Ciao Everybody!!!

I tend not to post much stuff not related to wedding photography, but in this case I think it’s worth using my public soapbox for a special reason: cultural preservation.

It doesn’t take much time in this fair city before you will be introduced to the Cathedral of Junk. Located in South Austin, between South Congress and 1st Street, this massive edifice of folk art stands tall amongst the early 20th century homes it is surrounded by. Started in 1989 as just a bit of fence decoration, it didn’t take long for the Cathedral to begin to take shape. Now over 20 years later it is a massive testament to the unique cultural diversity of Austin. It is built of just about everything, from bikes to refrigerators; from dolls to stereo equipment. Here is the Roadside America article if you are interested.

Now this wonderful work of art is in danger. Earlier this month a visitor complained to the Austin building inspectors and from there the issue escalated. Vince was given until the end of the month to bring the work up to current building codes and now time is running out.

This is a gargantuan task and I personally (despite my short time in this city) feel a need to help out in trying to preserve this cultural icon for those to come. It is not enough that I have seen it and hung out in it; climbed to the top and spent hours studying the intricate details of the Cathedral. I want everyone to be able to experience it. Young and old, alive or a future earthling; everyone should get a chance to see what Vince has created in his backyard.

This is where you come in. Vince needs your help. He needs your hands, your muscle, your sweat and your dedication. With just a few days left in March, time is running out and without the help of a generous and concerned community, we will all lose this great work of art to a bulldozer. So if you have a bit of time, go help him. If you have tools to lend, go lend them. If you feel like making a donation, make it. Take some gloves and goggles and be part of something!!! Dancing with the stars can wait on your DVR. Vince, and for that matter all of us concerned about keeping Austin fun, exciting, unique, and WEIRD can not.

Please visit the website that has been set up and see how you can help keep this piece of Americana. Do it now! www.SaveTheJunk.org It will be by the hearts and hands of Austin that we get to keep this for all to see and experience for years to come. I hate to say it, but pictures really do not do it justice.

Today, I went down to document the Cathedral again just in case it will be my last opportunity. For the next several days, when I am not working, I will be helping Vince and Austin keep the Cathedral alive. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

This is a bit of a random post, but I guess that is keeping in line with the theme of the post.

I love random stuff like this, and Austin seems to be replete with great, colorful little happenings like this all over the place. This is one I’d like to share will all of my internet buddies.

It sits underneath the Mopac, in the creek bed that leads to the Town Lake Trail. I kept seeing it thru the trees while running and finally took my camera down there one day to spend a moment photographing it. Someone spent a ton of time doing this and I am glad they did. It is a great piece of random environmental art:

In other news, Canon released a redonculously priced new camera that I will never own, Apple released my next computer the 27″ iMac (swoon), and there’s a wedding from Mercury Hall in Austin coming up next on the blog; check back soon for it.