#there are not enough arts of book 1 scenes and i live to serve (cooking for myself.. as a fan i want to see those scenes illustrated too ;;

[quelmdn]

"Kiss."

[kiingocreative]

The Structure of Story is now available! Check it out on Amazon, via the link in our bio, or at https://kiingo.co/book

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There are some buzz words everywhere and, in the writing world, and it feels to me like ‘journaling’ is one of them. It’s something everyone seems to be doing.

It took me a while to build a journaling habit, and I wouldn’t say I’m quite there yet with my Journaling discipline, but whatever experience I’ve had with it has been incredibly beneficial.

What’s Journaling?

Back to the old trusted dictionary! Journaling is defined as:

To write in a journal or diary.

Simple, right?

For those of you with a penchant for etymology and random fun facts, the word ‘journal’ comes from the Latin ‘diurnalis’, or ‘diurnus’, meaning ‘daily’. In late Middle English, a journal originally referred to a book containing the appointed times of daily prayers. (If you use this as an ice-breaker at your next dinner party, please let me know!)

Nowadays, journaling is a lot more about keeping track of one’s praying schedule, and much more about recording one’s thoughts in an informal, free-flowing, stream-of-consciousness manner.

It’ll take different forms for different people, and the great thing about it is that (in my view) there isn’t a right or wrong way to journal. The only right way to do it is the way that feels right to you. As with any form of writing, craft or art in general, it’s all about individual preference, and highly subjective. And because Journaling is generally something that remains personal and private, you can do whatever the heck you want with it.

Pretty great, isn’t it?

Why Journaling is Good For You.

Based on my own experience, I’ve found a few benefits to journaling:

Pressure-free writing.

I’ve found that Journaling, because it follows no set rule and isn’t meant to be shared, is a great chance to write without any pressure. To write just because you want to write, with no other agenda than indulging in your love of putting words together on a page.

To me, writing without an outcome in mind is always liberating. It’s a chance to reconnect with your craft in way you might not if there was a clear purpose to it, like writing a book due to be published or a blog article meant to be posted online.

Experiment with your writing.

Journaling is also the perfect format to experiment with your writing, and try your hand at something new. Maybe you normally write fiction, and Journaling is a chance to give poetry a go. Maybe you generally blog, and your journal can start hosting plots and ideas for a novel, regardless of what you make of it later. Maybe you’ll want to try writing exercises—like jotting down ideas from a prompt or in a specific style. Or you could start recording dreams and memories you can remember.

Discomfort is where we grow, so putting yourself in those situations regularly is a great opportunity to expand your writing abilities and hone your skills. Who knows, there may be writing gold in there somewhere!

Never forget an idea.

I don’t know about you, but I often get ideas for my writing and beyond at the most inconvenient moments—in the shower, whilst cooking, doing the dishes, or picking up dog poop (I know, oh the glamour of a writer’s life!). I always think that I’ll remember these, but the truth is, most of them get forgotten, never to be retrieved again from the confines of my mind.

Journaling is a great way never to lose sight of an idea. My Journaling involves a lot of notes about random ideas I have for a plot, a story, a post, or life activities in general. They serve as inspiration for the future. Writing them down helps me rest assured that I can go back to that list and explore it later, whenever convenient.

Free your mind &notice trends.

One of the most important things I’ve notice happen when I journal, is that it helps me empty my mind fro ma lot of the never-ending thinking loops I tend to fall victim to. By putting thoughts down on paper, I’m able to see them more clearly, and my brain finally feels like it no longer needs to hold onto them. Jotting things down is a great way to break your pattern of thinking (or, if you’re like me, obsessing) and to allow yourself time to take a step back and look at the big picture.

Whether it’s something you’re stuck on in your writing, or in your life in general, journaling on it is powerful, especially if you do it regularly. Not only will you create more space in your mind for better and brighter things—say, your next brilliant writing idea!—but it’ll also give you a chance to notice trends and recurring themes. And that’s a great way to build awareness about your own patterns of behaviour, and start eradicating your most negative or toxic thinking habits.

Keep a record.

Performance coach Tony Robbins (yes, him again! What can I say, I’m a huge fan) says that ‘if your life is worth living it’s worth recording’. I couldn’t agree more. Journaling gives you a chance to be your own life historian. To keep track of where you’ve been and how far you’ve gone. To look back on those day-to-day accomplishments that may look minute at the time but all add up to something big and wonderful in the end.

Looking at your own existence and experience as something that’s worth keeping a record of also sends your subconscious mind a clear message: that’s you’re worthy. You’re enough. Every moment of your life has an impact, the good and the bad, and helps mould who you become.

I’d say there are few more powerful truths to embrace in your lifetime!

Getting Started with Journaling.

That’s all well and good, you might say, but where do I start?

Fear not, my friend, here are some suggestions to get you started.

1. Set a schedule — If you don’t make time for it, chances are it won’t happen, because life has a habit of getting in the way. Identify a time that works best for you—whether that’s morning, midday, evening etc.—and schedule it in your calendar, setting a reminder so you don’t forget about it. If finding time daily feels daunting or unrealistic, why not start with once a week, or a couple of times a week?

2. Make it a habit — Stick to it! Whether it comes naturally or not, be disciplined about it. Embrace whatever comes, both the joys and the discomfort of it. Set yourself a goal—every day for a week, every other day for a month etc.—and sit with it for the entire duration you committed to.

3. Set a timer — Journaling doesn’t have to take a lot of time. I tend to journal for about ten minutes at a time on average, sometimes less and sometimes more. If you’re unsure what duration to start with, set a timer for ten minutes and see what comes up.

4. Let it flow — As I mentioned above, Journaling may or may not feel natural at first. It may feel great or it may feel uncomfortable. Whatever comes up for you, let it flow. Why not journal about the sensations and feelings the experience of journaling brings up? It may end up being one thing one day and something altogether different the next. Whatever it is for you at any given time is what’s right. Be open-minded, remember this is unique and personal, and no one—not even you—should ever judge it.

The Power of Rituals.

If you’re still unsure about the value of journaling, or about getting started with it, let me say this one final thing: the most important piece of the puzzle, as with anything else you do, is defining your ‘why’—i.e. the reasons behind your decision to start (or continue) journaling. Ask yourself:

Why do you want to start journaling?

Why is it important to you?

How do you think it’ll make you feel? How do you want it to make you feel?

What difference do you think it’ll make to you, to your life, to your writing?

Clearly defining your ‘why’ and your intentions will help you maintain the habit. More importantly, understanding the value this holds to you will take journaling from a mere habit—which can feel like a chore—to a ritual of self-care. That’s the difference between doing it because you think it’s cool, or because everyone is doing it, or because you think you should do it, and doing it because you know for a fact, in your core, that this will make you and your writing better and stronger.

This will go a long way in making it more enjoyable. It’ll help you build rituals around it that are nurturing and caring. Get yourself to acknowledge why it’s good for you and why it’s pleasurable, and then set up the environment to make your journaling time feel like an absolute treat. Maybe that’s setting the scene in the room where you journal with a candle or some background music. Maybe that’s selecting a nice notebook if you’re doing this by hand, or picking your favourite writing spot, at home or beyond.

Eventually, these will all act as triggers to get you into the right journaling mindset whenever you’re sitting down for it.

And if you’re not quite sure what that all looks like for you… Well. Isn’t that a great topic to start journaling about?

[yurimother]

Interview: Shilin Huang, Creator of Amongst Us and Carciphona

Shilin Huang ( @okolnir​​ )is a Canadian freelance artist and comic creator, known for her long-running series Carciphona. She has a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Western Ontario. Carciphona is a long-form fantasy story set in a world where demon-magic is forbidden. The series follows a young sorceress named Veloce, and the mythical assassin assigned to kill her, Blackbird.

Shilin’s newest book, Amongst Us, based on the webcomic of the same name, is an alternate universe comic that reimagines Veloce and Blackbird as musicians and girlfriends in the modern world. You can support the physical release for Amongst Us book 1 on Kickstarter today.

The first book of Amongst Us is coming soon. How do you feel about the release?

Eager and relieved!! I had worked for so long to make the web format viable for print format, as well doing all the extra drawings that were necessary--like covers--that I had to keep under wraps, it felt great to know that that part is finally done and I can release my child into the wild. I was very worried too before the launch of the Kickstarter, because though I am the one who made this story, I am not quite a slice-of-life type of person myself, and it was hard for me to see value in this mundane, not-plot-driven kind of story as a printed book. But I was very lucky to have that worry dispelled!

What drew you towards creating comics and artwork? Was it a dream of yours?

I’ve been drawing since before elementary school because I enjoyed it, and somewhere along the way, I wanted to create my own characters, and then I wanted stories for them. It was always just me doing what I felt like doing, more so than something that I aspired towards achieving consciously. If I had to analyze the allure myself, maybe it was because people and the world are so interesting, I’ve always loved thinking about their nature and circumstances, and art/storytelling was the best way for me to explore and share those thoughts.

Could you briefly walk us through your creative process for making a page of Carciphona or an episode of Amongst Us?

Carciphona is a long, plot-driven story, and so the scale of preparation required before the page eclipses the actual drawing of the page itself. [A] small moment has some larger impact in the plot, character development, and accuracy of world-building. So I usually spend about half a year or more writing out an entire volume, read it over many times over the course of the years, before I do the same thing with sketching the entire volume on the computer, rearranging pages and panels and entire scenes for best delivery, before I finally commit to drawing out each page in detail on the computer. 

Where Carciphona is like an elaborate set course where I chop up and measure ingredients and time their cooking with a careful game plan so everything can be served as they should, Amongst Us is more like an omelette that I’m making to taste. There is still planning and writing ahead of time, but each episode is much more self-contained, and I do more of the planning of the episode within the episode itself, adding and taking away details as I see fit before I feel like it reads naturally enough for me to fine line, colour, and paint.

You talk about being a self-taught artist, how did you learn to create artwork? What are some of your favorite educational resources?

While I did come across many tutorials, they were mostly short ones here and there made by my peers, so I don’t have any favourites in my mind that I can share ): . I learned by just looking at the art of my peers at the time and drawing a lot myself, thinking about what I could learn from each time I see something great, and what I could try next time to make the next drawing look better to me. When I had just started drawing digitally, the internet was quite new, drawing tablets expensive and uncommon, with no social media to share art or find resources. Over time, I did try to learn more properly by doing studies and seeking out professional tutorials, but I found that I hated it and decided that I’d rather learn and make mistakes at my own pace and be happy than to commit to effective and efficient learning and make myself dislike drawing.

Amongst Us is, of course, an Alternate Universe comic featuring characters from Carciphona. What inspired you to put your characters into a GL slice of life work?

Back in 2006, when I started drawing Carciphona, I had no plans of this frenemies dynamic for the two main characters, Blackbird and Veloce, and when the thought had occurred to me as I continue to tweak the story, canon GL relationships were still rare and rarely accepted. I was even told on many occasions by readers that they hope the two do not end up with some couples dynamic, or they will no longer be interested in the story. Ultimately, Carciphona was a fantasy story about an entire world, and I wasn’t going to risk the story’s reception over a small detail like whether or not Blackbird and Veloce sleep together, so I just played with the ideas of their relationship on the side, in paintings of many different AUs. Eventually, all that did was make me become so attached to the idea that I decided to say, screw it, I need someplace where they could be together, and I’m drawing an AU for real.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your work? Both Amongst Us and Carciphona.

I love a lot of things, feelings, aesthetics, and I eat up all of that and take it back out in the form of my stories. The inspiration is everywhere, from beautiful imagery I witness in pictures and in real life, to [the] lives of people that I hear about or experience firsthand, to the ethics and structures of professions from mechanics to medicine… In feelings, knowledge, and perspective, there’s an infinite amount of things that makes me think, and that thinking is what creates AU and Carciphona, whether or not that line of inspiration can be clearly drawn back to the root of the thought.

What are some of your biggest challenges or fears creating Amongst Us? Was there any realization or advice that helped you overcome those difficulties?

My biggest fear is always in relatability because it’s a difference between me and the reader that I do not and cannot have a solution for because it involves another person. In such a relatable genre as slice of life/comedy/romance, where the readers have more experience and therefore more varied but stronger expectations of a version of life that is relatable to them, I know that even if somehow I become a master writer, I still would not be able [to] say whether I could story that others would get or would be interested in, especially because I am aware I am an oddball when it comes to how I think, how I live, and what I value. What helped me the most was simply seeing that there were readers who did enjoy the stories for what it was, and reminding myself that I’m telling the stories to find those who might enjoy it, not to avoid those who might not. It’s a different perspective, rather than a solution, so the worry constantly resurfaces, but I hope it becomes easier over time as I am proven wrong more often!

Amongst Us readers have gotten to see Veloce and Blackbird as an established couple, and now we are witnessing flashbacks to how they first met. Where do you hope to take the series in the future?

I intend to tell both of these timelines concurrently, so as the couple timeline ended at episode 20, I intend to end the flashback at around episode 40, and then switch again at episode 60, and so on. While this kills the momentum for each arc, I made AU so that I can have the cake and eat it too--I want both their back story and a happy ending at the same time without having to wait 10-20 years for it, like I do with Carciphona’s plot haha!

What is one dream or aspiration you would like to accomplish? Even if it is unrealistic.

