The Barking Crow moved headquarters earlier this year, landing in a duplex about three quarters of a mile north of the edge of the University of Texas campus here in Austin. We didn’t think much of the proximity to campus at the time. Three quarters of a mile is a pretty long way, and our neighborhood’s more young families (like this blog, in a way! [but no, actual young families]) than grad students, unlike the closer reaches of North Campus. Then, about a month ago, I walked outside on a sunny fall morning to sounds I did not expect: The sounds of a college football stadium pumping hype music through its well-endowed speakers.
It turns out that, at least on days when the wind’s from the south (but possibly and hopefully more days), we can hear the noise from Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium on our block. It is glorious. It is joyous. It is a very American blessing on a fall morning in America.
Nextdoor doesn’t like it.
It sounds as if the stadium is playing music, starting at 7:15 AM! WTF? I don’t mind later in the day, but 7 o’clock in the morning? I called the guy in charge of the stadium at [REDACTED] and 311…
-Since-deleted Nextdoor post, [NAME REDACTED]
WTF? 7:30am on a Saturday and we are getting blasted with noise from the UT stadium? They are terrible neighbors *monkey covering ears emoji*
-Not-deleted Nextdoor post, [NAME REDACTED]
I’ve got news for you, Nextdoor.
The stadium was there first.
The first game was played in Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium in 1924, nearly 100 years ago. Much longer ago than punks like [NAMES REDACTED] moved into North Campus.
On a similar note, you moved into the college-y area of a collegetown? And you didn’t expect noise?? You didn’t expect football noise??? Did you look at a map????
I have yet to step outside this morning, but the Longhorns are at home, so I hope that when I open that door, I hope the sounds of “Mo Bamba” blasting from a stereo system a full mile away are rattling the trees so hard that doves are falling out.
Just as those sounds have since 1924.
