Recommended: Imogen Heap

Imogen Heap was the lead singer of Frou Frou, the band that did the cool song "Let Go" on the Garden State soundtrack. She also wrote the infectious, bizarre song "Hide and Seek" from the O.C. Soundtrack (I promise I don't watch, but they always put great music on their soundtracks on iTunes. It's how I keep up with what the kids are listening to these days.)

This live session on iTunes is great if you are already a fan, otherwise, you should start with some of her studio stuff. Click on this for one of her best records >

Recommended: Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol has been around for a while, I know, but I only had one or two of their songs on my iPod. I heard the whole first album (Final Straw) on vacation and loved it. Then I bought the new album (Eyes Open), and it's even better. I've not been so pumped about a band in a while.

If you aren't already familiar, check them out on iTunes by clicking on the grey button next to the album cover. Clicking on the picture will take you to the Snow Patrol website.





My favorite on Final Straw is "Chocolate"












My favorites on Eyes Open are "Warmer Climate"
and "Shut Your Eyes"

On Vacation: The Final Chapter

The final weekend in Houston with Family con Queso was a blast. The Hurricane decided he wanted to get into the blogging action and confiscated his mama's mac for some agressive typing. As the Hurricane's Padrino (Godfather), I was careful to make sure he only surfed safe internet sites.

Family con Queso are serious foodies, so we checked out Monica Pope's newish locally-sourced restaurant T'afia. Their tasting menu was paired with Texas wines, which were all pretty good, but we doubted some of the little towns cited as the source really made wine. I don't remember anything but a Dairy Queen in Ft. Stockton. Nevertheless, the food was simple, but very well done.

It was a great vacation, but now it's over. I spent the day doing laundry, getting groceries, and having my car jump-started after sitting for two weeks. I guess that means a new battery is in my future.

The weather here is much cooler and during my run across the Taft bridge over Rock Creek Park, I realized I'm glad to be home.

Back to work!

Ch-ch-ch-changes in Austin

Tragedy.

Little City coffee shop on the drag in Austin is closing it's doors on August 31st. LC opened after I left Austin, but it was one of the first local places to roast their own coffee on site, and they were (and still are) a rare source of free wi-fi. I don't think I've been home in the last 10 years when I haven't spent at least a few hours here.

They have a shady pea-gravel patio out front for people-watching, and plenty of space to spread out your books and computer. From the big front windows, I can see the prettiest and the ugliest buildings on campus: the spectacular UT Tower, and the hideous Communications Center where they film Austin City Limits. Little City always has the Austin Chronicle, even when their neighbors are out, and the bathroom is always clean. I also really like the custom chandelier hanging from the ceiling (see pic). Maybe they will sell it to me.

The first time I ever had the courage to sit down next to a spectacularly beautiful woman and just start talking to her, just because without any other motive, I was in Little City. It was 1997. This story would be better had I ended up marrying her or at least spending a fantastic weekend with her, but alas, it was just a great conversation. But it put Little City on the map for me.

Another big change, although not nearly as sad, is this: By George will no longer sell mens clothes after December 31. Thanks Barney's CO-OP. Matt, the owner, and his wife just aren't making enough money on the guy's stuff to justify all the extra work and travel to source it well, so they are phasing it out.

It's always struck me as odd that I could find cooler threads at a store in Austin than anywhere in DC, but it's true (although Relish in Georgetown comes close, but it's more expensive). Unless a man is buying a tailored suit at a high-end shop, guys spending a lot of money on clothes are rarely treated as well as women. My dollar is as good as hers.

But By George is an exception: they give me beer to drink while I shop. They are there to help, but not to annoy. They don't mind bringing 20 pair of jeans to my dressing room until I find the a pair that look decent on my bird legs. They know that I am too old for a trucker hat, but they know what will keep me from looking like a suburban thirtysomething with a gut and a golf shirt. I will miss them, but my trips home to Austin sure will be less expensive!

Renting in NYC

For those of you in DC who think the housing market is bad, this article should make you feel a little better ...

www.NYTimes.com

Note: If you have not already, you will need to register on NYTimes.com to view the story, but it's free and something you should do anyway ... it's a great site for news.

On Vacation: Chapter 4

Super Zoe and I hit Soco (South Congress) last night. Mexican food at Guero's and then drinks at the San Jose.