My only dream right now is just to finish both Carciphona and AU before my time’s up! Funny how unrealistic is specified, it made me realize that I rarely consider unrealistic dreams/aspirations as worth thinking about as they are unlikely to happen when there are so many other things I want to do that are actually possible. Most of my unrealistic dreams actually revolve around music, a profession I had left behind with an aching heart. I dream to play a concerto with an orchestra someday, or even learn to conduct, but for now, drawing my dreams out feels enjoyable and fulfilling enough a compromise!

What advice do you have for people wanting to create artwork and comics?

The true challenge these days I feel like is rarely in the work itself; there are so many readily available free resources that anyone who is capable of working hard and thinking critically will sooner or later be able to master skills they acquire to some degree. What is truly challenging is finding, and then accepting, what paths work for you. Someone might find great joy in working in a studio with a group on something big, while someone else might only enjoy drawing what they feel. Both, in this current climate, will be compelled to adhere to the standards of drawing what others want to see in order to gain recognition and financial stability, one will thrive, one will not. 

I think the most important thing to keep in mind is understanding what you want out of drawing/creating, and why. Understanding yourself is often not as straight-forward as it may seem, everyone has different circumstances that subtly motivates them to sometimes misdirect energy and misinterpret what it is they truly want. Some people need to be understood, some people want an excuse to execute, and some people want fame, money, recognition, validation. Whatever it is, and all valid, understanding and accepting your own motivations to create can tremendously help you find the path forward that is suitable for you, not anyone else, even if it might mean following an impractical path that no one else recommends.

Finally, after the release of the first Amongst Us book, what is next for you? Anything special your fans can look forward to?

My game plan through the decades has always been to just keep going. I did choose long-form projects such as the comics that I draw, and the best thing I can do is to just keep it up and reach those exciting points of the story that I’ve always worked towards, no matter how uneventful that may make my work routine sound. However, I do have a little side thing with a(nother) recurring theme that I’ve been doing here and there for fun whenever I had time, people who keep up with my social media art posts may have noticed. If I ever accumulate enough material, maybe there will be some bonus snacks for my readers on the horizon!

Read Carciphona and Amongst Us online now and be sure to support the physical release on Amongst Us book 1 on Kickstarter today. Also, be sure to follow Shilin on Twitter @Okolnir.

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

book blogging #1: Dr. Tatiana’s Sex Advice to All Creation

by Olivia Judson, published 2002

Question: what do you think of when you think of books that are “fun” to read?

For me, a lot of speculative fiction comes to mind. Recent books that I found fun include Space Opera (Catherynne M. Valente), The Beautiful Ones (Silvia Moreno-Garcia), and everything by Sarah Gailey that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Though I haven’t gotten ahold of it yet, I’m pretty sure Gideon the Ninth (Tamsyn Muir) is going to be spectacularly fun as well. 

These are books that aren’t necessarily my favorite stories of all time, but they have been some of my favorites to read. They’re all propelled by zany premises and whirlwind plots, enjoying themselves way too much for anyone to ever stop and worry about the parts that don’t make that much sense. When Sarah Gailey says “I have a crew committing a heist while riding hippopotamuses, do you want in?” I don’t ask questions. I just say yes and go along for the ride.

But there’s one major anomaly that always comes to mind when I think of books that I’ve had fun reading, and that’s David Sax’s The Tastemakers: Why We’re Crazy for Cupcakes but Fed Up with Fondue. It’s a 2014 work of nonfiction, and as the title suggests it’s an analysis of popular food trends and the forces that power them. The Tastemakers isn’t what this blog post is actually supposed to be about, so I won’t go into too many details, but suffice to say that I was engrossed despite the fact that I know pretty much nothing about the world of culinary trends or foodie fads - or cooking in general, if I’m being totally honest. But there’s something really delightful about learning things that are entirely outside your wheelhouse without having to worry about the material showing up on a test later. 

Given that I’m posting this on a blog with relatively few followers and that this is a write-up of a very niche book that was published eighteen years ago and could not be further from trendy, I’m well aware that anyone reading this is probably already at least passing familiar with me and what I do, so you folks might be saying, “Hang on, Makenzie. Are you seriously trying to say that this is outside your wheelhouse? The title on your Tumblr has been “Ask The Sex Witch” since 2015. You’re a whole sex educator, for fuck’s sake!”

Well, yes and no. Judson is a real-deal evolutionary biologist and gets into some pretty serious science in this book, which is pretty wildly different from what I usually do. I talk to people about sorting out their likes and dislikes, their boundaries, their sense of personal sexual autonomy, and so on. Although I definitely advocate for introspection and self-examination, I rarely go looking for answers far beyond the individual level. Judson asks big biological questions to figure out how some truly peculiar-looking behavior evolves: Why is it worthwhile for some animals to fight to the death trying to fuck? What’s up with some species of insects eating their mates? And who, pray tell, is engaging in the noble art of penis-fencing? Clearly, this is a totally different ball game on many levels.

(Speaking of ball games, did you know that the male shiner perch’s testes completely shrivel up over the winter? That’s rough, buddy.)

Offering sex advice to humans is hard enough, but Judson - writing as chipper sex advice columnist Dr. Tatiana - easily offers education to an impressively vast variety of species. The framing device of the book is a charmingly weird one. Each segment opening Dear Prudence-style, with a short letter from an animal badly in need of advice. The first chapter, for instance, begins with a query written by a stick bug called Twiggy (aww) wondering how to get her boyfriend to stop having sex with her after ten continuous weeks of intercourse. (Answer: Girl, he’s not gonna. Apparently that’s how he stops any other stick bugs from getting it in.) For the final chapter Judson mixes it up by formatting a discussion about the pros and cons of asexual reproduction as a hectic daytime talk show, complete with microscopes to view the tiniest guests and seating that offers both saltwater and freshwater tanks for aquatic audience members to sit in, like something out of Zootopia. 

(I haven’t seen Zootopia and the only thing I know about it for sure is that in one scene there’s a DILF-looking tiger, but I’m pretty confident in the assumption I’m making here.) 

Judson does an admirable job of providing pretty comprehensible explanations for a lot of evolutionary science, and while I did have to power skim through a few segments that were really beyond my grasp, it did make a pretty lively read out of the biological pros and cons of producing sperm bigger than your own body. It’s not exactly a book that’s difficult to put down, but I had a perfectly pleasant time reading it in the moments between doing anything else - eating a meal, resting in bed, getting some sun in my backyard - and even learning a little while I did so. I fully intended to use Dr. Tatiana as a break between the two installments of N.K. Jemisin’s Dreamblood duology, and it has served that role magnificently.  

Am I recommending this book to you? Not exactly, unless you’re extremely interested in evolutionary theories that are nearly two decades old or a science fiction writer looking to give your non-human characters some thoroughly non-human sexual habits. I’m not supremely interested in making recommendations with the blog in general, unless someone specifically asks for them; I’m hoping this will be more like writing up my personal thoughts about books and then hurling them into the virtual void like messages in bottles. If they wash up on your shore and you read them and come to the conclusion that this is something you, too, would like to read, that’s pretty rad. I love that for you! But it wasn’t necessarily my intent.

Strictly speaking, I didn’t even recommend this book to myself. In 2019 I tried to stay pretty intentional about my to-read list, really whittling it down to stuff that I actively wanted to engage with rather than anything that sounded vaguely not awful. I was hoping to keep that trend up in 2020, but like many other things that are much more serious, this whole pandemic situation has scuppered those plans a bit. I get most of my books by borrowing them from the public library where I work, and that’s been closed for nearly two months. Unlike many book bloggers I’ve observed I don’t keep a massive stack of unread books around at all times, so I’ve really been relying on the kindness of friends to keep me supplied in these trying times.

My friend Paige slipped me Dr. Tatiana’s (along with the aforementioned Dreamblood books and several volumes of Kurtis J. Weibe’s comic series Rat Queens) in exchange for some books I lent to her, because we all have to look out for each other in These Trying Times. I trusted her good taste, despite having no idea what the book was about and more than a few reservations. 

At other times I think this book might have sailed right over my head - not to sneer at the so-called soft sciences, but there’s a reason I gave up on my childhood dream of marine biology and got a sociology degree instead - but right now, as I’m finally adjusting to the slower pace of life in quarantine and remembering how to focus, I’m finding that it fits my needs. It’s unlikely to live on as an all-time favorite, but it’s something to do and gives me an occasional excuse to gasp and tell my roommate something absolutely wild, like the fact that spiders have two penises and that the dual arachnodicks are located on their faces, on either side of their mouths.

My basic understanding of evolution is that change rarely happens based on logic or reason, but by finding something that works and then sticking to it, no matter how improbable it may seem. When male elephants get horny they apparently develop an insatiable bloodlust and piss so constantly their penises turn green (yikes!), which is definitely not the most practical way to do things, but evidently it’s been getting the job done. Getting through quarantine has been sort of like that, has it not? A lot of behavior that might not be the most intuitive but is somehow enabling ongoing survival, like occupying myself with books that I might not have given a second glance in the halcyon before times.

That’s totally the same thing, right?

Right.

A note about the appearance of this book:

I’ve been talking a fair amount lately about my dislike for what I see as pretty transparently romanticized materialism in a lot of book blogging spaces, with an emphasis placed on acquiring and showing off as many pristine books as possible. I don’t own this book, and it looks like ass. It looks like Paige stole it from a library in North Carolina, which would not be shocking. When I noticed the large brown stain in the corner I jokingly asked if she’d dropped it in coffee, and she unflinchingly confirmed that yes, she had.

[batmonkfish80]

Stovetop Ghosts by Katy Naylor

1. In which I talk about friendship in general and my relationship with Katy Naylor, the author of Stovetop Ghosts, and how it relates to this review in a way that is peripherally about the book; for more direct commentary see part 2, or for a summary, part 3

A part of what makes up friendship is shared experiences. We were there together and this thing happened, involving us. It’s not the only element and maybe not even absolutely necessary. Still, going through something with someone can make a bond. Online friendships are trickier; still, things happen and the people we met online were there with us. And now we have something in common.

Another thing about maintaining a friendship is to know the limits. When not to push. Not to get caught up on things that don’t matter. So when Katy described Stovetop Ghosts, a secular devotional book of poems about domestic life with small children I thought, doesn’t sound like my kind of thing. Easier all around if I just pass this one by, let our friendship – centred as it is about writing things and reading things – go on elsewhere.

Bear Creek was an online magazine of strange and weird things, masquerading as the newspaper of a strange, weird and fictional town. It was also a small press, and then one day the guy who ran it gave up on it all and it ended.

And Bear Creek was also a scene, made up of those of us living in the penumbra of the fictional town, writers, readers, illustrators, creators of various odd things. It was where Katy and I met. And when Bear Creek went away…

Well that’s no reason to give up on all the things that we built in that fictional town. Stovetop Ghosts doesn’t sound like my kind of thing? I read and watch and listen and experience things that don’t sound like my kind of thing all the time. Katy publishes things that aren’t my thing in her zine of interactive arts and that’s not a great reason to avoid them. So I don't. Learning why they’re not my kind of thing is useful and valuable. And sometimes, maybe there's something there that can be my kind of thing.

To cut a long story short I bought Stovetop Ghosts, even though it didn’t sound like my kind of thing, because the thing that started us being friends went away and that makes it even more important to support each other and strengthen the things that we have in common. The author’s note says “Stovetop Ghosts is Katy’s third published chapbook, and one that contains much of her heart. Be gentle with it,” so if I hate the book I will keep my damn mouth shut. Because that’s what a friend would do.

2. An actual review of Stovetop Ghosts

This is a book of hours, a secular version of meditations on the monastic hours that indicate religious services. In the same way that monks would structure their lives and work around these times, this book mirrors it with the rhythm of domestic life. A domestic life that revolves around a small child

The poems are all addressed to “you,” the child. Lauds is dawn and a memory of another time and how that hour changes when a child is present.  Matins revolves around breakfast with a note that “My better self is clear as glass,” and it turns out as fragile too. And then cooking, it is imperfect and a mother’s disapproval can be felt, and then our child’s delight when it is served. “Maybe, sometimes, this is enough.”

Terce is mid-morning and we go to the sea, and the sea is empty and full, overwhelming and tempting. But we, the child, are there. Something else than the universe-filling sea. Sext is noon still by the sea, a moment’s respite. Looking for the kraken, ready to send up a flare. Nones there is a walk inspecting every plant and oddity.

In Vespers we are told that we, the child are starting to anchor ourselves in time. That we know that this is a stage. Like the hours of the day, the years of our lives turn, the same and changing. Compline at night returns to the theme that’s hidden and revealed. That for all the child is dependent on the parent, it’s the child that saves the parent, that gives them their life.

Some of these I experienced as shattering handfuls of words poured into my churning mind, sharing events that happened months and years ago - or only in our heads. Some of them as just, you know, an interesting thing that was written. Some of it was my thing as it turns out, and that’s good. And the things that weren’t my thing? They’re good too.

Part 3, tl;dr

Read This: An unflinching look at the doubt and strangeness of parenting Don’t Read This: It doesn’t sound like your kind of thing Disclosure: Katy has published me in her interactive arts zine Voidspace, also everything in part 1 You Can Buy It: At this link; if you're in the UK and want to contact Katy (perhaps through Voidspace?) she has copies.

