Lowbrow

i drove down past the Zoo on MacGregor Sunday afternoon. there was more going on other then the normal construction and traffic. on the corner where MacGregor splits to the north (just south of the Zoo), there was a big group of people in uniform, and someone giving a speach with a podium and tons of cameras. not sure what this was for, but they were in the median, and slowing people down quite a bit. between this, constuction, and traffic it was a nightmare.

Hmm, not sure what that was. I know there are some New Orleans mayoral speeches going on over last week and the next few days.

The Aids walk was up on Allen Parkway so I doubt it had anything to do with that.

I would trust Chavez before I would trust the Bush Admin

Yes, that stretch between fannin and main is really bad now. Last time I walked past there they had a fire pit going and everything. Some of the trellised pavillions in the park seem to be perferred bunk houses for the homeless as well. My daughter got off her noisy swing because she was afraid of waking the 'rag man'.

I used to park on main next to Palmer Memorial Church and walk across the park (maybe play at the swings and water park along the way or coming back). I've always liked the walk next to the lake there.

I used to use it daily back in 88 or 89. Had a summer job out in Las Colinas.

Always seemed a little bit odd to me, but it got me to work.

This so sounds like something I would go through. I empathize but have no info for you.

Skinnier Firetrucks?

or maybe put big snow plows on the front to move that beamer out of the way.

Interesting, I wonder if they ever work out the bugs.

I wish the streets aligned.

I do love the Kamrath designs. I believe I know the one you are talking about, it had a very interesting diamond motif throughout the home.

I see that the 59 Tiel Way house for sale above is now only asking 1.5M instead of 1.7 and seems to have an option pending... and here I thought I could amass my fortune before it sold.

Jason- That is Great!! Very nice pictures too. How exciting.

Things I like:

Rice Institute

Shepherd's Damn?? Road

German Cemetary (now Washington Cemetary)

Our W. Dallas Road was called San Felipe Road (guess they moved it?)

Ballpark where the Gulf Freeway is now (near Crosby and Andrews)

Montgomery Road (west) is now N. Main

Montgomery Road (east) is now Fulton

Main Street Park is now Hermann Park

I love this stuff. This is why I collect old maps. I have a bunch of 1850's world maps with all kinds of intersting tidbits on them.

ahh yes just remembered, met Tom Cruise in Dallas when they were shooting Born on the Fourth of July... down at SMU

I remember the first time I heard MBM 99%... great album. "Heavy Metal... Noise Pollution" I think Nirvana was just becoming popular. I was just coming out of my Front 242 phase. Those were the good days of numbers.

Last time I saw Meat Beat they were at numbers with 808 State. Maybe '93?

"All the way from Manchester....."

Lady Bird Johnson

Stevie Ray Vaughn

Jane Goodall

Both Bushes and Mama Bush

Michael Stipe

All of Guns'n'Roses (x2)

Herbie Hancock

George Foreman

Rudy Tomjanovich

Shawn Ray (body builder)

Marvin Zindler

Drummer from ZZ Top (is Beard the one with no beard?)

Robbie Van Winkle (Vanilla Ice) - went to high school with him

Darius Rucker and the rest of the Blowfish (this is getting bad)

Strom Thurmond

....

Orrin Pilkey (ok maybe just famous to me)

ps. Oh yeah forgot that the '94 Rockets used to practise at my gym at Texas A&M in Galveston, then come and eat and drink where I worked. Saw alot of Olajuwon, Drexler, Thorpe, etc.

That's the key for me: Late hours! After a night of bar- and club-hopping, Katz's, Mai's, and House of Pies hit the spot. Are there any other places open post-1/2AM?

Dont forget:

Spanish Flower

Ruchi's (all of them)

West Gray Cafe

There are others but I havent tried them.

http://www.b4-u-eat.com/houston/restaurant...ine/24-hour.asp

I havent been but it is on the list. My friends love it. I think it is suggested to get a reservation well in advance.

Thats funny, I've only been a few times but found the staff to be rude every time. Once my wife got runny eggs for breakfast when she ordered over-medium and the waitress tried to tell her that was what she got. I like the food, I do think it is expensive, but I've had bad luck with the help.

