos of me gathered persistenly at http://www.spring.net/ threw out occasional questions, still in his rather large but not laden vest-of-many pockets. jon lebkowsky i've felt somehow has been most host-behind-the-scenes all along and he was there looking quite impish in eyebrows and friendly in his belly, smiled much and suggested i think seriously about repurposing my web ramblings into a sellable book. his tome on netpolitics should be rescued from academic press in time for a presidential-era publishing this november if possible i suggested. joey anuff of suck did the usual rib-tickling rundown of myself or whoever availed. the woman from the ACTlab here described the collaboratively written opera she'd organized and had just seen performed. never having done opera before she was prompted by sandy stone to do something new first and therein find the necessary knomwledge. bruce sterling's youngest daughter of maybe 3 was eating candy necklace beads that had been already separated from the string. i sat near her on the wooden stairs and tried mimicry to initiate play - she had none of it and steadily rolled away from my ovations of friendship, beginning a slow moan that threatened to become a cry. a guy who's name slips me and i'm too tired to find his card had long red hair and a longer attention span than i for the subject at hand between us - managing web site collections of links. another fellow, jeff? can't recall; he mentioned wanting to auction me off on ebay. joey said a famous VC had auctioned off an hour of his time there and i should try that too. of my party carl david and ariana were leaving after 10 minutes. they invited my departure as well but i could not stand to leave a nice group gathered here under a writerly umbrella for casual chatting in pleasant audible surroundings so i abandoned any party hopping for 90 minutes wandering happy at the sterlings. his office was lined with books, many his, many cyber, much eclectica. sterling has a quite old mac (fewer wiz bang - maybe more work), while his daughter of 3 has a powerful PC that he is sure to be kicked off of if she catches him on it when she has work to do. over his desk, much like howard, strikingly like howard, sterling had a large ganesha. at first he dodged acknowledging the significance, but he came to share a dream of a visitation by a three foot high rat in some clothes the day he cleaned and installed the large painted statue (rat being the messenger of ganesh and the title of a story by a fellow i did not note and do not recall). later i paused in the kitchen a moment to say thanks yous ands goods byes to him my host. i introduced myself and sterling mentioned my hair change. somehow origin came up and he mentioned that garriot was an astronaut's sun who had famous halloween parties every few years. there was a large hammock outside between the house and my ride. i jumped in, it was a broad sweep, many feet between the anchors. amidst my late-evening breeze riding sterling ran by and snatched up an attached rope to pull me to exciting heights cackling something resembling "appropriate use"

