Review of my dad’s next one

My dad shared the manuscript of his next book with Dr. James Douglas, the Executive Vice President of Texas Southern University. Dr. Douglas wrote a commentary that can be found here. An excerpt:

It is clear that what started out as a straightforward biography of Heman Marion Sweatt ended up being a masterful overview of race, education, and social views of both African-American and White Texans during the early to mid-part of the last century.  Lavergne writes like a novelist, but his work is, in fact, a wonderful historical treatment of an important period in the history of the State of Texas.

Look for Adult and Citizen: Thurgood Marshall and the Long Road to Justice for Heman Marion Sweatt coming soon.

Time-lapse drive through Minneapolis

Check out this YouTube video of a time-lapsed drive through Minneapolis, going west on Lake Street and then north on Hennepin Avenue. I’ve watched many of this guy’s YouTube videos, many through the Twin Cities area, but this is the first that pretty much went through “my” neighborhood, the Uptown area of Minneapolis. Pay special attention around 2:15, when the driver takes a curve to the right; about three blocks south of there is where I lived for my last year in Minneapolis.

Also keep an eye out for landmarks such as the Midtown Market, Calhoun Square, Loring Park and downtown Minneapolis. The last shot of this video shows Minneapolis’ skyline. The building with the gold-lighted crown is the Wells Fargo Center, where I worked my entire time there. And one more thing, be sure to notice the piles of snow on the side of the road. Those are no bueno.

I am glad to be back in Austin, but I miss Minneapolis sometimes. It really was a lovely place to live, despite the inhumane amounts of cold and snow.

A buddy’s success

Here’s a video on CMT featuring the up-and-coming band Love and Theft. One third of the band is my friend Brian, with whom I went to elementary, middle, and high school.

I’ll always remember Brian as one of the more talented students at school. I downloaded the single “Don’t Wake Me,” for free on iTunes, as it was featured on the home page for a bit. It’s a fantastic song. Congrats to Brian and the band on your success.