[ghana-web]

Top Restaurants In Ghana Top restaurants in Accra: Restaurant eateries in Accra-Ghana, fill many niches in the city, specializing in everything from high-quality local dishes of fufu and groundnut soup to European style dishes of artisanal sausages, orange wines to craft beer, farm-to-table cooking to minimal waste. Yet rooted in traditions that span the length and breadth of this country. the dining scene is a fertile and expansive banquet, full of treasures. From classic local diners and seafood joints to avant-garde establishments and fusion restaurants. If you’re craving a good meal but also want to experience some of the most exceptional places in Ghana, book a table at one of these restaurants. 1. Dominos Pizza  Domino's is an American multinational pizza restaurant chain founded in 1960.The Domino's deal comes with set sides of garlic pizza bread and potato wedges. My experience at Domino's pizza was excellent. I couldn't get the spicy pork sausage as a topping even though it's included on their Supreme pizza, but had had to settle for a delicious topping of Peperoni  deluxe with their signature pizza sauce, pizza mozzarella, smoked ham, green peppers, and fresh mushrooms. Location: Domino’s Pizza Osu serves delicious hot pizzas daily from 10am till 10pm, its second branch is located opposite the East Legon tunnel, Boundary Road. I also noted on their menu are their BBQ Meat Feast with bbq sauce, green peppers, red onions, pizza spices, and fresh diced tomatoes. One of my favorite from Dominos is also their Meat pizza which contains spicy pork, ham, pepperoni and seasoned minced beef with a vegetable topping of fresh spinach, mushrooms, olives, red onion, or topped with fresh tomatoes. Domino's Pizza 2. Sandbox Beach Club Dining with a sea view at any beachfront restaurant is sure to be a memorable experience for the views alone.I noticed at Labadi beach in Accra, beach kiosks range from simple spots serving cool beer and fresh sardines to more sophisticated kiosks offering imported wines and extensive cocktail lists.Sandbox Beach Club is arguably the most appealing in Labadi for those looking for good food, drink, and prices, and a lively local atmosphere. Sandbox Beach Club - Labadi-Accra Breakfast is served at several outdoor tables and, while service can be a little on the slow side, who's in a rush when you've got a view over Labadi beach and out to sea?At the Sandbox Beach Club, guests can have mainly fried seafood and fish dishes accompanied by a cold beer or you can select from their variety of local dishes. Beach club is a popular place night time for locals, tourists, and prominent peopleCUISINESBar, Pub, International, MediterraneanMEALSLunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks Location: 4th Otswe Street, Labadi., Accra 233 Ghana 3. Starbites Food & Drink I love those delicious Chicken Mushroom pies. Where are they! Starbites isn’t one of the full of exclusive, expensive, elitist eateries, but rather rampant with smaller, more casual, and innovative concept that serves delicious meals. My favorite section in the restaurant is where they serve their pastries. I love their chicken and mushroom meat pies. Star bites offer delicious salads in addition and healthy alternatives to fatty and unhealthy fast food options. Local ingredients form the basis of their salads. Fruit and vegetables are central to their menu. Starbites Food & Drink  "I also appreciate the small details of fine dining and loved that Starbites restaurant a) is still practicing the art of serving fresh bread and butter (in a silver dish) as you wait for appetizers b) was thoughtful enough to provide the utensil for enjoying a bite. Their pricing is affordable so that everyone can enjoy great food, from burgers, pizzas, fried chicken, pasta to Kelewele and yam chips. Starbites Food & Drink Mango and Wheat Mango and wheat provide fresh salads and sandwiches for health-conscious customers. I enjoyed their freshly made sandwiches similar to subway sandwiches in America, green salad cream, and carrots in tuna or chicken. In brown or wheat bread. Mango and Wheat team of culinary experts, including freshly-prepared, entrées, seafood, sides, salads, fresh fruits, vegetables.A restaurant is a place where guests come first. Here you’ll find warm, friendly Ghanaian hospitality. Mango and Wheat Notable are their delicious pastries, Cakes, and natural fruit juices. Mango and Wheat preserve the color, flavors, and freshness of their food without affecting its nutritional value. Their delicious breakfast comes along with a wrapped bagel sandwich or a fossilized croissant.Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked cookies and from-scratch pastries from Mango and Wheat. RESTAURANT NAME-Mango & Wheat (Airport) ADDRESS- Sunyani Avenue, Kanda, Airport City, Accra, Ghana Asanka Local Main restaurants in Accra, their main dishes include kenkey with hot pepper and fried fish, banku with fried fish and pepper or with okro or groundnut soup, red red or yo-ko-gari, bean stew, fried plantain or tatale, omo tuo (rice balls) served with palm or groundnut soup. Asanka Local is your all for one stop for local food dishes in Accra-Ghana. Sunday afternoon special is fried yam with choice (turkey tails) with hot, fresh pepper sauce, kebabs (meat of liver doused in spicy powder then grilled). Local drinks include asana or maize beer, palm wine, coconut juice, and akpeteshie or palm wine. Served Daily at Asanka LocalJollof rice. Cooked with tomato paste and other spices, rice, with its distinctive orange color, is often served with chicken or beef. Waakye. the dish is made with rice and beans and may be accompanied by sides like a spicy meat stew, fried fish, moist gari (grated cassava), spaghetti, boiled eggs, plantains, and vegetables. Banku and tilapia. Banku is made from fermented corn and cassava, ground and shaped into large balls. When paired with fried tilapia and a large helping of shito. Red-red. Made From cubed ripe plantains, soaked in peppers, ginger, and garlic, and then friedFufu and goat light soup. fufu is a thick starchy dough made from unripe plantains and boiled cassava. #Reviews

[arcaneranger]

Final Thoughts - Spring 2018

Oh, I am so very late on this one, but in my defense, I did warn that I had too much to watch during the spring, so much so that I actually have to have MAL open in another tab while I’m writing this just to remember everything.

I’ll start with what I skipped.

* Tokyo Ghoul:re, FLCL Alternative, Hozuki’s Coolheadedness Season 2 and High School DxD Hero because I have neither watched the previous seasons nor read the manga.

* Cutie Honey Universe and Gurazeni because by the time I would have gotten to them, I had only heard bad things.

* Dragon Pilot: Hisone to Masotan because Netflix picked it up and we’ll have to wait until September for it.

* Gegege no Kitaro because I didn’t hear any buzz about it and frequently forget that it even exists, I’ll get around to it if enough people ask me to.

* Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory because Funimation has inexplicably removed the dub from VRV and that’s how I want to experience it.

* Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits because I already watched Konohana Kitan and didn’t see much of a difference.

* Captain Tsubasa because Viz licensed it and then just kinda sat on it everywhere except the Philippines.

* Inazuma Eleven because it just went completely unlicensed/unloved.

So, with those out of the way, from the bottom to the top, here’s everything I did manage this season.

Worst of the Season: Fist of the Blue Sky Re:Genesis (2/10)

Oh my god, it’s just the ugliest thing this side of Berserk. I don’t remember a damn thing about this one, and I’d bet that most people who watched it are with me on this one, because I was just distracted by how astoundingly awful the CG production in this show is.

Butlers x Battlers (3/10)

Ugh, what a boring slog of a premiere. I still pretty vividly remember this one, if only because it’s so painfully generic that it swung all the way around to be memorable again. Butlers spent almost its entire first episode on absolutely nothing before remembering in the last five minutes that it was supposed to have a plot and smash-cutting to it in the middle of a scene.

Caligula (3/10)

Where to start? After one of the most interesting premieres of the season, this adaptation pretty immediately sank into complete nonsense, and it’s such a massive waste of potential that this was the work of the writers behind the original Persona titles. Caligula is a show where the main characters literally forget the plot is happening and decide to go to a theme park while they’re trapped in a virtual world with a bunch of digi-zombies trying to murder them. Are you kidding me?

Devils’ Line (3/10)

I just did my write-up for this, so it’s a little fresher in my mind, but honestly, it’s just Twilight with adults and the edge factor turned up, and it looks damn silly trying to be as serious as it is. Sentai needs to choose a little more carefully than this if they want to promote their new service.

Libra of Nil Admirari (3/10)

This one was just so boring to look at that I don’t remember anything except that books were evil and it was a visual novel adaptation.

Dances With the Dragons (4/10)

I’m aware that I use the word “generic” an awful lot, but this season’s worst had quite a lot of that quality, and it applies here, too. Trying its hardest to be a mid-aughts grimdark action piece, it just does almost nothing interesting in its premiere, aside from giving the protagonist an already-existing girlfriend, which may have just been an attempt to quell any yaoi-baiting the two main dudes have going for them, because her only qualities demonstrated were “can’t cook” and “looks hot”.

Real Girl (4/10)

As I said in my write-up, I wanted so badly to like this one, but you need a budget of more than fifty cents to make an anime, and nearly every shot betrays just how little the studio was working with. We’re talking about the kind of show where the main cast goes to a summer festival, and appear to be the only people there. The story and writing just aren’t enough to make me put up with it.

Gundam Build Divers (4/10)

What a total letdown from this franchise. Fighters was an incredibly well-written show that was aimed at kids but could appeal to all Gundam fans, Try was divisive but the people that liked it (like me) got a lot out of it, but Divers just flounders. A relatively decent first episode gives way to episode after episode of Villain of the Week shenanigans that I cannot bring myself to care about because the main cast just aren’t interesting; they’re pretty much just generic shonen cardboard cutouts. This was one case where I was almost hoping for a sudden death game turnaround, because the idea of a bunch of kids being trapped in a game with lots of adults and giant robots would at least be a workable plot, but just fighting Team Rocket over and over again is boring schlock.

Magical Girl Ore (4/10)

I held out hope for too long on this one, but I had an inkling from the beginning that the humor was just going to turn me way, way off, and I was right. This one just carried too many bad implications if you thought about it, and they all piled up and crashed down on me the more I tried to keep going.

Magical Girl Site (4/10)

This show just couldn’t stay above water. The writing only got dumber as the plot carried on, and the fact that I was still watching became embarrassing, because most of the community watched one episode of this and dropped it like a hot rock. Hopefully I’ve learned my lesson.

Darling in the FRANXX (5/10)

What total bull, huh? I’ve never seen public opinion on a show turn around as fast as the community ripped Darling to shreds. While it’s visually gorgeous (most of the time), the writing in the second half of the show is just humiliating to everyone involved, as the script becomes a child Godzilla-stomping through a carefully-constructed castle of wood blocks. Once again, I yearn for Inferno Cop.

Persona 5 the Animation (5/10)

I said for the longest time during the lead-up to P5A that I didn’t really see the point of it. Persona 5 is the fastest-selling game in the franchise, and ultimately an adaptation would only serve to recap the plot, because that’s all it would have time to do in only six months. I actually enjoyed Persona 4 The Golden Animation, because it sold itself as a companion piece to the existing plot rather than a retread of it, and seeing the Scooby Gang just hanging out more was precisely what I wanted from it. A-1 Pictures just didn’t learn enough from the sins of Ace Attorney, because while this is better, it’s still not worth watching if you’ve played the game.

Last Period (5/10)

This one got some early buzz for halfway-decent production work and a skewering of gacha-based RPGs, but ultimately ended up repeating itself so often that it became boring, and sidelining the highlight of the show (the villain trio Wiseman) into having barely a few lines per episode. Just goes to show what happens when repeated gags get stale.

Now that those are out of the way, we can get to the stuff I actually finished!

Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These (6/10)

Barely worth watching for how badly condensed the plot is, and barely worth talking about until the movies happen. That’s assuming we actually get them stateside, but I won’t hold my breath on that one. I coulodn’t even find a decent GIF for this one.

Crossing Time (6/10)

A fun, yet not especially memorable set of vignettes about people waiting for the train to go by. Some of the episodes were less enjoyable than others, but still worth a watch if only because it’ll only take you half an hour and anything you don’t like will probably be over quickly.

Golden Kamuy (6/10)

The last thing I finished for the season, Golden Kamuy’s failure to live up to high expectations lies in its inability to focus on its serious tone, constantly inserting dick jokes into its brutal fight scenes and dragging a poop joke on for entirely too long throughout the show, but it’s still good-looking enough to be worth watching, and it was the only decent show this season to pull out the announcement of a continuation in its last episode, without which it probably wouldn’t have gotten a pass from me.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby (7/10)

I still am amazed by the legwork that went into this silly little mobile game adaptation. While parts of it remain half-assed and unnecessary (the random idol performances being at the top of that list), it’s still a competently-written story about a protagonist who won’t let anything stop her from being The Very Best Like No One Ever Was, and I never get tired of that. The constant timeskips do get a little hard to keep track of, though.

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (7/10)

This one could have been improved by just tweaking a few things. While the characters were endearing and the comedy on-point, the story needed a little interference just so that we didn’t end the final episode in pretty much the same place as the second, because I didn’t get any sense of progress in the main relationship. Still, totally worth a watch if you were disappointed by the news that Recovery of an MMO Junkie was directed by a Nazi.

Comic Girls (7/10)

A very cute story of four artists living together and sharing their passion for manga. This one grew on me a lot over its run, and while I had been pretty certain it would be a 6, a satisfying ending and unnecessarily pretty production elevated it, and I’m glad I wound up finishing it.