Hugo is something of a radical. I neither hate nor love him. I was definately suprised when he was able to recover control of his government a few years back. I thought they had really got him.

Carter's group put their stamp of approval on the last election saying it was above board and fair and that is enough for me.

If Hugo really wanted to screw the US he should just build up a competing airline with domestic flights in the US, with his fuel costs he would sink all the american airlines in no time. (actually I'm sure there are safeguards against such a thing.. right??)

My faves from a purchasing perspective were the Audi RS4, Bmw M5, Infiniti M45, and the Acura RL.

My main interest in going was to see the Aston Martins, the Porshe Caymen, and the Toyota FJ.

I've also decided I really don't care for the Lambos and the Lotuses.

I'd really like to see the mess of lines next to Westpark that extended all the way to wakeforest. They got rid of the tracks next should be the powerlines.

Katy is fine for people that don't mind fairly bland suburbs with fairly decent schools. The drive can be extreme depending on where you work. I dont think being reddish or bluish is going to affect you. The housing is cheap and there is a little bit of 'culture' to be found. Its not mars.

First off that will be some high bridge with the deep sea lane it would span. Quite a visual from the low lying galveston and bolivar.

Secondly, you will see alot more traffic to bolivar. Good or bad, I'm not sure. When I was in school down there bolivar is where we would go to have bonfires (ala couches from salvation army and palettes from the docks) and drink. Not to mention the shroom picking. I think this bridge would definately alter all that (again, for good or bad?)

Well, I'm one of those "odd birds" raising children in Montrose. I have 1.5 and 3 year old girls. We spend lots of time in the numerous parks (especially Hermann) the Children's Museum, Downtown on weekends and the Zoo. I've lived all over town and I have a hard time thinking I would be any better anywhere else right now. I do need something bigger than my current 2 bedroom 1980's condo (have a 3rd child on the way). We might just upgrade to a bigger unit.

(I'm about a block from the Menil Collection you visited.)

Oh and Poe Elem in Montrose is rated rather well, as well.

Not so sure about the availability of the exemplary schools. I know its possible to test in, just not sure about the competition. I know my wife would like to get our daughter into River Oaks Elem through just that route but whether we can contend against the actual population of River Oaks is another matter.

Glenbrook fell through for us for stubborn reasons of price negotiation with the seller and nothing else. I lover the old spanish moss and Simms Bayou and the huge lots. The mod was one of my favorites that I have seen in Houston to date. The airport is not a problem, if you look at google maps you can see the landing skidmarks of the planes and see that the flight pattern isnt over Glenbrook. More from the SW if I recall correctly.

We are pretty set on finding something in Memorial Bend. If I had your budget I would really look into what I think is called "Royal Oaks" off of Gessner. The area around the street called Nocturne in the 77043 area code. Still in Spring branch independant school district (nice), just in the lighter income side. (ie a few apartments around)

The Heights are nice, MCMs are a little rare. More 1930 bungalows and huge victorians. Most of my friends, especially the child-free, live there.

If remaining urban is important to you I'd check out Midtown. Its on the turn around and prices are good. You'd have to ask someone else about the schools. My guess is so-so.

Cheers.

Here's a schools question, as long as we're on the topic. I love the look of some of the magnet/gifted schools like Roberts and Twain. How hard are they to get into? In NYC no matter where you live if you test in you can go to any of the best publics. I read on the HISD site that in theory it is the same in Houston but how well does this system work IRL?

If you don't mind my asking, what did you like about Glenbrook and are the schools the major reason why in the end you didn't buy there? Also, is there no problem with the airport being so close? Thanks so much! We are overwhelmed by all the research. There are so many areas of Houston to explore and the whole suburban/subdivision thing is all new to us. That said, we are LOVING looking at all the photos of room after room. Closets, yards, trees... it will be wonderful, especially for our daughter. A playroom to put her toys and not see them as we entertain adult friends... seems a fantasy!

Just have to do a lot of research now so we can see what we need to see in our week in Houston... So far for neighborhoods to explore I have the Heights, Glenbrook, Tanglewilde/Westbury, Oak Forest/Candlelight Estates? What about Katy or Pasadena? Any other ideas? If money were no object we would really be looking at Memorial, as you mention, Braeswood and the like, but we're an artist and writer, with a child, so money IS an object.