crunchtastic

Margo thought it was funny, too. Do not assume that because you are a woman, you speak for all women.

Well yeah, that was kind of my point. The tenor of conversation would indeed be different, reflecting that the sort of people engaging in this excessive moralizing are themselves misogynists who seem to believe that women require special treatment (and you'd probably get plenty of anti-gay comments along with it).

And that point right there illustrates just how much moral ambiguity surrounds the issue. Is anybody on this thread absolutely confident that they're 'in the right'?

Point taken. I am the last person that should engage in moralizing on the subject of sex and bad manners, but 'special treatment' doesn't enter into the discussion. There's a show on VH-1 called 'Tool Academy'--those guys can defend and debate this stuff. Not you.

I know this was on a thread some time back, but I couldn't find it. If anyone is looking for a great vet in the area, I can recommend Heights Hospital for Animals (333 W. 20th Street). After going to the same vet out near Chimney Rock for over 10 years, including for 3 of those years after I moved to the Heights, we used HHA to board our pets after Ike (we were out of power for 15 days). We were able to meet and get to know Dr. Duncan and his staff, and even picked up the dogs during the days for walks/etc. We liked them so much, we changed over to HHA from that point on.

And just two weeks ago, we were forced to put one of our dogs to sleep somewhat unexpectedly. Dr. Duncan was spot on with his initial diagnosis, confirmed with further ultrasounds/biopsy tests. He took my calls daily, even as early as 6:45 am to get an overnight report on his condition. He even cleared his schedule on the Friday afternoon when we had to bring in our boy for the last time to make it a bit easier on us. I can't say enough about how happy we are with them.

They've only been open for around two years, and I know they're generating a good client base. They also provide boarding and the stalls are absolutely the cleanest I've seen. Here is their website

http://www.hospitalforanimals.net/

I'm so sorry to hear you lost your pet. Thank you for sharing your vet--we're very happy with our vet at Montrose Clinic--but we don't have a backup, and it's good to hear a recommendation from other folks close by.

I really don't even feel like debating this, except that I kind of did already. For me, misogyny is the theory and sexism is the practice, but they're intertwined. The fact that at least half of the comments on this item, if not more (especially looking at the other sites mentioned upthread), say that it's "just a joke" and that those of us who said it was offensive should "get over it" speak directly to this. I'm not saying that one kid is going to see the shirt and possibly go out & try to copy the act depicted. It's possible, but not my main concern. Will lots of kids (both male & female) see it and just file it away with all the other sexist crap they see daily? Yes. It only begets more of the same. The fact that a lot of adults don't see any problem here is even more bothersome, but I'm unfortunately used to that, too.

The manboys here can frame it up however they like. I refuse to buy it.

From where I sit, it's not a joking matter, and the apologies for persistent offensive behavior --like you say--beget more of the same. Am i offended at the shirt in question> eh, it's stupid, maybe.

But: As a woman, I am offended at the weak and ridiculous lengths to which the manboys on HAIF are going to defend this crap. As a HAIFer, I am doubly offended that these allegedly educated males [with the notable exception of the Editor] are comfortable to high-five their shared offensiveness and dismiss the fact that the women on this forum are offended.Because that is what's at the heart of misogyny: dismissing women. Dismiss someone long enough, and often enough, and intolerance and abuse is easier. Mostly, I feel sorry for the misinformed young girls who think this is all ok.

To Niche and Attica--please grow up before you breed; your future daughters deserve better and I suspect you are far better men than your comments here would suggest. Ironically, Niche made the point earliest--if it were a boy -- let's say a boy in a Spartan football uniform--in the image, the tenor of the conversation would be vastly different.

Sparkle burgers are outstanding! Niche might disagree, but I think they're better than Champ Burger, and that's saying something.

I know this is a burger thread, but I've been told about a giant bacon chili dog at a new place called Ray's, next door to Last Concert. I may have to abstain from food for a couple of days so I can check it out. I agree with Sev--if you're going to do it, aim high!

It was that keyboardist again... going through Fleetwood Mac's back catalog...

The horrible sounds are bad enough, but he sets up right between the crunchy snax aisle and the wine. Surely there is a place for him over in pharmacy.

If they would just get rid of Mr. Mall Tunes, I actually like watching the crazy old rich ladies with their scaly tanning bed skin, and age-inappropriate clothes. Compared to my other store, the gulfgate HEB, W. Gray Krog's is grocery heaven. The AWBs have their faults, but don't tend to shop with 4 wailing children hanging from the cart like vicious monkeys.

I noticed that on the Niko Nikos segment the other night, Guy mentioned the Montrose. Don't think he called it 'off the hook', or whatever, but he definitely gave a shout out to the neighborhood.

yay for Houston, and of of my favorite places, anywhere!

Just out of curiosity, I'm going to have to look at the NOLA paper and see if people there talk about the Marigny the same way the Chron trogs talk about the Montrose here.

uh-oh. They ranked cities also, and Dallas was number 10. Houston was not on the list.

