Mahmoud Darwish, renowned Palestinian poet and man of letters, died in Houston on Saturday. According to the Houston Chronicle: The predominant Palestinian poet, whose work has been translated into more than 20 languages and won numerous international awards, died following open heart surgery at a Houston hospital, said Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The New York Times also mourns the world's loss and notes that Darwish will receive a state......

Every ten minutes Gasoline prices double: Scientific fact. Out of love for Earth (And my shock at the gas pump) My driving has changed. Armed with conviction I cruise control for the sport. Better mileage, no? And more excitement! Sixty miles per hour's not tame When the flow's fifty. Relinquish control of both gas and brake pedals and driving's a game-- A Most Dang'rous Game. Each errand, every short trip is that movie scene......

A recent contest rages from within my walls: Who creeps me out most? Roaches slip from first, ceding ground to underbugs, slithering silverfish. Smaller, thankfully, But weirder and creeper-- almost alien. Distant descendants of fossilized trilobites? In bathrooms they dwell. Shampoo residue They nibble upon. And books! Bizarre; unsettling. In winter they thrived, these ugly rolypolys. Now spring they're timid -- Photo: flickr user preciouskhyatt......

Listen my children, do gather round and hear of the Scandal in ol' Sharpstown Near four fine decades since its wrath prevailed-- So to freshen your minds we'll revisit the tale. Frank Sharp the shark matched his name quite cunning His success as developer truly was stunning. River Oaks on Bellaire was his jewelèd vision, Investors abounded with monetary provision. What larks for the 'Town as its growth truly blossomed! Its mall, Houston's first,......

Ah, St. Patrick's Day Today, everyone's Irish And — hey! Stop pinching! But seriously: I'm wearing green underpants. No, you can't see them. At happy hour Dollar green beer keeps flowing Barkeep! More for me! Twelve beers later Or was it fifteen? More beer Ought to help me count. Epilogue: I feel like I'm the color of the Chicago River But I work Tuesday. Do you think the boss will mind If I call......

Ah, Pinkberry clones: Capitalism at work. We consumers win. It ain't the real thing But tart yogurt with toppings is still right by me. Berripop or Swirll suffice just fine for Houston, though still overpriced. Asian dessert fads need no designer labels (Just uber-hip looks). Crowded on weekends? Over-hyped like woah? Of course! Delicious, though. Fresh. Perhaps Pinkberry will someday descend from high, deign to open here. If so, don't forget The pioneers here,......

Fascinating, the epidemiology of local virii. A case of The Trots! Just when you thought you'd escaped the fate of others... Not so. Your office your school your building your home Long to infect you. Now you're cursed: remain close to the lavatory, Groaning for mercy. Forty-eight hours pass-- maybe solid foods will too. Trudge to work again. But Rhinovirus, in the wings, pounces upon Your poor weakened state. Vile Father Winter, Plaguing sinus......

Here are a few books Houstonist thinks your friends and family won't use for doorstops (that's the fruitcake, right?). Everyone likes a good read, or at least a smart-looking book to sit on the nightstand. Give these a try. And shop at your local independent bookstore -- they can give you even more recommendations, and probably a good cup of coffee as well. Fun, mostly fiction books for people who are... Houstonians and/or architecture......

The revamping of the Astros roster is starting to look more and more like an episode of Extreme Makeover. Today, the Astros announced that they've reached an agreement with the Baltimore Orioles for former MVP shortstop Miguel Tejada in exchange for (deep breath): Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, and Lou Costanzo. Patton, Sarfate, and Albers are all young pitchers with some major league experience; Patton was the Astros' most experienced and highest-rated......

An urban swampland: Bayous, rice fields, and floodplains Paved over and built. Water moccasins make do with drainage ditches, Corrugated banks. Huge frickin roaches flutter 'bout sodium lights, New haunts for mating. Outside my window, These old tenants observe me, Watch me watch telly. Worryingly large Stinkbugs grace the window screen, Bask in houselight glow. One night, a possum ambled across the lawn (lost?) Like some big, weird cat. I crouched, tapped on glass......

