2112

1. I thought Space Center Houston was at the Johnson Space Center, located in Clear Lake (City), which was annexed by the City of Houston years ago.

2. There have been on-again, off-again discussions of dredging the Trinity River, in a similar but more extensive way that Buffalo Bayou was, to make it passable to ships and thus allow Dallas to create its own inland port. Any thoughts on this?

3. I am happy to hear about this. It is always good to witness the two Texas Giants (Houston and Dallas) working together to help each other's economies.

1. Space Center Houston (SCH) is a private venture (not a government entity like JSC) that provides space related activities and tourist attractions, including tours of the Johnson Space Center (JSC). SCH is "adjacent to" (not "at") the Johnson Space Center. SCH is technically in Webster, which is adjacent to the far southeast city limits of Houston. JSC, on the other hand, is inside the Houston city limits, but just barely: when you leave JSC at the main gates, and turn on to Saturn Blvd., Houston city limits end about half a block away right before NASA Rd. 1, at which point Webster City limits begin. Clear Lake City was an unincorporated area in Harris county, until about 25 years ago, when it was annexed by the city of Houston. So it has been "Houston" for a long time now.

This was kinda interesting.

http://www.milkeninstitute.org/publication...ID=104&cat=Arts

I do see the similarities that Red points out. Although, the way I see it, Victory is a conscious effort to create something via a grand plan, while in contrast, what will become of Houston's east DT is more organic, as there is no grand plan, and it has sorta just burst out from a critical mass of momentum that has been building up in DT Houston as the various components have slowly been put in place. Dallas had a plan, while Houston did not, not really. Once again, this just comes to show somewhat of a variant in philosophy between Houston and Dallas, if you will. The chaotic, organicallly grown existence that is Houston, although wild and unappealing to the procedurally minded, is a hallmark of Houston. It is what I was trying to point out - albeit somewhat retorically - when I compared Dallas to the Krispie Kreme Donut, if you may recall. Be that as it may, what really interests me at this point is WHY, for crying out loud, does Winnie-the-pooh never wear any pants?

LOL.

Who is "people"?

Dallas?

Nah. It's only the people who work for the Port of Dallas authority.

You are missing the point. And the point is to honor the tradition of pointing out things in Dallas that are not all that. To stop now would belittle our elders - rest thier souls - who passed on thier Dallas vs Houston traditions to us, so that we too could continue in thier memories. So lets see, where was I - oh yes, The Port of Dallas...

FYI Dallas is in Texas.

I'm not saying its the only thing I do when in Dallas, but I enjoy shopping and Northpark is always a stop. There are plenty of great restaurants. I would enjoy a day at the spa, but I would rather visit the Royal Palms or the Camelback Inn here in Scottsdale. I'm looking forward to visiting the Nasher Sculpture Garden next time in town as well as stopping by GhostBar.

I noticed you mentioned "camelback". That's all I'm saying here...that is, that you said "camel". Don't try to read into my response here. There's nothing there. (Except for "camel")

There is no playbround at BurgerMart. Also, the tall man looks like he is between 50 and 60. Definitely not 80's or older.

Burger Mart on Edgebrook (SE Houston)

The guy has owned this dump for, it seems, 100 years. Actually, not a bad deal for a 2-bag burger meal. Anyways, it seems to me that this man has issues and is always angry. I am not the only one to have noticed, by the way. When you first walk in, expect to wait, until "tall man" finally ackowledges you, probably with something like: "wad-do-you-need?" After you place your order (apologetically), he takes the ticket without the least of a "thanks" or a "it will be out shortly". No. He just walks away. If you are in the know, then you know that if you intended to "eat-in", you should next walk through the side door, where there are some pretty banged up tables and chairs, along with some arcades. He won't tell you this. If you wait by the ordering window (phase one), then your order WILL BE TO-GO. Continuing, assuming you were in the know and walked into through the side door, or as I call it, the "inner sanctum", you sit down. There, you will notice another side window, this is where your "for-here" order will be handed to you by an arm. I say "an arm" because when you sit down, many of the tables are strategically placed far from the window, so you can't see the person behind the window. That person of course is "angry tall man", but all you will see is his arm as it places the order on the ledge, and then gestures, signalling to you that your order is ready. No words. Just an arm.

