Most of us have been teased or bullied at one point, especially at school. And even if we haven’t experienced it firsthand, chances are we’ve seen it happen to someone else. I know that when I worked in a high school, I saw that kind of negativity almost every day. It’s cruel, it’s dragging kids down, and Lady Gaga knows it. Lots of her songs preach acceptance and the importance of being one's weird and wonderful ... Read More

I really dig the down-to-earth sound of singer-songwriter Dana Falconberry. Her poetic lyrics and gentle, rich voice are perfect for a day inside, hiding from the cold and rain. (The bluesy song "Baby Blue Sky" is particularly neat, if you ask me.) Falconberry hails from Austin, TX, and according to her website, her latest EP was recorded in an old church there. She's been touring a lot and winning the hearts of critics and listeners alike, ... Read More

I didn’t become a fan of Japanese animation until I was in college, (my mom forbade me to watch Sailor Moon as a kid because she thought it was sexist) and while I’m not a huge fan of anime/manga, I'm in love with the Studio Ghibli films. Co-founded by genius writer/director/animator Hayao Miyazaki, the studio won an Oscar for Best Animated Film in 2003, with Spirited Away. If you didn't catch that flick, you may have seen the ... Read More

Hands up if you’ve seen Bridesmaids! OK, keep your hands up if you’ve seen it more than once. Trust me, you’re not alone. People all around the world—girls and guys alike—fell in love with the comedy film Bridesmaids last year. I’m sure many of them would love to see a sequel, too—that is, if you’re not too disillusioned by the fact that 90% of sequels are only half as good, at most, as the ... Read More

On December 31, 2011, 29 year-old Esme Barrera– a fixture in the Austin, TX, music scene– attended a New Year's Eve show at the 29th Street Ballroom. Hours later, she was found dead in her apartment. Police are relying only on a general profile of the man who may have committed the murder, and there are no suspects at this time. It's horrifying but possible that such a tragedy might go unresolved.Esme was beloved among Austin ... Read More