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (8/10)

This one has the distinction of being the first review I got hate mail for, because I said that Sigsawa was a far better writer than Kawahara and that the female characters in Alternative actually had agency, and boy are those things true. As it turns out, without Kirito-sama, Sword Art Online can actually be decent, or even great. A solid buildup, well-defined characters (that don’t want to bang the main character!) and a spectacular climax lead up to the best story in the franchise. Can’t wait for Alicization to bring SAO crashing back down to mediocrity-at-best.

Tada-kun Never Falls in Love (8/10)

The only HIDIVE show I finished this season! And the best of three romantic comedies we got this spring, because it gave us the progression and satisfaction that Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun wasn’t able to. While it hit a few stumbling blocks, Tada-kun was brought up at least two full points by its fantastic ending, and that was a great surprise since I was really skeptical going into the final few episodes, as they are a big shift in tone and setting from the rest of the show, but the story pulled it off brilliantly.

Hinamatsuri (8/10)

The funniest show of the season, hands-down, Hinamatsuri is the strange tale of a girl with psychic powers from another dimension coming to live with her new yakuza dad, and the hilarity that ensues. Hina herself is a great character, as her dimwittedness is the basis for a lot of the comedy in this show, but the real heart is Anzu, and the coming-of-age journey she takes over the course of the story. This series shows a great and uncommon sympathy to the downtrodden members of Japanese society, and ultimately is able to bring every character’s arc to a meaningful and satisfying conclusion...except for one. Shame about that final episode.

Food Wars: The Third Plate (9/10)

I’m surprised at the lack of heat I’ve gotten about my opinion on Food Wars, and maybe it’s because I’ve been too subtle about my feelings, so I’ll spell them out clearly now: Food Wars is better than My Hero Academia, and you should be watching it.

Lostorage Conflated WIXOSS (9/10)

Man, was this a satisfying turnaround from the disappointment that was incited. The decision to bring the original cast back for a Massive Multiplayer Team-Up was a great one, and meant that almost every character, but especially Midoriko, got the conclusion they really needed. I’m hoping that this is the end for this franchise, if only so it can go out on its highest note. Oh, also, the soundtrack is still awesome.

Best of the Season:...

...

...

MEGALOBOX (10/10)

This shouldn’t surprise anyone, because MEGALOBOX was perfect from beginning to end and anybody who watched it is well aware of that fact. The sleeper hit of the season was everything the first episode promised; a gritty, 90′s-flavored story of one man’s journey to prove himself the best, and damn the consequences. MEGALOBOX is so great that it’s difficult to pick out individual elements of its awesomeness, but special mention should go to the music, because it is amazing. The OST of this one should go down in history along with that of Bebop as the best that anime has to offer.

[artofpeacelove]

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Whether you were living with your partner before the pandemic or were forced into cohabitation due to “safer at home” initiatives, I’m guessing that by now, you’re at least somewhat bored with ideas for TV and takeout for at-home date night.

My boyfriend and I have taken to reminiscing about how we used to waste the (in retrospect) precious opportunity to be out at a restaurant, bar, or show with fighting over things like his disdain for Billie Eilish and my inability to stop name-dropping my (now famous) ex-boyfriend. Those were the days.

These days, we’d give anything to smile at one another from across a table in a crowded dining room or, you know, ignore each other while paying live performers to entertain us in a room too noisy for talking. TV, once a refuge from the incessant hustle of our lives, now feels like—I don’t know—the subtly maddening sound of a vacuum cleaner, or something.

To keep banality at bay, the other night I surprised my boyfriend with a glamorous tablescape, an impeccably-plated delivery meal, and a cocktail flight. It lifted both our moods and allowed us to have, for the first time since the pandemic upended our lives and 401(k) plans, some actual fun. For a similar shakeup, try one of the 10 quarantine-friendly at-home date night ideas below.

At-home date night ideas that don’t feel like a conjugal visit when you can’t leave the house

1. Go deep

Rachel Hoffman, head of therapy at NYC-based mental health studio Real, recommends using the found time and quietude of life at home to try the New York Times’ “36 questions that lead to love” or build a love map. If ever there was a time to share your every inner thought and entire life story with someone, it’s now.

2. co-host a soirée

“Hang out with friends on HouseParty,” suggests Jess O’Reilly, PhD, host of the @SexWithDrJess Podcast. “You don’t need to be all alone to enjoy date night (and you probably have more time alone than ever before). Hanging with friends allows you to see new and varied sides of your partner as they interact with different personalities.”

3. TRY LANGUAGE LESSONS

“I’m such a big advocate of the love languages,” says relationship therapist and author of The Sunnyside Up: Celebrating Happiness Lauren Cook. “So maybe take the love language quiz and find out what your partner’s love language style is, because a lot of times we love people how we like to be loved rather than loving our partner how they like to be loved.” This, she says, will serve as a thought-starter, or even conversation-starter, around how you want to apply the findings to your relationship.

4. Take to the stage

Dr. O’Reilly is a big fan of role playing, and she specifically recommends pretending you’re in a long-distance relationship with your currently-too-close beau. “If you have an app-enabled toy, like the suite of We-Vibe products, you can pair your vibrators with your partner’s phone and let them control the speed, pressure and intensity from another room,” she says.

5. go on a trip

(Not that kind.) Cook recommends you work together to plan the trip of your dreams for when this is all over. If you’re thinking far enough in the future (as in, 2021), you might even want to book it as there are bound to be more than a few travel deals on offer at present. Or, you could pretend you’re on said vacation, e.g. by approximating a Mexican getaway with margaritas, tacos and guac, festive decor, a beach-y screensaver and, if it’s still not sunny where you live, maybe a S.A.D. lamp. (J/K on that last one… maybe.)

6. bring the bar home

Dr. O’Reilly suggests ordering up a smattering of different wines or brews for a tasting. (The Minibar App is a good way to go about this if you’d like to support your local liquor story while staying #SaferAtHome. Or, if you and your liver are feeling extra, you can take this idea to the next level by replicating the in-home pub crawl made famous by one family on TikTok.

7. strip it down

“Play strip anything,” says Hoffman, in what seems to me to be very simple but legit advice. Poker, Monopoly, Animal Crossing… whatever.

8. practice the art of seduction

Dr. O’Reilly’s upcoming book, The Ultimate Guide to Seduction and Foreplay: Techniques and Strategies for Mind-Blowing Sex, includes a full seduction interview, which she says is an exercise that will help you get to know your partner better in terms of turn-ons (and offs). Sample questions include: “What are the best and worst times to initiate sexual contact?”; “Are there words or phrases you like to hear that might put you in the mood for sex?”; “Which areas of your body should I avoid?”; “Is there a certain amount of pressure you prefer?”; “Do you like the feeling of nails against your skin and if so, where do you like this type of touch?”; etc.

9. Sweat

Try an online workout together, then have a smoothie date afterward followed by a hot bath (champagne encouraged) or sexy shower.

10. Drive in

Some of you may be lucky enough to have an actual drive-in situation happening somewhere in your ‘hood. The rest of you may have to settle for ordering some movie theater snacks on Amazon and then parking in the driveway (or somewhere scenic where you won’t be a nuisance) with a laptop. Either way, necking is encouraged.

In a similar-but-different vein, you can also make each other act out your favorite film scenes (love and sex-related or otherwise); here, a fairly comprehensive script library.

Nothing sets the scene like a candle; here, 7 scented to be calming, too. Plus, advice on how to change the conversation when it’s stuck on COVID-19, because nothing says buzzkill like pandemic talk.

from Good Advice – Well+Good https://ift.tt/3c9vHk2 via IFTTT

[wikitopx]

Looking for farm-fresh cuisine in Vermont? Make a beeline for these brilliant Burlington restaurants.

If hearing the phrase "Burlington cuisine" conjures up thoughts of sprouted grains and hemp seeds, you’re not entirely off-course. Groovy natural food co-ops and funky coffee shops fill this scenic Vermont city (which was also home to the first Ben & Jerry’s). That said, the food scene here extends far beyond hippie fare from the ’70s, with menus ranging from Middle Eastern and modern Chinese to classic Italian and French. Here are top 10 best restaurants in Burlington Vt.

1. Honey Road

What is it? This new Mediterranean restaurant quickly garnered national attention when Chef Cara Chigazola Tobin was announced a 2018 James Beard Award semifinalist for "Best Chef Northeast" (the restaurant itself was also in the running for "Best New Restaurant"). The menu is made up entirely of mezze, dips, and breads, inviting guests to share. Bring a group to maximize tastes - you'll want to try everything.

Why Go? To sample vibrant Mediterranean small plates at the hottest ticket in town.

Price: Average

2. Hen of the Wood

What is it? Hen of the Wood's daily-changing menu offers rustic, seasonal dishes that allow local ingredients to shine. A homey hardwood theme extends throughout, with stacks upon stacks of firewood hinting at the kitchen's penchant for cooking meat, seafood, and vegetables via wood-fired oven. Try snagging a spot at the counter, where the open kitchen allows a glimpse of the chefs at work.

Why Go? For a taste of Burlington’s most celebrated farm-to-table cooking.

Price: Pricey

3. Penny Cluse Café

What is it? Ask someone from Burlington where to go for brunch, and they're likely to point you towards Penny Cluse. Enduring the long line that's guaranteed to form on weekends at this sunny daytime eatery is considered a rite of passage, and even if you're there for lunch, don't leave without getting the famous gingerbread pancakes for the table.

Why Go? For Burlington’s favorite brunch spot of twenty years serving up the freshest morning eats in town.

Price: Average

4. Pizzeria Verità

What is it? Burlington has no shortage of pizza spots, but none quite match the level of quality Pizzeria Verità is known for. It's not the raucous slice shop you'd bring a kids' soccer team to after practice; rather, its cozy digs are ideal for an intimate date night or small group gathering. Come for the Neapolitan-style pies, and stay for the expertly-made craft cocktails.

Why Go? For the wood-fired oven churning out over twenty varieties of pizzas to sample.

Price: Average

5. Pho Hong

What is it? Like a lot of great Asian restaurants, Pho Hong ain't fancy, but packs a real punch where it matters: the dishes. The big steaming bowls of pho, flavorful stir-fries and curries, and affordable prices are the main things that attract the locals and loca students alike. That and the BYOB policy. For the warmer months, there's plenty of seating outside.

Why Go? Not even the colourfully painted walls could outshine this Vietnamese food.

Price: Average

6. A Single Pebble

What is it? It's no secret that A Single Pebble serves the freshest Chinese food in Burlington – possibly in the entire Green Mountain State. The modern Chinese restaurant has received national praise, most notably from Alton Brown on the Food Network show, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." Portions are huge, and sharing is encouraged courtesy of the Lazy Susans donning each table.

Why Go? It’s not every day you find life-affirming Chinese food served in an old Victorian house.

Price: Average

7. Istanbul Kebab House

What is it? Opened by Turkish immigrants, Istanbul Kebab House is casual enough for a spontaneous weekday dinner that still feels special. True to its name, the menu features an abundance of meat and seafood kebabs, along with assorted mezze dishes for sharing. One advantage to visiting during Burlington’s warmer, off-peak season is being able to dine on the canopy-covered rooftop.

Why Go? To feast on soul-warming Turkish food in an inviting atmosphere.

Price: Average

8. Duino Duende

      What is it? With the bookshelves (full of books), cosy lampshades and multcoloured lights strung up all over the place, Duino Duende gives off a more homely, pub vibe than a restaurant serving international cuisine. But if you're after something adventurous, then thisis the place to come. Start with Korean tacos from LA, followed by chicken and waffles from the South and wash it all down with a Modelo Especial Mexican lager.

Why Go? Take a culinary journey around the world wthout leaving your table.

Price: Average

9. Trattoria Delia

What is it? Imagine exposed old stone walls, chunky wooden ceiling beams and romantically low lighting and you'll likely have a picture of Trattoria Delia in mind. All its ageing charm comes from the fact that the restaurant is housed in an early-nineteenth century building. The menu is just as classic as the decor, with traditional Italian fare on offer. Expect typical dishes like ragu and lasagne, alongside the likes of pollo al mattone ('chicken under a brick' – a brick of potatoes) and acqua pazza ('crazy water' AKA mixed seafood soup).

Why Go? Perfect pasta in a cosy venue that'd make for a great date.

Price: Average

10. Leunig’s Bistro

What is it? Located on bustling Church Street, Leunig's exudes Parisian glamour (think: twinkling lights and Art Deco design elements) with convivial warmth. Live jazz often accompanies the traditional French dishes, and insiders know that skipping out on the otherworldly desserts here should be considered criminal. On Sundays, enjoy the epic brunch menu on the outdoor patio for the ultimate people-watching experience.

Why Go? The upscale French food has been delighting Vermonters since 1980.

Price: Pricey

RECOMMEND: Top 10 things to do in Burlington, Vermont

  From : https://wikitopx.com/food/top-10-best-restaurants-in-burlington-vt-700464.html

[marcusssanderson]

56 Anais Nin Quotes on Love, Travel, Life and Friends

Our latest collection of Anais Nin quotes on Everyday Power Blog! Enjoy!

