SAFUN

San Antonio has a tag line “Keep San Antonio Lame.” I knew that it was created in response to Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” but didn’t know the fully story. I was reading the SA Current Blog and finally discovered it’s roots:

San Antonio visual artist Aaron Forland, contributing writer to emvergeoning.com (billed as “America’s most difficult art blog”) and co-conspirator with Justin Parr at emerging-artist hotspot Fl¡ght Gallery, originated “Keep San Antonio Lame” as a catchphrase in 2004, partially in satiric response to Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” sub-culti PR blitz. It’s a pretty telling comment on San Antonio’s self-image: We think of ourselves as significantly less, well, cool than Austin. Austin’s middle-class, educated, indie, hip, self-aware. SATX is much poorer and way more old-fashioned. We love metal and the accordion, and could largely give a shit about trends if we even know about them. You know: “lame.”

I find this to be hilarious and very true. Don’t get me wrong, I love my city but I am the first to admit that San Antonio can be very lame. I often find myself saying “This is why we have our rep of being lame” in response to situations that I can’t believe we are so behind on. I can definitely provide a few examples.

This is a pretty big week for San Antonio – it’s Fiesta. Fiesta is a 10 day celebration full of parties and parades. San Antonians come out of the wood works ready to eat some tasty foods, have a few drinks and visit with family and friends. The city comes to life and is painted in every vibrant color.

On top of Fiesta, it is also Spurs Playoffs season.

We attended the River Parade on Monday night at the Weston Centre. The Weston Centre is located right on the River and is where Jason’s office is located. They throw an all out Fiesta party every year for their tenants to celebrate and there are seats to watch the parade go down the river. It’s a wonderful treat that we are always so fortunate to go to. This night happened to be the 2nd Spurs Playoff game against the Dallas Mavs. It started at 8:30 so we walked to find a bar that was showing the game. We landed at the bar at Acenar. I really like Acenar. It’s located right on the river next to the Valencia Hotel. They have a great vibe, great food and great drinks. They had the game so we kicked back there and had some chips and drinks. Spurs were finally kicking butt.
Unfortunately, the service was terrible. I have experienced this before at Acenar so I wasn’t surprised. I kept having to remind the bartender about my drink order. It was so frustrating.
Around 10pm, they call last call. Last call? Are you serious? It was the 3rd quarter and it was a Fiesta night. Apparently they close at 10pm. So we went ahead and ordered a couple of more drinks and stayed to continue to watch the game. At 10:30, they turned the lights on hinting that they wanted us out. Are you serious? It’s about to start the 4th quarter and again, it’s Fiesta night.
This is why San Antonio is LAME. A very well respected restaurant in downtown San Antonio was closing their bar at 10pm, right in the middle of an important SAN ANTONIO Spurs game and on Fiesta night. I realize it was Monday and I realize that they normally close at 10pm but can we please make an exception?

This is a typical example of why San Antonio gets their rep of being LAME. I have many more examples and I will post them as we go along.

Again, I love my town but if we don’t first recognize that we are LAME and why we are LAME, then how can we promote change? San Antonio has great roots and an awesome culture, we are just late adapters. Or maybe we just don’t want to adapt.