Last night, around 11 o’clock, I made a dark chocolate cake. Later today I’ll fill it with raspberry jam and pile is high with fresh whipped cream. Then tonight I’ll cover it in candles and light them. No, this is not a makeshift menorah (though I made one of those last night, too). It is the umpteeth dark chocolate cake I’ve made to celebrate the birth of my son, The Amazing Henry. I liked realizing that I started that cake quite close to the hour I went into such a horrendous 17-hour labor that the tale became almost instantly legendary. I also liked that, for reasons I can’t figure out, the cake fell. It is not typical for one of my cakes to droop in the center. I am actually quite good in the kitchen. But then, I do appreciate when life hands me a metaphor and even if a fallen cake is not on par with some MFA conjured wordsmithing, it’ll do for today. more ›

Jonesing for cake and balloons, but your own birthday is still months away? Contemplating crashing a five-year-old's party just so you can get your face painted? Well, don't do anything rash, because BookPeople has just the event for you. more ›

The Yellow Tape Construction Company, one of Austin’s most innovative and playful theater production companies, turns three years old on July 25th. YTC isn’t taking the occasion lightly: they’ve overhauled their website, are launching an online store soon, and have scheduled a fourth season of performances at the Long Center for Performing Arts. more ›