Sunday. Usually, a quiet, contemplative day in the Blogosphere. But not here in the Ist-a-Verse. Nonono! Just look below and see all of the wild and crazy stuff our staffs are up to. In Austin, bands are beginning to confirm for SXSW and the rumor mill is up and running. Good thing, too, because we all know how much Austinites love live performances. Austin also found itself in the national spotlight, with Longhorn Legend......

When something seemingly senseless happens, people often feel helpless. Distance from here to San Francisco, among other things, buffers people's sadness at the death of James Kim, and we all move back to the minor (or possibly major) worries of our own lives, perhaps to be reminded of the Kims when others go missing. But two crafty women—artists/sisters Lisa Congdon and Stephanie Barnes—have put together an impressive benefit auction of gorgeous art, clothes, and......

So it's Friday, and Seattlest is in the mood for stuffed plush whimsy. It's just been that kind of week, hasn't it? Which is lucky, because the Belltown boutique Schmancy (sister to Fancy and Pants, who share a blog) is presenting an exhibit of San Francisco artist Lisa Congdon's work: plush birds, shadowboxes, and paintings. She also runs the blog bird in the hand (an earlier incarnation lives here). Tonight's art exhibit is a bit......