Lives

Way Out West: The Magic of Big Bend

By Stephanie Myers / April 19, 2013
We spent 12 days in West Texas in late March, mostly in Big Bend National Park, mostly hiking – 55 miles over nine days, to be exact. It was a trying, rewarding, educational and enlightening experience that made me more appreciative of not only Texas but life and the universe, if you’ll allow me to be so trippy.

Darkness and Light from a Heartbreaking Week

By Stephanie Myers / April 19, 2013

I know I’m not alone when I ask, “What the hell is going on this week?” It seems everywhere you turn, terrible things are happening.

Austin Isn't Weird, West Texas is Weird

By Stephanie Myers / April 11, 2013

Austin prides itself on being the “weird” part of Texas. We have goats, chickens and bees in our backyards. We shop local. We have events like the oldest kite festival in the world. We have food trailers and breakfast tacos.

The Far-North Austinite's Guide to Avoiding SXSW

By Chris-Rachael Oseland / March 9, 2013
If you live in Up North, Austin, don’t stock up on MRE’s and DVD’s. This is your city. You have every right to enjoy it. If you live and work in the oft maligned northern hinterlands (aka north of Highway 183), you can still take advantage of a heck of a lot of classic Austin experiences while avoiding the madness downtown that is SXSW.

Entertaining Visiting Parents Who Don't Like Beer, Barbecue, Bands

By Stephanie Myers / February 22, 2013

When my mom comes to visit, it’s easy – she likes to do the same things I do. We go swimming, hit up some bars, hear bands and eat Tex Mex and BBQ. I hardly have to think about what we’ll do or where we’ll go because we can just do the things I normally like to do.

Health Needs a Hero

By patjdixon / February 18, 2013
Obesity is rampant in the United States. Austinite Jen Ohlson's documentrary "Health Needs a Hero" takes a remarkable look at one girl's path to becoming a healthier person.

Face Fear, Adrenaline and Firearms with the Austin Sure Shots

By Chris-Rachael Oseland / February 2, 2013

After one year in Texas, it was time to pop my gun cherry.

The Good, the Bad and the Awkwardness of Nerd Nite Speed Dating

By Chris-Rachael Oseland / January 10, 2013
Nerd Nite is one of Austin’s greatest geeky gems. It’s like a local monthly TED Talk with quirkier topics and a bar, and now they've added a bonus feature before the talks - Nerd Nite Speed Dating. As a single geek, it was my duty to investigate and report back.

Millennial Coder Isn’t Waiting for Retirement to Travel the World

By Chris-Rachael Oseland / January 8, 2013
Three months ago, Mike Everett gave up his apartment to become a technological nomad. He bought an RV, sold or gave away everything that didn’t fit inside, and began a new life on the road. On his way, the 29 year old software consultant naturally stopped in Austin for a few weeks.

Top Austin Activities When It's Rainy and Cold

By Stephanie Myers / January 4, 2013
Austinites like to be outside – we like to tailgate, sit on patios, hike, bike, swim, and camp. It doesn’t rain here often, especially the last couple years, nor does it get cold for too long, but when it does get chilly and wet it puts a damper on our outdoor-loving ways. However, there are plenty of indoor activities around Austin to enjoy on those wet occasions.

What If We All Resolved to Be Better to Each Other?

By Stephanie Myers / December 31, 2012

What if this New Year, everyone made the same resolution and it was simply to improve whatever they could around them? I don’t mean tackling huge projects but rather taking small steps, like smiling at everyone they meet. What if we all just decided to be nice and do what’s right?

Get Home Safely This New Year’s Eve

By Stephanie Myers / December 28, 2012

Dec. 31 is a night to celebrate the end of the old year and ring in the dawn of the new. For many, that means taking to bars, the streets and parties to celebrate with friends and make new ones.

What Should I Do For New Year's Eve? The 2013 Edition

By Stephanie Myers / December 27, 2012
New Year’s Eve is one of those funny holidays. You get really hyped up that it’s going to be a fabulous, fun-filled night, because it’s New Year’s Eve! You make plans, you get dressed up, you fight your way into a bar or club that’s throwing a party that includes a “champagne toast” you paid $60 a ticket for, and then you get disappointed.

The Town's Deserted and It's Time to Play

By Stephanie Myers / December 26, 2012

It’s that wonderful time of the year – when the college kids are on break and everyone has gone over the river and through the woods, and those of us who remain have Austin all to ourselves.

Not Quite Dreaming of a White Christmas

By Rob Patterson / December 24, 2012
The other day I was out on my patio enjoying the 85-or-so-degree Texas December weather and heard two young children nearby singing "Jingle Bells." I had to wonder if they even had a basic idea what "dashing through the snow" means, much less what it feels like.

SXSW Music

After 26 Years SXSW Still Rocks the Ides of March (Despite the Hassles)

The volunteer at the sign-in desk looked young enough to be my kid, 25 years old, tops. He smiled brightly as he looked at my name on the badge and handed it over.

“So...

SXSW 2013 Best Performances - Stephanie's Picks
SXSW Showcase Quest - Two Nights on the Musical Town
Bands and booze: Sums up SXSW, right?

More SXSW Music

SXSW Film

Filmmaker Interview: The Cast and Crew of "Zero Charisma"
Filmmaker Interview: Caleb Johnson and Kara Durrett of "Root"
Filmmaker Interview: Kyle Matthews of "Charlie Hughes"
Filmmaker Interview: Halil Deniz Tortum of the SXSW Global film "Zaiyat"

More SXSW Film

Filmmaker Interview: Lola Bessis and Ruben Amar of "Swim Little Fish Swim"
Filmmaker Interview: Jason B. Kohl of "The Slaughter"
Filmmaker Interview: Adam Rifkin and Scott Anderson of "Reality Show"
Filmmaker Interview: Dayna Hanson and Dave Proscia of "Improvement Club"
Simon Klose of "The Pirate Bay: Away From Keyboard" Thinks You're Actually a Pretty Nice, Generous Person
View all SXSW Film

SXSW Interactive

"Minority Report" Controller for Sale at SXSW Interactive
I don’t often get excited by hardware, but getting to try the Leap Motion Interactive Controller felt like walking right into "Minority Report." Actually, it was even better.
South by Swag
Tip: Visit the Future at SXSW Create - Free and Open to the Public
Badgeless? Fake Your Way Into a SXSW Unconference
Who's Coming to SXSW? Tim Berners-Lee! Tim Berners-Lee!
View all SXSW Interactive

Austin Lives features intimate, personal stories from real Austin people from all walks of life: dealing with cancer, coping with depression, looking for work in this tough economy, or just dealing with weird roommates. Our Austin lifestyle articles cover topics such as confronting domestic violence, how to balance work and your personal life, the catharsis of secret confessions, along with those electric moments of triumph and success.

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