Daily Loaf

An unexpected but enthralling update from Phil Bardi of Routes Music:

Austin is a city with a long tradition of many things, from mass murders to good music. So, it’s no surprise that many claim the state capital of Texas is haunted.

On Saturday, while coming down Brazos Drive in downtown Austin, I snapped some photos of Driskill Hotel.

While looking through my pictures tonight, I came upon these two similar photos:

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Jen and I recently traveled to Chicago for her first marathon. She began the Chicago Marathon in exactly the same state as she finished it: excited and feeling great. She’s still in the Midwest visiting family so I’ll give you all a little recap of what it’s like to be a spectator at a marathon in another state.

In a word: awesome.

Now, I am not sure if it’s just because we were in Chicago, home of the most elaborately garnished hot dogs I have ever seen, or if destination marathons are just the way to go.

Since I was there merely for support I got to do a bit more imbibing of local beverages (try the 312 if you are ever in the Windy City) and indulging in the food and late nights.

Destination marathons are actually quite wonderful for friends and family. While your racer is going to bed early and resting the legs, you, dear athletic supporter, can roam this new locale and stay up as late as you like. Unless of course it’s Saturday night, pre-race night. Your racer could get upset if you stumble in at 2 a.m. and wake them from their much needed slumber. I was smart enough to be home by 10:30 p.m. so as to avoid this.

A benefit to this destination marathon is that when your racer is finished they can see some sights as well. You might have to wheel them around depending on the shape their legs are in, but the walking is actually good for them post-race.

The Chicago Marathon is one of the biggest, and I now know why. From the city to the people to the course itself, Chicago seems like it was made to hold a race like this. Runners travel through Boystown, Chinatown, Grant Park, and so many other historic areas. It’s unfortunate that Chi-town didn’t get the Olympics because I can totally see it working wonderfully there. If you have never been to Chicago I recommend adding this to your race schedule. And if you aren’t a runner, go see the city on your next vacation.

See running Elvises, learn tips for destination marathon-spectating and more after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

The meat at Council Oak — stacked in a gigantic, glass-walled room in the foyer — is prime, aged and exquisite. Here, though, that’s just a starting point. The rest of the food, from subtle, brothy soups to classic steakhouse sides, easily competes with the finest non-steakhouse restaurants. And once you navigate past the obstacle course of Hard Rock slots, Council Oak will soothe your soul with a modern dining room that few non-casino restaurants in the area can compete with.

5223 Orient Rd., Tampa, 813-627-7625 or hardrockhotelcasinotampa.com.

Immaculate pool conception: Magdalena Kwitatkowska sued an Egyptian hotel after discovering that her 13-year-old daughter, whom she believes is a virgin, was impregnated by a stray sperm while swimming in the hotel’s pool.

A good excuse: In Australia, charges of driving without a license were dropped after the 24 year-old defendant explained to the judge why he so desperately needed to drive to his cousin’s house: “My cousin was about to [have sex with] this girl and he needed his bag because it had his condoms in it.” Read the rest of this entry »