WOW, it took four (4) minutes for someone to shoot down that trial balloon. Mongolia and the Lake Baikal region of Russia are at the top of my travel and foreign living list of awesome places, but every time I mention it I get very strange and negative responses. Especially from women and especially from family. I suspect that they suspect a less-than-altruistic rationale, not that most people would ever say anything that may even indicate their awareness or concern over such an issue. I guess I need to shut up about it, then, and just tell them that I'm in Australia when I (eventually) go.

Aww, I was merely taking an easy opportunity to make a joke, not pass judgment.

When I've expressed an interest in the former eastern bloc and the balkans, people tend to wrongly assume it's only because I like swarthy men, so I know what you mean.

Russia or Mongolia if I'm in a position to drink vodka and piss money.

If only they had a need for mail-order husbands. Win-win!

Horse piss. That makes me think of this bad memory of my long gone youth...

oh, my. I always wondered how people could like Schaefer. Now I know why. The grass is always greener, isn't it?

Good for them! It was a nice piece. Kyle, eat the shanks! I am a fan of lamb shank and they do some of the best. If you don't like lamb but want the same seasoning, get the pork chops. Outstanding pork chops. I could slather a dead man's leg in their tsatsiki sauce and eat it, OMG it's so garlicky and good.

That was gross. I'll stop now.

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This totally sucks that RedScare isn't here to see this. He has a very special birthday coming up this year. I should sign him up anyway. He's so tired of all the other Mexican restaurants near downtown. I wonder if Ruby Tequilas has waitstaff that will sing Happy Birthday and make the diner of honor wear an awesomely bad sombrero? There's no other good Mexican place in Midtown that will do that. Cool, Ruby Tequilas is close to my office. And all those points mean I can take my out-of-town management out to lunch a lot more than usual. I am pretty psyched!

any one know the oldest restaurant in the katy area?

I will need to think about town, but on Mason Rd, it would be Nonmachers. The guy moved from a smoker on a trailer in the parking lot to the storefront in the late 70s.

Here's the scoop on a few new bars opening around Washington, some I never even knew were on the map:

http://fredeatshouston.typepad.com/wwwfredeatshoustoncom/

Brixx - Changed name from Busty Larue's

Shotzky - Country Shot Bar Concept

Even douches know better than to go to bars with names this bad. I'm having a flashback involving dollar kamikazes and guys wearing Corona U tank tops.

Is this what the HAIF vanguard has to contribute to the greater good?

You kids have fun. While you're at it, learn the meaning of paradox.

I'd hang out, but the ice is melting in my drink.

Depends on your far back you wanna go... where are all the Italians and Germans that used to call East End home?

dead, mostly. They moved to Westbury or Glenbrook Valley in the white flight of the 60s and 70s, and their kids went to Clear Lake and the Woodlands.

One migratory population replacing another in not 'decimation.' The decimation of the east end will occur at the first major chemical accident or sabotage/attack on the inner ship channel.

Again, I don't have a dog in this fight, but to say he fosters intellectualism on this site and has largely been a benevolent dictator, but has committed a grave sin by, on rare occasions, deleting a post or two, is kinda sorta intellectually dishonest. I think there's a few people who've been here so long they've forgotten just how slim the pickings are out in the interporn. They've forgotten that most internet discourse resembles the reasoned writings of 12 year old kids. This site is an oasis in a barren, barren wasteland. Seriously, hop on over to City-Data for a moment and witness the difference.

I agree wholeheartedly that the rest of the internet, City Data in particular, is full of mouth breathers. That does not, however, make arbitrary enforcement of rules on this forum any more palatable. I fear that HAIF is quickly becoming more like the airline and skyscraper forums--if you're not part of "build everything supershiny and build it now!!" club, you're a townie simpleton who hates progress. Rather like opposing war makes one a terrorist and wanting health reform makes one a socialist. It's just as distasteful as the ass-holia on City Data. Although, sometimes I think those folks are at least a little more honest in their anti-intellectualism.

The Niche is right. East End culture has been decimated and many of the people who could potentially preserve it are renters, not owners, and those landlords will be all too happy to sell to big developers.

East end culture hasn't been 'decimated.' Maybe in the towhnome pods of EaDO, but not further down. I did recently notice that two formerly Mexican restaurants on Telephone are now Salvadoran, if that counts as selling out to big developers.

Within the next couple of years, the only way I see spanky new mutli-family residential is if somewhat like a Camden gets federal grant money to do mixed income housing, sort of like the development next to Ninfa's. No doubt some local slumlords would love to sell out, but is anyone really in the mood to buy large tracts? Per capita income is just too low still, would be my guess. The new census data will be interesting, but given 2 years of recession and counting, I have to wonder if the numbers will improve enough to make the east end significantly more enticing for anyting more than basic suburban retail, like the CVS and planned Ross.

I just looked Starbucks at that intersection up on Google maps, and it appears there's another one in the FIT Athletic Club a couple blocks away too. Is it possible that Shepherd and W Gray has the highest concentration of Starbucks of any place in the world? If so, let me be the first to say it: "We're number one! We're number one!"

