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KinkaidAlum

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Everything posted by KinkaidAlum

  1. KinkaidAlum
    Is that a pool enclosed by glass that can be seen from the street?
  2. KinkaidAlum
    I understand and even respect your opinion and feelings. BUT, I disagree with your notion that those that push for something not fully understood cause us to have more enemies than friends. In fact, I'd argue that it's the exact opposite. From the drag queens in Greenwich Village that rioted in the 1960s, to the ACT UP members who caused civil disobedience in the 1980s, to the marriage equality folks of today who continue to repeat the mantra that separate but equal is not equal at all... these are the folks who push limits and create change. Change is NEVER accepted at first but it always seems to happen. It's one of the things I love most about this country. We always seem to eventually get things right. The change in attitudes about homosexuality in the last two decades is absolutely astonishing. The reality is, MOST people in this country now believe in equal rights. Most actually support the idea of *** marriage, especially the younger generations who cannot even remember a time when Ellen felt like she had to play straight. Each year, the numbers of folks polled who don't believe in equal rights for the GLBT community grows smaller. The time is coming when those opposed to *** rights will be viewed in much the same way as those who are still opposed to inter-racial marriage or women's equality. Gays like you and I should THANK those drag queens and AIDS activists for blazing the path that allowed us to come out. I look back and laugh sometimes about things that felt like such a big deal in the past but now are a dime a dozen. In the mid 1990s, my mother and I did a Houston Post Sunday Lifestyle spread on "coming out." The reason we were chosen? No other parent-child combo in PFLAG Houston was willing to do it. Today, coming out is usually followed by a collective yawn with people wondering why it took you so long (I am looking at you, Ricky Martin!).
  3. KinkaidAlum
    No worries. Here's Varla Jean Merman, who is simply brilliant, explaining the Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York. Towards the end, she sums it up very well with a line that goes something like "maybe you don't dig to wear a wig" but it was those folks who paved the way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3XulgllgDQ
  4. KinkaidAlum
    First things first, I wasn't calling wxman homophobic. There is a difference between homophobia and internalized homophobia. The historical fact of the matter, as barracuda pointed out, is that it was DRAG QUEENS who started the entire ***** liberation movement. It was their fight against being arrested and harassed simply for congregating together that allowed people like me to come out of the closet. I've come to realize, over time, that those folks who are way more marginalized than I am (since I can easily "pass") deserve my RESPECT. What I was hoping to get across was that wxman doesn't need to change anything about himself. It's fine to be Freddie Frat Guy and G-A-Y at the same time. I've come to terms with the fact that I am a lousy *** man, although I look hella better than Barney Frank! I prefer to describe myself as "lesbian" when people ask me what sub-species of *** I belong to.
  5. KinkaidAlum
    LOL. The grocer decided against it because it would cost a lot more to build a store over a garage than it would to take the cheap way out and build a suburban style store with a huge surface parking lot (see H.E.B. on Dunlavy). Still chuckling over the thought that a massive surface parking lot with some trees "strategically placed" throughout will cause less of a heat island than a development with a smaller footprint!
  6. KinkaidAlum
    It's the internalized homophobia that makes you feel uncomfortable with "free spirits." There's no way to grow up in this society and not have it. We learn at a very early age that *** is "bad" or at least "different." Little boys know very quickly that the worst thing you can call someone is ***/***/homo/etc... And while the world is more accepting now, those thoughts that we all had as kids of not fitting in, of being different, of being ashamed, can still haunt us. You and I are way more alike than we are different. I used to get really uncomfortable around flamboyant gays. I used to cringe at the thought of Bears, Twinks, or Leather Daddies and never felt like I had a place in *** culture since not only did I not feel like any of those types, I knew I didn't want to become one either. But that's the beautiful thing. I don't have to change who I am at my core. I now laugh and call myself "the worst *** man" in the world with my friends. I don't like *** bars. I don't starve myself so that I can fit in at Meteor. I don't have a barbed wire tattoo on my biceps. Heck, I don't have biceps! I have no idea of fashion outside of patagonia, gap, j crew, and t-shirts. I'd rather watch ESPN than Glee. On a Saturday in the fall, you'll find me tailgating or at a sports bar watching college football but will never find me at a *** club. But that doesn't make me less ***. It just makes me, well, me. My suggestion to you would be to stop getting frustrated for not being able to get to that point and don't judge others that do. Just as all "straights" aren't the same, we aren't either. I hope this doesn't sound too lecture-y. Just trying to share my experiences with you.
