so I think I'm gonna be in Austin for a few days in August for my girlfriend's nerd conference. I'm just wondering if y'all have any recommendations as to a hotel that's near the UT campus that might be more entertaining than say the Hilton. I know we've got some representation down there (chuck?) so any help would be appreciated. I'll owe you a beer.

What kind of nerd conference? I know nothing about what is reasonably priced here in town - I'll check and get back to you.

As for the beer . . . sure you can buy me one, but I'll brew you one.

a botany nerd conference. It doesn't need to be supercheap, I thnk her work is paying for it. Just within walking distance of a cool bar or two....maybe a pool for me the lie around and be a shit would be nice, though.

you'll need a pool to lie in, cause it'll be fucking hot that time of year.

it will be hot, and i will be surly.

http://www.sanjosehotel.com/

there's the san jose (love walking by this place, i've always wanted to stay there- mind if i crash w/you guys?) on south congress, one of my favorite places in austin - here's a little about the area http://www.firstthursday.info/

there's also the austin motel which is in the same area but doesn't look nearly as hip

http://austinmotel.com/

how close to campus were you looking to stay? because that area may be a little too far south


make sure you get some pumpkin bread from russel's bakery if you do decided to come. it's my reason for living

the san jose is definitely the way to go.

If Cotton's gonna be in Austin, I DEFINITELY smell a meeting of the Texas Obnish!!! What say ye, Chuck D, jagged, babe, Coma, el_scorcho, juice, and Nude Dude??? Maybe this time, we can even convince the neighboring states to join us...that's right, aerodynamics, schadenfreude, huskerpunk, and laodicea...I'm lookin' at YOU!

Oh, and this time, no hermit-related excuses, pinkeyedwink!!!

he's not worth meeting. he's scum.

That precisely WHY he's worth meeting! Speaking of which, when the hell are you gonna get your tarheel-lovin' ass out here to TX?

never, apparently, unless someone i know gets married there. that seems to be why i go anywhere nowdays.

I normally just stay at my brother's apt in San Marcos when making any trips to Austin. Not that that helps you any.

hey! I might be scum, and not worth meeting, but....what was the other thing you called me? I hope you're very, very hung over. My parents enjoyed your victory call last night.

meetings of obnish are a great idea. So is the San Jose if it's close enough to where the conference is. I'll put some dates up as soon as I get 'em.

it's lookin' like we'll be there between the 13th and the 16th of August or something like that.

did you end up staying at the san jose? if so, how was it? a friend of mine is coming and he's considering staying there

I've stayed at the Austin Motel - it is alright - s'got a pool and a real roadside america 1950's feel to it, but yes, the San Jose is mighty nice. I've gotten drunk in their outdoor bar once or twice.

South Congress has great bars/dives/hang-out/strange shopping encounters. And it is within walking distance of just about any major downtown action. You can find closer lodgings to campus, but probably not much cooler. If Don Walser is in town, go see him at his Mexican Resteraunt residency. The food is authentic, good and cheap, and the Walser honkytonk country is top notch.

I'm also partial to Stubbs Bar-b-que 'cuz their sweet potatoes are to die for and their shows are usually worth going, but there are probably better meat purveyors 'round town if you all just want to eat.