Good news: I have the distinct advantage of appearing on this blog following my birthday, Christmas, and the commencement of the judging portion of The Austin Chronicle Short Story Contest. I should have no excuse for shameful bedside offerings, right?

Happy New Year and happy Newsgeist! Check out the latest stories on Robert E. Lee, Pompeii, and the closing of Katz's Deli. Read more for the links.

The nerd world has been ablaze with debate about Patton Oswalt's editorial for Wired, mourning the death of Western geek. He compares old-school geekery to Otaku: The Japanese term for obsessive collectors who immerse themselves in a particular sub-genre. One potential local solution? Otaku immersion at Ikkicon.

Happy New Year's Eve from the Newsgeist! Start the day with stories on Australian floods, cell phone chargers, and Gov. Perry. Read more for all the links.

Central Texas anime fans are probably feeling pretty smug around now. While everyone else is pulling together last-minute New Year's Eve plans, they're probably putting the finishing touches to their cosplay costumes before the annual Ikkicon Japanese animation and pop culture convention.

Bobby Beltran and a friend were attacked on Christmas night in Austin's warehouse district. We sat with Bobby and turned on a microphone. Here is Part 2 of that interview.

Bobby Beltran and a friend were attacked on Christmas night in Austin's warehouse district. We sat with Bobby and turned on a microphone. Here is Part 1 of that interview.

Remember to laugh more.

Conspicuously absent from the Wednesday afternoon press conference announcing the selection of the city's new police monitor was the city's new police monitor, Margo Frasier.