sounds great, terry....wish i could have been there

And the complete blow by blow from film.com The Big Night It's a wrap at the Shrine Auditorium, and we give the show -- well, a solid B for effort. Things moved along snappily (although we're still not sure what Peter Coyote, giving his best impersonation of a headwaiter, was doing at that little desk), and the awards were spread out over a nice variety of films, reflecting the depth of movie offerings this year. American Beauty, as expected, won the big awards, but also well-represented were Boys Don't Cry, Topsy-Turvy, and The Matrix (which had a perfect four-for-four night). And Billy Crystal was at his relaxed best. But -- if you're going to remove the dance numbers, why replace them with interminable musical numbers and endless montages? And why bring out Isaac Hayes only to immediately cover him in smoke? On the fashion front, we liked Samuel L. Jackson's blue velvet jacket, Hilary Swank's goldish gown, and Cher's fabulously understated (for Cher) black velvet dress with a cross dangling at crotch level -- for which she apologized, saying that she had "dressed like a grownup" this year. Ah, well -- maybe next year. And, when last spotted, Annette Bening had still not gone into labour. All in all, a professional yet fairly uneventful evening without too many big surprises. (Blame it on the Wall Street Journal poll, which gave all the right answers.) And our favorite moment took place in the pre-show, at which Matt Stone and Trey Parker (of South Park, as if we have to tell you) unveiled their Oscar attire -- a Gwyneth Paltrow-ish pink spaghetti-strapped gown, and a Jennifer Lopez-y sheer green dress (accessorized by chest hair). Blame Canada, indeed. Just in case you missed it, here's the play-by-play as we called it; or click here for a complete list of winners. Complete List of Winners The Tally American Beauty: 5 The Matrix: 4 The Cider House Rules: 2 Topsy-Turvy: 2 All About My Mother: 1 Boys Don't Cry: 1 Girl, Interrupted: 1 Tarzan: 1 9:31: Clint Eastwood gives the Best Picture award to American Beauty. 9:27: Steven Spielberg gives the Best Director award to Sam Mendes for American Beauty. Here comes the semi-sweep? 9:20: Gwyneth Paltrow, with a bad case of bed head, gives the Best Actor award to Kevin Spacey, while Denzel Washington gallantly applauds. In his speech, he acknowledges the "real beauty" of American Beauty, and says he's proud to be an actor. And, for the record, says he's speechless and that he loves his mother. 9:07: Roberto Benigni runs around the stage for a while and says he'd like to be a dog, and then calms down sufficiently to present the Best Actress award to Hilary Swank for Boys Don't Cry. After smooching with hubby Chad Lowe, she gives a poised speech. 9:00: Mel Gibson presents the Best Original Screenplay award to Alan Ball, for American Beauty. He thanks, among other things, a plastic bag. 8:55: Kevin Spacey turns up to present the Best Adapted Screenplay award to John Irving for The Cider House Rules, providing us with the rare spectacle of seeing a bestselling novelist at the podium. He provides the first political moment so far, acknowledging the National Abortion Rights Action League. Go John! 8:51: Brad Pitt presents the Best Cinematography award to Conrad L. Hall for American Beauty. So, will this kick off the American Beauty sweep we kept hearing so much about? 8:32: Jack Nicholson, sporting a brush cut and a grim little mustache, gives a rambling intro to Warren Beatty, the recipient of this year's Irving G. Thalberg award. We're pleased to note that Warren's wife, Annette Bening, is still in the auditorium and not in the maternity ward. A nice standing O for Warren, who gives an equally rambling -- but very sweet -- acceptance speech. 8:28: Tommy Lee Jones and Ashley Judd, bringing back unpleasant memories of Double Jeopardy, present the Film Editing award to Zach Staenberg of The Matrix, which is pulling off a nice little technical sweep. He reads his speech from a piece of paper, and is not particularly compelling. 8:22: Julianne Moore and Russell Crowe stroll out to present the Art Direction award to Rich Heinrichs and Peter Young for Sleepy Hollow. 8:15: Edward Norton shows a remarkable lack of enthusiasm for introducing the annual "In Memorium" tribute to those who have died, which includes Jim Varney, Robert Bresson, Hedy Lamarr, Garson Kanin, Madeline Kahn, and George C. Scott. 8:10: Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves present the Best Original Score Oscar to John Corigliano for The Red Violin. He says he's speechless, and then makes a gracious speech. 8:05: Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz (who, coincidentally, have both starred in Pedro Almodovar films) turn up to present the Best Foreign Film award to . . . Pedro Almodovar, for All About My Mother. Cruz gets really excited and jumps around, then the three have a group hug. Almodovar whips out a big piece of paper and thanks a lot of people until the music starts playing. 