As I settle into my thirties, I’m leaning toward the healthier side of life–working out, eating better, doing cardio–although it doesn’t show. Dang it. With spring in the air, I really want to invest in a bike, because I can only go so many miles on the elliptical before getting…

I long for the day when someone with an Austin mentality decides to bring a movie roadshow to Big D a la the Alamo Drafthouse. A big, roving movie screen set up in the park for all to watch under the starry night? Count me in. I’d do it, but…

If I’m accepted into the Institute for Interesting People, would that validate me as an interesting person? I wonder. But my wallet doesn’t wonder so much, and he calls all the shots. For those who are interesting (and paying for it) and are parents, consider this: A man after my…

Something about Diana Ross singing Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” reeks of desperation. With a new album of similarly remade ballads, Ross is reduced to a legend grasping onto the spotlight with a death grip, instead of merely resting on her iconic status and diva reputation. Tellingly, when that infamous…

I used to feel scarred by memories of the garage sales of my youth, which my parents would hold in the dead heat of summer. Despite the excitement of random visitors to watch, it would quickly get boring to sit there in the garage praying to the oscillating fan gods…

First, I’m not a sports writer. Thus, I won’t ramble off statistics about shooting averages. I won’t ponder what teams need to win and lose which game to determine the path to the championships. All I’m going to say is I hope the Mavericks mow down the Spurs like a…

It never occurred to me that chess was a contact sport. Recently I was shocked to find out my Catholic school nephew got in a fight with another boy—in his chess club. How could this happen? Was a threefold repetition not going to cut it? Did one call the other…

I was really worried that Peter O’Toole might sneak in and win the Academy Award this year over Forest Whitaker. I wasn’t sure if Hollywood was going to get sentimental and give it to the legendary actor or actually award the best nominated performance of the year (which they did)…

Man, talk about a faux pas. When I signed up to preview Rickie Lee Jones at the Lakewood Theater, who I pictured in my mind was Joni Mitchell, I thought I’d get to talk about discovering Mitchell for the first time last year thanks to a promo cd and how…

I have DIFFA to thank for two things. Because of them, I learned the proper way of opening a champagne bottle and discovered the taste of a high quality chocolate truffle. See? Good things happen to people who volunteer. But I’m here to urge you to buy a ticket for…

I can’t say that I imagined my sweet, innocent hometown of Mesquite would be host to a horror convention featuring nightmarish legends such as Kane “Jason” Hodder, Candyman Tony Todd and guest of honor Tobe Hooper, director of the ultra-scary Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I can’t even imagine that, promoting his…

My colleague said this local artist was pretty good, so I had to see for myself since art is all subjective and stuff. Turns out she is. Of course, all I have to go on is one semester of art appreciation. But seriously folks, something about Jennifer Morgan’s we’re all…

Disney on Ice shows seem to be the only way Disney will put on a live show outside of a lavish Broadway musical. From Monsters Inc. to Finding Nemo, they keep rolling them out for the masses. I’m not quite sure how Nemo translates to ice, but if Tarzan ever…

My whole relationship with the art of dance has been a tempestuous one. I was good at square dancing in second grade but not so good at the moonwalk in seventh. Likewise, I could never pick up the cotton-eyed Joe but voguing came naturally. Tap-dancing lessons without tap shoes had…

I’m going to steer away from the obvious jokes that could be made about the gay rodeo. No Brokeback jokes here. That’s so 2005. Besides, the rumbling and tumbling these guys and gals do prove they are no joke. And they’ve been roping cows, riding horses and even two-stepping at…

When I took singing lessons, I could have sworn I saw my teacher wince as I hit my first notes. I knew then my singing career would be limited to the car—where every time I’d be a star. Thus I won’t be at Lone Star Park’s 11th Annual National Anthem…

The famous Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of Ruby shooting Oswald has always fascinated me, being a fan of true crime photography. I always thought it should be more gruesome than it was. I mean, this guy is getting shot at close range. Then I read what photographer Bob Jackson told The…

I must say, after seeing the lineup for the Lone Star Film Society’s Classics at the Modern, I had to give a standing ovation—a Hitchcock showing that’s not Vertigo, The Graduate back on the big screen and Willy Wonka in full-color glory—what’s not to love? I wish the Inwood would…

I have to admit, I’m a little miffed with the Pawn Gallery in Deep Ellum. The other day I went to check my office mailbox and noticed all these cool, slick postcards (mailed in clear Mylar envelopes) in everyone’s slot. I was excited when I reached into mine but found…

Ideally on Valentine’s Day, your lover/spouse/trick will have you seeing stars. In a dark, soothing room dense with the aroma of overflowing and engorged rose blossoms, you will recline and relax waiting for Cupid’s arrow to shoot. Your tongue will delight as the pleasure of chocolate sweetness is inserted into…

If you’re a film buff, you’d be wise to check out the UNT Multicultural Center’s Each One Teach One film series, where students and teachers brown bag and convene for films that enlighten, as well as philosophical discussion on the state of diversification within the world community. They’ll be doing…

Part of me misses those Saturday nights as a kid when my parents and I would settle in for an evening with World Class Championship Wrestling. Chris Adams, King Kong Bundy and Iceman Parsons were my weekend guest stars, whom I would then talk about on Monday mornings with friends…