Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Houston Saints & Houston Hornets?
There are talks about the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Hornets relocating and possibly playing in Houston. There was discussion that the Saints would maybe play their home opener in Houston...problem is that it's on the same day as Houston's home opener. Here's a thought...double header. For regular price of a Texans ticket, you get to watch the Saints game afterwards. It would be requested that a donation be made but not mandatory. If you got a dollar from everyone at the stadium, that would be over $60K raised (probably more like 70K, not counting people donating more than a buck). Good idea, but I haven't thought of what logistical issues there may be. Just throwing it out there.
Here's a neat picture of the "calm of the storm" from thousands of feet up.
Here's a neat picture of the "calm of the storm" from thousands of feet up.
Bitchin' about gas prices
Well, never seen it before...gas in Houston maxed out at $3.31 per gallon. WTF?!?!?!?!? Yup, that's right, $3.31 per gallon. I was able to find gas at $2.64 and you bet your ass that I filled up. I only needed 3 gallons to fill up, but still, better buy the gas at that price now before it goes any higher (possibly $4.00 per gallon).
What to do. Oil really isn't the problem, it's the refinement. Not enough refineries. But where's a good equilibrium for refineries vs the environment?
It's official, it's too expensive to go to work...to bad we can't telecommute (go figure a computer company that doesn't use telecommute...ain't that a bitch).
We'll see how much higher gas goes...time to get a bike (plus my ass is getting fat and need the exercise).
What to do. Oil really isn't the problem, it's the refinement. Not enough refineries. But where's a good equilibrium for refineries vs the environment?
It's official, it's too expensive to go to work...to bad we can't telecommute (go figure a computer company that doesn't use telecommute...ain't that a bitch).
We'll see how much higher gas goes...time to get a bike (plus my ass is getting fat and need the exercise).
We're Going to the 'Dome!!!!
There's usually jubilation behind saying that. High school football is big here in Houston and that's where everyone wants to go...when you're playing high school football.
Well, moving from one dome to another. At least this one has air conditioning, electricity, running water, working restrooms, and local restaurants (that are open). I read that a 450 bus caravan will make its way from Lousiana this way.
"The New Colossus" (as inscribed on the Statue of Liberty)
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science - free Six Flags AstroWorld - reduced rates Houston Zoo - free The Houston Symphony - free Houston Astros - half price tickets The Children's Museum of Houston - free Hermann Park - free pedal boat rides Houston Comets - free Moody Gardens - really reduced rates Aquarium Downtown - free & a free appetizer
Well, moving from one dome to another. At least this one has air conditioning, electricity, running water, working restrooms, and local restaurants (that are open). I read that a 450 bus caravan will make its way from Lousiana this way.
"The New Colossus" (as inscribed on the Statue of Liberty)
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
There's a lot of stuff around town for the evacuees to do. Here's a partial list:
There are tons other. Here's a link to them all (
http://kkbq.com/MARKET/shared/info/katrinahelp.html)The local radio station 94.5 The Buzz is running a request-a-thon. I don't have numbers on what they've accummulated so far, but I'm sure that it's a lot of money by now (see the Links bar). They're even auctioning off items (e.g. autographed guitars, autographed posters, etc).
Looks like this may be home for many of New Orleans residents for a while. Let's extend our hospitality. After all, they are our neighbors.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Hurricane Katrina
I'm sure that I'm not the only person that is or has written about Hurricane Katrina, but I thought that I would express how I feel about it.
It's a tragedy. Lots of lives lost and lots of people's lives changed forever. Similar to how a lot of people came together to donate money and other items for the tsunami tragedy in Asia, we should come together again today to help our Gulf States neighbors, from Lousiana to Florida.
It is unbeliveable how in this day and age in America, that so many people have died from this. Everyone was given warnings and given a mandatory order to leave New Orleans. Some decided to ride it out. Now the levees are bursting and downtown New Orleans (which was dry yesterday) is inundated with several feet (up to 20 now) of water. Hopefully now, people will learn that when a hurricane of this magnitude comes, just leave. It's not worth it to stick around. The situation in Mississippi, where numerous (around 30) people died while riding out the hurricane bears similar resemblance to the "Hurricane Party" during Camille. Myth or not, the building was totally wiped out.
As for non-food merchandise looters (e.g. clothes, TVs, etc.) they should be arrested. I'm sure that the biggest concern the police and national guard has is to rescue people that are currently stranded, as it should. There was a video of park rangers trying to stop looters, even searched them, but they took off. Park rangers don't have the ability to arrest people I guess. Looting of food and water has been overlooked because most of the people consider it a necessity.
In Houston, the local alternative radio station, 94.5 The Buzz is running a request-a-thon tomorrow (08/31) from 6:00 AM to whenever. They did something similar for the tsunami in Asia and raised a lot for that. Here's the link (http://thebuzz.com/pages/requestathon.html). BTW the host of the morning show is from New Orleans so it has a place in his heart.
