https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/qmmunity/2008-03-09/600538/

Hot Dog Dreams & Frankfurter Wishes

By Kate X Messer, March 9, 2008, 3:33pm, Qmmunity

Oh, you can have me for a song, corporate America! As long as the song goes: "Oh I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weeeeeeener…"

Yes, I did get to ride in the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile (TM) along with two towheaded imps named Dan and Suzanne, Hotdoggers, as it were, the official job title of those lucky enough to secure the year-long gig driving the giant frank across the U.S. The 'mobile and crew are back in Austin (after a recent visit to UT a few weeks ago) for the Star of Texas Rodeo. They'll be out at the Travis County Expo Center through the weekend.

And let me tell you, I was so overcome with weinie joy, I resisted all urges to make jokes about the recent repeal of a certain section of the Texas Penal Code. Heh heh, 'penal'.

Inappropriate humor aside, I must say, the inside of that mother is tricked out. Plush, bright yellow captain's chairs, and hot dogs everywhere (but no edible ones: Health Dept., and all). Click on the gallery link above the photos to see for yourself.

This was our trek:

Austin Chronicle office: Dan & Suzanne picked me up. Chronicle employees acted like happy children. Nick Barbaro wanted to know what sort of "chassis she was riding on," or something manly like that.

Austin Convention Center: How many disaffected, black-clad SXSW filmmakers would pretend not to want to wave or take a picture? The Hotdoggers said they've gotten used to people acting too cool at first and then sneakily taking out their cellphones for a quick snap. We see this in action.

The Long Center: I really wanted to surprise Cliff Redd, whom I figured to be at the center on its big opening day. But, alas, Cliff was off being suave somewhere else and missed the biggest, if not "Long"est visitor of the day.

Congress Avenue: We raced with the Duck Truck full of school kids who quacked at us. When we slipped in the lane in front of them, we heard the driver exclaim over the loudspeaker, "THAT HOT DOG JUST CUT US OFF!!!"

Hickory Street: Arranged to pick up Chronicle intern Dacia Saenz who jumped up and down like a child. I had forgotten that her upcoming birthday party is slated to be a "Hot Dog Social."

UT: Ran into my friend Katie (totally random occurence) who was walking back to work from lunch, and the Hotdoggers were kind enough to pull over and give her a ride back to the Law School office. People at the Guadalupe intersection went nuts.

Back to the office: Suddenly and mysteriously, I felt a hankering for a hot dog. Pronto sells Oscar Mayer. Corporate mind tricks do work! I am one happy pup.

The Weinermobile will be at the Rodeo through Monday afternoon. Then they head to Lufkin before going to Dallas for a week. They will be back in Central Texas in April for the Weinerdog Races. Yes, Weinerdog Races.