Anais Nin was a French-American diarist, essayist, novelist, and writer who is most known for her published diaries. She wrote several novels, critical studies, essays, short stories, and volumes of erotica.

Born to Cuban parents in France, Nin spent her childhood and early life in Europe before moving to the U.S. where she became an established author.

Nin died of cervical cancer in 1977, in Los Angeles, California. She will always be remembered for her unique expression of femininity, her lyrical style, and her psychological insight.

In honor of the late literary figure, below is our collection of Anais Nin quotes, collected from a variety of sources over the years.

Anais Nin Quotes on Love, Travel, Life and Friends

1.) Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. – Anais Nin

2.) Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country. – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about love and instincts

3.) I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman. – Anais Nin

4.) The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself. – Anais Nin

5.) “The same chemicals were used in the cooking as were used on the composition of her own being: only those which caused the most violent reaction, contradiction, and teasing, the refusal to answer questions but the love of putting them, and all the strong spices of human relationship which bore a relation to black pepper, paprika, soybean sauce, ketchup and red peppers.” ― Anaïs Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about life and vision

6.) We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. – Anais Nin

7.) Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death. – Anais Nin

8.) The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery. – Anais Nin

9.) “There are books which we read early in life, which sink into our consciousness and seem to disappear without leaving a trace. And then one day we find, in some summing-up of our life and put attitudes towards experience, that their influence has been enormous.” ― Anaïs Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about friends and love

10.) Do not seek the because – in love there is no because, no reason, no explanation, no solutions. – Anais Nin

11.) Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don’t know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings – Anais Nin

12.) We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect. – Anais Nin

13.) And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes travel

14.) How wrong is it for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself? – Anais Nin

15.) We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations. – Anais Nin

16.) I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger as reason. I am so thirsty for the marvelous that only the marvelous has power over me. Anything I can not transform into something marvelous, I let go. Reality doesn’t impress me. I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls. – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about love and courage

17.) Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage – Anais Nin

18.) Worlds self made are so full of monsters and demons. – Anais Nin

19.) Only in the fever of creation could she recreate her own lost life. – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about life

20.) In the world of the dreamer there was solitude: all the exaltations and joys came in the moment of preparation for living. They took place in solitude. – Anais Nin

21.) Every word you wrote I ate, as if it were manna. – Anais Nin

22.) Human beings can reach such desperate solitude that they may cross a boundary beyond which words cannot serve, and at such moments there is nothing left for them but to bark. – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about friends

23.) Solitude may rust your words. – Anais Nin

24.) “I only regret that everybody wants to deprive me of the journal, which is the only steadfast friend I have, the only one which makes my life bearable, because my happiness with human beings is so precarious, my confiding moods rare, and the least sign of non-interest is enough to silence me. In the journal I am at ease.” ― Anaïs Nin

25.) “I will not be just a tourist in the world of images, just watching images passing by which I cannot live in, make love to, possess as permanent sources of joy and ecstasy.” ― Anaïs Nin

26.) You write while you are alive. You do not preserve them in alcohol until the moment you are ready to write about them. – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about travel

27.) “I love her for what she has dared to be, for her hardness, her cruelty, her egoism, her perverseness, her demoniac destructiveness. She would crush me to ashes without hesitation. She is a personality created to the limit. I worship her courage to hurt, and I am willing to be sacrificed to it. She will add the sum of me to her. She will be June plus all that I contain.” ― Anaïs Nin

28.) “Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.” ― Anaïs Nin

29.) Art is the method of levitation, in order to separate one’s self from enslavement by the earth. – Anais Nin

30.) Life is so fluid that one can only hope to capture the living moment, to capture it alive and fresh … without destroying that moment. – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about love

31.) “I’m in love with New York. It matches my mood. I’m not overwhelmed. It is the suitable scene for my ever ever heightened life. I love the proportions, the amplitude, the brilliance, the polish, the solidity. I look up at Radio City insolently and love it. It’s all great, and Babylonian. Broadway at night. Cellophane. The newness. The vitality. True, it is only physical. But it’s inspiring. Just bring your own contents, and you create a sparkle of the highest power. I’m not moved, not speechless. I stand straight, tough and I meet the impact. I feel the glow and the dancing in everything. The radio music in the taxis, scientific magic, which can all be used lyrically. That’s my last word. Give New York to a poet. He can use it. It can be poetized. Or maybe that’s mania of mine, to poetize. I live lightly, smoothly, actively, ears or eyes wide open, alert, oiled! I feel the glow and the dancing in every thing and the tempo is like that of my blood. I’m at once beyond, over and in New York, tasting it fully.” ― Anaïs Nin

32.) The final lesson a writer learns is that everything can nourish the writer.  – Anais Nin

33.) It is the function of art to renew our perception. What we are familiar with we cease to see. The writer shakes up the familiar scene, and as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it. – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about friends

34.) Reality doesn’t impress me. I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls. – Anais Nin

35.) Ordinary life does not interest me. I seek only the high moments. – Anais Nin

36.) “Some people read to confirm their own hopelessness. Others read to be rescued from it.” ― Anaïs Nin

37.) Nothing too long imagined can be perfect in a wordly way. – Anais Nin

38.) “Introspection is a devouring monster. You have to feed it with much material, much experience, many people, many places, many loves, many creations, and then it ceases feeding on you.” ― Anaïs Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about travel

39.) To withhold from living is to die … the more you give of yourself to life the more life nourishes you. – Anais Nin

40.) “I feel that from the very beginning life played a terrible conjurer’s trick on me. I lost faith in it. It seems to me that every moment now it is playing tricks on me. So that when I hear love I am not sure it is love, and when I hear gaiety I am not sure it is gaiety, and when I have eaten and loved and I am all warm from wine, I am not sure it is either love or food or wine, but a strange trick being played on me, an illusion, slippery and baffling and malicious, and a magician hangs behind me watching the ecstasy I feel at the things which happen so that I know deep down it is all fluid and escaping and may vanish at any moment. Don’t forget to write me a letter and tell me I was here, and I saw you, and loved you, and ate with you. It is all so evanescent and I love it so much, I love it as you love the change in the days.” ― Anaïs Nin

41.) When others asked the truth of me, I was convinced it was not the truth they wanted, but an illusion they could bear to live with – Anais Nin

42.) To lie, of course, is to engender insanity. – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes and life

43.) Anxiety is love’s greatest killer. It makes one feel as you might when a drowning man holds unto you. You want to save him, but you know he will strangle you with his panic. – Anais Nin

44.) All those who try to unveil the mysteries always have tragic lives. At the end they are always punished. – Anais Nin

45.) “There were always in me, two women at least, one woman desperate and bewildered, who felt she was drowning and another who would leap into a scene, as upon a stage, conceal her true emotions because they were weaknesses, helplessness, despair, and present to the world only a smile, an eagerness, curiosity, enthusiasm, interest.” ― Anaïs Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about love

46.) “There are only two kinds of freedom in the world; the freedom of the rich and powerful, and the freedom of the artist and the monk who renounces possessions.” ― Anaïs Nin

47.) My life is slowed up by thought and the need to understand what I am living. – Anais Nin

48.) But I lie. I embellish. My words are not deep enough. They disguise, they conceal. I will not rest until I have told of my descent into a sensuality which was as dark, as magnificent, as wild, as my moments of mystic creation have been dazzling, ecstatic, exalted. – Anais Nin

49.) I want my eroticism mixed with love. And deep love one does not often experience. – Anais Nin

50.) You must not fear, hold back, count or be a miser with your thoughts and feelings. It is also true that creation comes from an overflow, so you have to learn to intake, to imbibe, to nourish yourself and not be afraid of fullness. The fullness is like a tidal wave which then carries you, sweeps you into experience and into writing. Permit yourself to flow and overflow, allow for the rise in temperature, all the expansions and intensifications. Something is always born of excess: great art was born of great terrors, great loneliness, great inhibitions, instabilities, and it always balances them. If it seems to you that I move in a world of certitudes, you, par contre, must benefit from the great privilege of youth, which is that you move in a world of mysteries. But both must be ruled by faith.” ― Anaïs Nin

51.) Whenever you do something that is not aligned with the yearning or your soul—you create suffering.” – Anais Nin

Anais Nin Quotes about travel

52.) I with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me innocent or naïve, who has the courage to treat me like a woman. – Anais Nin

53.) Passion gives me moments of wholeness. – Anais Nin

54.) Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together” – Anais Nin

55.) We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.” – Anais Nin

56.) Dreams are necessary to life. – Anais Nin

Did you enjoy these Anais Nin quotes?

Best known for her contribution to erotic literature, Anais Nin had a lot to say about love. And regardless of her polarizing personality, she is widely regarded as inspirational.

Nin’s volumes of work remain popular despite her death many years ago. Hopefully, the above quotes have inspired you as much as they inspired us.

Which of the above Anais Nin quotes was your favorite? Do you have any other inspirational quotes to add? Tell us in the comment section below.

The post 56 Anais Nin Quotes on Love, Travel, Life and Friends appeared first on Everyday Power Blog.

[readingsweetblueflowers]

Reviews of Sweet Blue Flowers omnibus volume 1

UPDATE 2018/03/18: Corrected the attribution on the Geekly Grind review. (The site was apparently moved and/or renamed.)

UPDATE 2017/12/09: Added two more reviews, from TheOASG and Otaku USA.

UPDATE 2017/11/03: Added two more reviews, from More Bedside Books and Experiments in Manga.

Now that I’ve finished my own comments on omnibus volume 1 of Sweet Blue Flowers, let’s take a look at what other people thought of it. Here’s a not-quite-comprehensive list of reviews of volume 1 that I found online. (I ignored reviews on YouTube since I’m allergic to watching video reviews.) I’ve listed the reviews in rough order based on the prominence of the reviewer and the insightfulness of their comments.

Erica Friedman at Okazu. Friedman is one of the most well-known promoters and reviewers of yuri manga and anime, and hers is the single most authoritative site in English for yuri-related news. She also did previous reviews of volume 1 and volume 2 of the Japanese edition of Sweet Blue Flowers (Aoi Hana), which together cover the material in omnibus volume 1. In this review she rated omnibus volume 1 as 8 out of 10 overall, with art and characters at 8 and story and “yuri” at 7.

Summary: “... although the opening and the ending are—in my opinion —very weak, the rest of the story is excellent. It’s got surprising depth and breadth. Characters that surround Fumi and Akira are as well-developed as they and as interesting. ... This is the version we all wanted. There’s no excuse not to buy it and support the author and folks at the publishing companies that brought it to us!”

My take: Friedman has been a big fan of Sweet Blue Flowers both in manga and anime form, and I think her judgements are generally sound. In particular I agree with her characterization of Sweet Blue Flowers as a modernized “Story A” and “[class] S for a new generation.” I also share her opinion regarding the weakness of the opening, although our reasons may differ slightly. (Based on other reviews I’ve read of hers, the “ending” she’s referring to is the ending of the entire series; I’ll comment on that when the time comes.)

Rose Bridges at Anime News Network. ANN is the most prominent anime news and review site; they also do a fair number of manga reviews. Bridges gave Sweet Blue Flowers an overall B+ grade, with a B for story and an A for art.

Summary: “Overall, this release is an excellent way to dive into a yuri manga that's a cut above the rest. Sweet Blue Flowers still has plenty of its genre’s trappings, but also enough bite for those seeking something more realistic.”

My take: As with Friedman, I basically agree with Bridges’s review, and think she has some useful things to highlight about the work thus far.

Amelia Cook at Otaku USA. Otaku USA is a print and online magazine covering anime and manga; Cook is also the founder of the Anime Feminist web site. Her review is favorable. She particularly calls out the depiction of the four main characters (Akira, Fumi, Yasuko, and Kyoko) as being realistic and nuanced. She rated Sweet Blue Flowers as “recommended”.

Summary: “Sweet Blue Flowers [paints] a picture of everyday life with complicated young women going through important formative experiences. You’ll end the 400-page volume rooting for them all to have a happy ending.”

My take: I found it interesting that Cook’s is the only review I’ve linked to thus far that calls out and (in my opinion, rightly) criticizes the inclusion of the subplot involving Akira’s brother. My only minor (and somewhat self-serving) quibble with Cook’s review is her claim that “The overwhelming impression is that this is yuri predominantly for queer women.” I agree that Shimura did not (and does not) write for the male gaze and goes beyond standard yuri tropes, and thus Sweet Blue Flowers would likely resonate more with queer women than many other yuri works. However I think the publishing history of the manga points toward it being intended for a mixed audience of both women and men, both queer and straight.

Helen at TheOASG. TheOASG is a group anime/manga blog. This is a generally favorable review, albeit with some concerns expressed about the use of yuri tropes, possible queer-baiting, and the reaction by Yasuko’s family to her and Fumi’s relationship being unrealistic. She rated Sweet Blue Flowers at 3 out of 5.

Summary: “Sweet Blue Flowers ... treats its characters as people, not characters created for the reader’s gaze but real teenaged girls dealing with the always overly-complicated world of high school. But it still remains to be seen just how many times these girls have their hearts broken and mended by the time they graduate.”

