tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-186721132012-01-29T02:00:00.997-06:00The irregular and disjointed rantings and ramblings of a lifelong inside-the-loop Houstonian, dedicated urbanist, enthusiastic traveler and loyal University of Houston Cougar fan, who also roots for the University of North Texas Mean Green.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.comBlogger6381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-764797411853153912011-11-18T23:47:00.003-06:002011-11-19T03:31:55.454-06:00

I'm wondering if I should include this game on my list of the top ten upsets in college football history, should I ever decide to update it. The Cowboys went into Ames as 27-point favorites. They leave with their national title hopes likely crushed.Granted, Oklahoma State was playing one day after their women's basketball coach, Kurt Budke, was killed, along with three others, in a plane crash.

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-26628989973339220502011-11-18T23:12:00.001-06:002011-11-19T03:31:21.099-06:00

Pardon me while I vomit:MLB commissioner Bud Selig announced Thursday afternoon that the sale of the Houston Astros from former owner Drayton McLane to new owner Jim Crane has been unanimously approved. As part of the agreement, the Astros will be moved to the American League West in 2013, with Crane getting a $70 million discount on the sale price of the team. That will even out baseball’s

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-14839810311504253512011-11-13T21:41:00.002-06:002011-11-19T03:30:19.932-06:00

Time to breathe some life back into this blog.I had actually started several posts over the last month and a half - about the death of Steve Jobs, about the Cougars, about the tragedy that has occurred at Penn State - but for whatever reason I never got around to finishing any of them in a timely manner. I just been too busy or too lazy to put up any new entries, hence the lack of recent

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-52889342579707460182011-10-31T22:07:00.006-05:002011-11-19T03:29:13.905-06:00

For somebody who's about to load up on candy, Kirby doesn't look too happy. Either that, or he's completely "in character," considering that Abraham Lincoln never exactly looked happy in any of his photographs...Happy Halloween, everyone!

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-46310989736638735302011-09-27T23:12:00.002-05:002011-09-28T03:59:24.118-05:00

Can it really be possible that one-third of the college football season is over already? It feels like it just started...Anyway, the Coogs are 4-0 and I only have a few things to say about their last two games.Houston 35, Louisiana Tech 34: yes, so this was the biggest comeback in University of Houston football history. Down by 27 points with 5:11 remaining in the third quarter, the Cougars

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-19519719979087596652011-09-27T22:08:00.005-05:002011-09-28T03:55:35.655-05:00

A sobering footnote to a problem I wrote about a couple of weeks ago:If you've driven around any of the greener areas of the city like Memorial Park or Hermann Park, you no doubt have noticed a large number of dead or dying trees covered in browning leaves well short of winter. According to Trees for Houston, the city and its surrounding counties could lose 66 million (yes, MILLION) trees as

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-26847113640321115812011-09-14T21:15:00.003-05:002011-09-28T04:10:43.732-05:00

Last weekend I took Kirby up to Denton to see the Houston play North Texas in the inaugural game at Apogee Stadium. The $78 million stadium is a sorely-needed replacement for Fouts Field, which was built in 1951 and which was where I watched many a Mean Green football game when I lived in Denton.As the University of Houston continues to move towards constructing a replacement for aging Robertson

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-75255820147707181902011-09-05T22:53:00.002-05:002011-09-28T03:55:40.609-05:00

Two weeks shy of a year ago, the University of Houston suffered a devastating defeat to UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Not only did the Cougars' BCS-busting aspirations come to an end with a 13-31 loss at the hands of the Bruins, but the Cougars also lost both starting quarterback Case Keenum and backup quarterback Cotton Turner to season-ending injuries. The rest of the season was a disaster, as true

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-24363111578918132712011-09-05T20:48:00.005-05:002011-09-28T03:55:16.342-05:00

Well, it turns out that the "dry" side of Tropical Storm Lee, which passed through Louisiana last weekend, did last Saturday night what the "dry" side of massive, panic-inducing Hurricane Rita couldn't do back in 2005: cause my power to go out.The prolonged drought that has plagued the Houston area (and most of Texas, for that matter) has killed or at the very least weakened the local tree canopy

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-47044054317831453752011-09-02T22:11:00.001-05:002011-09-28T03:55:11.178-05:00

