Before we let Texas fade off the political radar for a while, let's take a look at the Texas Democratic elite who will likely have the final say in who their nominee for president will be. ...

While you sit on the couch tonight, toasting democracy, check out these resources to pass the time. Also, feel free to use the comment section as an open-thread all night long. Your friends tell you they voted? Don't trust them? Check on them. We're surprised this is even legal! | link Can't wait for Rather or Blitzer to let you know what's going? The Secretary of State lets us watch the real-time election results roll......

We don't know how any of you can possibly think about drinking after last week, but these two reasons are as good as any: Keep Austin Blue, founded from the remnants of Kerry supporters back in 2004 and whose mission is to "celebrate the fact that we live in a cool, blue oasis in a desert of red," is hosting their monthly social hour over at Mother Egan's Irish Pub. Tonight's is a special Blogger......

MONDAY [20][film] "Flying Nun" documentary, courtesy of End of an Ear, at Alamo Downtown (link) [books] Rabbi Michael Lerner presents The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right at Bookpeople (7pm) (link) [film] "Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde" at Alamo Downtown (7pm) (link) [art] Blanton Museum of Art hosts "Art is Intimate: Prints and Drawings" at Blanton Museum of Art (6pm) (link) [music] Karaoke at Beerland (9pm) (link) TUESDAY [21][film]......

The posts we noticed this week: Metroblogging Austin reports that Turbonegro may have cancelled their SxSW show . . . partly because they would rather play for the "normal folks" of Austin. Veg Out! Austin has put together a list of favorite downtown veggie-friendly restaurants for SxSW attendees. Do you know who Carter Casteel is? Burnt Orange Report is among the Texas blogs disappointed at this Central Texas Republican's narrow loss on primary night.......

Our favorite posts for the week: Is the Frontera Fest really that fringe-y? Yellow Tape Construction Co. ponders this thought. Amy at Flooded Lizard Kingdom posts pics from New Year’s Eve at the new Amy’s. The Chippie posts her New Year’s Resolutions. Kathy at Rocket Tots posts on First Night and includes a recipe for black-eyed pea soup. Burnt Orange Report is happy with the Horns’ win (not surprisingly). Favorite Random Blog of the week:......

PinkDome, Burnt Orange Report and In the Pink Texas just reminded us that early voting started today. Familiarize yourself on the issues at hand with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters Voter's Guide, and check out the Secretary of State's list of proposed constitutional amendments. At hand is, of course, Prop 2, which seeks to limit the definition of marriage as exclusively between a man and woman. We realize we're preaching to the choir......