My take: I can understand Helen’s confusion about exactly what type of story Sweet Blue Flowers is supposed to be: cute schoolgirl yuri or a realistic depiction of a teenaged lesbian? As I’ve written previously, I think that ambiguity is actually deliberate on Shimura’s part. I’ll also note a minor error in the review: she mentions both schools as having active drama clubs, but this is true only of Fujigaya; the club at Matsuoka is in danger of being disbanded.

@livresdechevet at More Bedside Books. A generally favorable review that focuses in particular on translation issues and changes from previous digital releases of volume 1.

Summary: “All in all Sweet Blue Flowers is an enduring series about maturing and girls in love with other girls finally receiving print treatment in English. ... Whether someone is familiar with the genre and history or not it’s a story with characters that can reach out to teenagers as well as older readers.”

My take: Her point regarding the translation of Fumi’s interior thoughts regarding Chizu is a good reminder of the potential pitfalls of interpreting a work solely through a translation of it.

Ash Brown at Experiments in Manga. A generally favorable review that highlights Shimura’s artwork and its relation to theatrical performance, as well as the realism of character actions and interactions.

Summary: “Sweet Blue Flowers is a wonderful series. The manga is emotionally resonate, with a realistic portrayal of the experiences of young women who love other young women. The characterizations and character development in Sweet Blue Flowers in particular are marvelous. ... Sweet Blue Flowers is a relatively quiet story, but the emotional drama is powerful and the manga conveys a compelling sense of authenticity and honesty.”

My take: Brown makes a good point, that Shimura’s relatively simple artwork “is reminiscent of intentionally minimal set design used in some theatrical performances”. I also agree with Brown’s contention that “the characters’ involvement with the play [Wuthering Heights] is an important part of the series both aesthetically and thematically.” I hope to write more about this general point more in the future.

Eric Cline at AIPT. A generally favorable review. Cline liked the characters and how they were handled, and thought the artwork stood out. One criticism he voiced was regarding a lack of clarity in some scenes in terms of who was talking, and where the scenes fit in the overall timeline. He also questions the exact relevance of one character (apparently Kyoko) to the story.

Summary: “Overall, Sweet Blue Flowers Vol. 1 is a solid start for the series. The characters are likable and well introduced, and the artwork throughout is beautiful. With that said, none of the volume’s more emotional moments are very memorably so. This is a volume that shows promise and generates enough interest to warrant giving the next installment a look, but it doesn’t quite reach greatness as is. I would recommend it, but not enthusiastically so.”

My take: Cline is spot-on about Shimura’s narrative sometimes being difficult to follow; she often makes scene transitions without warning between two panels on the same page. I also agree with Cline about the limited emotional impact of some moments; I think this is a combination of our having spent limited time with the characters thus far, the somewhat artificial and schematic nature of Sweet Blue Flowers as an homage to and critique of the class S and yuri genres, and Shimura’s occasional tendency to emotional distancing in her story-telling. As for Kyoko, I think she is and likely will be a key character in the story.

Ruthsic at YA on My Mind (also at Krutula at GoodReads). An overall favorable review that highlights the art, characters, and good handling of lesbian themes. She rates it 4 stars out of 5.

Summary: “Overall, a manga I am really looking forward to read more of. (There’s also an anime of it, and I am so going to watch it!)”

My take: She makes a good point about the setting of Sweet Blue Flowers being “contemporary, but without the homophobia”, presumably in service to this being a “feel good” story as opposed to a truly realistic one.

Sean Gaffney at A Case Suitable for Treatment. A favorable review from a manga-focused site. He acknowledges that the long delay in bringing out a complete official translation of Sweet Blue Flowers makes it seem less distinctive compared to more recent works like Bloom Into You or Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl.

Summary: “Sweet Blue Flowers is absolutely worth reading and checking out, both if you like yuri and if you like Takako Shimura. It’s also only four omnibuses, so shouldn’t devastate your bookshelf too much.”

Alexandra Nutting (writing as EyeSpyeAlex) at The Geekly Grind. A favorable review on a site focused on anime, manga, and video games.

Summary: “At the end of the day, I really enjoy Sweet Blue Flowers. The characters feel real and have a depth and complexity to their lives. While the visuals could be a little more striking, it fits the down to earth tone of the manga.”

My take: The reviewer praises Sweet Blue Flowers for its “authenticity”, and notes that it is melodramatic but not overly so. I think this is about right.

Leroy Douresseaux at ComicBookBin. A favorable review (score 8 out of 10) on a general comics site.

Summary: “Fans of yuri and shojo romance will want to smell the Sweet Blue Flowers.”

My take: A fairly brief and vanilla review, though it does make an interesting point about the confusion due to the number of characters and their different feelings evoking the state of confusion the characters find themselves in.

And one final “not really a review” item:

Rachel Thorn at Twitter. Thorn asked for opinions on Sweet Blue Flowers, apparently for an article she’s writing on Takako Shimura’s work. (Thorn announced separately that she’s completed the article, but hasn’t announced when or where it will be published, or whether it’s in English or Japanese. However from something Erica Friedman wrote elsewhere I believe it may be intended for the Japanese magazine Eureka.) Warning: Some of the replies have mild spoilers for the end of the manga.

[trancecreator]

Downtown Austin Apartments For Rent

Art, food, and music deep in the heart of Texas. Walkable Bike-Friendly Food Dining Music Nightlife College

The stunning Texas Capitol towers over the landscape of Downtown Austin, quite possibly the hottest neighborhood in one of America’s favorite cities. Austin’s truly legendary nightlife scene is certainly not restricted to the famous 6th Street, although this particular Downtown thoroughfare definitely has its share of noteworthy watering holes. Live music is an integral element of the city, and nowhere is this more apparent than Downtown, where stages and venues of every description kick out a variety of tunes every night of the week. And of course, living in Downtown Austin comes with the benefit of one of America’s best selections of food, from exceptional local favorites like barbecue and Tex-Mex to eclectic food trucks and exotic international fare.

From a more practical standpoint, living in Downtown Austin puts you right at the heart of the city’s thriving business and government centers, meaning that many locals live near enough to walk or bike to work. The University of Texas campus sits just north of Downtown, making it an excellent location for students, faculty, and collegiate staff, as well as folks who want to be within walking distance of Longhorns home games.

Rent Trends

As of October 2017, the average apartment rent in Austin, TX is $1,595 for a studio, $2,125 for one bedroom, $3,234 for two bedrooms, and $5,975 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Austin has increased by 3.2% in the past year.

Ratings Living in Downtown

The downtown neighborhood provides hungry locals with dining options for all tastes and budgets. Participate in a traditional Austin Sunday brunch at Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, and feast on Southern comfort food. Be prepared for a wait, as locals show up in droves for the fried chicken and waffles, cheddar grits, and green chile macaroni. Head to Koriente for a quick, healthy dinner, and order the pan-seared ahi tuna served over a bed of greens, bell peppers and rice. This family-owned Asian fusion eatery prides itself on supplying Austin with fresh ingredients and affordable meals, and you can customize any dish with gluten-free and vegetarian substitutions. Join the late-night masses at the Kebabalicious food trailer for a perfectly hearty meal to end an eventful night out at the bars. Treat yourself to the beef or lamb kebab or a falafel wrap with tzatziki sauce, and don’t forget to add the feisty feta.

Enjoy world-famous barbecue at Franklin, where you can buy brisket and ribs by the pound. Bon Appetit magazine named Franklin the "Best BBQ" in the country, so you’ll definitely want to add this BBQ joint to your must-visit list when you move to Austin. If you have room, end your meal with a slice of pecan pie.

Austinites swarm downtown at night and on the weekends, with varying bar scenes depending on your mood. The famous 6th Street nightlife scene attracts a crowd as bars line both sides of the street, which closes off to traffic and becomes a pedestrian-only area on weekend nights. For a more laid-back vibe, make your way to Rainey Street, where you can find charming cottages that have turned into eclectic bars. Order a local beer at Icenhauer’s, where it feels like you’re sitting in the backyard of a friend’s house. Tucked away on a quiet side street, the Firehouse Lounge & Hostel serves craft cocktails in a secretive speakeasy setting. Enter the hidden bar by opening the sliding bookcase in the hostel lobby.

The Red River district revolves around live music, and music venues large and small line the streets. Catch a show any night of the week at the Mohawk, revered by locals, where you can see anyone from big musicians to obscure indie bands of all genres.

The city of Austin was born in this neighborhood. The streets maintain the same grid-like format designed by the first governing officials, and historic buildings have retained their original architecture along Congress Avenue. Following the establishment of the University of Texas and the state Capitol, Austin became a hub for education, politics, and commerce during the 1900s. The city has skyrocketed in size and population, with downtown being the thriving heartbeat of its economy and culture.

Tour the monumental Texas State Capitol, and witness government legislature in action. Hear the stories of Texas’ people at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and celebrate the Día de Los Muertos festival at the Mexic-Arte Museum. The annual SxSW festival showcases the latest in film, tech and music from around the world at hundreds of venues downtown, including the Austin Convention Center and the live music joints on Red River Street.

As the most walkable neighborhood in Austin, locals scuttle about their busy days commuting to work or running errands nearby. Parking can be hard to come by during business hours and on weekend evenings, and you have to pay for your spot with the exception of Mondays through Wednesdays after 6 p.m. and all day Sundays. Hailing a cab should be a breeze, but on those crowded weekend nights, ordering an Uber ride could be more efficient than searching for an open taxi. Locals also use Car2Go, a network of Smart cars that members can rent throughout the city and park anywhere for free.

The Capital Metro bus system blankets the downtown area, making it easy for Austinites to forgo the use of a car. The only Metro Rail line in Austin begins downtown and runs through northern Austin.

Exercise caution when biking downtown, as traffic can be quite hectic at times, although bike lanes do exist on many roads. The main north-south freeways in Austin sandwich downtown, with I-35 on the eastern side and Mopac Loop 1 to the west.

Downtown’s cost of living rests at 22 percent above Austin’s average. Housing in this area can be very expensive, with an average rental rate of $2,165 for a one-bedroom residence. A single ride on the bus costs $1.25, and a day pass runs $2.50. As opposed to housing, beer turns out to be relatively affordable for a big city, at about $5 for a pint, with most places offering happy-hour discounts. Gas prices in this neighborhood tend to fall about 9 percent below the national average.

Austinites classify downtown as a shopper’s paradise thanks to high-end boutiques, chain retailers and quirky local shops that embody the city’s entrepreneurial spirit. Check out Toy Joy with some friends, and find virtually any nostalgic toy you can remember, or just stare in amazement at the selection of oddball trinkets and games. This legendary toy shop has been around since the 1980s and has relocated to the 2nd Street District, the contemporary nucleus of downtown shopping. Locals consider BookPeople, which showcases both modern and classic authors of all genres, to be more of a destination than a bookstore. Staff picks appear on the shelves to guide readers, and the community gathers here to attend frequent book signings by well-known authors.

A few small, urban markets owned by Royal Blue Grocery dot the area. Part convenience store with prepared foods and part grocery store with fresh produce, this upscale vendor opens early and closes late to accommodate the needs of downtown dwellers. The flagship Whole Foods Market resides in the downtown neighborhood, and its in-house café, bar, wine cellar, cooking classes and rooftop events make it much more than your average grocery store. Stock up on locally farmed fruits and vegetables at the SFC Farmers’ Market at 4th & Guadalupe every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At the southern edge of downtown, the highlight of outdoor recreation in Austin revolves around Ladybird Lake, where locals stave off the heat by kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Take your dog for a walk along the public Hike and Bike Trail, and enjoy scenic views of the skyline and river. Play disc golf with the family at the Auditorium Shores field, which also hosts the hip music and comedy festival Fun Fun Fun Fest and numerous SxSW music showcases. Republic Square Park serves as a green escape amid a sea of tall buildings, holding a free outdoor movie series in the summer put on by the Alamo Drafthouse. The Austin Food and Wine Festival takes over the historical square to kick off its festivities each spring, and free Yoga in the Park occurs every Wednesday during the spring and fall.

Art, food, and music deep in the heart of Texas. Walkable Bike-Friendly Food Dining Music Nightlife College

The stunning Texas Capitol towers over the landscape of Downtown Austin, quite possibly the hottest neighborhood in one of America’s favorite cities. Austin’s truly legendary nightlife scene is certainly not restricted to the famous 6th Street, although this particular Downtown thoroughfare definitely has its share of noteworthy watering holes. Live music is an integral element of the city, and nowhere is this more apparent than Downtown, where stages and venues of every description kick out a variety of tunes every night of the week. And of course, living in Downtown Austin comes with the benefit of one of America’s best selections of food, from exceptional local favorites like barbecue and Tex-Mex to eclectic food trucks and exotic international fare.

From a more practical standpoint, living in Downtown Austin puts you right at the heart of the city’s thriving business and government centers, meaning that many locals live near enough to walk or bike to work. The University of Texas campus sits just north of Downtown, making it an excellent location for students, faculty, and collegiate staff, as well as folks who want to be within walking distance of Longhorns home games.

Rent Trends

As of October 2017, the average apartment rent in Austin, TX is $1,595 for a studio, $2,125 for one bedroom, $3,234 for two bedrooms, and $5,975 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Austin has increased by 3.2% in the past year.

