Welcome Gentry

This pic helped me understand the connection between "gentrification" and "gentry". Affluent folks replacing working people's neighborhoods because they have the money. If you actually see the old homes in parts of Austin that are being gentrified then you would likely think they need to be replaced. Many of them are run down. Or it costs too much too fix them than to replace them. Still, the beneficiaries of economic growth are not working people.

Underpass

It's kind of the opposite of the old tales of going over a bridge with a troll. I was a little hesitant to venture into this unkown area. There's enough evidence of human habitation in these parks and paths to be wary. I wonder if that's why the old tales came about centuries ago when they told the troll stories. Bridges must have been a little dangerous in the past. Its easy for criminals to hide or escape and you are vulnerable.

Tweetsie Trail

A fun bike trail from Johnson City to the edges of Elizbethton. Some run down in between, like the abandoned factory. Rural America doesnt have to keep these sites of production but they need good jobs. The wealth these communities helped create was taken by the owners and used to buy political capital to weaken workers over time. And they weren't held to account for abandoning the people who gave them the wealth and power. On the positive side at least we have the public hike and bike trails on old railroad property. I'm not sure how the public acquired the tracks but I think we should do the same kind of thing with other abandoned or run down property. We should take it and and develop it. Sell it or give it away to make something positive happen.

More Sign Vandals

One letter makes a big difference. I agree. I would add that Austinites should also stop voting for Democratic politicians who keep taking us to war.

Canoe Sculpture

I feel like this a lot. The sculpture is on the UT campus and it fits with my experience there.

Sign Vandals

This graffiti shows up in a neighborhood in a West Austin and then gets erased. But then it comes back. I love it. The message fits well in places like Austin where people attack Republicans for being warmongers yet continue to vote for Democrats who keep the wars going.

Liers

Grammar Nazis calm down. The graffiti artists were right. The development they opposed was the usual lies and manipulation campaign. It's happening kiddy corner to the view you see. I biked by there again recently and the development is being done and the protesters voice lost out. We need better alternatives to the usual Austin development plans. Most of the new homes are too expensive for working people. Or we need better and more sustainable transportation options so people can live and work in many places. We got none of the above. But Austin is great and everybody loves Austin!