Photo Journal: March 12, 2010

We don't see this very often in Houston...clear, blue sky!

What if you planned a party...

...and nobody showed up?

That's sort of what happened with Tropical Storm Edouard. Now I'm not saying we shouldn't be prepared for power outages, flying debris, etc. BUT when entire newscasts are devoted to the storm that is going to hit us because the meteorologists are so sure it's coming right for us and then they're wrong?

I woke up at 430a.m. to get Calvin walked before the storm hit only to find out it wasn't coming at us. In fact, it started to rain at 630a.m. and it did rain most of the day (we needed the rain) but it was really just a normal rainy day in the summer. Channel 2 didn't even show Matt Lauer in China this morning and Channel 13 didn't show The View because of the storm.

I get the feeling that the news stations hype it up to get ratings. So much so I was even planning on doing a pictorial essay for you of before and after. I have before and during photos but no photos of mass destruction and flooding.

So here are some photos for ya:

From the front porch

This is Buffalo Bayou which would have jumped its banks into Memorial Drive. On the right side is River Oaks and on the left side is NoRO aka 007/Houston.

This is Memorial Drive which should have been impassable.

Sunset in NoRO

Rain

More rain

Calvin passed out waiting for the storm.

Calvin woke up when he heard the camera shutter

alnhouston reported damage in 007/Houston. A plant fell over!

Oscar (alnhouston's dog)

Sorta looks like the same pic taken 25 hours ago.

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 14.1

Upcoming Anniversary
July 31, 2008 will mark the 16th year of my arrival in Houston. The past 16 years have been eventful. There have been more ups than downs. Along the way I have been a ton of wonderful people and a handful of not so wonderful people.

I know today is the the 28th but I'm at that point in my life where if I don't write it down immediately, I forget. Old age? Hmmmm.

Anywho. Just wanted to thank everyone for 16 fun years in the Bayou City. Let's hope there are many more to come.

And somewhere in my boxes of memories (really, there are boxes stuffed with photos, etc.) is a photo of my friend Robb who drove the Ryder truck for me. I took a picture of this little white boi in a big yellow truck at a truck stop off of I-45. (Remember in Jumpin Jack Flash when Whoopi Goldberg is using the pay phone to call the cops and she says, "I'm a little black lady in a big silver box. You can't miss me.")

In case you missed...
Amy Winehouse as a scarecrow. To read the story, click here.

Kaye's Kommunique
The other night I arrived at Quadra (at Status) a bit late. The crowd was thinning out but I still had the opportunity to see a few folks.

Someone that I did not expect to meet was Toma(s) Tillo! Toma(s) Tillo is a long lost brother of Kaye Sedilla. Toma(s) and Kaye found each other earlier this year when she was doing her lounge act in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He didn't know he had a sister, much less a sister who is an international star, but when he walked into the lounge at Hotel Casa Linda he knew they were related. You see...

Kaye and Toma(s) both have big red hair with dark roots. Toma(s) would not let me take a photo of him but let me just say the resemblance IS THERE and that is how I knew he must be related to Kaye Sedilla.

Although communication with clients at The Betty Ford Center is limited, Toma(s) Tillo was able to speak briefly with Kaye Sedilla...well, let's just say she thinks she is Sopa Pilla. Toma(s) said that until Kaye/Sopa gets over her amnesia they will not be able to deal with her other issues.

Kaye/Sopa thinks she is going to be there for a long, long, time. Her spirits are high, just like her hair. Liz and Liza both sent Kaye/Sopa a message of hope and that really lifted her spirits.

Kaye/Sopa can't remember much about what happened on July 20 but she is sure that she was fabulous and wants to thank everyone who showed up.

If I hear anything else from Toma(s) or Cha Lupe (Kaye's 1/2-sister from the wrong side of the tracks), I will let you know.

Heat Wave
It is hotter than Hades here in Houston. These temps are almost like the temps I lived with in Ft. Worth! OY! At least the humidity is low. And yes, I'm sweating.

Church
Yesterday was my first day to assist with Communion during the 5:00 p.m. at St. Anne's. As a child & teenager, I was an altar boy (acolyte) for many, many years. So this was almost second nature to me but I still got nervous. You see...

There are steps that lead up to the altar at St. Anne's and they are made of marble. The last thing I wanted to do was fall down and drop the chalice. It is standing room only at the 5:00 p.m. Mass and in this day of YouTube, I so didn't want to be featured on YouTube. When the wine is consecrated you just can't wipe it up and get on with your life, there is a ritual that needs to be performed. There is a reason for my fear. You see...