Usually, this is the time of year when I write previews for upcoming college football season. However, events of the past couple of weeks (including my awesome end-of-summer trip to Hawaii, pictures of which are coming soon) have prevented me from writing anything this time around.Which is actually okay, because I really have no idea what to expect from the this fall's installment of college

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-60969001345713964202011-08-18T23:10:00.004-05:002011-08-19T18:38:27.977-05:00

Just over two weeks remain until the 2011 college football season kicks off. This is the time of year when players focus on practice, coaches focus on starting lineups, and fans focus on tailgating menus. Over the past week or so, however, the college football world has been distracted by some off-the-field developments. I'm not talking about the scandal surrounding the provision of impermissible

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-656758491649035152011-08-17T20:41:00.006-05:002011-08-17T22:10:00.555-05:00

Kirby seemed to enjoy a lazy day at the swimming pool last weekend. At least I hope he enjoyed it, because his summer is coming to an end. Second grade starts next week!

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-4459072472330754162011-08-08T23:34:00.002-05:002011-08-17T22:09:00.291-05:00

Although I've long since become desensitized to the violence that happens in this city, I am nevertheless disgusted by this story: A 28-year-old military officer from the United Arab Emirates who came to Houston to care for his cancer-stricken father was shot to death by robbers Sunday. Salem Saif Al Mazrouei was killed about 10:30 p.m., shortly after he and his father returned from prayers

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-51472521256184253832011-08-08T21:55:00.002-05:002011-08-09T03:31:04.678-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, Kirby and I made our annual summertime trip to Colorado to visit my brother David, see some sights and get away from the oppressive Houston summer. That last part didn't work out too well; Denver was almost as hot as Houston while we were there. But we still had a great time, exploring the mountains as well as seeing some sights in and around Denver and Colorado Springs. I

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-43828516052568919842011-08-04T21:12:00.003-05:002011-08-09T03:32:38.606-05:00

Good news for outdoor diners: City Council on Wednesday passed a ban on panhandling within 8 feet of a sidewalk cafe. Violation of the buffer zone is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum fine of $500. "You're sitting at an outdoor table at a restaurant. Someone comes and looms over you and starts asking for money. That's an intimidating situation, and you don't have really an

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-13265379863437735122011-07-31T22:34:00.003-05:002011-08-09T03:22:01.923-05:00

Last May, as the Houston area suffered the effects of a springtime drought, I remarked that I "would prefer that Houston's next opportunity for significant rainfall not come courtesy of a hurricane or something." Well, as the region prepares to enter my least-favorite month, it still is in sore need of some wet weather. We've had a few storms here and there, but it hasn't been nearly enough and

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-36924984193631482202011-07-18T23:11:00.003-05:002011-07-19T05:44:13.941-05:00

This past weekend, a ten-mile section of the I-405 freeway which links western Los Angeles to the San Fernando Valley through the Sepulveda Pass was completely closed for construction. Although there was much worry that the closure of this vital stretch of highway would lead to a "carmageddon" of traffic gridlock in the Los Angeles area, the freeway was reopened ahead of schedule and the feared

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-47275937340071025062011-07-18T22:04:00.004-05:002011-07-19T05:46:58.350-05:00

Have I mentioned the the thing I hate the most about soccer is that so many games - especially championship games - are decided by penalty kicks? (Oh yeah: I have. I don't even like them when my team wins.)Such was the ending of yesterday's thrilling Women's World Cup championship. After playing to a 2-2 tie after 90 minutes of regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time, Japan defeated the

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-89070301247091431532011-06-23T21:16:00.002-05:002011-06-24T04:17:05.227-05:00

The remote Pacific island of Nauru is the world's third-smallest independent nation by land area (it is 8.1 square miles in size; only Monaco and Vatican City are smaller). It's also a nation with a very tragic story, as musician - turned - CNN iReporter Johnny Colt writes:Nauru is battling a failed economy, widespread poor health and a natural environment ruined from the inside. They're the

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-67936470547275891042011-06-23T20:11:00.002-05:002011-06-24T04:17:15.150-05:00

At the beginning of the week, the Denton County Transportation Authority inaugurated its "A-Train" commuter rail service:At 4:57 a.m., the Denton County Transportation Authority’s first official A-train ride chugged down the 21-mile track on its first southbound trek to Carrollton, where passengers can connect to DART rail. Passengers hope the train will catch on and