Highlights of the evening included:

• SZ's advice on how to get more people to post comments on my blog.
• I learned that my modern, sparse hotel room at the San Jose looked like a "camp dormitory"
  
• An 18 year old waiter with way way way too much energy and the worst porn-star moustache I've ever seen
• Upon my noticing an attractive passerby, I received a very informative lecture by SZ on how 25 year old women don't know what they want ... they are still looking for the "hot guy" or the "rich guy" ... and that if you date a 25 year old, you have no idea what she is going to look like in 20 years, but by the time she is 30, you get a pretty good idea
• SZ's 18 (I'm not exaggerating) failed attempts at a non-blurry photo of me by the pool. I finally had to take it myself. The fashionistos at the San Jose must have thought I was the most vain person on the planet.
  
• When handed a plastic cup by the waitress and told, "we need you to put your beer in a plastic cup please", SZ slipped her beer bottle into the cup and set it on the table. The waitress said, "no, you need to POUR the beer into the cup (no glass by pool)." Betsy said, "Oh, right ... I was raised in a house full of wood antiques."
• I must have been more entertaining last night, because when I asked the time, SZ did not reply with her usual, "it's half-past you're boring".
• I learned that the best men SZ has dated have had a good "Betsy Management Skill Set"
  

On Vacation: Chapter 3

I arrived in Houston at 7pm yesterday, and cheapo Ken decided to take a shuttle instead of a cab to James and Laura's to see my Godson, Harry, before hopping on another plane to Austin the next morning. The shuttle turned out to be a big mistake ... it took over 2 hours to get downtown. Lesson learned.

When I arrived, James had an awesome vegetarian meal (I give the veg thing a week, by the way) prepared, and Laura had some watermelon margs on tap.

After dinner, Laura and I began to blog furiously ... both addicts ... as we polished off the rest of the margs.

This morning after a 6am play session with 11mo. old Harry, I flew to Austin and had a full day, but I'll keep this short:


1. Checked into the Hotel San Jose
2. Had lunch with college roomate Neal at Ironworks BBQ
3. Had coffee and blogged at Mozart's
4. Bought some new threads at By George
5. Went for a run in the 107 degree heat around Town Lake
6. Dinner with old friend at my absolute favorite restaurant, Shady Grove

On Vacation: Chapter 2

California was a lot of fun. Spent time with Taylor, Mandy and Jud (and dog Parker) Ream and the Lokkesmoes. I flew into Ontario, which is basically in Colorado, but it didn't take me long to drive into town in my spiffy rental ... a Dodge Caliber, which is basically a PT Cruiser with slightly bigger biceps. But I'm not complaining, because it was better than the Sebring I had paid for.


Started off in Huntington Beach with the Reams on the beach: it was beautiful as usual with perfect sand, perfect sky, perfect breeze ... basically ideal as beaches go. But you know, there was too much sand and the water was freezing. I prefer chlorine and concrete for actual swimming. I'll walk along the beach, but I don't like to get in. So we sat and caught up, and my pasty white stomach burned. I slathered on the 50 for the rest of the trip.

But you can't beat the beach culture ... the beach folk really know how to live on the beach. But of course they're friendly ... it's freaking perfect every single day! I want to see how happy they would all be on the Beltway at 5pm in February. I'm guessing that once the tans fade, they'll be pissy too.

On my first night, we watched 5 episodes of The Office off the iPod, and then Taylor joined us for dinner in Huntington Beach. We finished off the evening on the Reams' amazing new landscaped patio with palm, banana and lemon trees, and rocks with music coming out of them. Mandy is the hostess with the mostess, and Jud is quick with the witty reparte.

The next day, we had the greatest blackened fish tacos at Taco Loco in Laguna Beach. I would have loved to spend more time there after lunch, but unfortunately the reality tv show has turned the formerly sleepy surfing hamlet into a nekid teenager zoo. It seems like it could be fun in the morning when the kids are still in bed with hang-overs, but in general agoraphobes should stay away. Take quarters for the meters!

