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SXSW tickets via cellphone SMS

South By Southwest (SXSW) Austin, Tx., one of the largest film festivals in the U.S., with over 1331 bands playing live across seven days at 58 venues, offered wrist bands early to a lucky few who signed up via cell phone SMS message this evening (Wednesday Night, Febraury 22nd). 

The messages directed the interested to tickets being sold at Waterloo records in downtown Austin.

According to the SXSW official site:

If you are a SXSW Registrant, sign up and receive special notices through the Online Registrant's Directory. SXSW will send you alerts and updates specific to your badge type from last minute schedule changes, special events, breaking news and more. Get the latest lowdown and don't miss a thing!

In addition to an early notice of ticket sales, SXSW SMS, will also will notify you of band schedules, as well as allow you to vote in the Film Festival Audience Award, or vote for your SXSW favorite film.

"To sign up for general updates and alerts about SXSW 2006 just send the text message 'sx add' to '56658' from your mobile phone!"

Click here for more SXSW SMS info! or here for the latest SXSW info!

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Update: According to those who have recieved the text messages, there will be more wristbands on sale to the public Thursday, February 23rd, at Waterloo Records in Austin, Tx.

Zax Pints and Plates

Downtown, just south of the river on 312 Barton Springs, owners Mike and Jeffrey have created a hidden gem that all locals should be aware of, Zax Pints and Plates.  The four main draws for this place are incredible food, happy hour specials, ambiance, and the fully appointed bar (they have a great selection of beers, and an equally great selection of wines).  This swank joint is the perfect place for lunch, dinner, or the compulsory happy hour... it has incredible happy hour prices, especially for the delicious food... try the large personal pizza, or the over flowing steamed mussel platter for the best food at the best deal in downtown.

Wednesdays, Zax does a variation of "Pint Night", with a different beer served every week, and often the price of a pint includeds the corresponding pint glass!  This month the pint nights are: 10/05 - Saisont Dupont, 10/12 - Pauliner, 10/19 - Shiner 96, and 10/26 - Duvell.  For a complete calendar of event, including what bands or musicans are playing, and when, click over to Zax calendar page!

Metrokane Golden Rabbit Corkscrew

For those of you who take the time to carefully and selectively choose your wine, you've probably already heard of the Metrokane Rabbit Corkscrew, a rabbit-shaped item capable of removing a cork effortlessly and easily within a few seconds. I own such an object and have been very pleased with its effectiveness: no more having to exert myself trying to get the cork out and, even better, no more broken corks stuck in the bottle. Being satisfied with the usefulness of my Rabbit Corkscrew, I was even more pleased to find out that Metrokane has created several different styles: the most aesthetic one being the Golden Rabbit Corkscrew. Made of die-cast metal and plated with Titanium Gold, this gilded, gleaming item would be a great accessory to anyone's wine collection. To learn more, go to TableTools.com.

An Amusing Coffee Mug

Here's a little humor with your coffee. It's a mug that has this amusing line "Cof O'Cuppee" from the somewhat cult classic Elephant Parts, starring former Monkee Mike Nesmith. To check out this item and others, go to VideoRanch.com.

Pocket Wine Selector

If you're someone who would like to know more about certain wines before ordering or buying them beforehand, try this: a pocket wine selector that gives you all kinds of wine-related information: ratings, reviews, prices, combinations with meals, and even a glossary. Now, this little gadget is something I wouldn't mind owning, and, for $35, I may just invest in it. If you're interested, go to BrandsOnSale.com.

Home Gumball Machine

This may seem like an oddball item, but it actually adds a bit of quirky coolness to your loft. It's a working metal gumball machine, and you can get it in different sizes and alone or with a stand. Check it out at BrandsOnSale.

Cigars and Humidors

For those of you who enjoy the full flavor of a fine cigar, you may want to check out BlackCatCigars.com. This site offers not only cigars but also the humidors to store them in. The one pictured is the Williamsburg: it's high quality but also highly priced. However, whether your cigar-smoking is a serious or, like mine, a sometimes indulgence, there's a wide range of cigars and accessories to choose from.

Mahogany Decanter with 8 Goblets

Just to let you know a little about me, I have a great affinity for items that add an "Old World" touch to my home, which is what attracted me to this wooden decanter. Both it and its goblets are made of mahogany and are carved in a way that has a nicely nostalgic feel to it. Now, this is supposed to be a decorative set (the eight goblets are included with the decanter); however, having a price of $95, I could see myself using it with friends and family for an occasional celebration. To learn more about it and other items, check out ModHaus.com.

Sushi Platter

When it comes to sushi, people are usually divided into two camps: those who hate it and can't even stand the discussion (much less the taste) of it, and those who adore it and can't ever get enough of it. I happen to fall into the latter group, so the sushi platter caught my eye right away. I noticed two features I liked about it and two that I didn't. Its best attribute is the center well, which, as any food-dipper knows, provides an easier, cleaner way to enjoy one's sauce-dunking. In addition, the platter is large enough for two people (hence, the four chopsticks), which creates a cozy meal for you and your fellow fish-eater. However, its worst feature, as you can probably guess, is its price. As much as I would like owning such an item, I wouldn't like paying that much for it and, on top of that, having to hand-wash it afterwards. Still, if you enjoy preparing your own sushi, you may want to check it and other items out at the online store at MoMA: The Museum of Modern Art.