From Jim Jarmusch's 'Coffee and Cigarettes.'



One of the most amazing screen combinations imaginable

. . . And the likely result of my new job slinging caffeine and throwing 'em back for free.

Though it may seem obvious that we as Americans and/or inhabitants of an Americanized world are aware of our growing predisposition to consumerism, Annie Leonard's 'Story of Stuff' is an important and informatively concise 20-minute crash course in conscience consumerism. As someone who has certainly justified unnecessary purchases to compensate for a bad day, I highly recommend viewing this. Leonard initiates an insightful reminder of the environmental and socio-economic backlash to our culture's impulsive and destructive consumerism. While she provides the basics, it's up to us to offset this unhealthy self-indulgence and shift our focus to global awareness and sustainability.


Here are some helpful info-sites I enjoy in my quest for knowledge and conscience consumption:

The Better World Shopper: this $10 book breaks down the impact of companies and exposes the good, the bad, and the ugly behind the scenes.

Orion Magazine: The Gospel of Consumption by Jeffery Kaplan

Insider Guide to Austin: Organic Food, Special Groceries and Sustainable Living

Lauren Bush's FEED 100 bags available at Whole Foods: each purchase of a $29.99 FEED 100 reusable shopping bag will help provide 100 nutritious meals to children in Rwanda.

Toms Shoes: for each pair you purchase, a child in need will also receive a pair.

Goods For Good: helps get excess goods from the United States to children in need.

previous sxsw coverage:

the beat goes on
kodak moments
free is my favorite four letter word

It's funny how something familiar can all of a sudden resonate with you differently and become new again. That's where I'm at right now with, "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue." It fits so well in the context of my current situation. Obviously, that's the beauty of good lyrics, they portray universal applications to the human condition. But as far as personal matters go, the current stand-out is, "the vagabond who's rapping at your door, is standing in the cloth that you once wore."

I'm on the brink of a new chapter down here in Austin and while Dylan seems to focus on something being over, it takes endings to form beginnings. I personally don't feel any huge loss coming on, but I do sense a large sense of personal growth and accomplishment as far as social self-reliance.

Despite the departure of my childhood-friends/roommates last year, I never considered leaving Texas, though I sometimes felt displaced. I consider myself very fortunate to have made friends via grocery store encounters, craigslist roomies, co-workers, camping trips, etc. This roustabout lifestyle, and my bouts of wanderlust, allow me to relate to the roll of the vagabond. However, I'm admittedly nesting as of late, which is a big deal for this commitment-phobe. The "highway is for gamblers," and with the hand I've got, I can't bear to lose.

My self-satisfaction is tenfold with the nearing relocation of one of my best friends, Greg. His growing excitement for his move down has also been a reminder of my own experience two summers ago, for what simultaneously terrified and excited me. His desire to come to Austin not only comforts me because he provides a missing link to home, but also because it means that I've succeeded in some way. I accomplished a sense of home on my own. Perhaps I'm no longer the vagabond, but the one enticing the vagabond to establish something new. (Yes, Greg, you're the vagabond.)

Thanks, Bobby.

Nerve.com and IFC recently collaborated to compile a list of the 50 Greatest Comedy Sketches of All Time, from which I have picked my five favorites. Their list is impressively thorough, while mine is of course a narrow selection based on personal taste, but nonetheless, here it is:


5. "Argument to Beethoven's Fifth," Caeser's Hour (#29 on their list)

I wouldn't exactly categorize this as funny, but it's certainly brilliant, particularly for live television.

4. "Head Crusher vs. Face Pincher," Kids in the Hall (#27)

Simply amazing.

3. "White, White Baby," In Living Color (#38)


In Living Color was the basis of conversation for third grade lunch. If you missed it, you might as well stay home sick and save yourself the embarrassment.

2. "The Pre-Taped Call-in Show," Mr. Show (#43)

David Cross masterfully rides that precarious line between hilarity and a panic attack.

1. "$240 Worth of Pudding," The State (#47)

I know it's wrong, but it just feels SO RIGHT.

With two roommates bogged down by finals and two ridiculous, large dogs in our tiny three-bedroom house, the daily grind has regressed to something like this:




This is basically our houses' new theme song.

I'm currently awaiting confirmation on a sweet little house on Austin's east side, for which I am extremely hopeful and increasingly excited. I perceive East Austin as an intriguing redevelopment. The area is still largely perceived as "the wrong side of the tracks" (the tracks being I-35), but the ongoing gentrification process has seemingly served the area well. Emphasis on seemingly, since I'm on a benefiting end of this whole ordeal.

The central east easily benefits from proximity to UT and downtown, thus rejuvenating commerce by marketing the area as an up-and-coming region propagating towards the young, hip, and/or artsy types. I suppose I fit the bill, which is moderately priced for the central location, respectively. I certainly support the renovation of a somewhat poverty stricken region oppose to other housing opportunities sprouting up around Austin.

AND I'm totally excited to explore the new neighborhood! I'm increasingly becoming aware of the gems scattered about on the east side.

I finally checked out the Second Sunday Sock Hop at Scoot Inn on E. Forth this month, which was amazing. I plan on becoming a regular.

Sam's BBQ on East 12th has certainly become a favorite for satisfying my friend's barbecue binges. I know very little about meat appreciation, as a bias veggie head, but I've seen grown men beg for this stuff.

TC's Lounge at E. 12th & Webberville is a wonderful little blues club that has never left me regretting going out on a Monday night. Plus it's BYOB for liquor/wine, cheap beer and free soul food (on Monday nights, at least).

I'm sure the above are just the tip of the iceberg. I'm thinking up excuses for checking out Rio Rita's and East Side Cafe ASAP.