tanith27

Great movie. I paid $14 to go see it. Imax. Well worth the extra coin. I think many were surprised to see this incarnation as so dark, but this has been the case for well over 20 years since Frank Miller did the classic Dark Knight graphic novels back in the 80s.

What really piqued my interest was the trailer for the Watchmen, which many (including myself) classify as the best graphic novel ever created. If done right, this movie could turn heads. For one, I'm glad to see the 'comic book' industry be brought to the big screen with decent budgets and well scripted screenplays. Many people dont realize that movies like 300 and Sin City started off on the shelves of your neighborhood comic book store.

The Reality Bites house is located at 409 W Clay, (which is quite a ways from W. Alabama, but closer to the Heights.)

You're right, my bad. I actually meant W Dallas as my friend lives across from this home. The synapses were a bit slow yesterday it seems....

Did "Reality Bites" make it in the Heights? I know much of it was around West Alabama in the Montrose area which isn't far at all...

I love the Heights. I can't imagine being anywhere else in Houston. If you're in your 20s and find yourself doing the social scene at least 5x per week, the Heights may not be your solution. Midtown is the answer to that. The Heights is an urban location, but there is definitely a small town feel to it. You won't find many of the chain restaurants so if you really like those, be prepared to travel. There is a good mix of restaurants/pubs/cafes which are not corporately owned so you get that mom'n'pop feel about the area. It definitely feels like you've taken the Delorean on a spin back several decades...I still hear the ice cream truck trolling the summer nights in the area. Many people walking around, or biking. Neighbors actually come out to talk to each other and there are some great neighborhood sponsored events (First Saturday, Lights in the Heights, etc).

Crime? Yes. Its all relative though. Much of it seems to be crime of opportunity: ie don't leave your purse on the front seat of the car overnight. The Heights is still changing though, some areas quicker than others. As far as gentrifying, east of Heights Blvd is much better than west of Heights Blvd. I would be more cautious if you're looking north of 20th street and north of Main St. There are some nice homes up there, but its still much more transitional than the areas, say, south of 11th. In my opinion the area bounded by Heights (west), White Oak aka 6th (south), Studewood (east) and 11th (north) offer the easiest in terms of walkability to some of the more popular areas. You probably can't get a rental in your price range in that zone, but see if you can get close to that. PM me if you want some more details...

Karen Derr is also working on a Constable program for the Heights that will result in an increased police presence in the area. It requires a certain number of people to contribute money, although it is voluntary and once the minimum is attained, all neighbors would benefit by this increase in patrols. Those that contribute would get the added benefit of an HPD officer doing drive by's on your house during times you're away on vacation.

I used to work in one of these buildings on the SW corner and still have friends that work there currently. Apparently they just extended their lease at 5333 Westheimer and will be there for at least several more years, and the current owners have committed to upgrading the building as well as the parking garage. So not sure if this is the location that this project is actually planned to be, but based on the investment in rebuilding the infrastructure that is there already, I'm sure its years away at this point.

I was getting my usual cheap tuesday haircut last night next to Kroger and the stylist said the large red brick church directly across 20th has been sold to developers who are planning an apartment complex. Any confirmation on that?

If I had to guess it would be a mattress store and a check cashing boutique.

This would be SWEET! I was in Vancouver for Expo 86 and can't even explain how much fun that was. Oddly enough, I was just talking with friends over the weekend and we were both wondering if the World Expositions still went on since nothing has shown up in NorthAm in over 20 years. Glad to know they're still going on, and shame on the US and Canada for not working harder to bring one here earlier.

This area isn't horrible like stated above, but it isn't the best either. If you have kids, I wouldn't send them to these schools out here. Jones, Milby, and Chavez aren't the best. If you are working at Minute Maid I would suggest Bellaire (although it may be less cost efficient), or the Heights. Hey, even new town homes are popping up on the Aldine Eisenhower/Klein Forest boundary, which look pretty nice. I just feel that if you don't want a "ghetto" atmosphere, you shouldn't pick the southeast part of the inner loop.

2BR/2BA in the Heights for less than $110K?? Don't think those exist anymore...

Most of the people I know will walk to Stude Park. Also, if you're loading up in the car I've heard the view from the Target parking lot is quite amazing.

My past vices were Wasteland and pretty much any Ultima game. Might and Magic sucked quite a bit of life away from me as did the Elder Scrolls series. Heck, pretty much any RPG will get me going. Am waiting anxiously for Fallout3 but my 360 currently is spinning Paradise City.

Adrian Garcias office just emailed me and said the Planning and Development Dept hasn't received any permit application or subdivision application for review on this. Seems to me the 'new leasing' part of this sign is quite a bit premature.

I'm completely against this. I do recognize the need for high density dwellings in the area, this location is just wrong wrong wrong. I just sent a note to Adrian Garcias office so I'm curious what they have to say on the matter. Interesting that the Innerloopcondos group has been quiet for a couple of years now. I know there was some pretty good opposition to that and it was much closer to I-10.