Many years ago I was at the 12:00 noon Mass at St. George's in Ft. Worth. I wanted to sing in the choir that day but they needed an altar boy and my mother insisted that I be the altar boy. So I go to the sacristy to get dressed and the cassock that I select has an unraveled hem. I'm running out of time so I put it on anyway.

Everything was fine until...

Communion was over and I had to clear the altar. I was almost finished and I pick up the chalice with the consecrated hosts. I needed to set it on a small side table that was was at the bottom of the steps (4 of them) I take a step and my foot gets caught in the hem of the cassock. I go flying forward and never step foot on any of the steps (btw...the steps and floor were covered in carpet).

I land on my knees. I am holding the chalice with my right hand and my left hand is covering the top of it and get this...it is upright and I didn't spill anything other than my pride. I so wanted to cry.

When Mass was over we processed down the center aisle and I felt like everyone was staring at me and laughing. My mother comes to the back of the church to get me and I was so embarrassed and mad. She says she doesn't know what is going on. I told her what happened and she said that she was sure nobody noticed because they were all singing and looking in their hymnals.

As we are leaving the church, an elderly gentleman walks up to me and says, "Good catch there!" I burst into tears.

A few months later we were at a restaurant and a lady walks up to us and is talking and then she looks at me and says, "Aren't you the boy who fell off of the altar?"

Hence my fear of falling down yesterday. It CAN happen.

Greetings from The Energy Capital of the U.S.!

Mario Lopez Comes To The Bayou City

So. I was wondering if Mario Lopez would be coming to Houston to promote his book Mario Lopez's Knockout Fitness. I figured he has a fairly busy schedule what with him being on Broadway in A Chorus Line. Imagine my glee when I read in The Houston Chronicle that he will be here this Tuesday (May 27, 2008)!

Mario will be at Borders (3025 Kirby) starting at 700p. That is only 2.22 miles from me and The Calvinator. Normally the big name authors go out to the westside of town to do book signings so this is way cool. (Maybe he'll want to stop by for a beverage when he is finished? Probably not. He has a sister who lives in the area so I'm sure they'll be spending some time together.)

According to the interview, he will also be posing for photographs. I wonder if he will lift his shirt and show those abs. He can show his 6-pack and I'll show my keg.

So. I was debating about going to the gym today and I guess I just got my inspiration. To get a body like that I guess ya gotta start somewhere, right?

With Mario flaunting his Hollywood smile and his 6-pack, I have started humming a showtune.

As Ulla sings in The Producers, "Ven you got it, flaunt it. Show your assets, let them know you're proud." BTW...if you watch this clip from The Producers, that is Uma Thurman and not Nicole Kidman (as stated on the page of the clip).

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 11.0

Party Pix
You will recall that in a previous post I mentioned Legacy's gala at Neiman-Marcus. If you would like to view photos from the gala, click here. I am only in one pic and it isn't very good because I'm laughing and I look like I have chipmunk cheeks. Everyone else looks good.

Weather
OK, so what's the deal? This morning when I went to walk The Calvinator it was 58 degrees! And the heater had turned on! Just the other day I was running the air conditioner. I'm thinking Al Gore might be a bit wrong about this global warming thing. It's already supposed to be hot in H-town.

Actually, hell froze over and no one sent me an e-mail or text message. Seriously. You see...

Something happened the other night and when I found out about it via email, I replied back, "Did hell freeze over?" So it must have and that is why the temp was 58 this morning.

Big Brother
I am so glad this season is over. I was over it a few weeks ago. Did you notice that I stopped blogging about it? Adam won. (In case you were wondering.)

Goober
Howard Dean is a goober. I think I would be better at heading up the Democratic National Committee. He should have taken care of this whole Michigan & Florida thing long ago.

This morning on the Today Show he was being interviewed by Meredith Viera. She asked him a question and when he answered, he called her Andrea. Uh, would that be Andrea Mitchell? LOL

Physic
Did you know that I'm a physic? You see...

Several years ago on Westcott here in NoRO, there was a lady who set up shop. She was a psychic (who ended up going to the pokey) but her big sign on Westcott said Physic.

So why am I a psychic/physic? Well...

Last night I was too tired to fall asleep so I was channel surfing and what do I run across? Evita starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. Fortunately I fell asleep after some of my favorite songs had been sung.

One of the songs that I *heart* is Buenos Aires. So this morning, on the Today Show, Matt Lauer started his Where In The World Is Matt Lauer Tour and where in the world was Matt Lauer this morning? In Buenos Aires! Who knew? Well, I guess I did.



