As we move to the next square on the calendar you're still out there trying to make a connection. Sadly you let most of them slip by without saying a word. We understand, no one wants to be overzealous and get shot down. If only you had some place to find a second chance. Oh yes, Missed Connections. If only you had someone to sort through and find the best of the above. Oh, right, read below....

*The views expressed in Foodie Friday are those of the author and do not represent Austinist (and quite often our readership) as a whole. Ahh, the subjective nature of tastebuds.* -The Editors (Playing the part of Foodie Column-IST this week is one of our newest food writers, Veronica Meewes, freshly returned from the greater Tri-state Metropolitan whatsit.) When I return to the Tri-state Area I called home for so many years, there are several......

This Memorial Day holiday, we dusted off the Austinist company van for our annual trip down to the Kerrville Folk Festival for a beer-drenched, music-filled, puddle-hopping four-day weekend just two hours outside of Austin. Situated within the meadows and hills of the Quiet Valley Ranch, the folk festival—which started in 1972 as a gathering of a few friends/musicians who decided to camp out and play music for a few days—is now well into its......

The Electric Soft Parade No Need To Be Downhearted Like an indie pop amnesiac, we find The Electric Soft Parade wandering somewhere in the woods on No Need To Be Downhearted. The group is unable to choose between three possible identities; one of Smiths-inspired Brit pop, another caught in experimental, lo-fi doldrums and a third all about the dance-able angular guitars that made so many fall in love with the first Bloc Party record. However,......

Texas country music legend and one-time spiritual advisor to Kinky Friedman, Billy Joe Shaver was questioned by Waco-area police after a man was shot in the face near Papa Joe's Texas Saloon. Details about the shooting remain scarce, including any possible role that the Texas Country Music Hall of Famer might have had played in it, but Shaver's attorney reportedly confirmed his client's involvement. The Waco Tribune-Herald also quoted an anonymous truck driver yesterday,......

Alright, let's be honest with each other shall we? We just woke up from SXSW, and we're pretty sure you're all still hungover. That's why we're here, so that you don't have to strain your brain. So let's cut to the chase, and bust loose with the best of the last few week's Missed Connections... pornqueen, where are you? - m4w Hey pornqueen... what happened to you? Haven't talked to you in years! Drop......

Hello there. I’m an impending hurricane. Other than oil or diamonds, I’m pretty much the only African export you all ever see. And I’ve been in the news a-lot lately, which is flattering and all, but I’m having trouble justifying my newfound popularity....

The director of Woodside Trails Therapeutic Camp, a camp for troubled youth, has sued Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn and nine other state officials. [From San Antonio’s Express-News] Betty Lou Gaines, the former director of Woodside Trails Therapeutic Camp in Bastrop County, claims Strayhorn's "Forgotten Children" report was misleading and inaccurate. The April 2004 report was critical of how the Department of Family and Protective Services protects foster children. The camp operated for more than......

We recently tracked down the creators of The Puffy Chair, Mark and Jay Duplass (writer and director, respectively). They took time out of their busy promotional schedule to combine forces and answer a few of our questions regarding their process and their new film. What first got you excited and interested in being a filmmaker? Turning a camera on and pointing it at people was always fun when we were kids. We made a lot......

"Everybody just started screaming, took our their pillows, and everybody just started swinging. I didn't even see it coming. I didn't know anybody that was hitting me ... I tripped on a couple of things, and I lost my hat. It was crazy." -- David, Pillow Fighter Check out the Statesman's awesome footage from last night's Pillow Fight, with lightning crashing in the distance and hundreds of Austinites gathered at Auditorium Shores. [Video: Austin......

Trailer from the Bloc Party Documentary/Concert DVD, "God Bless Bloc Party" [mov] Be Your Own PET - "Let's Get Sandy" [ram] Richard Ashcroft - "Break The Night With Colour" [stream] Shelby - "The Golden Boy," created by Austin's Super!Alright! [view] Downloads [mp3] Cat Power - "The Greatest" [mp3] Clearlake - "I Hate That I Got What I Wanted [mp3] Clearlake - "No Kind Of Life [mp3] Film School - "Pitfalls" [mp3] Pansy Division -......

We feel, in the position of wild and uncontrolled power that we find ourselves in, that we owe it to our constituents to help them out when in need. Hence, during SXSW, we will be attempting to help people who have posted Missed Connections on Craigslist to find their lost love. Courtney - you were so beautiful, I had to stop and tell you. Then you kicked me. Then I hugged you. I have no......