Pic(s) Of The Day - 10.12.15 - Reeling From The Aftermath Of...

...Sunday Funday.

I'm too old to run with the young Big Dogs. Monday was a long day. And, it found me back at la griglia, drinking water and eating a greasy pepperoni pizza while watching the Astros play the Royals. Actually, it wasn't greasy enough. And, to add to the long day, there was Mayoral Forum that I had committed to attending.
Why do I do this to myself?

#hangover #longday

Pic(s) Of The Day - 10.11.15 - Sunday Funday

I never know what to call this place so I just call it 1308 Annex and let people figure it out. Anywho, the Margaritas are potent no matter what you call it. A group of us gathered to say farewell to Candace. I was going to pace myself but the road to hell is paved with the best of intentions.

And those intentions drove me to George Sports Bar to watch the Astros. It's scary when I'm the one in the group who is having to explain what is happening on the telly.

From George, the group moved to F Bar, and I just couldn't so I didn't. It was a long day.

Pic Of The Day - 10.06.15 - Go 'Stros

The Houston Astros made it to the playoffs and baseball fever got the best of me. I had to have at least one new shirt!

Pic Of The Day - 09.06.15 - Old Friends

You will recall that last year during Labor Weekend, I saw Betty Buckley in The Old Friends.

This past weekend was spent getting caught up with friends. Laure and I worked together at Texas Wesleyan and I met Lyndon at Gershwin's in Dallas many years ago. Both were in Houston for different reasons. Margo, who lives in Houston but who I haven't seen since July, joined me at an Astros game. With all three, it was a matter of picking up where we left off.

So why the picture of Eggs Benedict with Crabcakes? Lyndon and his husband Chris and I, met for brunch at Ousie's Table and since I haven't done a food photo in awhile, I figure, "Why not?"

Pic Of The Day - 09.05.15 - Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting

The Astros played the Twins and they lost but they put up a good fight toward the end of the game. And for me, it was a fun evening with Margo and catching up while drinking beer!

Pic(s) Of The Day - 08.21.15 - Take Me Out (Again & Again)

I was back at the ballpark and no that is not a complaint. It was Oxy night at the ballpark and the Dodgers were in town to play the Astros. It was good game. Actually it was a historic game!

Pic Of The Day - 08.14.15 - Take Me Out (Again)

The Houston Astros are having a great season. This isn't how it was supposed to happen. And, during this winning season, I have been very fortunate to be the recipient of tickets to their games.

This time I was with AlnHouston in Suite 99. It was an evening of free food, great conversation and good baseball. The Tigers were in town but I didn't get to see Brad Ausmus.

In case you don't who Brad Ausmus is, this is him.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 07.31.15 - Take Me Out

It was a fun night at Minute Maid Park even if we didn't get the Craig Biggio bobble head and the Astros lost.

Pic Of The Day - 04.06.15 - Opening Day

It's been a few years since I've been to Opening Day for the Astros. So...on Monday, a group attended Opening Day.

Part of our group got stuck in traffic and then we all stuck in line trying to get into Minute Maid Park so we missed the singing of the National Anthem and the first pitch.

By the time we were on the Club Level, I was parched and hungry so I stood in line at El Real waiting for some chicken quesadillas. There was one hitch; they're made to order. Everyone in front of me ordered some type of quesadilla and we all held up the line.

Then I needed a vodka tonic and all I can say is that bar at section 206/207 didn't have their groove going. It was not a well oiled machine. People behind me in line were served before me. People on the stadium side of the bar were served before me. The cash register ran out of receipt tape. I was given ginger ale instead of tonic. OY!

I know it was Opening Day so maybe in a few days, they'll be in the groove. And let's hope the Astros have a groovy season and make it a winning season!

Pic(s) Of The Day - 05.29.14 - Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Astros take on the Orioles

Nolan Ryan Brisket Sausage

Thursday night lights

Boys of Summer

In case you didn't know, the Boys of Summer have returned. Time for baseball, beer and hot dogs! The Houston Astros play the San Diego Padres tonight. The 'stros will have their home opener next week



This is most likely Brad's last season of play with the 'stros. Hope his family is in the stands tonight at Petco Park to cheer him on.

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 2.4

Lots of tidbits for you this morning and sorta in a hurry so I'll type as fast as I can.

"There is no crying in baseball."...

...unless you're Craig Biggio and then it is OK.

Photo: Melissa Phillip: Chronicle
Tears flowed as Craig Biggio announced Tuesday afternoon that his 20th season with the Astros will be his last.

The other day I was minding my own business and flipping channels while I was working on something. Happened to stop on ESPN to watch a triathlon and they were doing live coverage from Minute Maid Park.

A news conference was about to start and B-G-O was about to announce his retirement. After 20 years with the Astros he will call it quits on his own terms at the end of this season.

Biggio will definitely be missed. He has only played for the Astros and was on of the Killer B's. With all of the non-role model athletes that we have, it's nice to know that some good guys still exist.

Later that night, he hits a grand slam. It doesn't get much better than that.

Photo: Melissa Phillip: Chronicle
Craig Biggio feasts on a high pitch from the Dodgers' Rudy Seanez, smashing it into the Crawford Boxes for a grand slam in the sixth inning that broke a 3-3 tie and propelled the Astros to a 7-4 win.

See You Later Alligator. After Awhile Crocodile.

Last night a small group of us gathered at Mo Mong to bid adieu to G. G and Gidget will be moving to St. Louis. A fun time was had by all. :-) I'll post photos at a later date.

Gidget prepares for the move.

