The Davis Cup Quarterfinals were played at the Frank Erwin Center on the University of Texas campus this weekend. The USA team competed against current first-ranked team, Spain. Davis Cup matches have never been played in Austin before. The event was sold out.

A team needed three wins to advance to the next round. Two singles matches were scheduled for Friday, one doubles on Saturday, and then two more singles matches as needed on Sunday. Each day started at 2 PM with a parade of flags representing all participating countries. Players and coaches were introduced, followed by each country’s national anthem. Local blues musician Ruthie Foster sang the Star Spangled banner on Saturday. 

The first match between American Mardy Fish and Spaniard Feliciano Lopez took 4-1/2 hours to play. Bill had warned me that Davis Cup matches are noisy. Despite chants of “U-S-A” and “Let’s Go Fish,” Mardy Fish lost in five sets: 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 8-6.  

On Saturday, twins Bob and Mike Bryan played doubles against Spaniards Fernando Verdasco and Marcel Granollers. Doubles is more exciting to watch…especially since the Bryan boys won: 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Doubles is faster too. After Friday’s marathon, I was pleased that we walked out of the Erwin Center before 5 PM.

The USA team needed to win two matches on Sunday to advance to the semifinals. Bill was prepared to stay as long as they had a chance; I was getting dangerously close to my too-much-tennis-in-one-weekend limit. Mardy Fish played David Ferrer in the first match of the day…and lost in four sets: 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 7-5. Since Spain had already won, the second match between Roddick and Lopez was cancelled. And so we left and went home. 

Two weeks ago we noticed that the swimming pools were drained at the nearby W hotel/condo complex. After checking his favorite downtown real estate websites, Bill learned that two glass panes had fallen from the upper balconies down into the pool area.

A few days later the Austin American-Statesman reported: “Glass panels fall at W Hotel, injuring four“. This explained why the pools were still closed. 

This morning’s newspaper led with the headline: “More glass falls at W“.  No one was injured. This explained the traffic jam yesterday.

This evening the Statesman reported that two more panes fell today (no injuries) and that the “W Austin Hotel is closed until further notice“. This explained the news conference at 8 PM tonight. 

And according to the Statesman: “Lawsuit filed against W over falling glass.” This explained the closed lanes and the sidewalk covers that are hastily being assembled around the building. 

Butler Park Pitch and Putt is just south of Lady Bird Lake and within walking distance of downtown Austin. Bill and I used to take our children here many years ago. Recently we decided to play a round on this nine-hole, par-three course. Nothing much has changed. I’m pretty sure the club house looked just like this when we first played here in 1996:

Here are my tips for playing at the Butler Park course: 

Tip #1. Take all  “Fore!” warnings very seriously. This course isn’t very big. Most likely you are about to be hit by a golf ball. 
Tip #2: Don’t worry about overhitting the greens on Holes 3 and 5. We’re in a drought. There is no water in that drainage ditch. 
Tip #3. Avoid the water hazard on Hole 7 by using my strategy of hitting into the adjacent fairway. Refer to Tip #1 when using this strategy. 

Tip #4: Be patient when playing behind The Slowest Foursome in the History of the World. Just enjoy being outdoors on a sunny 100-degree day! 
Tip #5: Keep your dog at your side if your dog is playing a round too. NO EXCEPTIONS!

 

Central Texas is suffering with extreme hot temperatures and extreme drought. According to local meteorologist, Jim Spencer at KXAN, we’ve had 13 100-degree days so far this year, with tied or broken records for 12 of the last 23 days. 

In spite of such adverse conditions, our local farmers are amazing! Here’s a sampling of the locally-grown fruits and vegetables on display today at the downtown Austin Farmers Market:

So let me explain…this week Bill and I attended an outdoor performance called Devotion  by Blue Lapis Light. According to the program: “Devotion is dedicated to the waters of our planet.” Our Austin friends might remember that this troupe performed at the abandoned Intel building a few years ago. 

Through next weekend, Devotion is being staged at the Power Plant Intake Building for the downtown Seaholm Power Plant. The main Seaholm building is a concert venue now but the intake structure right on the lake is vacant. Bill and I have been monitoring the preparations for several weeks now and watched the dancers practicing last weekend. 

The audience views the performance from the south shore or in boats on Lady Bird Lake. Admission is charged for the fenced-in prime seating area or for seats on the sightseeing boats. But the show can also be viewed for free from private boats or other spots along the lake.

Performers include Trapeze Dancers, Wall Dancers, Ballet Dancers and Rowers. Props include canoes, bungee cords, swings, ropes and spotlights. Dance forms include ballet, bungee-jumping, swinging, trapezing, rappelling, and diving. Music includes Be Still My Soul, The Protecting Veil and Chopin Piano Concerto #1.

Devotion starts after the 9 PM freight train rumbles by and lasts about an hour. Performances are scheduled through next weekend.

Celebrating downtown Austin flags today… 

Texas State Capitol

 

 

The Driskill