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dbigtex56

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Everything posted by dbigtex56

  1. dbigtex56
    Bought a couple of typewriters (one manual, one electric) and am attempting to regain some of the dexterity that I had before backspace and delete keys, and automatic spelling verification allowed me to become a slipshod typist. Turns out that it's just as hard to break bad habits as it was to learn how to type correctly the first time. It's fun, though. The banging of the keys makes me feel like something important is being accomplished.
  2. dbigtex56
    So, not BRT. More like BST. I'm an advocate of public transportation and wish I could to be a more enthusiastic supporter of METRO. They mean well, but it seems that from the most ambitious projects to the most mundane daily operations, the level of competence leaves a lot to be desired.
  3. dbigtex56
    If you mean 3212 Smith, although they look like apartments, they're being used as office space. My lawyer had offices there several years ago.
  4. dbigtex56
    It looked better before the brick went up, when it was covered with those aqua and yellow sheathing and insulation panels (or whatever they were). Now I look at it and just want to take a nap.
  5. dbigtex56
    I see what you're saying and agree with it. I'd love to see this corridor filled all the way to the Museum District. It's the actual construction of these buildings that can be a pain in the neck (or elsewhere). Remember what a long, dragged-out process the construction of Camden McGowen Station was? How, months after the majority of the construction was complete, the sidewalks were still impassible? Closing a sidewalk can cause real inconvenience, especially because of the "superblocks" that interrupt Midtown's street grid - the "you can't get there from here" syndrome. Going to a destination only a block or two away can mean having to walk several blocks, and having even more sidewalks blocked off complicates things. Of course it takes time and causes some inconvenience to construct a new building. I accept that. But please, the less time and inconvenience, the better.
  6. dbigtex56
    I'm a bit disappointed that it's going to take three years. The existing building broke ground in November of 2017 and was pretty much completed two years later.
  7. dbigtex56
    "surgically restored"? Will this be done on-site, or will they have to transport it to TMC? I hope they're planning on using an anesthetic. I'd hate to see it suffer.
  8. dbigtex56
    I imagine that soaring property values have also impacted taxes (even after deductions are made for residents who are homeowners and 65+ years old). There's irony in there somewhere - the houses have become such good investments that they're no longer affordable.
  9. dbigtex56
    Did Admiral do any dry cleaning at this site, or was it strictly laundry? I ask because some former dry cleaning sites have had to deal with contaminated soil, the cleanup of which can be expensive.
  10. dbigtex56
    The Chinese Consulate also serves as Passport and Visa Office of China. HFD responds to report of fire in courtyard: Houston Chronicle
  11. dbigtex56
    Sounds like a failed DIY flipping attempt. Once again, HGTV sows the seeds of destruction. Not having the option of retaining the original elements of the building is a deal-breaker for many people. Let's hope someone sees potential in the ruins.
  12. dbigtex56
    Perhaps they were designed with the climate in mind as well. Dense development along narrow streets would allow less sunlight to filter in, and cause breezes to accelerate. Coupled with shaded, high-walled courtyards with fountains, and the use of brick structures and paving to modulate the heat, the actual and 'feels like' temperatures could be lowered a few degrees.
  13. dbigtex56
    Is the triangle thingie tacked over the entrance supposed to pay homage to Pei's Louve Pyramid? Because, no.
  14. dbigtex56
    Or, you could drive to the Burnett Transit Center, where there is an abundance of parking, and take the Red Line to downtown and walk (or take the Green or Purple Line if you don't feel up to it).
  15. dbigtex56
    @HAIF Since it's no longer 'Going Up!' can this topic be moved to 'Midtown'?
  16. dbigtex56
    Thankfully, no reports of fatalities or injuries.
  17. dbigtex56
    The Tower was home of Hollywood Video (remember the mural on the east side of the building?), and Blockbuster was a block east, in the spaces now occupied by The Mattress Firm and Papa John''s. My recollection of Audio Video Plus is that they had poor customer service and exorbitant service charges, but a good selection of sci-fi films. I preferred Cactus Records, whose art and foreign film selection was (IMO) unmatched.
  18. dbigtex56
    The goose flies at midnight.
  19. dbigtex56
    According to KTRK Channel 13 News at 11, Fiesta is closing TODAY. (and yes, the anchor mentioned the homeless - not sure if she was quoting a Fiesta official or just expressing her own opinion.) edit: Link to Houston Chronicle article
  20. dbigtex56
    I see your point. The area within about a block of Randall's is just fine. My route requires me to cross Main St. at Hadley, and the sidewalk outside Cle' is a popular hangout (usually 10, 12 people, no exaggeration). It's like walking through someone's living room. Six of one, half dozen of the other.
  21. dbigtex56
    I'd be thrilled with H-E-B replacing Fiesta. Location, location, location, quality and selection is great, their prices are competitive, and they would likely take a more proactive approach to shoppers' safety concerns. It would attract shoppers from downtown, Midtown and Montrose. True, Montrose already has an H-E-B but it's so popular that it's sometimes inconvenient. As Yogi Berra put it, "Nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded."
  22. dbigtex56
    Their advertising campaign featured TV's most popular couple. Guess it wasn't enough.
  23. dbigtex56
    The new H-E-B suffers from that common Houston problem; it's close, but you can't get there from here without a car. For pedestrians or METRO riders, it may as well be in Pasadena (OK, slight exaggeration but the point remains). There are few residences within walking distance. Although METRO provides a sort of shuttle service, it's a minivan taxi that operates whenever the hell they feel like it, and is a COVID breeding grounds (the day I took it neither the driver nor the other passenger were wearing masks. And forget social distancing in a minivan). In contrast, the Midtown Fiesta is located directly on the 25 Richmond/Wheeler bus line, and is three blocks from the Wheeler light rail station. For some people, that's an important consideration.
  24. dbigtex56
    IIRC, the San Jacinto St. Fiesta opened in 1989. The homeless were already firmly ensconced in that neighborhood, due to sheltering under the 59 overpass, proximity to organizations that provide aid, and Sears, which provided both toilets and washrooms. I've walked into Sears men's room to discover people in various states of undress, using hand soap to scrub armpits, and balancing on one leg to wash their feet in the sink. IMO Fiesta itself has little to do with homeless people gathering in the area. It's just that it's located in a sort of No Man's Land featuring vacant lots and few permanent residents to issue complaints to HPD.
  25. dbigtex56
    It may have been an unsold 'Allstate'. which was Sears' rebadged version of the Henry J. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allstate_(automobile) From the article: "Initially, the Allstate was offered only in the south and southwest United States, with plans to expand distribution as demand for the product grew. Sears locations selling Allstates included... Baytown, Texas; Beaumont, Texas; ... Houston, Texas..."; "...some Sears outlets tried to stock at least one sample of the car..."
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