I’ve been awfully quiet about the Texas Longhorns second* straight loss to the Aggies. Note the asterisk. That 12-7 defeat in 2006 shoulda been a 14-12 win if the refs had called that extra UT touchdown correctly. But in the world of reviewable calls, that one wasn’t. Oh, this year’s Ag loss? I told you so. It’s part of having a rivalry end the regular season. Many years the team that has nothing to lose pounces on the one that does. But you have to hand it to Dennis Franchione – likely chuckling as he sips a Mai Tai on the beach in Hawaii and counting that $4 million buyout! (Hey, Chronicle bosses, how much do I get if you fire me?) – for actually watching the UT vs. Tech game the week before. He saw – duh! – that Texas can’t defend the pass and the best way to win is to keep the other team’s offense off the field.

But enough about a season so odd for the Horns that they could have just as easily been undefeated as batting .500. They were as good as Oklahoma early on (and should have beaten the Okies) but injuries, inexperience, and lackluster coaching did them in. Can anyone explain to me how Mack Brown got away without jettisoning one of his coordinators? He won’t be so lucky if 2008 produces similar lackluster results.

Hopefully I won’t be digging out CDs in February 2008 and cringing because I missed writing about them in 2007. Here are a few notables releases that shouldn’t be left behind.

Heybale
The Last Country Album
You can’t call Heybale! underrated; their stellar lineup, including Redd Volkaert and Earl Poole Ball, precludes that. What comes bubbling out of The Last Country Album is a gorgeous ode to unfettered dancehall country, far from the maddening crowds of arenas. “House of Secrets,” “Livin’ in a Cheap Motel,” “Heybalin’” – these songs are crystalline country, pure and sweet. This might not really be the last country album but it’s a keeper. *** 1/2

I've got moving on the brain at the moment.

I'm giving up my digs on East Oltorf for a duplex in French Place in my efforts to ensure that this year is 2000-and-great!

Moving always provides the opportunity to gift/Goodwill/throw away all that crap … er … stuff … that seems to be plaguing my life, and I guess it doesn't help that I seem to be attracted to anything shiny, electric, or colorful. Really, I'm like a small child or a monkey.

Which is why I'm excited about the possibility of using decals to decorate my new space. Luckily there are several online retailers of adult decals, and I'm having a hard time choosing. So maybe you can help me …

It's already 2008 in Geezerville and, like it or not, SXSW season is already in high gear. Just this week Bloodshot Records announced the next Waco Brothers album, Waco Express, a live one, due, of course, March 8.

Other upcoming releases we’re excited about: country chanteuse Tift Merritt’s debut for the Fantasy label, Another Country, due January 26. The amazingly prolific Jim Lauderdale is back with Honey Songs (Yep Roc) in mid-February. It features a band he calls the Dream Players, composed of legendary sidemen like James Burton, Glen Hardin, Al Perkins, Ron Tutt and Gary Tallent. The SteelDrivers 'self-titled first effort on the Rounder label might garner some interest in January among the bluegrass crowd, not only because it’s the latest project of former Dead Reckoners Mike Henderson and Tammy Rogers. Last but not least, Jayhawks leader Gary Louris breaks out with his solo debut, Vagabonds (Rykodisc), set for February 19.

When East Austin lawyer Brian Thompson spoke to the Chronicle this week, he was being cagey but optimistic about filing to take on Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, in a primary challenge. Talking about waiting until much nearer Christmas, it was very wait-and-see. Well, looks like Christmas is coming early for him. Inviting the press corps to Vivo's next Tuesday at 6.30pm, Thompson announced this morning he "will make an announcement regarding my intentions for House District 46."

Noting that he's already rustled up $6,500 in campaign contributions before there's even a real campaign, he restated what has quickly become his pre-campaign campaign mantra: "the incumbent's endorsement of Republican Speaker Tom Craddick's failed ideology of starving public schools and denying children health care."

Since Club Chronicle (Season One) is coming to an end, I want to use this space to say a few things...

First, thank you Erin, Chronicle folks, Adam, Zen folks, and Patrick, for allowing me to participate in this experiment. I’ve had fun during the last two months (I’ve also had pain…lots and lots of pain), and I plan on continuing with my Saturday trainings (just not this Saturday…I’ve got a spa day planned!).

Of course, thanks to my Club Chronicle team. We were all in this together and we did it! Special mention to Katie and Christi for being my workout talking buddies.

To my BF, thank you for going on walks with me after long days at work and doing the final 5k with me. You could have easily sat back and played WOW, but instead you laced up your shoes and were right there with me.

To my BFF, thank you for constantly encouraging me. There were times where I wanted to sleep in on Saturday and say "F*** it all," but you would always tell me I needed to go to my trainings and that I would feel better once I got it over with. You’re awesome!

To my coworkers, thank you for being part of this journey with me and voting for me. And a big THANK YOU for not giving me any lip when I took two cinnamon rolls (or cookies, or handfuls of popcorn) instead of one.

To Clara, thank you for being super-excited about me doing this! I always looked forward to the comments you made because they made me smile =)

To Tony Romo, thank you for just being you. I think we could make beautiful babies together. Just a thought...

In general, a HUGE THANK YOU to all of my family and friends. I know I didn’t make it into the top three (talk about an ego bruise, ouch!), but the support that everyone has given me has been so helpful over the last two months. I enjoyed writing in this space, and I hoped you enjoyed reading it.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Always,
Cassandra

So I got a letter from Travis County Republican Party Chairman Alan Sager today for signing up for the party's e-mail list. He had this to say:

"I am happy to tell you that from my vantage point, things are looking up for Republicans in '08. We are winning in Iraq. The Democrats are beginning to show the American people how far out of touch they are with the hopes and dreams of the average American. Their party is becoming the party of the arrogant rich who think the average American should pay more taxes to support their pie in the sky social programs that make them feel good, but do little else."

Seriously, folks – I was pretty wild in my youth, but I never got my hands on anything that made me hallucinate like that.

Urgent. Breaking. News. Goshdurnit.

While council is riven asunder by complicated and embittered debates to settle the future of important matters of business, it's good to know that sometimes they can come together to solve the important issues. Today, they came together to fix something that was probably quite a major drag on house prices on one street in Southeast Austin.

At its meeting on Dec. 13, 2007, the Austin City Council took the following action as part of its consent agenda: Approved an ordinance changing the name of Mala Suerte Drive to Buena Suerte Drive.

And so, Chronic would like to wish good luck to the residents of the newly-named Good Luck Drive. We also expect the council to take similar measures measures to rename Slaughter (may we suggest 'Justifiable Homicide'?), and Convict Hill (we're pushing for 'Overturned on Appeal Hill.')

Tis the season for giving, so come to the Mohawk early this Saturday (doors at 5pm) to support the Girls Rock Camp of Austin. It's an awesome lineup: Ume, Follow That Bird!, Pink Nasty, and teen sensations Code Rainbow! What else are you gonna do on a early Saturday evening in December? As if the rock weren't enough, we'll be raffling off a Fender guitar signed by all the members of Sonic Youth. Come Downtown, support the women you love, and have some sweet holiday fun. See you there!