One time, I attempted to ask for hot sauce back at the order window before proceeding into the inner sanctum. I should have known better than to deviate from protocol because that was the only time I can remember when tall man looked at me in the eyes. It was a stern "no" that I will never forget. It was'nt anger really, but more like I had dissapointed him. As my order was handed to me later, I sat down, started to eat, when all of a sudden I heard a "klank-klank", at the side window. It was "the arm", gesturing to me as if to say "here's your damn hot sauce".

About the only thing this place has going for it, well, there are two, is that its pretty damn intertaining to actually go to a real live "soup-nazi" establishment. I've been going there for years, and he never fails me in this regard. Secondly, almost next door, about two blocks, is "taconmadre", one of the best taco trucks in houston.

Damn, I'm getting hungry just typing about it.

[sound of screeching tires as 2112 heads out towards Edgebrook]

This is precisely why I love this forum. Within 10 or so posts, we have gone from what constitutes a proper burrito, to tatoos on bycyling women, doggy sombreros, and back. And it was done in a disturbingly coehisive way.

Please stand by while 2112 develops a sarcastic response...

[sound of cheesy elevator music]

Just my 2 cents. I used to live between the belt and the loop. I liked the compromise between being 15 minutes from downtown, and 20 minutes from work (which was further out towards the bay). I really liked being somewhat in the middle between downtown and work, for the most part. Except for one thing...my theory about "being 15 minutes from downtown" was bogus. I always thought that If I got layed off or something, and ended up working downtown, I was set because of the short distance. The reality is that traffic during rush hours was so bad, that it didnt matter that I was "15" minutes, because at 6:30 to 8:30am, I would be sitting in a parking lot, every day, twice a day. In other words 15 minutes was really 45 minutes. I would have probably driven to the nearest Metro Park and Ride, and gone into downtown that way. Once I realized that, then the only thing that really matters is that I be close to a Metro Park and Ride. When it was time to move into a bigger house, one of the criteria was that I be somewhat close to a Park n Ride (which I am). I dont know if your line of work is condusive to being without a car between 9:00 and 5:00, but if it is, the Park n Ride idea opens up possibilities through out the city.

Thanks for joining us, and, welcome to the show.

I thought this goes without saying? In fact I'd say most anyone in any big city will not see much more than what they have by going just about anywhere in the US. Even visiting the MOA if you don't have kids to tour the rides is not much different than anywhere else in the US.

So, are any of the Malls in Texas you mentioned that are way better than Northpark in the Houston area? If so could you list a couple because I'll be visiting this weekend and would enjoy checking one out.

Jason

JasonDFW,

You are not going to be impressed with another mall in Houston. Why? Because in general, malls are malls. I like Baybrook Mall (SE Houston) because it "feels" a little different: slightly classy, colorfull, without the annoying super high class of Galleria. Plus, lots of fine women walking around, everywhere! But that can be said in most places around here. I know this, if I go to Dallas, the last thing I want to do is go somewhere that pretty much feels the same as what I am used to. And malls definitely are in that category. I would want someone to tell me about some unique quirky place in Dallas that I should check out. Deep Ellum is sorta different, at least different when compared to malls. So I would go there. Probably the JFK museum. Things that are different.

So dont bother with malls this weekend...unless you want to check out georgous women walking around, then by all means do so.

Your time would be better spent walking around Hermann Park, check out that bizzare human body parts exhibit while you are at the park (Museum of Natural Science). That's different. The antique's row, on Saturday after lunch, at least 10 antique shops all in walking distance (lower Westhiemer, west of Montrose). La Carafe in Market Square, downtown, Saturday night (Sam Houston slept thier, you do the math) Heck, just go barhopping in the entire downtown historic district, Saturday, after 10:00pm. Maybe NASA, take a tour of mission control, if that does something for you. The boardwalk, close to NASA, is sorta different, and if you want pretty good seafood for not too much money, across the boardwalk channel is Papadeux Seafood. Back in the Montrose is the Skybar...with access to the roof top of the building...it has an excellent view from way up high.

Just dont waste your time in malls.

Just curious as to the last time you were there, and actually walked the corridors of the shopping center?

"walked the corridors of the shopping center"???

Wow. Amazing. I mean, you are talking about a MALL here. "Walking the corridors" is kinda like applying wine tasting etiquite to poop, dont you think?

I don't know if there is anyone else here who celebrates mediocrity the way you do, 2112!

btw: It's not a bad thing to aspire to bigger and better things. It's not a bad thing to enjoy upscale shopping. It's not a bad thing to like, and be excited about, increased upscale shopping opportunities. I can understand why a lot here would not be excited about "another mall," because I understand what comes to most Houstonians minds when they think of a mall. Sharpstown, Gulfgate, Northline, Galleria. However, one has to visit the Northpark Shopping Center before he/she passes judgment on it. The shopping cewnter provides an experience like none other in the U.S. It's like a museum that just so happen to have retail stores. The shopping center is truly more than just a mall.