Ratings Living in Downtown

The downtown neighborhood provides hungry locals with dining options for all tastes and budgets. Participate in a traditional Austin Sunday brunch at Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, and feast on Southern comfort food. Be prepared for a wait, as locals show up in droves for the fried chicken and waffles, cheddar grits, and green chile macaroni. Head to Koriente for a quick, healthy dinner, and order the pan-seared ahi tuna served over a bed of greens, bell peppers and rice. This family-owned Asian fusion eatery prides itself on supplying Austin with fresh ingredients and affordable meals, and you can customize any dish with gluten-free and vegetarian substitutions. Join the late-night masses at the Kebabalicious food trailer for a perfectly hearty meal to end an eventful night out at the bars. Treat yourself to the beef or lamb kebab or a falafel wrap with tzatziki sauce, and don’t forget to add the feisty feta.

Enjoy world-famous barbecue at Franklin, where you can buy brisket and ribs by the pound. Bon Appetit magazine named Franklin the "Best BBQ" in the country, so you’ll definitely want to add this BBQ joint to your must-visit list when you move to Austin. If you have room, end your meal with a slice of pecan pie.

Austinites swarm downtown at night and on the weekends, with varying bar scenes depending on your mood. The famous 6th Street nightlife scene attracts a crowd as bars line both sides of the street, which closes off to traffic and becomes a pedestrian-only area on weekend nights. For a more laid-back vibe, make your way to Rainey Street, where you can find charming cottages that have turned into eclectic bars. Order a local beer at Icenhauer’s, where it feels like you’re sitting in the backyard of a friend’s house. Tucked away on a quiet side street, the Firehouse Lounge & Hostel serves craft cocktails in a secretive speakeasy setting. Enter the hidden bar by opening the sliding bookcase in the hostel lobby.

The Red River district revolves around live music, and music venues large and small line the streets. Catch a show any night of the week at the Mohawk, revered by locals, where you can see anyone from big musicians to obscure indie bands of all genres.

The city of Austin was born in this neighborhood. The streets maintain the same grid-like format designed by the first governing officials, and historic buildings have retained their original architecture along Congress Avenue. Following the establishment of the University of Texas and the state Capitol, Austin became a hub for education, politics, and commerce during the 1900s. The city has skyrocketed in size and population, with downtown being the thriving heartbeat of its economy and culture.

Tour the monumental Texas State Capitol, and witness government legislature in action. Hear the stories of Texas’ people at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and celebrate the Día de Los Muertos festival at the Mexic-Arte Museum. The annual SxSW festival showcases the latest in film, tech and music from around the world at hundreds of venues downtown, including the Austin Convention Center and the live music joints on Red River Street.

As the most walkable neighborhood in Austin, locals scuttle about their busy days commuting to work or running errands nearby. Parking can be hard to come by during business hours and on weekend evenings, and you have to pay for your spot with the exception of Mondays through Wednesdays after 6 p.m. and all day Sundays. Hailing a cab should be a breeze, but on those crowded weekend nights, ordering an Uber ride could be more efficient than searching for an open taxi. Locals also use Car2Go, a network of Smart cars that members can rent throughout the city and park anywhere for free.

The Capital Metro bus system blankets the downtown area, making it easy for Austinites to forgo the use of a car. The only Metro Rail line in Austin begins downtown and runs through northern Austin.

Exercise caution when biking downtown, as traffic can be quite hectic at times, although bike lanes do exist on many roads. The main north-south freeways in Austin sandwich downtown, with I-35 on the eastern side and Mopac Loop 1 to the west.

Downtown’s cost of living rests at 22 percent above Austin’s average. Housing in this area can be very expensive, with an average rental rate of $2,165 for a one-bedroom residence. A single ride on the bus costs $1.25, and a day pass runs $2.50. As opposed to housing, beer turns out to be relatively affordable for a big city, at about $5 for a pint, with most places offering happy-hour discounts. Gas prices in this neighborhood tend to fall about 9 percent below the national average.

Austinites classify downtown as a shopper’s paradise thanks to high-end boutiques, chain retailers and quirky local shops that embody the city’s entrepreneurial spirit. Check out Toy Joy with some friends, and find virtually any nostalgic toy you can remember, or just stare in amazement at the selection of oddball trinkets and games. This legendary toy shop has been around since the 1980s and has relocated to the 2nd Street District, the contemporary nucleus of downtown shopping. Locals consider BookPeople, which showcases both modern and classic authors of all genres, to be more of a destination than a bookstore. Staff picks appear on the shelves to guide readers, and the community gathers here to attend frequent book signings by well-known authors.

A few small, urban markets owned by Royal Blue Grocery dot the area. Part convenience store with prepared foods and part grocery store with fresh produce, this upscale vendor opens early and closes late to accommodate the needs of downtown dwellers. The flagship Whole Foods Market resides in the downtown neighborhood, and its in-house café, bar, wine cellar, cooking classes and rooftop events make it much more than your average grocery store. Stock up on locally farmed fruits and vegetables at the SFC Farmers’ Market at 4th & Guadalupe every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At the southern edge of downtown, the highlight of outdoor recreation in Austin revolves around Ladybird Lake, where locals stave off the heat by kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Take your dog for a walk along the public Hike and Bike Trail, and enjoy scenic views of the skyline and river. Play disc golf with the family at the Auditorium Shores field, which also hosts the hip music and comedy festival Fun Fun Fun Fest and numerous SxSW music showcases. Republic Square Park serves as a green escape amid a sea of tall buildings, holding a free outdoor movie series in the summer put on by the Alamo Drafthouse. The Austin Food and Wine Festival takes over the historical square to kick off its festivities each spring, and free Yoga in the Park occurs every Wednesday during the spring and fall.

Art, food, and music deep in the heart of Texas. Walkable Bike-Friendly Food Dining Music Nightlife College

The stunning Texas Capitol towers over the landscape of Downtown Austin, quite possibly the hottest neighborhood in one of America’s favorite cities. Austin’s truly legendary nightlife scene is certainly not restricted to the famous 6th Street, although this particular Downtown thoroughfare definitely has its share of noteworthy watering holes. Live music is an integral element of the city, and nowhere is this more apparent than Downtown, where stages and venues of every description kick out a variety of tunes every night of the week. And of course, living in Downtown Austin comes with the benefit of one of America’s best selections of food, from exceptional local favorites like barbecue and Tex-Mex to eclectic food trucks and exotic international fare.

From a more practical standpoint, living in Downtown Austin puts you right at the heart of the city’s thriving business and government centers, meaning that many locals live near enough to walk or bike to work. The University of Texas campus sits just north of Downtown, making it an excellent location for students, faculty, and collegiate staff, as well as folks who want to be within walking distance of Longhorns home games.

Rent Trends

As of October 2017, the average apartment rent in Austin, TX is $1,595 for a studio, $2,125 for one bedroom, $3,234 for two bedrooms, and $5,975 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Austin has increased by 3.2% in the past year.

Ratings Living in Downtown

The downtown neighborhood provides hungry locals with dining options for all tastes and budgets. Participate in a traditional Austin Sunday brunch at Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, and feast on Southern comfort food. Be prepared for a wait, as locals show up in droves for the fried chicken and waffles, cheddar grits, and green chile macaroni. Head to Koriente for a quick, healthy dinner, and order the pan-seared ahi tuna served over a bed of greens, bell peppers and rice. This family-owned Asian fusion eatery prides itself on supplying Austin with fresh ingredients and affordable meals, and you can customize any dish with gluten-free and vegetarian substitutions. Join the late-night masses at the Kebabalicious food trailer for a perfectly hearty meal to end an eventful night out at the bars. Treat yourself to the beef or lamb kebab or a falafel wrap with tzatziki sauce, and don’t forget to add the feisty feta.

Enjoy world-famous barbecue at Franklin, where you can buy brisket and ribs by the pound. Bon Appetit magazine named Franklin the "Best BBQ" in the country, so you’ll definitely want to add this BBQ joint to your must-visit list when you move to Austin. If you have room, end your meal with a slice of pecan pie.

Austinites swarm downtown at night and on the weekends, with varying bar scenes depending on your mood. The famous 6th Street nightlife scene attracts a crowd as bars line both sides of the street, which closes off to traffic and becomes a pedestrian-only area on weekend nights. For a more laid-back vibe, make your way to Rainey Street, where you can find charming cottages that have turned into eclectic bars. Order a local beer at Icenhauer’s, where it feels like you’re sitting in the backyard of a friend’s house. Tucked away on a quiet side street, the Firehouse Lounge & Hostel serves craft cocktails in a secretive speakeasy setting. Enter the hidden bar by opening the sliding bookcase in the hostel lobby.

The Red River district revolves around live music, and music venues large and small line the streets. Catch a show any night of the week at the Mohawk, revered by locals, where you can see anyone from big musicians to obscure indie bands of all genres.

The city of Austin was born in this neighborhood. The streets maintain the same grid-like format designed by the first governing officials, and historic buildings have retained their original architecture along Congress Avenue. Following the establishment of the University of Texas and the state Capitol, Austin became a hub for education, politics, and commerce during the 1900s. The city has skyrocketed in size and population, with downtown being the thriving heartbeat of its economy and culture.

Tour the monumental Texas State Capitol, and witness government legislature in action. Hear the stories of Texas’ people at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and celebrate the Día de Los Muertos festival at the Mexic-Arte Museum. The annual SxSW festival showcases the latest in film, tech and music from around the world at hundreds of venues downtown, including the Austin Convention Center and the live music joints on Red River Street.

As the most walkable neighborhood in Austin, locals scuttle about their busy days commuting to work or running errands nearby. Parking can be hard to come by during business hours and on weekend evenings, and you have to pay for your spot with the exception of Mondays through Wednesdays after 6 p.m. and all day Sundays. Hailing a cab should be a breeze, but on those crowded weekend nights, ordering an Uber ride could be more efficient than searching for an open taxi. Locals also use Car2Go, a network of Smart cars that members can rent throughout the city and park anywhere for free.

The Capital Metro bus system blankets the downtown area, making it easy for Austinites to forgo the use of a car. The only Metro Rail line in Austin begins downtown and runs through northern Austin.

Exercise caution when biking downtown, as traffic can be quite hectic at times, although bike lanes do exist on many roads. The main north-south freeways in Austin sandwich downtown, with I-35 on the eastern side and Mopac Loop 1 to the west.

Downtown’s cost of living rests at 22 percent above Austin’s average. Housing in this area can be very expensive, with an average rental rate of $2,165 for a one-bedroom residence. A single ride on the bus costs $1.25, and a day pass runs $2.50. As opposed to housing, beer turns out to be relatively affordable for a big city, at about $5 for a pint, with most places offering happy-hour discounts. Gas prices in this neighborhood tend to fall about 9 percent below the national average.

Austinites classify downtown as a shopper’s paradise thanks to high-end boutiques, chain retailers and quirky local shops that embody the city’s entrepreneurial spirit. Check out Toy Joy with some friends, and find virtually any nostalgic toy you can remember, or just stare in amazement at the selection of oddball trinkets and games. This legendary toy shop has been around since the 1980s and has relocated to the 2nd Street District, the contemporary nucleus of downtown shopping. Locals consider BookPeople, which showcases both modern and classic authors of all genres, to be more of a destination than a bookstore. Staff picks appear on the shelves to guide readers, and the community gathers here to attend frequent book signings by well-known authors.

A few small, urban markets owned by Royal Blue Grocery dot the area. Part convenience store with prepared foods and part grocery store with fresh produce, this upscale vendor opens early and closes late to accommodate the needs of downtown dwellers. The flagship Whole Foods Market resides in the downtown neighborhood, and its in-house café, bar, wine cellar, cooking classes and rooftop events make it much more than your average grocery store. Stock up on locally farmed fruits and vegetables at the SFC Farmers’ Market at 4th & Guadalupe every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At the southern edge of downtown, the highlight of outdoor recreation in Austin revolves around Ladybird Lake, where locals stave off the heat by kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Take your dog for a walk along the public Hike and Bike Trail, and enjoy scenic views of the skyline and river. Play disc golf with the family at the Auditorium Shores field, which also hosts the hip music and comedy festival Fun Fun Fun Fest and numerous SxSW music showcases. Republic Square Park serves as a green escape amid a sea of tall buildings, holding a free outdoor movie series in the summer put on by the Alamo Drafthouse. The Austin Food and Wine Festival takes over the historical square to kick off its festivities each spring, and free Yoga in the Park occurs every Wednesday during the spring and fall.

Art, food, and music deep in the heart of Texas. Walkable Bike-Friendly Food Dining Music Nightlife College

The stunning Texas Capitol towers over the landscape of Downtown Austin, quite possibly the hottest neighborhood in one of America’s favorite cities. Austin’s truly legendary nightlife scene is certainly not restricted to the famous 6th Street, although this particular Downtown thoroughfare definitely has its share of noteworthy watering holes. Live music is an integral element of the city, and nowhere is this more apparent than Downtown, where stages and venues of every description kick out a variety of tunes every night of the week. And of course, living in Downtown Austin comes with the benefit of one of America’s best selections of food, from exceptional local favorites like barbecue and Tex-Mex to eclectic food trucks and exotic international fare.

From a more practical standpoint, living in Downtown Austin puts you right at the heart of the city’s thriving business and government centers, meaning that many locals live near enough to walk or bike to work. The University of Texas campus sits just north of Downtown, making it an excellent location for students, faculty, and collegiate staff, as well as folks who want to be within walking distance of Longhorns home games.