Niko of Niko's, How you stifle my eating adventurousness. For I often think to explore new restaurants... but your call's too strong. Soothing Tzatziki; Warm, celestial pita bread: Temptresses! Sirens! Axl Rose must have written "Paradise City" about your fair grounds. (Cur'ously, Axl omits your name and sings not "I Lika da Sauce") My buds are restless Until they rest themselves in your gyro solace. -- photo: flickr user deji_01......

Ok, it's officially time: skip a Sunday in front of the NFL, ignore Terry Bradshaw's fake hillbilly schtick and dozens of former players pretending that they're still relevant, and watch your Houston Dynamo take on the New England Revolution for the MLS Cup. Here's five reasons why the Dynamo game should take precedence over the NFL on Sunday: 1. In case you haven't noticed: Boston sports fans, once the loveable Charlie Brown-esque losers of the......

::Elizabeth Alexander & Taha Muhammad Ali at the Alley:: Well, if the intellects are to take over a day, might as well be Monday. Leave the killing brain cells to us the rest of the week. ELIZABETH ALEXANDER, whose dynamic work penetrates the African American experience, is a poet, essayist, and playwright. Winner of the Jackson Poetry Prize from Poets & Writers (one of the nation’s leading poetry prizes), she is the author of......

How does one respond to a cold front in Houston? Bewilderment? Awe? Some go out running, as I did last night. Cool air, at last no suff'ring. Or bust out sweaters, scarves, hats, and accessories. Play yankee dress-up. Briefly let's pretend that we live in normal climes. Take what you can, now. Go outside, hurry, while the 'squitos hibernate (or die, hopefully). Soon we'll return to flip-flops. Be grateful of that. Up North, real......

On Tellers at the "Drive-Thru" Bank "Hello? Yes? Ah, hi, I'd like sass and slowness, please. Great! More than asked for!" On the Bands That Play at the Sugarland & Woodlands Baker St. Pubs Good job, gentlemen, At another Friday night Rawkin tired covers. On Single-Ply Toilet Paper 'Twas way too thin, the Single-Ply Toilet Paper: Needs more folding. Crap. On the Dead Cockroach Behind the Couch, Requiescat in Pace We never met, sir,......

Check this, yo. Do you love you some literary salon each month? Well here it is a again, and an excellent pair of peeps for tonight's reading. Join Houston Arts Alliance tonight, from 7PM -8PM at space125gallery for an evening of poetry, scenes and literature. "Meet the Authors" reception begins at 6:30PM. Featured Authors: >>John Pluecker, samplings from his poetry and short stories: John has worked with various community organizations, popular campaigns, and artistic......

Hot day to wear tie. Might as well be a silk noose-- Damn this "October". Kick in the front door. I stumble inside, collapse at the A/C vent. Breaking out the Shout! Dress shirts with rings on collars. Damp clothes, damp house, ugh. Afternoon fatigue Paralyzes, in cahoots with narcotic heat. Mr. Brown Coffee Dream-can of freshness, zestness, Lift up and heal me. "The name's Brown, sucker. Woe to he who doubts my fresh,......

Monday? Really? AGAIN? Not buying it. Ugh. Let us help you though it with a little spoken word for a rainy day. Join the Rice University English Department as they welcome Steve Gehrke and Nadine Meyer, husband and wife and both winners of the 2005 National Poetry Series, as part of the Cherry Reading Series. Both Gehrke and Meyer have been widely published and recognized for their poetic work. Gehrke is an assistant professor of......

::Maurice Manning and Emily Fox Gordon Poetry Reading at Diverseworks:: Giving Houstonians a chance to hear tomorrow’s great writers today. The Inprint Studio Series, presented by Inprint in association with the University of Houston Creative Writing Program and Diverseworks, features some of the best young writers in the country, as well as alumni from the University of Houston Creative Writing Program and leading local authors. Now in its second season, the 2007-2008 Inprint Studio Series,......

Art Institute of Houston Poetry Forum Kickoff Borders Books and The Art Institute of Houston offer a monthly Poetry Reading Series at Borders River Oaks, hosted by Ken Jones, instructor at The Art Institute of Houston. The readings are the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Borders River Oaks at 3025 Kirby Drive at the corner of West Alabama. These monthly poetry events are free, open to the public, and part of......