Oh no he didn't
You know there are some people who just are not meant to get into the groove, especially with a New Orleans jazz band. I know he doesn't drink alcohol but maybe he should have had a Hurricane from Pat O's or a Long Island Iced Tea from Lafitte's before he decided to bust a move. (BTW...I've been meaning to post for a few days now so this is probably old news to some of you.)

Hey

Thursday got away from me and Friday blew by. I've been a busy boi. It's another situation where I don't want to tell you what is going on because I'll probably jinx myself.

Had a fabu time at a party at Saks on Thursday night. Details to follow.

Big. Actually HUGE garage sale tomorrow. Many households in Rice Military will be having a garage sale. (Rice Military is the neighborhood that I refer to as North River Oaks.)

AttyHou, Everyday Italian, The Calvinator and I have been getting our stuff together. If you're in the 'hood on Saturday morning come by the corner of Scotland & Roy between the hours of 800a - 1100a. Other households will also be having sales. There is SO MUCH MORE I could tag and put out for sale but I'm tired.

The Calvinator passed our hours ago.

Catch up will y'all later.

I Live With Houdini

This is who I am living with!

It was a beautiful but windy morning today in NoRO and I couldn't leave The Calvinator cooped up. So, I got a chair, had my coffee and paper and set up camp by the fence between me and AttyHou & Everyday Italian. This is the wrought iron fence that he slips through. He did it a few weeks ago when I ran inside to get the phone. Seriously. In a split second, he was through the fence, through the azaleas, and down their driveway (because the gate was open) and running all over DePelchin's big lawn.

So today I figured I would beat him at his own game. The hand is quicker than the eye and I have been known to yank him by the tail. He doesn't like that very much but it is an effective way to keep him from going through the fence or out a car window.

In spite of the wind, I sat outside and read the paper and put up with the inquisitive looks of neighbors as they walked by and drove by. I'm sure they were wondering why I was sitting in the driveway?

We were outside well over an hour when Neighbor Janine came outside to water her plants. I left the well-behaved Calvinator in the yard and he could see me across the street. I told Neighbor Janine that I had to keep an eye on The Calvinator.

So we're talking and in a split second when I look away he is gone from my yard, through the azaleas and is running around AttyHou & Everyday Italian's yard! Everyday Italian & AttyHou come out and The Calvinator is trying to go inside their house to visit. UGH!!!!!!

I was a bit put out with him but how can I stay angry with him? I took him to the park for a long walk and right now he is passed out.

A Girl In Texas mentioned that her sister started a blog as way to deal with the loss of her dog. I read it and almost started to cry and realized that I need to enjoy my time with The Calvinator. He and I have been through quite a bit together in the past few years and I can't be angry with him. He brings me more laugher than anger. I remember the first time my parents met him and as it was love at first sight. He has that effect on people.

So if you have a pet, give him/her a hug today.

Ramblings of a Stuffy Nose, Coughing Throat & Caffeinated Mind 10.1

Blogger Meets Blogger

I haven't been running or working out. I haven't been feeling too perky. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood so I decided to stroll over to the Tennis Center at Memorial Park and get some type of physical exercise today. I thought it was 1.5 miles but that is just to the edge of the park. According to Map My Run it's about 2.2.

Anywho, I found out that Brettcajun was in H-town this weekend playing tennis. It's always cool to meet a fellow blogger.

Had some difficulty getting to him because there were tennis balls flying everywhere and gates and fences. Finally made the connection.

He had commented in his blog that he likes Texas. It got me to thinking how much I like Louisiana and the folks that live there. I seem to relate better to the people of southern Louisiana...nothing against the northern folks, OK? Maybe it is the Gulf Coast connection or the I-10 connection or just the laid back attitude and overall friendliness of the people.

So here we are outside of the Tennis Center. He looks good. I have crows feet and I look like I don't have a chin or a neck. I really do! I really, really do!

Flowers

Here are flowers that are blooming in NoRO. Kinda pretty.

Things that make you go hmmm

So the other day I was out walking The Calvinator and I thought I saw a tumbleweed. We don't get tumbleweeds in NoRO.

Upon further inspection and before Calvin peed on it, I realized it is a Christmas tree. Someone has been storing this in their house since November/December and they're JUST tossing it out? So they just threw it in the street. Hmmm

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 9.6

Last Night
I went to a party last night for supporters of Equality Texas. It was at a hacienda in River Oaks and it was a very nice evening. This event was competing with a Hillary rally but it was still a good turnout.

