SXSW ::: Hitchhiking 101 : "Hop on, baby!"

"Hop on, baby!" Hitchhiking 101 w/Noah + Ian @ SXSW from OohSparkles on Vimeo.

My partners in crime for the day and I were getting sick of taxis and impatient for the bus (which apparently stops running down S. Congress at 6:30 PM, WTF?) so we (they) decided to try hitchhiking.  I'm a lady so I just stood by and tried to look pretty, batted my eyelashes and such.  We weren't quite successful, but we did get nearly picked up by this charming man on a bicycle.  

SXSW ::: Yard-Dog Amazingness

Yard-Dog Gallery was doing a thing right around the corner from my house.  Noah, Ian, and I poked our little heads inside this alley to check out what was going on, && it was kind of amazing.  For me @ least.  I actually heard of nearly everyone on the set list.  +++ there was this amazing band I didn't get to see, but they are called "We Were Promised Jetpacks" which is kind of the most amazing band name ever.  We saw Japandroids, The Hood Internet, and We Are Scientists.  

I discovered I'm kind of in <3 with the guitarist from Japandriods.  Him and his floppy hair.  && That the drummer drummed so well that his hand started bleeding.  That is good.  We like that.

Japandroids @ SXSW 2010 from OohSparkles on Vimeo.

I apologize for the in & out sound.  I'm still learning these little iPhone 3GS tricks.  Although I can't say I have an explanation for why the sound is only here for part the video.  Uploading perhaps.  OR perhaps Japandriods rocked so hard they blew out the sound in my little phone... yeah, that's it.  I'm gunna go with that.

SXSW ::: a little street gem

Creepy Violin Twins @ SXSW from OohSparkles on Vimeo.

Saw these girls playing on S. Congress after some bitchesz and I got some noodles at Zen where I was served my an award winning mustachioed man called Ben.  Quite fitting he works in a noodle shop, because his mustache is very much that of a samurai.

He proceeded to give me these noodles after speaking in that microphone.  He had a voice like velvet.

Mmm.

Oh, && I also still firmly believe that those girls in the video have to give all their violin playing $$$ to God or something.  They were really creepy in the kind of way that reminded me of the singing blind children in Slumdog Millionaire.  Am I going to far with this reference?  I just really wished the girls looked like they enjoyed their violins or cracked a smile.  Perhaps they are daughters of Mormons?  Those dresses...

SXSW ::: The 1st Few ((slow)) Days

I arrived Monday to the cold, chilly and rainy weather that is quite atypical of an Austin Spring, or anytime in Austin, really.  Took hang time to a maximum until Wednesday as that was when all the music peeps starting trickling in, so instead to kill some time I caught up on some much needed post-midterms sleep and hit up some vintage shopping.  HEYOO!  

Went to Feathers and Prototype where I convinced my mom I NEEDED a kaftan.  After refusing to purchase an African inspired one for me, we found a psychedelic tie-dye purple one that is much better suited for my long wavy 70s hair.  That && I am just so perfectly groovy for it.. ideally.  Got a few other little gems but pics of shopping to come later, HOWEVER :

This is my mother upon walking to go shop.  I refused to carry that umbrella because then we would match a little too well.  Like mother like daughter, right?  Anyway.  She calls this cape thing of hers her "snuggly".  Not quite a Snuggie, not quite a real cape for outside purposes, I don't really know what this is.  However, I DO know that it was purchased for around $20 at The Cracker Barrel.  

In these days I also took it upon myself to become better acquainted with the city as I have only been here 3 times before, all for very short periods of time.  So I went jogging.  Yesyes, I jogged, although I thoroughly dislike that word.  Can we say I ran?  During this time I *ran* into some architecture I <3 ed...

Not very subtle at all.  Quite freaky, really. 

I wish I could buy this house.  It is called "Casa Neverlandia" I assume because of some sort of Peter Pan likeness.  I mean, I see it.  I'm not sure how to articulate how I understand the connection, but I do.  Apparently it has been featured a whole bunch for nature purposes and the "keep Austin weird" movement/motto they got going on down here.  I wish I could buy this house.  The one and only downfall is that is it located directly behind that creepy church seen above.

But this was only Monday && Tuesday, my dear cats.  I may have skipped interactive and movie shizz, but music is currently in full swing & I <3 it.

OkCupid : Where I'm @@@@@

There have been many a-propositions, but I have yet to go on any dates.  I very foolishly choose to start this little experiment of mine days before midterms which actually just ended and then now I am off to Austin for SXSW in a few days, with many things to do before I leave.  SPRING BREAK 2010 BABY CANCUUUN YEAHHHHH GET NAKED.

I will say, however, that I am incredibly surprised at how many kind of amazing people are on this site.  Is this a thing?  Like the site.  Like is it an actual thing that is known to be a bit cheesy but kind of awesome? Because there are definitely some major hotties lurking around.  And by lurking I don't mean lurking.  I more mean vouyering around.  Kind of like me.  Kind of like us.  Kind of like us all, right?

My fav date propositions have been A) to go to a comedy show at Upright Citizens Brigade and B) play 'photo hunt' at a bar (if you don't know what this is, don't ask me.  I had to ask the guy like 50 times and still don't understand).  Other than that everyone is more like "let's get drinks, blah blah".  Now don't get me wrong, I'm down for drinks, but I much prefer fun little dates I can report back on.  I actually proposed a picnic to one fellow I am in deep <3 with, but he is currently in Vermont and our picnic has been postponed until he comes back to NYC in 5 weeks. He shall have a tuna sandwich and I said I would have PB&J with banana slices.  Now THAT is a date.

Here are some more highlights:

 So I was going to use my actual name as a username before I realised that OohSparkles would be best.

I took this quiz to tell me what kind of person I was.  That is what quizzes are for, yes?  To tell you who you are?  I was actually hoping to get 'The Playboy', but I think OkCupid may be sexist and not given it to me because I am woman.  WHATEVER.  I was actually quite pleased with my result... "not to be picked by just anyone" is what gets cut off @ the end.  && I love it.

I knew this day would come.

I shall report back on this matter soon.  Most likely next week after Austin and few actual dates, not just talks of.  In the mean time you can check back to see if I decide to post any write-ups about fun bands at SXSW.  If you are out there you should see my friends play!  Philip Seymour Hoffman, Frances, && Neon Indian.  Ask me for deets.  Also, go to the JellyNYC party.  It is a carnival.  Nicky Digital will be taking pics.  Get your picture taken by Nicky Digital.  He will make you look hot. It's going to be beyond awesome.  Then afterwards, you can come over to my Austin house and we can make s'mores in my backyard and have giggles.  YAYY!

Oh, and I most definitely plan to post some sick nasty awesome street style pics and vintage shopping explorations while I'm there.  Austin has THE BEST vintage shopping.

Any other recs for bands I should see?