Tag: austin

environment, Life, transport, travelLeave a comment

Residential Parking Permit Programs

Mark Cathcart

This is bound to come up here in #louisvilleCO sometime, given the city wants to expand downtown, and doesn’t have a parking solution. Back in my old town, Austin Texas, it’s still a thing. I read this excellent blog post by Meghan Skornia. I’d like to have commented on her blog directly, sadly it requires a facebook ID, which regular readers will know, I don’t have anymore. I tried to reply via twitter but it was typo-ridden and out of sequence. So, here it is with corrections. I lived on the 600-block of W Johanna St for 10-years. The block … Continue reading Residential Parking Permit Programs

Politics, politics, religionLeave a comment

Ahh Austin…

Mark Cathcart

When Texas Governor Abbott took time out of his busy schedule of subjugating his authority, to call a special session for the “part-time” Texas Legislators(1) to pass a bathroom bill and other discriminatory acts, his statements eloquently tried to trash the Capital of Texas, Austin. As Caleb points out, there are plenty of examples where Austin is screwed by Texas arbitrary regulation, and certainly some of those to be considered in the special session are also aimed at Austin. Naturally, the state-protected view of the dome under which so much anti-regulatory legislation is concocted by worthy statesman from such cultural … Continue reading Ahh Austin…

Life, Politics, politics, transport, travel1 Comment

Does the Austin Mayor use Cabs?

Mark Cathcart

In the fallout from the withdrawal of Uber and Lyft from Austin, following a defeat on Prop-1, Mayor Adler has come up with his 7-point plan to manage the vacuum. He, along with many others are hoping that Austin is such a jewel in the Uber/Lyft crown, that they’ll soon be back, tail between their legs asking to be allowed to operate in Austin again. I’m not so sure. This farce could have been completely avoided if Austin, and by implication Mayor Adler, and more importantly his predecessor, Mayor Leffingwell, had actually been planning for the future rather than retrospectively … Continue reading Does the Austin Mayor use Cabs?

films, LifeLeave a comment

Mall Man – A ode to Northcross Mall

Mark Cathcart

I’m indebted to Dan Keshet for tweeting the following: This ode to Northcross Mall on the eve of Walmart’s arrival is the greatest film ever created. https://t.co/TCDT9sfwwc — Dan Keshet (@DanKeshet) November 9, 2015 This short film with just a few-hundred views, was made in 2007. It’s a story come pseudo-documentary made about the declining Northcross Mall here in Austin, which was a few years later replaced by yet another suburban Walmart. This film, captures everything about Austin that bought me here. A massive piece of Americana, a throwback to the 50’s in many ways. It’s well written, well narrated, … Continue reading Mall Man – A ode to Northcross Mall

technologyLeave a comment

Dear Time Warner Cable

Mark Cathcart

I keep getting these marketing letters from Time Warner. It appears they’ve got nothing better to do than review my account… trying to sell me on a 300Mpbs upgrade. I sent a response today by USPS. I doubt they’ll stop sending, so at least I can post the response here and get some mileage from it 🙂 Thank you for your letter. If you were really reviewing my account you’d see I’m only have a 50Mpbs modem for my existing 100Mpbs service. It works fine. Want me to upgrade? Provide a free modem for my existing service. Thanks. Mark Cathcart. … Continue reading Dear Time Warner Cable

automation, transport, travelLeave a comment

Will self driving cars save Austin from itself?

Mark Cathcart

If you had 100 destinations you’d have removed some of the major bottlenecks, but we don’t. We have the Central Business District. It’s a major constraint and getting people in cars in and out of it no matter how automated the cars are will have the same fundamental problems and constraints. Anyone who says otherwise really doesn’t understand the problem. Continue reading Will self driving cars save Austin from itself?

politics1 Comment

Ethics the Texas Way

Mark Cathcart

Just a few months ago, I’d have started this blog post with a comparison between Texas and a 3rd world government. Now, maybe I’ll be able to compare 1st term Texas Governor, Gregg Abbott with FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Every FIFA Congress for as long as people can remember, Blatter has declared it’s time to clean up FIFA, as we know now, it’s never happened. Back in February, Governor Abbott declared five emergency proclamations for the 84th Legislature, The Governor’s issuance of an emergency item message to the Legislature enables that measure to be considered within the first 60 days … Continue reading Ethics the Texas Way