  7. KinkaidAlum
    THIS IS JUST MY OPINION... but I hope you work on your internalized homophobia. All *** guys tend to struggle with these issues. Quite frankly, now that I am 40, I've come to view Pride in much the same way as I view Mardi Gras. Pride isn't about creating change or passing legislation. It's about celebrating our differences and simply having FUN. It's the one time of year that you can feel safe on the streets, act out, hold your boyfriend's hand, and celebrate the utter ridiculousness of roller derby girls inter mingling with Christians while politicians glad handle and go-go boys bounce. While I don't agree with everything I see out at Pride, I do appreciate the right of others to let their hair down and go wild. As an aside, I am a preppy-ish guy that hangs out at straight beer joints (99% of my friends are breeders) and loves college football. I don't drink cocktails with umbrellas but love to bring my own koozi to keep the longneck from sweating. I haven't been to a *** bar in years but do look forward to the Pride Parade every year! My suggestion, come hang out at Poison Girl and have a good time. Quite frankly, there will be 25% of the population that will never accept us so come be with the 75% that already do!
  8. KinkaidAlum
    i went to high school with a girl named Mary Eliza Lovett.
  9. KinkaidAlum
    Exxon does have great benefits and they do indeed reward longevity. However, anyone giving advice to buy a home in this market to someone who is 1 year removed from college is most likely called a realtor. However, you're right. I am missing your point on the supposed motivations of all young engineers. Funny, but the dozen or so 20 somethings that I know that work for Baker Hughes off of Allen Parkway (my niece dates a mechanical engineer who works there) seem like pretty typical 20 something college grads to me. They like to eat out, go to sporting events, concerts, bars, etc.. and all of them live Inside the Loop. Sure, there are some engineers that probably fit the stereotype, but there are many others that don't.
  10. KinkaidAlum
    This reminds me of the first few years of HAIF. Good times!
  11. KinkaidAlum
    It's a smart decision for a young engineer fresh out of college to buy a home in the northern suburbs? Funny, I would think it would be a MUCH smarter move to rent first. Would I rather rent inside the loop at 23 or at some apartment complex in Spring? No contest. Additionally, downtown is still buzzing along. Losing Exxon from the old Humble Oil Tower isn't ideal but downtown is still the home of Kinder Morgan, Cheniere, Plains Exploration, Enterprise, Enbridge, Duncan, Key, El Paso, Center Point, KBR, Natural Resource Partners, Eagle Rock, Calpine, EOG, Plains All American Pipeline, Oil State Int'l, Genesis, Waste Management, Cooper Industries, Petrohawk, Targa, Dynegy, Genon, and Gastar. It's also the metro base for Shell, Devon, Chevron Texaco, and more.
  12. KinkaidAlum
    I actually do find it interesting. Say you're a young engineer and you've been offered by two firms; Exxon Mobil and Hess. Which would you choose if the pay was relatively similar? Corporate suburban campus vs. downtown across from Discovery Green? After work drinks at Chili's or after work drinks at House of Blues, the BUS, new brew pub, etc..? After work options of getting into your car to go anywhere or possibly walking to a Rockets, Astros, Aeros, Dynamo game? Neighborhoods within 10 minutes of your office are all suburban or large garden style apartments or Downtown, Midtown, East End, Montrose, Upper Kirby, etc...?
  13. KinkaidAlum
    I love how the press release claims the move is partially to demonstrate environmental responsibility. Yeah, nothing says environmental responsibility more than a 1970s era suburban style campus built out in an uncentralized location that was formerly a virgin pine forest. I know folks that work downtown and near Greenway that are NOT excited about this move. I think there will be lots of poaching of younger Exxon employees.
  14. KinkaidAlum
    Qantas moved the flight from SFO to DFW because of the One World Alliance between Qantas and American. They're advertising in Chicago to take advantage of all the frequent flyers that are loyal to AA in that town. Qantas no longer flies to SFO and the LAX flight can do well on O&D passengers whereas the DFW flight will need all the connecting passengers it can get. Finally, LAX is a terrible airport for connections, especially between American and Qantas.
  15. KinkaidAlum
    Totally agree with the Niche. UT MD Anderson only looked at converting it for medical space. However, professional office space is in high demand in the TMC. Additionally, housing is greatly needed for the thousands of students, interns, and residents who call the TMC home for a few years. I would have liked to have seen the old Prudential turned into an apartment tower, becoming the second one operated by TMC (Favrot Tower).
  16. KinkaidAlum
    Huh? The addition is going up on the southwest corner of Cullen @ Holman. That's about a two minute walk, if you walk slowly, from the back entrance of the Moores School! Additionally, it'll be used extensively by the marching band, cheer, and dance teams and will make going to all of the events in Hofheinz and/or Robertson/new stadium a helluva lot easier.
  17. KinkaidAlum