Literary Salon @ space125gallery Join Houston Arts Alliance on tonight. August 2nd, from 7PM -9PM at space125gallery for an evening of poetry and literature. "Meet the Authors" reception begins at 6:30PM. Featured artists: Laurie Clements Lambeth PhD, University of Houston Creative Writing Program Houston Arts Alliance Individual Artist Award Recipient Winner 2006 National Poetry Series Open Competition Cambor Fellowship Recipient, Inprint David Stuart MacLean MFA, New Mexico State University Fullbright Scholar Mary Gibbs and......

Word Around Town Poetry Tour Happy Monday! (Because Fridays shouldn't have all the fun.) With high hopes for a drier week, today's Daily-ist is actually a Weekly-ist. Yep, folks. You're getting more bang for your buck with this one. Wait, you don't pay for these? You mean to tell me you get these events just GIVEN to you everyday?! Madness, I say! Lucky you. The second annual Word Around Town Poetry Tour descends upon, around,......

Holy smokes! Giant fish on the MTA, Paris Hilton in jail, then out, then in again, Al Gore, goatses, blumpkins, Matt Damon, and baby art critics! It's been a busy week across the Ist-A-Verse, and here's a smattering of what's been going on. In Gothamist's neck of the woods, they found out that many things are possible: A man caught a 40+ pound fish off the Rockaways and took it home on the subway. Graffiti......

Houston Arts Alliance Literary Salon Tonight, longtime Texas singer/songwriter and current Poet Laureate of Texas, Steve Fromholz will take the stage at Houston Arts Alliance’s (HAA) Literary Salon, and this time he will be without his guitar. Fromholz will speak at the event and read from a collection of his poetry. With a career spanning more than 40 years and involving the likes of Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, John Denver and Jerry Jeff Walker, Fromholz’......

Seattlest has a talk with the photographer from last week's "Segway Mom" and then experiences some dissension in the ranks over the question of wine vs. beer. It's not West Side Story, but about as close as they'll get. They're also still waiting on some inbox relief after a spammer is arrested. As Chicagoist counts down the days to its third anniversary party, they found all-organic pizza to be underwhelming amidst the hoopla, tried......

Hello, scholar. Remember Homer? Or at least remember having that big old book with highlighting on the first 3 pages and then nothing after? Still having trouble getting through the classics? Why read Homer when you can have it read to you? Exactly - which is why Thursday night, May 31, the Museum of Fine Arts is hosting a Dramatic Reading of The Odyssey. Homer's epic poem will be brought to life by several actors......

Inprint's writing workshops are now open for registration. In fact, they've been open, so you might want to hustle yourself over to the new site and get in a class now if you want to take one this summer. They have classes on fiction, poetry, the personal essay and Teachers as Writers classes, which are *tuition-free* to Houston area K-12 teachers. Classes start the first week in June and run for about 8 weeks, and......

One of this week's most popular blogging topics was Senator Dan Patrick's trip to Hooter's. Miya Shay broke the story on her Houston Political Blog. It was re-blogged by Burnt Orange Report and several other Texas political blogs. Lone Star Times responded to the slight uproar that had been created in good humor, referring to the incident as "Fried Pickle-Gate," because Senator Patrick was at Hooter's with his son and his girlfriend, who likes the......

1On Allen from Shepherd, I shall not stop. 2She maketh me to drive down concrete pastures:   she weaveth me beside the brown waters 3She adoreth my stroll:   she leadeth me to the paths of Montroseness or the Waugh's take. 4Yea, though I haul through the valley of the radar of death,   I will fear no evil: for thou art speedy;    the cops on Memorial they shake fists at me. 5Thou preparest a jog......

Spring is when we get busy here in the Ist-A-Verse. Very busy. But, after staying bundled-up indoors all winter, it's nice for us to be out, about, and collecting things to write about for you. Here's a glimpse at what's been keeping your favorite citybloggers busily away from home and out of bed. For LAist, strong winds attacked LA on the same day the Feds raided the Crips. Not to fear, though: the Japanese version......