Slippin and Slidin

"Bourbon equals stitches or jail for me" - Justin Townes Earle

A Late New Year’s Resolution, and the Record Shop that Stole My Heart by Daniel Ford

There’s this South Park episode from season 8 where the town’s residents greet the grand opening of a Wal-Mart (sneakily spelled “Wall-Mart” in the episode) with sheer bliss and open wallets. It’s not long, though, that most of the local mom and pop establishments are forced to close their doors—all of their once loyal customers have been lured away to the endless aisles and low, low prices of the mega-huge, international chain. Once the townspeople notice the scope of the damage done to local business, they realize that saving a few bucks on toilet paper and potato chips doesn’t justify it. In typical South Park fashion, the South Park Wal-Mart is burned to the ground by a riotous mob. The point that the show’s creators are making is simple: local business will always take a beating—and will probably be steamrolled—by the Wal-Marts and Best Buys and Targets of the world. New, this message ain’t. But I feel that it’s still important, because independent businesses are still important; they often help fill a gap that the huge chains simply can’t fill. 

A few years ago I discovered Houston’s Cactus Music, a locally owned and operated independent music store located a few miles from Downtown. The selection is great, the employees are eager to help, and there’s live music just about every weekend (last weekend Dr. Dog performed a near hour-long set to a packed store). For a music lover, Cactus is just about as good as it can get—and in Houston, it means a lot to have an Austin-worthy music house. 

Delman Flats

Sense of style is definitely hereditary.  Great find by my mom, and for $1 no less.

Delman Shoes

(Don't) Put A Lid On It

I have an issue with the gentleman of the town in which I live.  Now, granted, I understand that we are living in the 2nd decade of the 21st century, and the male public dress code has been significantly relaxed since the days of our forefathers, or even our grandfathers for that matter.  

But if you could all do me a favor and quit wearing your damned hats and caps indoors, I would be most thankful.  It’s a simple issue of manners, and whether or not your mother taught you right.  

Clams Casino - I'm God

My Favorite Place for a Sunday Afternoon Nap

                         Bristow Guest Room. Lindale, TX

This Business of Criticism By Erin Irvin

Okay, this is something that’s been on my mind for a while.  Years actually.  I’ve imagined myself getting on a soap box and ranting about this several times over the years, and now I’m finally following through.  This might be a little thick, but just bear with me.

Okay, so I’m just gonna dive right in here.

The Purpose of Art:

The purpose of art is simply to be.  Anyone can experience any form of it, whether literary, visual, musical, or whatever, and apply it to their worlds and feel.  As a multi-tasking artist, I can tell you that the purpose, in large part, of creating, is to figure out who you are, and to reach out and make connections with other people.  The purpose of the product is to be, in some form or another, emotionally resonant.  Period, end of story.  Whether something is good or great is an impossible question to answer—and the question itself is irrelevant and misses the point.  The beauty of all art is its subjectivity, its versatile nature, its ability to make two different people feel the same thing, or, dually, to make two similar people feel different things, but most of all, its ability to just make people feel.