Photo Journal: February 27, 2010

So...I misplaced my camera and didn't take any pics of the 25th or the 26th. I snapped his photo of the full moon. The sky in Houston was crystal clear and the moon was bright. This pic does not do it justice.

Photo Journal: February 24, 2010

This is the view of Texas Medical Center from one of the parking lots of Rice University.

Photo Journal: February 23, 2010

It was a quiet night for me and Calvin. I sat on the couch and he slept. He was not amused then I took this photo.

Photo Journal: February 22, 2010

I was on my way to a meeting up in The Heights and got stopped at the light at Shepherd & I-10. To my left, this is what I saw.

Photo Journal: February 21, 2010

BCBC had a party to sign up underwriters for Jungle 18. The party was at The Chelsea Grill which is in Chelsea Market. Snapped this shot on my way back to the car.

Photo Journal: February 20, 2010

I was at the Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service Center representing Legacy Community Health Services at the Living Healthy With HIV Seminar. This was in the hallway across from my table.

Photo Journal: February 19, 2010

I had to run an errand which took me into what is know as The Galleria. The Galleria itself is a HUGE shopping center. However, the neighborhood around is known as The Galleria. Shops, restaurants, hotels, high-rise residential buidlings, office towers and people everywhere. There are some unusual street signs that look like this.

Photo Journal: February 18, 2010

I wasn't having a good day and this sums it up. I slammed on the brakes and my waffle fries from Chik-fil-a went flying out of the bag.

Photo Journal: February 17, 2010

This is the view of the sunset from the parking lot at at Rice University Stadium.

Photo Journal: February 16, 2010

Laissez les bon temps rouler! The battle cry of Mardi Gras. Around the world, people celebrated Carnivale. Leading up to Tuesday, I had my share of Mardi Gras festivities: Mystery & Fantasy Mardi Gras Ball; Krewe of Olympus-Texas Ball XL; and Tim & Ross's Pancake & Bacon Party. So...

I wasn't feeling well on Tuesday which meant I wasn't in a festive mood. However, I did get Calvin to pose with me for a Mardi Gras photo.

Photo Journal: February 15, 2010

I started not feeling perky on Saturday and this is what it has turned into. Yes, I am looking for sympathy!

Photo Journal: February 14, 2010

I'm not sure that anyone wished me a Happy Valentine's Day? Most of my circle was feeling a bit spent after the festivities from the previous night.

I spent most of the day on the couch and did some cleaning which included putting up Krewe costume accessories. In the Ball, I was Shanghai, China. So in honor of the Chinese New Year which was on the 14th, here is this photo. And here is a question for you...

If you broke your resolution that you started on January 1, 2010, can you restart on February 14, 2010? Discuss amongst yourselves.

Photo Journal: February 13, 2010

So this was a first for me...Pancakes & Bacon for Mardi Gras Party! Along with Hurricanes, Mimosas and a hottub.

More photos can be seen here.

Photo Journal: February 12, 2010

Friday was Children's AIDS Day that was put together by The Osito Foundation. It was at Rice University and it brought together many experts in the field. I represented Legacy Community Health Services and passed out teddy bears. Annise Parker showed up to read a proclamation and to share her own stories about being a soldier in the fight against AIDS.

Looking For A Valentine Card To Send?

Tomorrow is one of my least favorite holidays. However, the party the other night may have changed my perspective.

So for those of you who may be hunting for the perfect VD card, I suggest you check out this site.

Photo Journal: February 11, 2010

Every now and then an über-fun party unexpectedly falls in my lap. I should have known that Marcus & Shannon would throw a fun party for Valentine's Day but I didn't expect to have THAT much fun. They hired the taco truck to provide food, hired a dj to spin vinyl, hired a bartender, and rented the photo booth for guests to enjoy at their pleasure. They gave us the ingredients for a perfect storm of fun!

I have posted additional photos here. Look for Love Avengers "Amor Con Queso." There are a couple of photos of Marcus that I didn't post. Marcus is a well-built, handsome muscular man who was walking around in a VD Nurses outfit. He told me NOT to put some of the photos on Facebook and when Marcus talks, I listen!

Photo Journal: February 10, 2010

For Krewe Ball XL I was Shanghai, China. I was pretty far down in the lineup of costumes so at that point most people were drunk and didn't care were gone so there are very few photos. However, here is pic of the dragon head that was on the back of the costume. Kevin spent quite a bit of time working on this and he did an excellent job!

Hello Old Friend!

Good news! Brennan's of Houston is re-opening on February 16, 2010. I have missed you. Here is the full story as reported by Houston Chronicle.

No longer blackened, Brennan's is back
By GREG MORAGO
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Feb. 10, 2010, 9:12PM

Alex Brennan-Martin is an anxious man this week. Don't get him wrong: he's thrilled — no, beyond ecstatic — that Brennan's of Houston will reopen Tuesday.

But the official comeback of one of the city's most beloved restaurants, destroyed in fire during Hurricane Ike in September 2008, has the usually unflappable restaurateur a tad apprehensive.

“It's exciting, but it's without a doubt nerve wracking too,” Brennan-Martin said Wednesday, explaining that the look of the iconic restaurant might be surprising to diners who have made Brennan's one of the city's top tables since it opened 43 years ago.