For me, the best shrimp po'boy comes from the Gumbo Shop adjacent to the St Louis Cathedral. Not fried, but sauteed shrimp with peppers and spices shoved into a hollowed out roll of french bread. Its amazing. And cheap too.

Also, can't beat Deanies for their giant plate of fried seafood thats about a foot tall. I could hear my arteries hardening each time I went. Funny how I've lost so much weight since moving away from there.

Back in the late 80's as a teen I worked summers at 7-11 up on Vancouver Island and was responsible for ordering the supplies for the Big Gulp and Slurpee machines. Granted these prices were circa 1989 in Canadian Dollars, but the large carton of coke syrup cost $20.00 (with heavy summer use, this carton would last 1-2 days in the summer). The CO2 tank was $10. This 30 dollars per day resulted in thousands of dollars in sales (not including the equipment, of course) from the locals as they came and went each day. The true cost, as you may have speculated, was the cup. That ran between (approx) 4 and 7 cents each and soft drink/slurpee sales were inventoried by cup counting. So, yes, the cup cost more than the contents.

Also, as an aside, slurpee machines funk up pretty quickly. I pulled some nasty stuff out of the syrup containers in the back of those things. If they're not broken down and fully cleaned at least once per month, you can expect slime in the slurpee machine.

Sweeeeet. I just noticed a Yard House is going up here. Texas' first. This will ensure I leave the loop on a regular basis.

http://www.yardhouse.com/coming_to.asp

The sign has been there for a while. I believe its just for the lot next to OC, so I can't imagine how they would get something so large in that area. Besides, if something large is intended for that area, I think you'll see Ashby High Rise related issues pop up all over again. I can't ever imagine something like that coming to the area, unless it was on the periphery along I-10 or 45. If it does, I'll be one of the first to picket.

actually, it's not quite the same. it's based on a traditional New Orleans event from the garden district. as i understand it, some business owners who re-loed after Katrina wanted to start it up here. there is live music and different events all over the heights (vs 1st saturday which is just on 19th). it's a great night. it's too bad about the vandalism last year, but that wasn't paryt goers- that was punk kids with pellet guns and eggs taking advantage of people trying to enjoy themselves and be a part of a community.

First Saturday's events extend beyond just 19th. Thats why they have the free shuttle bus, to take residents to all the locales that have events going on. 19th is the most popular because of the Arts Market and abundance of quirky shop-ees in one spot, but many events take place place throughout.

White Linen is a great party. This year, coming August 2nd, should be a blast. Last year we started off with 8-10 folks at my place then walked to Onion Creek before catching the shuttle to 19th for an extended evening of wine tasting, live music, and street dancing. Another great tradition within the Heights and yet another reason why I have no desire to live anywhere else in the city.

Yes - a friend of mine told me that he went on a sort of "haunted Houston" tour that began at Spaghetti Warehouse. The cost was like $30 I think. The website he gave me - highspiritstours.com - does not exist?

Totally agree with you - a tour of spirits and liquid spirits would be excellent. We may be on to something here

I've done this before. Don't recall the name of the tour company, sorry. But yes the Spaghetti Warehouse was part of the tour. We did it a few years back, during Halloween season, so not sure if they only operate at that time of year. There was a good turnout in our group, and we did quite a bit of walking in the downtown area. This one, while not as eerie as the ones I've done in New Orleans, was unique in that many of the stops were actually inside some of the buildings so you got a much better feel for the surroundings than just looking at the outside facade. Many of the stops, coincidentally or conveniently, were pubs so the presence of suds made things more enjoyable. The tour as I recall was about 2-3 hours in length.

Yeah, maybe now they will start off with financial incentives to help us along. The same company that donated these solar panels...according to them it would cost me a grandiose $50,000 USD to set up a system that would save me a whole $38 off my monthly bill.

Hmmm....somehow the math doesn't quite work for me at this point.....

Looking at the pics makes me see so much potential for this part of the Bayou in downtown. I'm sure it'll come one day, but its a shame the city isn't doing more to make this a better destination for locals and visitors.

Me and the lady picked up two tickets to one of the suites. Probably not the best view out there, but comfy seats and elevated above the masses. I'm not a huge fan of Madonna, but its one of those rare events I think I'll look back years from now and say I'm glad I got to see her at least once.

My guess is the gub-mint is preparing to deal with the illegal immigration issue by planting hurricane seeds from above so we get hit with a big one from the Gulf this year, displacing to Dallas all of those that can't afford to get out on their own.

My Canadian friends are missing the Philadelphia Cream Cheese - Dill Dip...couldn't understand (at first) why we drink so much Iced Tea (nice alternative to water) & Light Beer...now they know, 100 degree weather. They say that Molson Canadian Beer here is different than at home.

I wonder if the beer is brewed in a different location? I remember being very excited when we first got Coors up in Canada, then much to my dismay, I read the label and found that it was made in Toronto. No Rocky Mountain spring water there.