I woke up this morning and turned on my trusty news network, News 8 Austin, to see what the weather would be like today. What I got was more alarming than the lack of sunshine today.
Austin Independent School District extended the policy that allows Austin high school students to carry cell phones to class to the middle and elementary schools. So now, kids in grades as young as Kindergarten can bring their cell phones to school! Wait, it doesn’t end there, they can bring their MP3 players and digital cameras too.
The policy comes with rules of course, kids have to turn off the devices during school, but how realistic is that? When I was in high school, my phone was on the entire day and I was a lot more mature than a seven year old kid. Furthermore, I didn’t even have a cell phone until middle school.
And about the MP3 players, I have a little brother in the fifth grade. I have to remove earphones from his ears several times a day because he listens to his MP3 player so much. I can only imagine the lengths he and his friends will go to to secretly listen to theirs during school now that they are allowed to bring them.
I understand that parents want to be able to get a hold of their kids but there are others ways. Try a land line at the school, there is no reason that won’t work. But since it’s happened, I guess the next step is for parents to find a kid-friendly phone. Seven year olds shouldn’t have Blackberrys.
This kid’s dad is definitely regretting getting his son a cell phone….
Today’s post is a combination of promoting a family friend, promoting myself, AND giving you a great place to get some incredible food. The Counter Café has been open since last spring and has since grown into an amazing restaurant. Unfortunately, they do not currently have a web site I can direct you to, but I recently designed one for them and I am crossing my fingers that it will be up for the public soon!
Now on to the good stuff. The café stays true to it’s slogan (Local Food, Global Love) and uses locally grown ingredients when they are available. If the ingredients are not local, they are always natural and organic. The Counter Café is located at 626 N. Lamar across from Book People. The Counter is open from Tuesday – Friday from 8 AM to 9 PM and Saturday & Sunday from 8 AM – 3 PM.
The best part about Saturday and Sunday is that breakfast is served all day and if anyone knows how to do breakfast it’s the Counter Café. The breakfast tacos are a best seller and definitely will fill you up for a mere $5. If you’re willing to spend a little more, the Counter Benedict is absolutely to die for. The biscuits are amazing and the hollandaise sauce has been perfect every time in my experience. The breakfast chef, Eric, is very accomodating and will make your order how you want it. He has an extensive background in vegetarian and vegan cooking so he will cater to your dietary needs as well. Other items on the breakfast menu are hotcakes, crab cakes and eggs, & steak and eggs.
Breakfast is not all that the Counter Café does well. The lunch and dinner menus are equally impressive. Basically dinner is the lunch menu plus two or three specials each night called “blackboard specials.” Dinner is typically more expensive but the great thing is you can still order off the lunch menu. The most popular item is the Grilled Pimiento Cheese and it really is incredible. Not only is the house made pimiento amazing, but grilling it only adds to its deliciousness. Most everything on the lunch menu offers the option of the triple dipped Counter Fries as a side item. I definitely recommend the fries, they are hands down the best I have had in town. The Counter Burger is wonderful as well and topping it with grilled onions is an excellent choice. Pair anything with a bottled Mexican Coke and your meal will be complete.
For even more food fun, check out The Daily Texan food review and video (on the main site).
So I’m a huge fan of listening to really good music while I drive. My boyfriend lives kind of far away so I happen to drive quite a bit. I made a friend this mix for a drive home a while ago and I think it is pretty good so here it is for your listening pleasure.
The Killers – All These Things That I’ve Done
Dashboard Confessional – So long, So long
OAR – Heard the World
The Rocket Summer – Cross My Heart
Rilo Kiley – With Arms Outstretched
The New Amsterdams – Turn Out the Light
Jimmy Eat World – 23
Imogen Heap – Goodnight and Go
Gomez – See the World
The Format – Oceans
The Flaming Lips – Do You Realize??
The Cure – A Letter to Elise
Band of Horses – The Great Salt Lake
Cocteau Twins – This Love
It is definitely best if these are listened to on a sunny day with your windows rolled down but if that’s not possible, just enjoy them anyway.
So I have been blogging on and off for the past month or so but I feel like I lack structure. Therefore, I have decided to make a kind of plan for myself so that I will be encouraged to write daily and so my readers will know what to expect. I like catchy and cheesy things so I decided to do themed days each week.
Mixtape Monday – I love mixtapes and wish I lived in the 90s when people made meaningful tapes for eachother. So each Monday I am going to make one (sort of) for you guys. All you’ll have to do is download the music and actual make a physical copy.
Tasty Tuesday – I like good food so I’ll either put a review of a restaurant review or a good recipe. I also like good drinks so if I may make it Thirsty Tuesday and give the low-down on good Austin Happy Hours.
Web site Wednesday – I’m definitely into sharing good things when I find them so on Wednesdays I’ll share my favorite web sites. I have already done this once with my favorite place to get T-shirts.
Travel Thursday – I have big dreams of traveling the world and a big book about the 1,000 places you should go before you die. So I’m combining you the two and taking you to an exciting travel location each Thursday.
Film Friday – I am a complete movie freak so I’ll share my favorites each Friday. I’ll also do a run-down of cool events at the Alamo Drafthouse because it is my favorite place to watch movies (beer, food, and movies = amazing).
Snapshot Saturday – I will try and put some pictures I have taken up on Saturday’s. Don’t get too excited. I’m not that great.
Sexy Sunday – Who knows what will happen here but everyone needs something sexy on the least sexy day of the week.
Alright so that’s the plan. Get excited because I’m starting soon. After Spring Break, because I can’t promise you I’ll be on my computer.
