Watson Wire
A Sobering Snapshot of Texas Schools
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
If you want see how tough things are getting for the children, parents, teachers and administrators who are all trying to make Texas schools work, I'd like to point you to one thing:
Last Thursday.
Or, more specifically, the school news that bubbled up on Thursday. It was a harrowing day.
A Good Old Fashioned Goat Rope
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
K. R. "Doc" Vanderslice was a true cowboy. He was also my maternal grandpa.
He grew up in Northwest Oklahoma working as a cowboy. When I was a kid, my brother Kyle and I spent time on his place getting to do "cowboy" stuff.
Grandpa was a cattle guy. I don't recall him ever having a goat and am certain he never thought too highly of what my mother called "goat ropers."
Healthcare, H2o and How to Keep the Lights On
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
We had a great response to my call last week for people to be a part of our healthcare community.
The momentum doesn't surprise me. After all, people want to improve the opportunities for uninsured people to get the quality medical care they need. And we clearly need more doctors, including those who are training, so that the underserved aren't left at the end of the line, waiting and hoping to get needed care.
Join Our Healthcare Community
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Today on my website, we’re launching a new page dedicated to our effort to invest in 21st Century resources supporting the health, economy, and people of Austin and Central Texas.
I hope you’ll check it out. But even more than that, I hope you’ll sign up to help us make this happen.
Let Me Save You Some Time
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
It's Tuesday, January 3. The official end of the holiday break. You've ignored your inbox for days. You're facing a ridiculous backlog of emails. Sort of depressing, actually.
So I'm here to help.
Thanks, and See You Next Year
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
So 2011 was something. And 2012 promises to be ... something else.
But more than anything, I just wanted to say that I deeply appreciate your help and support in 2011. And over the next year, I look forward to building on the successes and addressing the challenges that we'll all take from the past year.
So You Think I Can Dance?
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
On Sunday, I had a cameo as Mother Ginger in the Ballet Austin production of The Nutcracker. It’s a fun thing the group does to work so-called celebrities (you know, like state senators willing to be made fun of) into the production – since they apparently don’t trust us to be regular dancers or something.
This wasn't the only time I’ve been able to sit in as Mother Ginger on-stage. My first time was 14 years ago, shortly after I was elected mayor of Austin. I was part of the initial effort to have amateurs make fools of themselves. Apparently, I was good at that. I'm told I've been a "celebrity" Mother Ginger more than anyone else.
My Sincerest Apologies
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
I know my Senate district. I know who and what I represent.
I'm a walking, talking Wikipedia page about how much our hometown University does to change the world. I know how to proudly hold my horns high. I know all the words to The Eyes of Texas.
Something for Nothing
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
I hope everyone had a happy, productive, long holiday weekend.
We had a very happy one. Productive? I can't really say that was the case (which might explain why it was happy).
Thanksgiving
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Baylor 45, Oklahoma 38.
Enough said.
Actually, let’s get some more context on that: