I was just hanging up the new shower curtain when I noticed the tub stopper left behind by a former roommate. The tub stopper is purple and features one very small hand, protruding up, so that when it is in placed in the drain I suppose it might look like a very small person is on the other side, trying to get out. Before I tell you more about the symbolism of that little hand, let me tell you about the shower curtain. I went to Target recently to get a few things for the house. Not to help the economy or kick the terrorists’ asses through shopping. Just because I wanted a few little inexpensive nest brighteners. I wandered the aisles in that Target Trance, visions of a new rag rug, a shower curtain, and maybe a few pairs of big girl underpants to replace the old ripped ones dancing in my head. (Note: the visions, not the torn underwear, were doing the dancing.) I found one of those shower curtains with a map of the world printed on it, made no doubt by slave labor in China who will likely never get to see the outside of a factory, let alone the world. I silently sent both my thanks and my apologies to them. more ›

Asleep At Heaven’s Gate – Rogue Wave (Brushfire Records) The year 2006 was full of activity and turmoil for California’s Rogue Wave. There was some great news when founding member Zach Rogue had a baby daughter, but sadly, guitarist Gram LeBron’s father passed away and drummer Pat Spurgeon had a kidney transplant (and was understandably out of commission for a good amount of time.) Adding to the mayhem was the fact that Sub Pop was... more ›

THURSDAY [8] film • Super Happy fun Monkey Bash 5 at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Now That's What I Call a Singalong: Pop Royalty at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Terror Thursday: The Beast Must Die at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown art • Opening Reception for "In My Stairwell" by Mark Seliger at Fielding Lecht Gallery (6-9pm) art • Artistic License: Matthew Day Jackson at The Blanton (6-7pm) art • Public Tour: The Geometry... more ›