I bumped into Taylor and Monica on their power walk through Manhattan Beach during their "girl's day out" and they permitted me to join them for a frozen coffee at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, which is the Californian preference to Starbucks. We had Iced Blendeds, which were good, but it did make me miss Tryst's blended cappucinos just a little. Following Monica's recent discovery that a small Iced Blended contained 500 calories, the ladies ordered it without sugar ... ironic since they wanted the dulce de leche flavor. I guess that would just be "leche". My full-sugar version, not surprisingly, was much better.

Erik left Kolton with the inlaws and drove down from Malibu to have dinner with me at Rock'n'fish, a great seafood joint on the beach. Those who know us well will be surprised to hear that we didn't argue even once! He wasn't in the mood to argue, as he was deflated that he hasn't seen any celebrities despite being in Malibu for the past 3 weeks. He has dragged poor Kolton down to the Malibu Colony play park every day and forced him to play with any kid whose parents look like producers or talent scouts. We stayed out late. Two middle-aged men on the town.

Finally, on my last night in Cali, we all met up in Hollywood for dinner at Mirabelle. Still no celeb sightings, but the food was good and the conversation was enlightening. Erik decided to become a pro-Gore Democrat, and Brittany taught me that "If things aren't changing, things aren't changing". After dinner, we had ice cream sandwiches for a dollar in Westwood at Diddy Riese.

I love California, but now it's on to Austin!

On Vacation: Chapter 1

And I work why? Life really is better on vacation, and life really is better in California. Every day is like the best weather day in DC, and everyone is gorgeous. California is Austin with better weather, but much, much worse music.

My vacation began in LA for four days before heading to Austin for a week. I'm working my way up the coast, starting in Huntington Beach with Mandy and Jud, then up to Manhattan Beach for a few days with Taylor and the Lokkesmoes, who have been in Malibu for a few weeks.

My hotel in Manhattan Beach was fantastic ... check it out www.shadehotel.com. It was a touch on the "trying too hard" side, but that's part of the charm of LA, isn't it? The pictures here are from the website.

"Bad press is better than no press" ... really?

This has got to be a really bad day for Boy George. Assigned to community service for the cocaine police found in his NYC apartment, Boy was overwhelmed by paparazzi for most of his work day sweeping the streets of Manhattan.

Suddenly, after a decade of oblivion, he's back in the news, but like this. As weird as the makeup and cornrows were, he should have swept in costume, because the real George isn't lookin' that great these days: fat and bald wearing man-capris and slides to do menial labor.

This picture would actually make a great anti-drug campaign poster.

MySpace skit on SNL

This skit on SNL about MySpace creeps is hilarious. Thanks Fun Jimmy for the link ...

Click here.

More of Ken's Rules to Live By

41. Everyone should know how to serve a tennis ball and how to swing a golf club.

42. Instant coffee is of the devil.

43. Never, ever ... ever, ever, ever ... ever. Ever! believe the woman you are with when she says, “I don’t really care about Valentines Day. Let’s just skip it this year.” I know you think you have found the one woman on the planet who means it, who really doesn’t care about this artificial romance holiday. Trust me, it’s a trick. I promise.

44. Braces (suspenders) are out. I know you love them and you think they are cool, but they are not in style. Store them, they’ll come back eventually.

45. Paying someone a sincere compliment every day would radically improve your life. I usually forget to do it, but during the rare season that I follow this rule... it’s pure magic.

For the complete list of Ken's Rules to Live By, click here.

Expensive month ...

With this new toy, the 2006 DVD is going to blow your MIND!

The new Intel PowerMac is out and it's a beaut!

Awesome!

This is Amy Meyer's brother Brent. This isn't a camera trick.

Read more on Brent Meyer here.

Do you Digg?

Digg is a cool community where people post links to news all over the web ... check it out (the following are live headline links to www.digg.com):

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Recommended: Tristan Prettyman

Tristan Prettyman at Lestat's

Tristan Prettyman is a surfer from the west coast with a good album out. Take a look at this YouTube video of Tristan performing my favorite of her songs with UberTool Jason Mraz (MrA-Z is really talented ... I just wish he would calm down).

For more of her music, check out iTunes by clicking on the button here:

Weirdest thing this week: "Jump In My Car"

Dave has lost his freaking mind. Paris Hilton owes him big, since thanks to the former Knight Rider, she will not have the worst video of the year. If I were a starving actor or musician looking for work, this just might make me put a gun in my mouth.