...There was a public restroom incident...

at South by Southwest (SXSW: a.k.a. "South by") in the Austin, Texas convention center. For those of you who are unfamiliar with events that occur in Austin, one of the bigger events is SXSW which is approximately a week and a half of technology and social media networking/demonstrations, and then the remaining 4-5 days are a time when musicians display their talents.

All in all, it is a wonderful and exciting time which should be experienced by everyone once in their lifetime. But, as you all know I love to write about small things that maybe you might find irritating or annoying. And unfortunately, there are those people who attempt to knowingly or unknowingly piss on my or your parade when we are enjoying events such as SXSW. So let me break it down for you.

I was at the convention center in downtown Austin participating in the free stuff of SXSW, because I am but a lowly graduate student without a job, when I went to the restroom in the convention center to relieve myself. I was surprised to find a line at the men's restroom, but I had no other choice but to wait. So there I was waiting in line and was enjoying the techies and the musicians all together. Of course, most everyone waiting in line were looking at their Blackberry's, iPhones, HTC's or Droids (I think I covered all of them!) but then one dude who was a rapper answers his phone.

Okay, you may be thinking you would do the same thing if you were waiting in line. But what was so f***ing irritating is when he started to talk louder as he walked up to the urinal. Did he hang up the phone upon commencing to piss? NOPE! He stood at the urinal talking on his cell. Was he talking to a dying relative, his wife or kids back home? NOPE! Here was an excerpt of the conversation because I was at the urinal to his left:

"Say dawg, we got to hit up that party tonight. Uh-huh...yeah nigga, ya know that one where those hot bitches gonna be at..."

And the conversation went on as he walked out of the restroom. For those of you who are curious, he did not hang up to wash his hands, err...his hand! But the funny thing is his voice became more quiet as he walked out of the restroom. I guess he had to talk louder in the restroom because of the fart noises, the moans of the guys who were having a BM, and the flushing of toilets and washing of hands.

And then...

...A Stop Sign Was Ran...

By a bicyclist!

Now, for those of you who are not familiar with the beautiful city known as Austin, Texas or the "Live Music Capital of the World," there is a big push by the trendy hipsters, err... the former hippies, err... the citizens of Austin to promote the use of bicycles. So, if one is a student at the University of Texas or a techie who works downtown, there are many opportunities to be able to get to and fro on a bicycle.

I am all for cutting down on pollution and helping the environment, but there is something that I am not all for. And that something are the bicyclists who just breeze through a stop sign, and even red lights, without a care in the world. As a driver, there is a care in my world when I don't want to accidentally kill or run over one of these buffoons on a bicycle!

If someone chooses to help the environment, doesn't safety and preservation of human life fall within that realm as well? I mean, it can't be helpful or peaceful when a 1,500 pound cage of steel impacts "aluminum on wheels." Better yet, doesn't a bicyclist get a better leg workout if they have to stop and then start again? I would think so.

I wonder if bicyclists who run red lights and stop signs are a glimpse of what our society is slowly becoming. That being a society which is more lazy and self-centered. I can hear the thoughts of a bicyclist now,

"Hmmm...Stop sign. Well, I could stop. But I have to be to class in 5 minutes because I woke up late because I spent all night partying (or playing World of Warcraft) and I just really don't think the rules of the road apply to me. Oh, there are cars at the intersection but I know they see me, so f*** them. I am going because I don't need to stop..."

Well Mr. or Ms. Bicyclist, I hope you are right. I hope those cars at the intersection do see you! 

And then...

I smelled perfume on...

the running trail. Okay ladies and gentlemen, especially those of you who like to get out and exercise and break a sweat, I am really curious what your thoughts or feelings are regarding women and even men who think it's really "sexy" or "hot" to soak themselves in perfume or cologne before they hit the running trail. Call me old fashioned or whatever, but what is the purpose of doing this?

Is the person who is doing an athletic event, like jogging, running or even power walking, wanting to be hit on or picked up? Or, are they afraid of actually getting stinky because they are doing something healthy? I thought about this topic when I was running on a well known running trail in Austin, Texas called "Town Lake" or for the sell outs in the city "Lady Bird Lake."

Anyway, I was jogging and was enjoying the sweet tart smell of some of the native plants along the trail, when all of a sudden I smelled the "Don't You Want Me" perfume! I looked around, saw no one within 10 feet of me, and then about 25 yards away here comes this woman (25-30 years old) prancing by in the opposite direction. I just about gagged on her perfume.

So, I am opening this up for discussion. Guys and gals, please share feelings or thoughts about this matter. I guess my insight is limited with this matter, but I am curious to hear others points of view on this particular situation. The situation being people who feel the running trail or gym are like the bar or club.

And then...