Many familiar faces and friends in the crowd including Str8 Up With A Twist readers: Kenny In Montrose, AttyFrank, Steve In Montrose, & Timbergrove Shane. The Mesteller-Reeves entourage was en masse which is always fun. Fellow Legacy Board members were there as well as a couple of politicos (Ellen Cohen & Garnet Coleman). And of course The Most Handsome Man In Houston was there (a title that was bestowed upon him by me and AttyHou a few years ago).

The wine flowed freely and the more freely it poured the more lively the conversations. At some point, most of my (scott) Mesteller conversations get around to Pet Shop Boys (PSB)...and it happened again last night. It had actually started in the car with Upper Kirby Steven when we were listening to Losing My Mind and once again I brought up the Liza version. We agreed it is a bit creepy.

So as I'm reliving the pre-defensive driving Screwdriver cocktails story with (scott) Mesteller it turns out that Upper Kirby Steven is a big PSB fan too! We're everywhere I tell ya. I'm willing to bet we're 10% of the population. It was a very fun evening.

February 29
from Time and Date
A leap year is a year in which one extra day has been inserted, or intercalated, at the end of February. A leap year consists of 366 days, whereas other years, called common years, have 365 days.

Trail Rides
Today, my little corner of NoRO will have horses and chuck wagons coming through it. I'm not kidding ya folks. It will start around 12 noon.

Of the 12 trail rides, 3 will almost be at my doorstep and as much as I enjoy seeing the contrast of the Old West to Modern Houston, it messes up traffic. At least I'll be prepared for it this year and won't try to be out and about.

The Calvinator doesn't like horses so I won't be taking him to watch. Listed below is information about the history of the trail rides. The three in blue are the three that will almost be at my doorstep. And when you look at the distance that some of these people have traveled, well, I'm just thinking sore butts.

And then tomorrow morning, all of them will leave Memorial Park and go to downtown for the parade. We're talking LOTS of horses.

from Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
Nothing brings to mind the Old West like a modern-day trail ride. Pioneers created trails as they moved west in search of a dream and cowboys created trails to take cattle to major market centers. While these routes are no longer a necessity in daily life, more than 4,000 riders saddle up each February to relive the Old West as part of 13 trail rides leading to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™.

In January of 1952, several men formed the very first trail ride as a way to increase awareness of the Show. Though only four men made the first journey from Brenham, Texas, the attention they raised attracted more publicity than ever expected, as more than 80 men signed up the next year. The trail rides are a signature tradition of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo today.

Today’s riders hit the trail in an attempt to recreate the Old West, and in doing so, find a common ground that links us all to the Show. A sense of history and pride resides in each rider; igniting envy and intrigue in each child as they watch the trail riders and hope to one day join them.

• Los Vaqueros Rio Grande from Reynosa, Mexico (386 miles)


• The Mission Trail from San Antonio (235)


• Northeastern from Beaumont (108 miles)


• Old Spanish Trail from Logans Port, Louisiana (216 miles)


• Prairie View from Sunnyside (107 miles)


• Salt Grass from Cat Springs (90 miles)


• Sam Houston from Montgomery (70 miles)


• Southwest from Sargent (102 miles)


• Spanish Trail from Coldsprings (126 miles)


• Texas Cattlemans from Anderson (85 miles)


• Texas Independence from Brazoria (98 miles)


• Valley Lodge from Brookshire (71 miles)

Hillary Clinton Rally (part 2...Bill arrives)

I swear. Bill Clinton must have some Mexican genes. I know that he is always late but geez he was late today. And I'm sure the rest of the schedule for the day was messed up.

So just as Annise and Sylvia are about to sing and dance for us (and maybe even ask me to get up and help them out) we see the motorcade arrive and the crowd goes wild. Hillary signs everywhere and people are clapping and cheering. And just like that, the SUV that Bill is riding in is right there almost in front of me. And Secret Service agents descend upon us like flies on poop.

Sylvia and Annise are behind the flag exchanging pleasantries with Bill and next thing you know he is on stage.


Bill gave a great speech. It wasn't all about Bill...although he did defend himself at one point when he made reference to things that have been said about the '90s. The three things he talked about: healthcare; the war in Iraq; education. He got me excited and energized.

I know that most of the people there probably were already Hillary supporters. I will say that it was good for me to have someone reiterate her position on these topics.

Bill kept looking in my direction. And no I wasn't wearing a Lewinsky beret. I was wearing some cool sunglasses that always receive positive comments. And I was wearing a baseball cap that had a variation of the U.S. flag.

And I would shake my head in agreement when he was talking. He was preaching to the choir sistah!