“Folks don't necessarily like change. We have definitely changed some things but we've tried to stay as true to the spirit of the rooms as we could be. We've tried to save the best and restore the best of the building and improve areas that, frankly, needed improvement.”

After 17 months of work — a difficult, emotional restoration that also included replacing a 40-year-old oak tree that was destroyed in the fire — Brennan's is ready to begin partying again. Perhaps it's fitting that the reopening is on Mardi Gras; Brennan's fans are undoubtedly ready to let the beads and feathers fly.

“It has been an incredible struggle. It's also been joyous in that so many of our customers and employees have stayed in touch over all this time. It does the heart good.”

James Koonce, the restaurant's “wine guy” also continues to work for Brennan's from home and currently is helping reconstruct the wine list. Koonce and his daughter, Katherine, then 4, were both severely burned in the fire that ravaged the restaurant.

“Although it's still a very long road, they're both doing much better,” Brennan-Martin said.

Opening night will mostly be for the restaurant's devoted group of loyalists. “There's a list of folks who have asked for the first night. We are full with that,” Brennan-Martin said. “We will open as much as possible to guests after that.”

Brennan's is accepting reservations beginning Feb. 17 but don't be surprised if the book already seems full. The restaurant is controlling reservations while it gets back in the gumbo groove. “We'll be ramping up” reservations as the staff gets its sea legs, Brennan-Martin said. “We can't wait to welcome back all of our friends.”

“The general look and feel and spirit of the place will evoke the best of Louisiana and New Orleans and maybe take a step or two forward at the same time,” Brennan-Martin said.

So too will the food. Executive chef Danny Trace, a veteran of the Commander's Palace family of restaurants, is ready to serve up Brennan's Texas Creole fare. “While the fish pecan, turtle soup and Bananas Foster will be identical, some dishes will have his flair to it. Without a doubt there will be a glimmer of some of his coastal influences in it.”

One thing Brennan-Martin isn't anxious about is his staff. Of the roughly 120 to 130 employees, about half are returning workers, he said.

Nervousness aside, Brennan-Martin sounds like a man who is more than ready to resume what he loves doing; to return home.

“I just want to get back to being a restaurateur,” he said. “The music to my ears is always when I hear a customer say ‘Thanks, I had a great time and we'll be back.' If there's one thing I'm looking forward to hearing, that's probably it.”

He'll only have to wait until Tuesday.

Photo Journal: February 9, 2010

Calvin doesn't care to eat his kibbles without some moist food along with it; he is particular in that way. So, I mix Beneful with his Science Diet.

I went to Petco and they wanted $2.19 for one container. Knowing that HEB, Kroger and Petsmart are cheaper, I left Petco and went to Petsmart. Calvin is happy once again.

Photo Journal: February 8, 2010

There were storms approaching NoRO so I left work, walked Calvin and just as we got back to the house, it started to pour. Here is a pic of what the approaching storm looked like on radar.

Photo Journal: February 7, 2010

And to top off the weekend, it was Super Bowl Sunday. The Saints beat the Colts. It was a good game and I am glad the Saints were victorius. There were several parties going on and I attended two. I wore my gold and black and BIG fleur de lis! I think it was THE lucky charm.


You can view more photos here.

Photo Journal: February 6, 2010

Yes. Most of last week was spent preparing for Krewe of Olympus Texas Ball XL". The downside to being in it is that I can't take pictures because I am running around.

Prior to the Ball, there was a cocktail party in the lobby of the ballroom. We used royalty trains as decorations. This is one of my favorites.

Photo Journal: February 5, 2010

I spent most of Friday in Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center preparing for Krewe of Olympus Texas Ball XL. We use one of the big ballrooms on the third level. To get up there to unload costumes there is a ramp that runs parallel to Hwy. 59. And actually, the ramp is higher than the freeway. I snapped this pic of Minute Maid Park.

Photo Journal: February 4, 2010

This is just a snippet of what the house looked like last week as I prepared for Krewe of Olympus Texas Ball XL. Feathers. Sequins. Glitter. Glue. Paint. And I had a small costume!

Congratulations!

The New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl yesterday. Congratulations! Many people on this side of the Sabine River were rooting for you.

Photo Journal: February 2, 2010

Before I started adorning my costume with these crystals, I thought I would snap a pic for you.

Photo Journal: February 1, 2010

If you're going to have a pink flamingo in the yard of your $350,000 home, you might as well make it cool looking. This is in my 'hood.

Photo Journal: January 31, 2010

Preparations are underway for Krewe of Olympus-Texas Mardi Gras Ball XL. A tradition was started a few years ago of having a Ball Captain's Party prior to the Ball. This is a cocktail party that is done in honor of the underwriters who help with their dollars to put the ball on.

Photo Journal: January 30, 2010

Saturday was the 15th Annual Mystery & Fantasy Mardi Gras Party which was held at Rich's. Prior to the party starting, a proclamation from Mayor Annise Parker was read declaring January 30, 2010, Mystery & Fantasy Mardi Gras Party Day!

This year's theme was A USO Fantasy. To see the fun fotos from the frolicking, click here.