bshirley

SXSW Wed Night

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Well, another SXSW is underway.

Met up with the crew of about 10 at Lovejoy’s, I was drinking the Hazelnut Stout. At $2 a pint, an excellent way to begin an evening.

After trying to slap together a plan that would absolutely not be followed, we headed out.

8p

Started at The Mercury, a venue so wisely alphabetized under T by the SXSW website. Midlake from Denton, TX. They are a 5-piece, ranging from mostly guitar to mostly keyboard. A good, danceable band. They vary from Coldplay to 80’s Manchester to 60’s psychedelic.

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pre SXSW: Bob Log III

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So, after attending a friend’s b-day party, I stopped by my regular haunt. Ran into a few people, one asked if I read the story in the Press, I hadn’t. He mentioned “breast” and “scotch”, I didn’t pay much attention. After one I decided to head home and past Rudyard’s, there seemed to be quite a crowd, so I stopped.

I ordered the new seasonal, St. Arnold Bock, a very excellent beer. Talked with a few people at the bar, including coincidentally, the guy i’d spoken with at the last bar. Ascertained the cover to get up stairs, and headed there.

I was only there in time to see the last band, 12:30 or some such. I was under the impression that the bands that night were an SXSW overflow, but after checking it out it seems he’ll be in FLA next week. It was excellent, none the less.

So, I step into the den…

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Bush to Middle East: quiet abandonment

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This was a small article on the Bush administration abandoning a promise to push forward the Peace Process in Israel/Palestine. With all the other Iraq stirrings, this tidbit will fly under the radar. Unfortunately, I think it will come back to haunt us.

Israel, North Korea,… it’s much easier to ignore the sticky problems. We’ve got Saddam, we’ll deal with that, because we think we can solve it.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/world/1810704



March 9, 2003, 10:31AM
Bush refuses to offer plan for Mideast

By STEVEN R. WEISMAN
New York Times

In a sharp rebuff to European allies, Russia and the United Nations, the Bush administration has decided not to put forth a plan for a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians until after the crisis in Iraq is resolved, administration officials say.

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SXSW

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I’m going to SXSW next week (http://www.sxsw.com/music). It’s a music festival in Austin, wed-sun. I’ll have more on that later. -b

no peace in Houston

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If you didn’t notice, a few weeks ago the Houston city council finally debated and voted on two propositions opposing a war in Iraq unless certain conditions occur.

Unfortunately the city council, like many other current politicians (the governor re: the budget), failed to show real leadership.

Here’s a Houston Chronicle article, and a letter of mine they printed in response, then a later ed/op by two California authors.

Feb. 26, 2003, 11:20PM
Houston council rejects two antiwar resolutions
Members argue over role in foreign policy

By KRISTEN MACK
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

Houston City Council rejected two resolutions Wednesday opposing a U.S. attack on Iraq before U.N. weapons inspectors get more time to finish their work.

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let sleeping dogs lie

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if you were wondering, the current picture i’m using is of my dog, Porter. he’s a retired greyhound, 8 years old currently, and a total couch potato. he mostly sleeps on the couch all day, or is jumping in your face when you arrive, he’s white with ticking and has a fawn brindle patch on … Read more