He is quite the orator. He hasn't lost his touch. And he still doesn't know when to stop talking. LOL

So he finally finishes and it's time to work the crowd. And then I feel a surge of people coming up from behind me pushing me even closer to the man and now a lady in front of me. OK...so in 9 months, two birth announcements.
As Bill is getting closer, I feel like I'm going to fall over because someone is pushing. I'm trying to hang on to my sign AND take pictures but I'm afraid of falling and taking people down with me.
So I decide I'm not going to shake his hand because I'm actually beginning to panic. There are people pushing their way through to the front...and then I figure out what is part of the situation. There are SS agents moving through the crowd while Bill is in front of us. Well there's no getting out of this crowd.

Here is Bill just as he is getting up to me. I'm still not trying to shake his hand...I'm trying to stay upright and take pics.
So then he comes right over to me and tries to grab my hand (which is not extended) and so in a split second I put down the camera and shake his hand...sort of...it was an awkward handshake.
He went on his way...

And I went and got my free breakfast taco.

I got back to NoRO and put Hillary's sign in a front window.
Hillary is going to be in H-town on Thursday night. I've already made other plans and by the time I get to the venue I'm sure I would end up in the peanut gallery.

and yet, another running post

Here is some additional advice (and inspiration...the beefcake) for people who will take up running as part of their new year's resolution.

This advice comes from DEVELOP YOUR RUNNING STRATEGY: How to apply time-tested running rules to your own training by Dagny Scott-Barrios. An explanation of each point can be found at Runners World magazine.

1. Do the minimal training needed for optimal results

2. Be consistent


3. Balance hard efforts with rest

4. Expect peaks and plateaus

5. Practice patience

In other news...

The headache stayed with me for the better part of Saturday. AttyHou, Everyday Italian and I went to a post-Christmas party last night. The party season is in full swing and will continue until Ash Wednesday (Feb. 6, 2008).

I did make it to the gym this morning. Mr. Popular was there. I've never written about Mr. Popular. Mr. Popular is very nice looking, young, great smile and knows everybody. Greets everybody with a handshake, hug and/or kiss.

Today Mr. Popular was acting a bit odd. You see, we were the area with the treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines, etc. We both had on our iPods but he was getting way into his music. Eyes shut. Lips moving. Head swinging back and forth. It was a bit distracting and yet I had to stare.

The weather is awesome here in The Bayou City. Probably low 60s and not a cloud in the sky. I'm outside right now while The Calvinator is running around the yard. He can't be left unsupervised because he has a nasty habit of squeezing through AttyHou's fence and getting stuck in the azaleas.

EDIT: While I was blogging I lost track of Calvin's whereabouts. I heard the azaleas rustle. I saw a squirrel scamper up AttyHou's tree. I saw Calvin try to climb the tree! So I had to get the key to the gate but this time he figured out how to get out of the azaleas and was running around AttyHou's yard. UGH!

It will be off to church for the 500p Mass, get The Calvinator walked and then time for The Amazing Race! I missed it last week but Joe & Eric told me that the Goth couple came in last but didn't get eliminated. Can't wait to see what happens tonight1!!!

PS The second photo is of London Preppy. If only I had his discipline! ...and his looks.

EDIT: London Preppy has a new version of the photo on his blog. I need to learn how to use PhotoShop and enhance my image.

So yesterday morning it was in the mid-70s and this morning it was in the low 50s. As the song goes, "What a difference a day makes. Twenty-four little hours."

So you'd think I'd get my happy, fat arse out to Memorial Park for a run but there was a problem. I fell asleep on the couch and slept in an odd position and when I awakened my right hip was hurting.

There is a certain point in the morning just as the sun is rising that I think borders on magical. When the sky is clear, like it was this morning, it is really beautiful and I tried to capture that in some photos as I walked The Calvinator. He wasn't real patient and most of my photos didn't come out the way I wanted them to because: 1) I had a camera in one hand and The Calvinator in the other; 2) Him being impatient was making me hurry to get the correct settings; and 3) That point in time doesn't last very long.

The sky was a pretty blue and the trees and buildings were silhouettes against the sky. So here are a couple of photos from this morning in NoRO.

Speaking of photos...

On Saturday night, I went to a party celebrating Sands & Weldon's 30 Anniversary. Congratulations to the two of them for making it 30 years!

BTW...I have determined that when the temp is in the low-50s it is time to change from a Iced Grande Sugar-free Vanilla Non-fat Latte to a Grande Non-fat No whip Sugar-free Vanilla Latte. I walked in this morning and was confronted with, "I'm not going to make your regular. Four of you have changed your order this morning." I replied, "You're correct. It's time to change." Do they know me or what????!!!!