It's just different priorities for different people. Walking around in some "look-at-me" brand shirt or jeans or shoes just doesnt do anything for me. Dining at some exclusive restaurant so that I can be seen there and so I can say "I was there" - doesnt either, especially since I know I could have a BETTER experience at 1/4 the price (There out there, even in dallas, trust me.) I suspicion that living in a community where high culture is held as a defacto-requirement to acceptance may explain why this is important to some people. A place like Burbank or Hollywood comes to mind, and maybe some places in Texas even (without mentioning names). The fact that you dismiss the Houston Galleria as merely something in the league of Sharpstown says a lot about you. Maybe being noticed for the venues one shops is the thing for some people. But it doesnt mean crap to me: it's in the same league as drainage. Maybe it's my upbringing. Be that as it may, we all have our quirks. And mine is being able to hear the rich harmonics of the upper register of a piano. Being able to execute a trill at un-godly speeds. That does it for me. And now that I can, I am willing to spend the bucks to have that, because that does it for me without regard to what anyone else thinks about it. And so in the context of this thread, this is completely different from your attempts at educating and enlighting us simple Houstonians. I spend my money for personal reasons, not because it implies some level of social accomplishment.

As usual, oversimplifications are running rampant, for the sole purpose of supporting whatever agenda each side wants to follow. The unjustified bias just doesnt cease to amaze me, from both sides, equally.

But you have to look at each mall itself. The Woodalands Mall is great, but have never been to the others except for Memorial City. Personally, I think it blows. There are no good stories except for a few. I grew up just down the road and only went to Visible Damages to get my hair cut in high school. To me, The Galleria is or specialty stores is where I shopped. Just depends on your lifestlye is all. I just never have been a Kohls or Mervyn's type of person. I think I might have walked through one. I might sound a tad snobbish, but I am not at all. I just prefer nicer things, mainly when a HUGE sale is going on.

Man, I feel out of place in this thread. I hope I'm not the only one here who shops mainly at Target. Or the flea market on Telephone road. Or at the Harwin Street vendor strip. Or Walmart. Or garage sales. Upscale to me is JCPenny and Folleys. If a haircut costs over $10, than it was too much. And taco stands are fine dining if you ask me. About the only thing where I deviate from this lifestyle is with Pianos. I've had 6 of them at different times over the years, each one a major improvement over the next. And I have come to the conclusion that there really is only ONE piano. All the others are wishfull thinking.

This entire thread ROCKS! I don

I'm just waiting for the list of winners.

Thanks for the T-shirts dood! I saw the one dbigtex56 had, and it was pretty cool. Oh, by the way, I forgot to submit my size....XXL (thanks). I know I will wear mine proudly, and all my co-workers will look at me with envy and say "huh?"

The mixer was indeed a total blast. I hope we do it again, and possibly make it a periodic thing.

>

It's official: The thread entitled "The Port of Dallas" is the funniest thread on HAIF. Last night, at the HAIF mixer in the Heights, the thread was nominated as the funniest thread ever. Well, one guy mentioned it in passing, and so the rulling stands (in my mind at least). The awards ceremony included hats and tshirts, with almost 20 in attendance. I would like to thank all of our fellow Houstonians who contributed to this thread over the past several months. And I would like to extend a "warm special thanks" to all the Dallasites who went out of thier way to come here, and offer thier inputs: I could'nt have done it without them.

To all the Dallasites out there, this thread's for you.

:

any lampshade action going on?

I'm not really sure what that means. But I do know this, I just saved a lot of money on my car insurance.

(sorry)

Looks like I WILL be able to make it (sorry), sooner rather than later.

I'll be wearing something inconspicous so as to not be easily identified...

I need no incentive. I'll show up. It'll be good to see 2112 and other's I met in the past.

Hey Ricco,

It will be late before I can hang...like nineish. If the thang is still happening, let me know, I will show up. Still have my number?......

-standing by....

Damn it. I cant make it. I forgot, I am picking up a relative at a bus terminal during that very time frame. Now, if the party is still going after, say, 9:30pm...I am game.

I will try to make it....we are suppose to close on our old house...but that should be earlier, hopefully.