7:45: A rather emotional Burt Bacharach leads a medley of songs nominated for Oscars past, including "Everybody's Talkin'," "Over the Rainbow," "The Man That Got Away," "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," and more, performed by the likes of Ray Charles, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Dionne Warwick, and Queen Latifah -- sometimes, alas, inviting unfortunate comparison with the originals. Really, nobody but Judy should sing "Over the Rainbow." The exception is Isaac Hayes, who turns up to croon "Shaft," and sounds as cool as ever -- until he gets enveloped by a smoke machine. And, in the obligatory standing O, Annette stands up again! Somebody stop her! 7:33: Arnold "I've been a visual effect" Schwarzenegger shows up to present the Visual Effects award to the guys from The Matrix. A guy wearing a really cool black outfit does all of the talking; the others, who look less cool, stand behind him. He goes on too long and gets cut off by music, but not before he can plug www.whatisthematrix.com. 7:31: The "exciting and talented" Salma Hayek summarizes the Scientific and Technical Awards. She is mercifully brief. So is her dress. 7:28: Chow Yun-Fat saunters out to present the award for Sound Effects Editing to Dane A. Davis for The Matrix. 7:21: Jane Fonda is welcomed back to Hollywood, and graciously introduces Polish director Andrzej Wajda, who is this year's recipient of an honorary Oscar. (Although we have no idea why Jane mysteriously crossed the entire stage during her intro -- perhaps to show off her Vera Wang gown.) A grinning Wajda gets a nice standing O, and gives a nice speech in Polish (thankfully, there are subtitles). 7:10: Dame Judi Dench and her impeccable diction present the Best Supporting Actor award to Michael Caine for The Cider House Rules. He gets a kind of half-baked standing ovation (including the elegantly gowned and extremely pregnant Annette Bening, who should stay seated), and graciously acknowledges his fellow nominees (telling Tom Cruise, "Have you any idea how much supporting actors get paid?"). 7:05: Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, also very cute, present the Documentary Feature award to -- surprise! -- One Day in September, directed by Kevin MacDonald. 7:02: Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari, and Thora Birch of American Beauty, all looking cute as can be, present the award for Documentary Short Subject to King Gimp, directed by William A. Whiteford, who has been seated in the last possible row of the auditorium (because he's not famous) and takes a really long time to get to the podium. 6:55: Cher enters, apologizes for her sedate and un-Cher-like dress (hey, we think it's pretty), and presents the Best Song award to Phil Collins for "You'll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan. 6:41: LL Cool J and Vanessa Williams introduce the Best Song nominees, performed by a strapless Sarah McLachlan, a wispy-voiced Aimee Mann, a follically challenged Phil Collins, the pretty boys of N'Sync with a strapless Gloria Estefan, and a rather hoarse Robin Williams, who did indeed manage to use the words "fart" and "bitch" in his rendition of "Blame Canada," and gamely participated in a final kickline. 6:33: Woody, Buzz, and the Rock-Em-Sock-Em Robots (yep, pretty darn cute) present the Best Animated Short Film award to The Old Man and the Sea, directed by Aleksander Petrov, who apologizes for not being able to speak English, but gives a speech anyway. 6:28: A very elegant Cate Blanchett and Jude Law present the award for Best Live-Action Short Film to My Mother Dreams the Satan's Disciples in New York, directed by Barbara Schock and Tammy Tiekel, one of whom is quite Annette Bening-esque (pregnant, that is). 6:20: Morgan Freeman talks quite vaguely about the past century, mysteriously using the phrase "global village", and introduces the obligatory Chuck Workman montage. 6:10: James Coburn strolls in to present the Best Supporting Actress award to . . . Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted), who's wearing some sort of Elvira getup with major hair extensions. Contrary to her behavior at the Golden Globes, she does not bring her brother to the podium, although he is her date for the evening. She thanks everyone she knows. 6:05: Tobey Maguire and a high-headwrapped Erykah Badu present the Best Makeup award to Topsy-Turvy. A Topsy-Turvy sweep tonight? A write-in for Best Picture? Go, Mike Leigh! 6:02: Mike Myers, Heather Graham, and Heather's cleavage present the award for Best Sound to those guys from The Matrix. 5:58: Haley Joel Osment introduces an uninspired montage of performances by young actors. Gee, wonder why they picked him? 5:50: The Charlie's Angels girls (Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz) present the Best Costume award to Lindy Hemming for Topsy-Turvy. An upset! 5:30: Billy Crystal kicks things off with a 20-minute opening number featuring -- surprise -- a lot of song and dance. Not bad. A funny Kevin Spacey cameo.