Rent Trends

As of October 2017, the average apartment rent in Austin, TX is $1,603 for a studio, $2,119 for one bedroom, $3,240 for two bedrooms, and $5,966 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Austin has increased by 3.0% in the past year.

Ratings Living in Downtown

The downtown neighborhood provides hungry locals with dining options for all tastes and budgets. Participate in a traditional Austin Sunday brunch at Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, and feast on Southern comfort food. Be prepared for a wait, as locals show up in droves for the fried chicken and waffles, cheddar grits, and green chile macaroni. Head to Koriente for a quick, healthy dinner, and order the pan-seared ahi tuna served over a bed of greens, bell peppers and rice. This family-owned Asian fusion eatery prides itself on supplying Austin with fresh ingredients and affordable meals, and you can customize any dish with gluten-free and vegetarian substitutions. Join the late-night masses at the Kebabalicious food trailer for a perfectly hearty meal to end an eventful night out at the bars. Treat yourself to the beef or lamb kebab or a falafel wrap with tzatziki sauce, and don’t forget to add the feisty feta.

Enjoy world-famous barbecue at Franklin, where you can buy brisket and ribs by the pound. Bon Appetit magazine named Franklin the "Best BBQ" in the country, so you’ll definitely want to add this BBQ joint to your must-visit list when you move to Austin. If you have room, end your meal with a slice of pecan pie.

Austinites swarm downtown at night and on the weekends, with varying bar scenes depending on your mood. The famous 6th Street nightlife scene attracts a crowd as bars line both sides of the street, which closes off to traffic and becomes a pedestrian-only area on weekend nights. For a more laid-back vibe, make your way to Rainey Street, where you can find charming cottages that have turned into eclectic bars. Order a local beer at Icenhauer’s, where it feels like you’re sitting in the backyard of a friend’s house. Tucked away on a quiet side street, the Firehouse Lounge & Hostel serves craft cocktails in a secretive speakeasy setting. Enter the hidden bar by opening the sliding bookcase in the hostel lobby.

The Red River district revolves around live music, and music venues large and small line the streets. Catch a show any night of the week at the Mohawk, revered by locals, where you can see anyone from big musicians to obscure indie bands of all genres.

The city of Austin was born in this neighborhood. The streets maintain the same grid-like format designed by the first governing officials, and historic buildings have retained their original architecture along Congress Avenue. Following the establishment of the University of Texas and the state Capitol, Austin became a hub for education, politics, and commerce during the 1900s. The city has skyrocketed in size and population, with downtown being the thriving heartbeat of its economy and culture.

Tour the monumental Texas State Capitol, and witness government legislature in action. Hear the stories of Texas’ people at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and celebrate the Día de Los Muertos festival at the Mexic-Arte Museum. The annual SxSW festival showcases the latest in film, tech and music from around the world at hundreds of venues downtown, including the Austin Convention Center and the live music joints on Red River Street.

As the most walkable neighborhood in Austin, locals scuttle about their busy days commuting to work or running errands nearby. Parking can be hard to come by during business hours and on weekend evenings, and you have to pay for your spot with the exception of Mondays through Wednesdays after 6 p.m. and all day Sundays. Hailing a cab should be a breeze, but on those crowded weekend nights, ordering an Uber ride could be more efficient than searching for an open taxi. Locals also use Car2Go, a network of Smart cars that members can rent throughout the city and park anywhere for free.

The Capital Metro bus system blankets the downtown area, making it easy for Austinites to forgo the use of a car. The only Metro Rail line in Austin begins downtown and runs through northern Austin.

Exercise caution when biking downtown, as traffic can be quite hectic at times, although bike lanes do exist on many roads. The main north-south freeways in Austin sandwich downtown, with I-35 on the eastern side and Mopac Loop 1 to the west.

Downtown’s cost of living rests at 22 percent above Austin’s average. Housing in this area can be very expensive, with an average rental rate of $2,165 for a one-bedroom residence. A single ride on the bus costs $1.25, and a day pass runs $2.50. As opposed to housing, beer turns out to be relatively affordable for a big city, at about $5 for a pint, with most places offering happy-hour discounts. Gas prices in this neighborhood tend to fall about 9 percent below the national average.

Austinites classify downtown as a shopper’s paradise thanks to high-end boutiques, chain retailers and quirky local shops that embody the city’s entrepreneurial spirit. Check out Toy Joy with some friends, and find virtually any nostalgic toy you can remember, or just stare in amazement at the selection of oddball trinkets and games. This legendary toy shop has been around since the 1980s and has relocated to the 2nd Street District, the contemporary nucleus of downtown shopping. Locals consider BookPeople, which showcases both modern and classic authors of all genres, to be more of a destination than a bookstore. Staff picks appear on the shelves to guide readers, and the community gathers here to attend frequent book signings by well-known authors.

A few small, urban markets owned by Royal Blue Grocery dot the area. Part convenience store with prepared foods and part grocery store with fresh produce, this upscale vendor opens early and closes late to accommodate the needs of downtown dwellers. The flagship Whole Foods Market resides in the downtown neighborhood, and its in-house café, bar, wine cellar, cooking classes and rooftop events make it much more than your average grocery store. Stock up on locally farmed fruits and vegetables at the SFC Farmers’ Market at 4th & Guadalupe every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At the southern edge of downtown, the highlight of outdoor recreation in Austin revolves around Ladybird Lake, where locals stave off the heat by kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Take your dog for a walk along the public Hike and Bike Trail, and enjoy scenic views of the skyline and river. Play disc golf with the family at the Auditorium Shores field, which also hosts the hip music and comedy festival Fun Fun Fun Fest and numerous SxSW music showcases. Republic Square Park serves as a green escape amid a sea of tall buildings, holding a free outdoor movie series in the summer put on by the Alamo Drafthouse. The Austin Food and Wine Festival takes over the historical square to kick off its festivities each spring, and free Yoga in the Park occurs every Wednesday during the spring and fall.

Source Article

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10 best dinner parties in the Twin Cities - CityPages

August 11, 2014

10. The Pop-Up Dinner Twin Cities If you want to enjoy a pop-up picnic on a gorgeous summer night with 500 other like-minded souls, your ability to email ASAP counts way more than your ability to cook: This flash dinner picnic on August 16 is bound to sell out. The event is held at a location kept secret until just before it starts and it's BYOP (as in picnic; tables and chairs are provided) but plan on throwing a little something extra in the basket for all the new friends you'll meet while dining in the great outdoors. In keeping with the simple summer vibe of this party, picnickers are encouraged to wear all-white attire and you can get as fancy (there are no rules against candelabras and caviar) or as simple (bread and cheese, anyone?) as you like. The dinner, which benefits the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, is a "leave no trace" event, so pack up everything before you leave and slip, like ghosts, off into the night. Tickets are $35 per person; guests must e-mail popup.twincities@gmail.com to receive an invitation to register.

9. Twin Cities Food Tours Who said you have to have a dinner party sitting down? Allow the folks at Twin Cities Food Tours to lead you and your group through Minneapolis's North Loop and Northeast neighborhoods at a leisurely pace while exploring the culinary scene. Tours combine stops for samples at local restaurants and specialty stores (regular stops include Local D'Lish, Kramarczuk's, Punch Pizza, Gorkha Palace, and Gardens of Salonica) with snippets of Minnesota history and cultural information. Best of all, comfortable shoes and clothing are encouraged (every Minnesotan's dream), and by staying on the move throughout the three-hour tour you're sure to burn calories while you eat. Private tours can be arranged for groups of six or more.

8. Progressive Dinner Tour If being chauffeured around town in a private limo is more your style than walking, you'll want to check out the Progressive Dinner Tour offered by Gourmet Adventure and Renee's Royal Valet Limousine Service. Choose from a three- or four-course dinner and enjoy each course at a different Twin Cities restaurant. There are no predetermined packages here; every tour is custom-designed based on your group's style and taste. So while they do have a list of preferred restaurateurs -- Solera, W.A. Frost and Company, and Lucia's, to name a few -- it's really, truly all about you (Read: They are not above a stop at Taco Bell if that's what you want). They also do winery and brewery tours if you want to skip the food and have a built-in designated driver.

7. Wine & Canvas We've all been to the awkward dinner party where a somewhat interesting conversation morphs to a 20-minute oration on city zoning ordinances or (worse) the details of someone's boring job. This is where Wine & Canvas comes in. You'll be having so much fun painting -- yes, painting -- that you won't have to worry if the fun chitchat takes a nosedive. This mobile business travels to local restaurants, churches, offices, hotels, and homes to accommodate anyone inclined to pick up a brush, no experience necessary. Artists instruct you step-by-step through re-creating a featured painting and, at the end, you take home a work of art. In addition to a full roster of events held at various Twin Cities restaurants each month, they can also host private events (for up to 80) at their St. Anthony studio, which features a menu of appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches, and, of course, beer and wine to get those artistic juices flowing. [page]

6. Curry Diva There's nothing better than food prepared with love, and that's just what Heather Jansz, a.k.a. the Curry Diva, provides at her monthly Diva Dinners at Our Kitchen in south Minneapolis. Limited to 18 diners, these events regularly sell out -- so much so that she asks people who have recently attended to sit a couple of dinners out in order to give others a chance. Diva Dinners include four courses of Jansz's Sri Lankan dishes, which are often dairy-free, gluten-free, and sometimes even fat-free, although don't think that means lacking in taste (she's skilled in Ayurvedic cooking, which activates all the senses). The smaller group size allows her to talk to her guests and share her knowledge of curry, the style of cooking, not the spice. Participants leave with full bellies and new friends, although if you've already got a group of friends in mind, she's happy to cook for private parties. Visit the Curry Diva website to sign up for the e-mail list for Diva Dinners or to book Jansz for a private event.

5. Saturday Night Dinners If you're looking for a way to meet new people but don't have the athletic skills or competitive spirit for an adult rec sports league, the Saturday Night Dinners group on Meetup.com is perfect for you. The group meets once a month for potluck-style dinners in members' homes or at area restaurants. The events average 10 people per dinner, although they've had as many as 25. Dinners are organized around a different food theme each time -- including types of food, a color, or even a location.The purpose is to share food while meeting new people, an especially novel idea in a state where people can be closed off to those they haven't known since kindergarten. Saturday Night Dinners are designed to not only break that tendency but to help members make lasting connections.

4. Cantor Mitch, The Singing Chef In combining his two loves -- cooking and singing -- Cantor Mitch Kowitz aims to deliver kosher cuisine for the next generation with a little bit of the Beatles, John Denver, or Fiddler on the Roof thrown in for good measure. Sure, he's not for everyone, but if you're interested in breaking out of your boring dinner-party rut, we promise this singing chef will bring the entertainment. Cantor Mitch really is a cantor (he sings and leads prayer at a synagogue), who also happens to have performed in national touring shows like Disney's Pinocchio and The King and I, acted in dinner theater productions, and worked in professional kitchens. In his latest venture as the Singing Chef, he brings all of his talent and passion to your private party, where he'll not only take care of the cooking, serving, and cleaning up but provide that all-important dinner party playlist, live and tailored to a theme or just because you feel like hearing "Sunrise Sunset." [page]

3. Twin Cities Paella If you've got sufficient outdoor space (typically 10 feet by 10 feet) and a hankering for a comfort food far different from tater tot hot dish, give Twin Cities Paella a try. Owner Frank Machado describes the experience as a dinner so delicious and aromatic it transports you and your guests to the Costa Brava of Spain. Paella, a traditional rice dish, is cooked over an open fire by chefs who often double as the evening's entertainment; party-goers can gather around to watch how this dish is prepared and learn about its origins. The company uses imported ingredients -- bomba rice, saffron, smoked pimiento, piquillo peppers, and extra virgin olive oil -- and offers several variations of the dish, including one for meat lovers and a seafood version. The service includes snacks, a salad bar (given the long cook time for this dish it's good to have something for friends to nibble on while they wait), and a condiment bar.

2. The Dinner Detective If you and your gang like your dinner party experience to be interactive, a trip to see the Dinner Detective may be in order. Positioning themselves as the Cadillac of mystery dinner theater, the Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show promises intriguing scenarios, challenging mysteries, and dialogue that won't make you cringe. Part of the fun involves professionally trained actors mixed in with the paying customers, causing guests to wonder just who is "real" and who is getting paid to enjoy the four-course meal. If you're competitive by nature, the fact that a prize package awaits the top sleuth of the evening may be motivation enough to find the killer. While a private party generally requires a minimum of 30, the company performs large public shows in downtown Minneapolis that can accommodate your smaller group.

1. Chefmixer If you're perfectly capable of mixing drinks and creating a dinner party playlist, but when it comes to cooking you're best relegated to pouring cereal into a bowl and adding milk, you'll want to mark your calendar for October. That's when Chefmixer, a Minneapolis-based start-up founded by Kevin Raheja, plans to start connecting dinner party hosts to top local chefs who will sell their services for one to two days per month on the site, allowing people to purchase complete menus to enjoy in their homes while dazzling their guests.

By Rebecca Collins of the City Pages

http://www.citypages.com/restaurants/10-best-dinner-parties-in-the-twin-cities-6616794