Statesman > XL Blogs > Archives > 2005 > May > 12
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Busted!
The new Busts are here! The new Busts are here!
If you were a little startled by the outburst, Bust is not that kind of a publication. It’s a magazine equally interested in feminism and lipstick. It also has great headlines (“Natural Selection: Vegan products for hippies who don’t want to smell like one”).
Barely had time to get into the new issue today while dining at Mr. Natural (my restaurant of choice when I fear that my blood has turned toxic) but found much to check into.
First, apparently there is something called the Southern Girls Convention, which has been going on for seven years now without having ever invited me. Southern girls can be like that, you know.
The LitFit class at Book People also gets a shout-out. According to the store’s Web site, the next class utilizes “Emily Post’s Etiquette”, which induced a little sigh of delight from me.
I’m not remotely alt enough to be in Bust’s target readership — for example, I’m never going to sew a couple of thrift-store scarves together and call it a cover-up —but I love this magazine. Bust hit some hard times a couple of years ago and vanished for a while, and so it needs you. It’s the rare chick magazine that actually makes you feel better about yourself.
Alleviating the need for afternoon caffeine was excitement over the news about the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown’s “Freaks and Geeks” marathon next month. Good Lord, do I love this show. But wait, there’s more. Coming in for the event are Sarah Hagan, who played Millie, and Martin Starr, who stole every scene he was in as Bill Haverchuck, the geekiest of all the geeks.
Bennifer, Romber … and introducing, Renny.. That’s what my co-worker Courtney Sebesta has dubbed the couple that has us all worried.
Permalink | | Categories: By Sarah Lindner
Chappelle shows up
Dave Chappelle? Mental health facility? South Africa!?!
This story just got about 10 times more interesting.
Permalink | | Categories: By Omar Gallaga
Lone Star goes retro
I was at Harry’s on the Loop in Willow City a month or so ago (see the Travel section on the Hill Country in the American-Statesman this Sunday for my take on this classic barbecue joint) when the waitress set a beer bottle in front of me that just about made my eyes bug out.
At first glance, it was like I was back in the ’70s.
Turns out, Lone Star Beer is celebrating their 65th anniversary by releasing longnecks and tallboy cans (I haven’t seen any of the regular-size cans) in a slightly modified 1970s-era design. Why they’re celebrating 65 years with a design from 30 years ago is beyond me, but they probably drink a lot in the marketing department.
I’m a small-time collector of Lone Star memorabilia (I think they call it “breweriana,” but I can’t come close to trying to pronounce that) and I had to rush out and buy a six-pack of the longnecks. (Hey, some folks collect stamps and teaspoons — and you can’t even get a good buzz off those).
They’re beautiful. Sadly, I can’t find any photos of them on the Web, but the new retro look is a vast improvement over the flat-out ugly current design, which I think is the ugliest in Lone Star history.
The familiar Lone Star shield is prominently displayed, along with the text “Celebrating 65 Years of Pure Texan Beer.” The bottle caps are fantastic and the six-pack carrier has revived the old slogan “Long Live Longnecks.” Even the cans are adorned with the old-style snowflake sparklies.
Did I say it was like the 1970s? Sadly, nowhere on the cans does it say “Brewed with Pure Artesian Water.” Lone Star just hasn’t been the same since the San Antonio brewery closed down. The new cans and bottles still say they’re brewed in Fort Worth.
Lone Star, you can still look cool. But you won’t have all of my heart (and beer funds) until you go home again.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: By Dave Thomas
Starting the 2006 list
So far, response to the first ever XL Fortunate 500 has been fairly positive. Other than fart noises (heard on drive-time radio) aimed at the roll call of Austin most social singles and couples, most people seem pleased or flattered to be included, or to see their friends on the list.
We made some errors that we corrected quickly online, but remain in some print editions. We misspelled the names of concert booker Philip Croley and KUT radio personality John Aielli, which is ridiculous, since we have written about him so often. Also, Zarghun Dean of Tribeza went to undergraduate school at Tulane, law school at the University of Texas.
We already have received some nominations for the XL Fortunate 500 2006.
Fritz Blau, the rollerblading poster guy.
Jay Woods, VP at New West Records.
Jake Pickle, the former congressman.
Vickie Roan, Menagerie owner and charity supporter.
Keep the nominations coming. The more we know, the better.
Permalink | | Categories: By Michael Barnes