Everyone she knows except John Long!

Eeyore's is the major event in Austin for the entire year. And Bob Nagy was there to capture it Saturday. http://www.botany.utexas.edu/facstaff/stfpages/bnagy/Eeore's/index.html (really worth a look)

Looks like a 60's love-in. Is there anyone there I might recognize?

Not me. Bob maybe. It's an incredible event, I have a tape of a couple of previous years that I'll play and the SpringCam, would that interest you?

Sure! Are you on it?

I think I am, cause I gave the camera up at one point to some folks and they videotaped me. I'll try and dig it out in the next couple of days, possibly tomorrow morning. Remind me, ok?

I'll do it before I shut down for the day - around midnight your time or so...

I may not get it today, I've got to run out to the other house.

That's okay...I'll just gently remind you from time to time until you tell me to cease and desist or you show it *grin* I'd be more than happy to watch you drink coffee in the hill country place you stopped. Fine-looking man, Terry!

A Night in Budapest. RSVP. http://www.spring.net/budapest Next weekend. This culni-cultural event will feature a full banquet of Hungarian specialities as well as multi-media presentations about one of the most interesting small countries in Europe. Saturday Night - June 2nd, 2001 7 pm Sharp Info: 471-4286 or 699-4000 or 303-4000 RSVP on the website form.

Link didn't work

It works! Maybe try http://www.spring.net/budapest/

Yup got it ... menu sounds good. Pity airfare is so expensive!!! Grin

Hey ... you're an hour behind me now .. it's 4.57 in UK. where's Spring time??

I just set it: $ date Sun May 20 17:44:32 GMT 2001 $ su Password: You have mail. www.spring.net /usr/user/terry # date 200105201244 Sun May 20 12:44:00 CDT 2001 www.spring.net /usr/user/terry #

One of Austin's greatest parties is happening tonight! Leighton Hodges is putting on his Interdependence Day bash. Tuesday, July 3, 6 pm, 6209 Bon Terra. The band Garage Majal will start playing around *;30 pm. Lotsa beer, wine mineral water, soft drinks, virtual fireworks, bq and fixens. "Come and be a promiscuous hugger (hugging five people you don't know in one evening)." Sing, harmonize, talk, listen, and dance interdependently. Go west from MoPac and 222, pass 3 lights and veer down the hill on 2222 going towards the lake. Turn right on Dry Creek by the Quix Store. The 4th right is Bon Terra. Red lights on house. 454-7971 if you get lost.

Did you go Terry????

Yep. Had a great time too.

Sounds like great fun. I've said it before and I'll say it again, one of England's biggest flaws is a lack of that kind of community. I think once I've got myself a house I'll have to start throwing open parties like that one.

It's only fitting that today I find myself at the home of Francois and Roz in a suburb of Vancouver. Today is Bastille Day. July 14th. And Francois being of French descent there is sure to be some celebration. We can have our own celebration here at the Spring, let's explore the meaning and the significance of Bastille Day. It's only the birthday of my twin cousins, Barney and Muriel.

Bastille Day today means, for all in France, the solemn military parade up the Champs Elys�es in the presence of the head of state. It is also a holiday on which each commune holds its local dance and fireworks. But above all, Bastille Day, or the Fourteenth of July, is the symbol of the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the Republic. The people storm the Bastille Once again this summer, France will celebrate "la F�te de la F�d�ration" on July 14, 1790 which in fact was the first celebration of the anniversary of the 1789 attack on the French prison, the Bastille. Toward the end of the 18th century, there was much discontentment among the people in Paris with King Louis XVI. When on 5 May 1789 he convened the Estates General parliament to hear its complaints, the assembly of the Third Estate, representing the people, broke away to form the Constituent National Assembly in order to double its numbers and dominate the other estates. This led to an uprising of the people and to the destruction of the Bastille. It was the first expression of the French right to self-determination which paved the way to a parliamentary regime and later to revolution. One year later, on the anniversary of the prison's storming, delegates from all over the country traveled to Paris to celebrate the F�te de la F�d�ration and to proclaim allegiance to a single national community. Bastille Day was declared a national holiday in 1880. from info-france.com So, what can we storm today to celebrate?

