Robert Ludlum's books used to keep me up at night. When I began one, I felt compelled to read it from cover to cover in one sitting, so I usually saved new titles for a Friday night. Of course, this was back in the 1980s ... when my eyes and my brain could go without sleep.

Was just surfing the Internet this morning and found this on Zane Lewis' myspace. He's going to be at the Texas Lounge on Aug. 22.

It's going to be a long night. "The 8th Confession," James Patterson's latest story about the Women's Murder Club in San Francisco hit my desk this morning. The book is, ironically, #8 on the New York Times' best sellers list. Here's what I found on Patterson's website about plot.

A word to the wise. If you like music ... or even if you have a tin ear, but are looking for a good time, then set aside the evening of Friday, June 26. Acoustic guitarists Edgar and Mark Anthony Cruz are going to be in concert in the parking lot off Main Street ... and you don't want to miss this show. These guys are amazing .... and admission is free, so the evening won't cost you a dime. The only thing you have to bring is a lawn chair.

News-Telegram Arts Editor Terry Mathews, News Editor Faith Huffman and I went to the grand opening of the new, state-of-the-art Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Not only was our experience a tour of the new facility, but a concert headlined by Country King George Strait, too. Before the jealousy begins to course through your veins I'll let you know that - even though it was a once in a lifetime experience - it was a grueling ordeal. Don't believe me? Ask my blistered feet.

I think I walked a total of 8 miles in my not-yet-broken-in cowboy boots (mistake). Mile one: parking. After the entire week of news reports stating there wasn't going to be enough parking for the estimated 60,000 visitors, do we find out that I only have a photo pass which puts me out on the curb after George Strait's second song. Oh yeah, and we only had one parking pass. It was warm in the June sun when I started walking to meet Faith and Terry from my parking spot, but once we got to the box office for our media passes... let's just say that I was cursing myself for wearing a black shirt and boots.

(Keep reading for the entirety of the adventure.)

Blogs are normally pretty short and to the point, but this is no normal blog. Through a few strokes of good luck, News-Telegram News Editor Faith Huffman, Photographer Luis Noble and I were part of sport and entertainment history Saturday.

One of the perks of my job is finding new authors and giving them a little exposure.

Who knew a lovely Scottish lass could sing the Great American Songbook well enough to garner the endorsement of Frank Sinatra, the Chairman of the Board himself? I sure didn't.

Sometimes, all the planets align, the moonlight makes magic and your dreams really do come true.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs are not your typical rock band. Though they're mostly known for the alternative pop ballad "Maps," [watch the video through YouTube here] the band's nature leans more toward noisy garage rock; but that's all changed. The trio returns to the scene with It's Blitz and it's littered with killer bouts of electronica. Don't get misunderstand, this isn't Nine Inch Nails' industrial brand of electronica; the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' electronica could - but probably shouldn't - be likened to a modern version of the Eurythmics.

(Read more about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and watch their new video, "Heads Will Roll," after the jump!)