Too Funny

While I was at Gaylynn's party, one of the guests realized that we had previously met. Turns out that Jai was the guy who bought my coffee at the office one morning? Somehow a conversation about my blog had been going on and he made the connection. It was one of those moments that makes you realize it is a small world...but I wouldn't want to paint it. (Posting on June 12, 2007: The early bird gets the...)

Hurricane Forecast

OK folks. This is serious news. Next week a new forecast for the 2007 hurricane season will be released.

Historically, the Gulf Coast gets hit hurricanes starting in August. Also, the height of hurricane season is on Sept. 10 (which happens to be my birthday). AND there is an indirect correlation between a really wet June and really wet July that leads to destructive hurricanes.


Right now, Houston is having the 7th wettest July on record. I'm just saying, be prepared.

Running

I went running on Thursday morning and prolly shouldn't have done so. My allergies are really bothering me and it took everything I had in me to do three miles. Friday is my non-running day so we'll see what happens tomorrow (weather permitting). Also, I think I'm about do for visit to the chiropractor.

RunnerOne

Tim was interviewed by the Houston Chronicle about his run in Death Valley. Click here to read the interview.

The Weekend in review (Part II)

7/7/07

My post for 7/7/07 pretty much tells you what I did during the day. Let me tell you what happened in the evening and it may “esplain” why I’m muy cansado.


Sikorski gave me a ticket to the Astros game. He was going to sing the National Anthem. He also invited AttyHou and Everyday Italian. Well…we had to get there around 530P to get our tickets and get seated. Just as we were loading up The Cal Mobile, the heavens opened up. High winds. Torrential downpour. Sheets of rain coming sideways.


We’re not that far from Minute Maid Park but the traffic signals were messed up downtown and the lightrail was slowing things down. And while the typhoon was swirling around us, Rihanna’s Umbrella (Rafael Lelis Radio Mix) started playing. Too funny. We found street parking about five blocks away and ran with our umbrellas. They didn’t do much good. We were soaked! Not sure if you can tell how wet I got from this photo. Look at my shoulder.

Can you see how wet I am????

The game went into extra innings. We left at the top of the 11th. The Mets won in the 17th…yes, as in 8 extra innings.

Here is Sikorski singing before the game.

Brad Ausmus at bat.

Sikorski, Everyday Italian, AttyHou & Steve

We went home and did costume changes (changed out of our wet clothes) before heading over to Quadra-3. Trevan, Dan, Gary and Ray throw a joint b’day party. It was fun to catch up with people that I haven’t seen in awhile. There was some buzz going around the party about Kaye Sedilla returning to town on July 15 at Miss Mint Julep. I sure hope she knows to expect a crowd!

So I had every intention of calling it an early evening but I was hungry and so were AttyHou and Everday Italian. We load up The Cal Mobile again and head over to House of Pies (aka House of Guys). Can you believe they were almost out of pie? Granted it was close to midnight but still! Puhleeeze. I wanted Bayou Goo Pie and all I got was Italian Dream Cake…oh and a chicken fried steak sandwich.

I didn't take this photo. THIS photo has pies in it.

Yeah Brad Ausmus!

2 Snaps UP To Brad Ausmus whose single to left field with one out in the 11th inning scored Adam Everett from second base with the winning run and lifted the Astros to their first-ever victory over the Oakland Athletics 5-4.

"2 snaps up in a Z formation"

2 snaps up to Montrose Softball League for designating Legacy as the beneficiary of Jocks In Dresses on Saturday (6/9/07) evening.

2 snaps up to all of the people who provided funding for Interruptions (the exhibit at M2 Gallery).

2 snaps up to Christine Ebersole for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Grey Gardens). (Christine...if you're reading this I apologize for not including you in the previous post about my favorite moments for the Tony Awards. I *heart* you! I practically peed in my pants a few years ago when I saw you in 42nd Street on Broadway.)

2 snaps up to 100% of the people who ran right this morning and didn't get in my way!

B-I-G Yawn to Paris Hilton. Paris has said that she will no longer "act dumb." "I used to act dumb....That is no longer cute."

B-I-G Yawn to the Houston Astros. Their record as of 6/11/07: 26-37.

You know it is Summer in Houston when...

I picked up The Calvinator yesterday and he needed to go for a pee & poop. I was wet by the time we finished. Yesterday at 5:15p, the temperature was 89 degrees, relative humidity 50% (which is low for Houston) but it felt like 97 degrees.

This morning at 500A it was 76 degrees and the humidity had to be in the 80% range.

Another sign that it is Summer in Houston: The Astros lost again. Their record: 24-34.

SIDEBAR (DREAM): I had a terrible dream that woke me up at 421A. The first part of the dream I was at a conference for Financial Aid Administrators and Registrars. I was talking to a colleague who introduced me to a new hire.

Get this. The person's job was to watch people and report back her findings. (How hard is that I ask you? And that's exactly what I thought in my dream. Can you imagine having a job where all you do is people watch? Oh...sort of like what I'm doing at the office right now.)

So I go back to the exhibit area to hand out free stuff of some sort and to eat 1/2 a sandwich. Next thing I know I'm standing in the foyer of the hotel which happens to be located across from a Chase Bank location. I'm in the center of the Texas Medical Center and Calvin is with me.

Calvin is rolling on his back and I'm rubbing his stomach and my cell phone rings. It is a business associate who works for Chase in the student loan dept. She wants to talk about a job and then the phone goes dead!

I try calling her back and just as I'm doing that some JERK opens up the door and Calvin goes running out! I start screaming that I'll never find him in the Medical Center and that is when...

I tell myself. This is a dream and I don't like it and I don't have to dream it. (I have the ability to do that sometimes.)

I woke up and my heart was pounding. So I got up and yes...eventually made my way to Memorial Park for a 3 mile run. And yes, Yoga Boi was there.