And more from the above site: Today, the memory invokes in French people a great feeling of patriotism, a sense of belonging to one national republic. In France, July 14 will be a day of celebration, where one can find festivities such as a military parade down the Champs-Elys�es, music, and gatherings at bistros and caf�s. At night, fireworks will cascade over the City of Lights and throughout the country, and the people of France will once again reflect upon the principles of democracy instituted by the French Revolution. Austin July 14 The Alliance Fran�aise d'Austin will sponsor its 6th Annual Bastille Day Festival on the grounds of the historic French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos Street (off of E. 7th St), Austin, Texas. The festival will take place on Saturday, July 14, from 7pm to midnight. This festive event will include live entertainment, French delicacies, and more! Entertainment highlights will center on music and singing by "Souvenirs", a local band renown for its Caf� Jazz music. General Admission: $6 Alliance Fran�aise Members: $4 Students (with IDs): $5 Free for children 12 and under Tel. (512) 451 1704. More And for other locations: http://www.frenchculture.org/music/events/01bastilleday.html Bastille Day Events Atlanta Austin, TX Boston, MA Chicago and Midwest Fairfield, CT Los Angeles and California Miami and Florida New York, NY Philadelphia Washington, DC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Alliance Fran�aise d�Austin: 512.451.1704 PR contact, Mark Gomez: 512.358.9933 mgo67@yahoo.com The Alliance Fran�aise d�Austin Sponsors its 6th Annual Bastille Day Festival!!! Austin, Texas, June 27, 2001 � The Alliance Fran�aise d�Austin, a non-profit French cultural organization, will sponsor its 6th Annual Bastille Day Festival on the grounds of the historic French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos Street (off of E. 7th St). The festival will take place on Saturday, July 14, from 7pm to midnight. In honor of the French National Holiday and for fundraising efforts, this festive event will include live entertainment, French delicacies, and much, much more! Entertainment highlights will center on music and singing by 8� Souvenirs � the local band renown for its �Caf� Jazz� music. The band will play lively songs of the jazz heydays, especially from French and American songwriters, which promises to soothe your ears and tap your feet! Last year, 8� Souvenirs attracted nearly 1000 attendees to the event and is expected to attract even more this year. French delicacies from Pascal�s Catering, fine wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages will also be served. Children are welcome and will be entertained by face-painting and balloon-twisting. And for children of all ages, P�tanque, the popular French pastime, will be hosted. Of course, these activities will culminate with the French national anthem, �La Marseillaise.� V�ronique Ritter, the President of the Alliance Fran�aise d�Austin, notes: "Chaque ann�e, l'Alliance Fran�aise d'Austin invite fran�ais et francophiles � f�ter le 14 juillet et � partager un peu de la culture fran�aise. De la bonne musique, de quoi r�galer nos papilles gustatives, des activit�s de d�tente et surtout beaucoup de bonne volont�: c'est le meilleur moyen de bien s'amuser tout en d�gageant des fonds pour nous permettre de continuer nos efforts." [Every year, the Alliance Fran�aise d'Austin invites French people and francophiles to celebrate Bastille Day and take a piece of the French culture with them. Great music, French food, beverages, fun activities and wonderful volunteers: they all contribute to a great event which helps with our fundraising.] In addition to good food and entertainment, a silent auction will take place for fundraising. This year�s Bastille Day Festival marks the first time that the Alliance Fran�aise d�Austin and the French Legation will undertake joint fundraising activities on behalf of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, an organization which helps to maintain the French Legation Museum. Lisa Worley, the Director of the museum is thrilled by the collaborative efforts. �Because France was the first country to recognize Texas as a sovereign nation during the era when it was a Republic, it only makes sense that the French Legation Museum and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas partner with the Alliance Fran�aise for this great celebration!� Que la f�te commence ! General Admission: $6 Alliance Fran�aise Members: $4 Students (with IDs): $5 Free for children 12 and under About Alliance Fran�aise d�Austin The Alliance Fran�aise d�Austin offers educational, cultural and social activities to all the people of Texas who share a love of France and the French Language. It is a non-profit organization, giving scholarships to students of French in our region. Please visit our Website at www.alliance-francaise.austin.tx.us

