To be imprisoned by Buddha, one must have done something fairly heinous. or at least somehow interpreted as malicious. I’d think that making war with heaven would be on the top of the heap of disdainable actions…probably second, however, to making love with hell, though, I’m not really sure how…

I’ve never called myself a “Beatles fan” (though I have favorite songs and have the utmost respect for the group’s influence on pop music). I just didn’t feel that I was educated enough in all the minutiae to have earned that title. I was, however, horror-struck at the butchered version…

Stefan Merrill Block’s debut novel, The Story of Forgetting/i>, despite receiving a rave review from Publishers Weekly, makes me nervous. First, there’s the separate but slightly parallel stories of Texans Abel and Seth (old and young, respectively). Then there’s a sort of fantasyland-daydream escapism. And lastly, there’s Alzheimer’s. To be…

I’m a total wuss when it comes to camping. I get freaked out by bugs, and I sure as hell have never mastered the mid-forest squat ‘n’ piss (I don’t care what you tell me, either, just bending over doesn’t work). I blame it on the fact that I never…

Twenty years ago in Hawaii, chef (and James Beard Award winner) Roy Yamaguchi founded the first Roy’s. Now, “Hawaiian Fusion” is still going strong with more than 34 locations—including one in Japan and, surprisingly, Guam. Through Saturday, Roy’s Plano, 2840 Dallas Parkway, celebrates the big 2-0 with a special birthday…

After reading the description for Molly “The Dining Diva” Fowler’s Elegant Dinner for Friends class, I’m not so sure I need to go. Or, rather, I’m not sure some of my friends would know what to do with a salad of pears, Roquefort and pecans. Pan-seared salmon on wilted spinach?…

Grand Prairie native Laura Ainsworth has a little something to say about aging. In Dallas, it might seem that the singer and comedienne’s viewpoints on diets, plastic surgery and especially Botox might seem a bit unwelcome, but I’m going to go out on a thick-thighed limb here and say there…

What is it about flowers that is so damn sexy? Is it that hot pistil? That crazy nectar or those scented petals? Why is it that examining the sexual nature of flowers—both implied and physical actualities—is artistic and never lewd? No fair. How is it that looking at the flower…

Here’s what I want to know: Do clowns tell dirty jokes? Now, I’m not talking about creepy “Here’s some candy, little girl” pretend-clowns, or scary Tim Curry-in-the-gutter clowns. I’m talkin’ pro. Chas Elstner is a former Barnum & Bailey circus clown turned touring comic. He’s graced not only the stages,…

Most everyone has been on an egg hunt, but few have been on one like in the Galleria’s Spring Garden. Families can stroll, meander or just walk (really, it’s your call) through an English garden right in the middle of the shopping center. Gather five eggs from costumed characters and…

A few weeks ago, instead of watching the Mavs game, I watched the US vs. Mexico friendly game with a friend. What happened? We deadlocked 2-all while Dirk scored his first triple-double. Yeah, it stings a bit, but despite missing the glory, that futbol game kicked serious ass. I stood…

Anymore, we celebrate a gallery, or a venue even, for making it longer than a year. Three is amazing. Ten is unheard of. For such an art-oriented city, we find it hard to keep awesome galleries thriving and available for the ample talent on our streets. But sometimes we get…

Most people know Lena Horne for her memorable voice, her classy demeanor and her stunning looks. The actress/singer has been a musical inspiration onscreen and onstage through her artistry alone, but we forget that she played a dynamic role for civil rights. From her first gig at the Cotton Club…

With all that we know from history books, photojournalistic images and survivor accounts, is it possible to consider a bomb as a thing of beauty? Is it likely that one could feast their eyes upon a weapon of mass destruction and find a feeling of warmth? A carry over of…

For Valentine’s Day, Little Katana is not only stretching the holiday two whole days past the prescribed date of February 14, but they’re also playing a little game of “One of these things is not like the other.” Yup, romance is in the air and on the plate with these…

I suppose having one’s musical product imported to American audiences by the likes of Paul Simon is kinda awesome. Come to think of it, import assists from Eddie Murphy, Disney and Life Savers aren’t too shabby either. Since the 1960s, Joseph Shambalala has been at the helm of African folk…

We know what the inside of Swedish houses look like. We got the Ikea a few years ago and have made enough trips—actual and through that fabulous catalog—to know the perfectly organized reality of Scandinavian nesting. Clean lines, children’s creative areas, inviting color and tasty, lingonberry-sauced meatballs. Right? Right. But…