Edit: Sigh... No, we're number four as a city...

http://foodio54.com/results-starbucks.php

Which is nothing compared to midtown Manhattan!

from my favorite econo-blog:

"There are 215 Starbucks within 5 miles of my office"

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/09/there-are-215-starbucks-within-5-miles-of-my-office/

To paraphrase the editor, "I think the lesson that citykid is learning here is that the age of debate and intelligence in Houston forums is over."

RedScare out.

Interesting. I found myself growing tired of these threads for the very same reason, and stayed off HAIF for a week. Finding number 1: I didn't miss it as much as I thought I would. Finding 2: it saddens me to come back ready to engage, only to see it deteriorate more.

I think a few people might be following Red's lead.

I think the lesson that citykid is learning here is that the age of dreamers and doers in Houston is over.

There will never again be a massively audacious project like the Astrodome or Johnson Space Center, or Chase Tower again in Houston because anyone with a vision or an idea will be shouted down by the "not my tax dollars" and "show me a study" and "I don't want no outsiders in here" crowd. The age of big Texans with big plans is over. Now Houston is being run by armchair cowboys who drive around in SUVs criticizing other people who actually want to make the city better. They are happy to let Houston slide toward backwater status long as they have a cold beer and memories of their high school football days. What's good enough for them should be good enough for everyone else, because they are the example of the perfect human form in mind and body, and are superior to all.

Citykid, I think you no longer have to wonder why talented people move out of Houston.

King of the Hill has been cancelled. But the do-nothing "yup" alley loafers live on in Houston.

That's nothing but offensive, editor.

Big plans cost big money. And like every other municipality in this country, we've got bigger quality of life issues to deal with, for the time being. There are a lot of big thinkers down here, but thankfully some of them are more interested in actual issues, like the environment, and sustainabilty, and not some short-sighted media circus built for the entertainment flavor of the month. I'm still strying to wrap my head around the idea that you seem to think building infrastuture for a courtjester like Tyler Perry is 'thinking big.' When another 200,000 people have to set up homesteads under i-45, they can take comfort in the fact the Mo'nique is in town for a taping. When Clear Lake is underwater because we scimped on boring, small thinking flood improvement projects, she can come on down to view the destruction and start a charity fund.

Find a way to encourage restaurants and mom-and-pop retail shops to locate near the stations. Use the rail line to turn that corridor into a shopping and entertainment district. Maybe pick a theme for it. Little Guadalajara, or maybe something easier for Gringo tourists to spell.

Yes, starting at the Lockwood station. There's a blank slate to work with on one corner, at least. The city park is right there, (which needs to be refurbed, especially the play areas and the pool). I see a great opportunity to make Eastwood Park into something much nicer. If you anchor the station with the park, and then retail on the other corners of Lockwood and Harrisburg, you could have a sigificant improvemnt in public space and retail all in the same location.

I am preparing myself for extreme mockery-- but if there were any way to acquire some of the property on the west side of the park, I think it would be totally cool to build a mini golf course and a small game arcade, with food stands too. The east end is so family-oriented anyway, always big groups cooking out and doing birthdays and stuff there at the park already. We should be careful to stay true to the neighborhood, in addition to the inevitable wine bar and farmer's market wish-list that the minority yuppie population will want.

I'd also like to see the Astros team with METRO for a big 'east end neighbors' promotion. Lots of baseball fans over there, and with the rail, a new, direct shot to MMP. Who knows, by 2012 the Astros might even claw their way back to being a .500 team.

I'm going to have to visit this revamped 11th St Krogers to see the angry people. If they are even half as angry as the West Gray shoppers are creepy, that's saying something.

But seriously, hope you guys will get the jaundiced, smelly old keyboard player dude. He's such a treasure for us Gray store shoppers. I actually heard some equally smelly and jaudiced shopper lady hovering around the wine sample table go over to him and request "Rhiannon."

Hmm. Suppose I was expecting something different from this article. It seemed to be all over the place yet not really say anything. Yet it still felt sort of negative aobut Houston.

The underground public space idea is certainly weird to me. I have not been to Montreal, but have a hard time imagining a Houstonian who would choose to make a special trip to congregate at an underground downtown 'public space'. If our atmosphere could no longer sustain human life, that's one thing. But otherwise, underground? How depressing.

I am curious about Peter Brown -- when was the last time he personally designed or built something? What was it? I need to go check out his campaign website. Curious too about the Channel 11 poll. Wonder how the questions were worded, to get 80% even loosely pro-planning.

Houston is a top 10 market, that seems pretty big to me. You did some good explaining, but it still doesn't balance out. The City of Atlanta has given incentives for much of its media empire. And much of it is home grown. CNN, HLN, Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, The Weather Channel (which was founded by a Texan), etc. Many record labels are based there or have offices there, many celebrities live there or have 2nd homes there and its really become known as the black Hollywood. Now if your theory of market size is correct how do you explain Atlanta having all of that when Dallas doesn't?

I look at it by state, Texas is 2nd to California, yet it has a very small presents in national media.

Bottom line: media is driven by market. Numbers don't lie. If your point is that Tyler Perry didn't make his latest embarassment of a movie here, then whatever. Do you seriously want to own that sort of crap?