Here's some events for our Chi Town gal, Karen R! Chicago Sat. 14: on the occasion the French National Day, the Consulate General of France in Chicago will organize a reception at the Union League Club (invitation only). Wed. 10 at 12:15 p.m.: Bastille Day concert: cabaret music and comedy performed by local singer/comediennes Colleen McHugh and Miriam Plotkin. Chicago Cultural Center, Randoph Caf�, 77 E. Randolph Street. Tel: 312-744-7094. Fri. 13 & Sat. 14: "Revolutionary Spin: Bleu, Blanc, Rouge" Dance into Bastille Day 2001 to the sounds of French DJ's from Paris and New York spinning their revolutionary grooves with local talent at four Chicago night clubs. Presented by Music 101, sponsored in part by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Chicago. Fri. 13th: � Blue Party at Transit: Neil Aline (Chez Music, NYC), Pepe Bradock (Paris) and Greg Norwood (Gramophone, Chicago). 1431 W. Lake Street, 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.; Tel: (312) 491-8600. � White Party at Le Passage: Fran�ois K (Wave Records, NYC) and Lady D (Chicago). 1 Oak Place, 9:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m.; Tel: (312) 255-0022. � Red Party at Red No. 5 and Fifth Floor: Jef K (Silver Records, Paris), Diz (Chicago), DJ Yellow (Yellow productions, Paris) and DJ V (Chicago). 440 N. Halsted, 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.; Tel: (312) 421-1239. Sat. 14th: � DJ Deep (Astralwerks, Paris) and Oscar McMillan (Chicago) at Le Passage, 1 Oak Place, 9:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.; Tel: (312) 255-0022. Fri. 13: "Andersen Bastille Day 5K Run, Walk and Block Party". Organized in conjunction with the City of Chicago, this premier race, begins at the intersection of Jackson and Aberdeen, in Chicago�s historic West Loop district.The event is open to all levels of runners or walker. Unwind after the race at the Andersen Bastille Day Block Party, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a magical evening party on the streets of the West Loop, with musical entertainment from local Chicago favorite, Hello Dave, food and drinks. Fri 13-Sun.15 : Marshall Field's on State Street presents the "Paris Flea Market". For 3 days only, the 7th Floor of Marshall Field's on State Street will be transformed into a large flea market where you will find antique furniture, vintage posters, vintage jewelry, crystal, silver and more. On the 13th, 4:30-6:30: French Wine Tasting for a Bastille Day Celebration. Celebrate Bastille Day with a complimentary wine tasting. Learn the varieties and varying qualities of French still and sparkling wines from Alsace in the north to Provence in the south. State Street 7th Floor, and Water Tower 1st Floor. For more information call (312) 781-5454. Sat. 14 from 10am to 5pm: A Bastille Day Flea Market organized by the Alliance Fran�aise. Sidewalk Sale from 810 N. Dearborn St. to Chicago Ave/Clark Street. You will find, household and decorative items, accessories, jewelry, clothes, pictures, books... The event is co-sponsored by Cosmopolitan Bank. Side 54 W. Chicago. Informations au (312) 337-1070.

Happy birthday to my cousins Barney and Muriel! Twentieth-Century American Art: World Renowned Collection at the Seattle Art Museum Now on view at the Seattle Museum of Art, Seattle, WA is "Twentieth-Century Art: The Ebsworth Collection." The exhibition was organized by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. where it was initially shown. The Seattle Museum of Art, where the collection will be on view through November 12, is the exhibit's only other venue. The Ebsworth collection includes over seventy works dating from 1913 through the late 1960s. Included are impressive pieces by Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Arthur Dove, David Hockney, Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Jackson Pollock, and Georgia O'Keeffe. In many cases, the examples on view reveal the influence of European art on the American modernist movement. This European influence was first introduced to the American artists, on a grand scale, at the 1913 Armory Show in New York. Other influences revealed through the collection are industrialism and commercialism; Warhol's Campbell's Soup Can with Can Opener, 1962 (see image) is one example of his modernist notion of combining serialized images of pop art with commercialism. Barney A. Ebsworth: the collector Listed as one of the world's top 100-200 collectors of American art, Barney A. Ebsworth has been collecting for 30 years. Ebsworth, a retired travel executive, had his first brush with the art world in Paris where he was stationed during the Korean War - he apparently spent every weekend at the Louvre! Ebsworth and his wife Pam are both very active in the museum community. Barney Ebsworth has served on the National Gallery's Trustee Council and co-chaired its Collectors Committee since 1996; Pam is on the board of the Seattle Art Museum. When asked about his future plans for the collection Ebsworth stated, "I'm not going to sell them, that's for sure." Ebsworth has already made generous donations to the St. Louis Art Museum, the Honolulu Academy of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Seattle Art Museum. In conjunction with the exhibit, a half-day symposium, "Multiple Pathways to American Modernism," will be held at the Seattle Art Museum on October 21. Topics of discussion will include not only fine art and its central figures, but also music, literature, and criticism of the period. Guest speakers will include Barbara Haskell, curator of painting and sculpture at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Please contact the museum for further information.