It's a tragedy. Lots of lives lost and lots of people's lives changed forever. Similar to how a lot of people came together to donate money and other items for the tsunami tragedy in Asia, we should come together again today to help our Gulf States neighbors, from Lousiana to Florida.
It is unbeliveable how in this day and age in America, that so many people have died from this. Everyone was given warnings and given a mandatory order to leave New Orleans. Some decided to ride it out. Now the levees are bursting and downtown New Orleans (which was dry yesterday) is inundated with several feet (up to 20 now) of water. Hopefully now, people will learn that when a hurricane of this magnitude comes, just leave. It's not worth it to stick around. The situation in Mississippi, where numerous (around 30) people died while riding out the hurricane bears similar resemblance to the "Hurricane Party" during Camille. Myth or not, the building was totally wiped out.
As for non-food merchandise looters (e.g. clothes, TVs, etc.) they should be arrested. I'm sure that the biggest concern the police and national guard has is to rescue people that are currently stranded, as it should. There was a video of park rangers trying to stop looters, even searched them, but they took off. Park rangers don't have the ability to arrest people I guess. Looting of food and water has been overlooked because most of the people consider it a necessity.
In Houston, the local alternative radio station, 94.5 The Buzz is running a request-a-thon tomorrow (08/31) from 6:00 AM to whenever. They did something similar for the tsunami in Asia and raised a lot for that. Here's the link (http://thebuzz.com/pages/requestathon.html). BTW the host of the morning show is from New Orleans so it has a place in his heart.
Monday, August 29, 2005
SUV City
Found this on the 'net today. It's pretty funny. It's an 8 minute animated short on people living in a "dream land" called SUV City. Check it out.
http://www.suvcitythefilm.com/Pages/watchfilm3.html
Enjoy.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
1st Haircut
My baby's first haircut...sure it's 14 months after she was born, but it looks good. Picture at the bottom...she's fixated on the TV as the Simpsons are on.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Things that go Boom!
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
$50.00 iBooks
The mayhem, how awesome...well, unless you were one of the ones trampled. Interesting story. School sells (liquidates) 4 year old iBooks for $50.00 and the pandemonium ensue. They still go for around $250.00 on ebay...hey there are some already on there...
http://engadget.com/entry/1234000717054670/#comments
http://engadget.com/entry/1234000717054670/#comments
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
$2.61!!!! Holy crapola
Exactly...holy crapola. Rising gas prices. Well, that's the highest I've seen regular unleaded gas for. The cheapest is $2.44.
Gas has gone up almost a whole dollar since the same time last year.
A barrel of oil is over $67.00.
What to do?!?!?!?!?! Who to blame?!?!?!?!?
This is how I'm affected...
- I might not be able to afford gas to go to work. I'll have to tell them that I can't afford to drive to work. Gas prices have gone up 36%, which is about 1200X the rate of inflation. I guess I'll have to telecommute / work from home. How sweet would that be. I work for a computer company, they should have the infrastructure to support it...nevermind.
- My electricity bill is much higher than last year. Sure it's August in Texas, but still...it's high. They had a clip on the news of some lady here that had an electricity bill over $500.00. Well she complained that they were strapped for cash, but ironically, she drove a gas guzzling expedition (that's her right) and had a plasma television in the living room.
Well, I've done a few things that I HOPE will save me some money.
- Set the A/C at 81. That's higher than the recommended 78, but that 3 degrees difference would probably mean my $175 bill would be over $200.
- Bought a few flourescent bulbs and replaced some of the higher used incandescent bulbs.
That's about it for now. Maybe I'll get solar panels (one can dream of the time when the electricity meter goes backwards).
Gas has gone up almost a whole dollar since the same time last year.
A barrel of oil is over $67.00.
What to do?!?!?!?!?! Who to blame?!?!?!?!?
This is how I'm affected...
- I might not be able to afford gas to go to work. I'll have to tell them that I can't afford to drive to work. Gas prices have gone up 36%, which is about 1200X the rate of inflation. I guess I'll have to telecommute / work from home. How sweet would that be. I work for a computer company, they should have the infrastructure to support it...nevermind.
- My electricity bill is much higher than last year. Sure it's August in Texas, but still...it's high. They had a clip on the news of some lady here that had an electricity bill over $500.00. Well she complained that they were strapped for cash, but ironically, she drove a gas guzzling expedition (that's her right) and had a plasma television in the living room.
Well, I've done a few things that I HOPE will save me some money.
- Set the A/C at 81. That's higher than the recommended 78, but that 3 degrees difference would probably mean my $175 bill would be over $200.
- Bought a few flourescent bulbs and replaced some of the higher used incandescent bulbs.
That's about it for now. Maybe I'll get solar panels (one can dream of the time when the electricity meter goes backwards).
Monday, August 15, 2005
She Walks!!!!
She walks!!!!! Well, she has been walking for a while now, but this cool video hosting site let's me upload stuff. I'll be doing this for a while.
Dancin' Machine