    Sad. Another piece of history bites the dust. I can see the old Prudential (Main Bldg at MD Anderson) Building being taken down slowly from my balcony this week too. The newer buildings on that campus are so cheap looking (tunnel form?) compared to the old beauty. Haven't seen the plans for what's planned for that HUGE lot but I am not too excited. Methodist and Texas Children's new buildings are so much nicer than MD Anderson's.
  18. KinkaidAlum
    Looks like Nancy scooped the HAIFers and Swamplot. First time I can remember that happening in awhile. 1111 Studewood. Says is under construction. 6 floors. 2 underground parking levels for residents. 9,000 sq feet of ground floor retail. floors 2-3 retail parking. floors 4-6 will contain 20 condos. Roof top pool and summer kitchen with downtown views.
  19. KinkaidAlum
    Sorry, but Houston is in a better position than the State of Texas. We'd be in an even better position if we didn't send so much money to Austin that was then pumped off to rural areas of the state. Name one thing that Perry has done that you think is wonderful? Can anyone name just ONE? He's been in office for a very long time and NOTHING pops into my mind. Heck, our own Republican controlled budget committee up in Austin has warned of the dire consequences of this new proposed budget. Google the findings. Staggering number of job losses and lost revenue. Things are about to get a lot worse...
  20. KinkaidAlum
    Are they really building a clock tower? Here's what I know directly from Renu. The stadium parking garage will start going up this week. It'll have 10,000 square feet of retail on the street level. Rumor is that Taco Cabana is taking a big chunk of that space. 2,400 parking spaces. Fund raising for the new stadium is going really well. Over $60 million has been raised and there are four companies interested in the naming rights (rumored to be asking $30 million for 20 years). Stadium features include the following; 40,000 seats with expansion to options up to 60,000. 24 private suites. 650 club seats. 180 sideline loge boxes with 4-8 seats each. New press level. Roof top terrace with standing room for 300 people. HD Video Board. However, what most don't know is that the East Side of the Stadium will have approximately 35,000 square feet of academic space primarily reserved for the Moores School of Music! The naming rights for this complex has been secured. It'll include marching band, cheer, and dance team rehearsal space. Wind ensembles and jazz program rehearsal space. A University-wide Hall of Honor. A new 300 seat recital hall. A band library. Locker room with shower facilities for the Spirit Groups to use on game days. Kitchenette. Reception areas and a student lounge. Office space for Moores School faculty and staff. Instrument storage facility. New residential space will include Sophomore Housing. This will be built where the Cougar Place Apts. currently reside (Calhoun and Wheeler). Cougar Place will be torn down this summer. In its place will be an 800 bed dorm styled similarly to the freshman dorm complex just opened. Opening set for 2013. Around the same time, a married/family housing complex with 400 units and childcare center will be built across from MacGregor Park on MLK.
  21. KinkaidAlum
    Funny that The Niche mentions Harrisburg, Griggs, and Northline to show the idiocy of our current expansion but fails to mention what will be connected in a few years time. With the current line and ones under construction, we'll have the majority of the "center" city's destinations on-line. From work hubs (Downtown and Texas Medical Center) to cultural centers (Theater District, Museum District, Hermann Park, Houston Zoo) to campuses (University of Houston, Texas Southern, UH Downtown, South Texas College of Law, Baylor Med, UT Health Science Center, Prairie View ATM, Texas Woman's U, Houston Community College Central campus) to sports meccas (Reliant Stadium, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park, Dynamo Stadium, Rice Stadium, Reckling Park, Robertson Stadium, Autry Court, Hofheinz Pavilion, Cougar Field, TSU's Arena) to Convention Centers (GRB and Reliant Park) to some of the most transit dependent inner city neighborhoods. He is right though, Greenway Plaza and the Uptown/Galleria area need to be connected as well but it's not as if METRO and the voters haven't tried.
  22. KinkaidAlum
    This past Lege Session makes me miss Molly Ivins. At least she could have made me laugh about the absolute stupidity of it all. The winners? Big Beers. Yacht Owners/Buyers. Anti-Abortionists. Steroid-free high school athletes. Builder Perry. HOAs. Developers. The losers? The children of Texas. College students. Medicare recipients. Doctors. Small/Medium-sized businesses. Home Owners/Property Rights Advocates. State colleges. State parks. The Arts. And to top it all of, SMU Mark comes in to demand that we equal the playing field for InBev (which isn't even an American company anymore)!
  23. KinkaidAlum
    Screw that. http://www.houstonsecede.com
  24. KinkaidAlum

    United Airlines

    KinkaidAlum replied to brain's topic in Planes

    B used to be for shorter flights on ERJs but man, Continental/United loves to put those things on long flights... like Bakersfield, Toronto, Norfolk, Minneapolis, Huatulco, etc... I actually like to barbie jets on flights under 2 hours (easy on and off) but anything longer than that and it starts to feel like the walls are closing in.
  25. KinkaidAlum
    6 story self-storage facility. I kid you not...
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