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-4777240842420087692011-06-07T19:34:00.002-05:002011-06-24T04:16:58.874-05:00

The hits just keep coming for a USC Trojan program already reeling from a two-year postseason ban and a loss of thirty scholarships over three seasons:The Bowl Championship Series stripped Southern California of its 2004 title on Monday, leaving that season without a BCS champion. The announcement was no surprise. BCS officials had said USC was in danger of having its championship

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-18136373794246594172011-05-31T21:30:00.004-05:002011-08-09T03:35:56.183-05:00

Two Sundays ago, Kirby and I went downtown to view the 2011 Houston Art Car Parade. I took dozens of pictures, and am posting some of the more memorable ones here. I'm providing numbers and names for the entrants as I've found them; 2011 Art Car Parade winners are listed on The Orange Show's website here. #3 Percy Peacock, accompanied by what I can only assume is a roller-skating ballerina. #21

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-91026413426340935912011-05-22T23:09:00.002-05:002011-05-23T04:38:48.053-05:00

At the beginning of the month I declared that Houston had just gotten its last taste of spring weather. Of course, a little over a week after I made that prediction Mother Nature made a liar out of me by sending a cold front, along with some much-needed, if not enough, rain, through town, giving us several days of low humidity and pleasant temperatures that lasted through last weekend and into

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-73380781297007340872011-05-22T22:24:00.000-05:002011-05-23T04:36:43.182-05:00

As you have probably heard by now, the end of the world was supposed to have occurred yesterday at 6 pm Eastern Daylight Time, at least according to a radio minister from California. Of course, Saturday came and went, and we're still here. Believers had spent months warning the world of the pending cataclysm. Some had given away earthly belongings. Others took long journeys to be with loved

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-65528759951856532382011-05-04T22:23:00.002-05:002011-05-05T03:44:09.145-05:00

Thanks to a cold front that passed through Houston early this week, the last couple of days have been absolutely wonderful, with clear skies, mild daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures. I've certainly enjoyed it.Unfortunately, this is likely going to be it as far as spring is concerned. Temperatures are expected to climb from here. It's May, which means the oppressive Houston

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-23259549543855049772011-05-04T20:51:00.004-05:002011-05-05T03:44:12.910-05:00

Last Sunday evening, the President announced to the world that the armed forces of the United States of America had raided a compound in Pakistan and had killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the Al Qaeda terrorist organization that had been responsible for, among many other atrocities, the attacks of September 11, 2001.Even as the President spoke, jubilant crowds gathered at the White House, in

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-85757855014560350932011-04-20T23:04:00.006-05:002011-04-21T01:42:04.014-05:00

If you didn't know any better, you'd think I was just at a high school reunion or something...Speaking of which, of the 165 friends I currently have on Facebook, I have the following count:High school classmates, spouses of classmates or teachers: 60Undergraduate classmates, spouses of classmates or teachers: 4Graduate classmates, spouses of classmates or teachers: 0Does anybody else out there

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-74398375906566949682011-04-20T22:37:00.003-05:002011-04-21T02:15:35.197-05:00

Last week, in my post about the State Legislature's proposal to raise speed limits to 85 mph on certain West Texas Interstates, I noted that I hadn't heard of any proposals to raise the statewide nighttime speed limit of 65 mph. It took only a few days for the Lege to make a liar out of me:Legislation that would eliminate lower nighttime speed limits in Texas, allow trucks to drive at the same

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-19402854867483665742011-04-14T23:05:00.000-05:002011-04-15T05:05:54.831-05:00

Heh.I want one. Whether I can bring it to a meeting without getting fired is, of course, a different story...

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-50902068952525248832011-04-12T22:53:00.001-05:002011-04-15T04:46:06.387-05:00

Last week, we learned that the Texas State Legislature is considering a bill that would raise the maximum speed limit on certain rural highways (generally in the western part of the state) from 80 to 85 mph.This doesn't really make much sense to me. For starters, it seems kind of strange that something that reduces a vehicle's fuel economy is being suggested even as gasoline prices are continuing

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-57786684413264587422011-04-12T21:06:00.002-05:002011-04-15T05:01:13.157-05:00

After Saturday's annual Red and White Spring Game, the University of Houston football team invited children down on the field to participate in the 2011 Youth Experience. Kids spent time working out with the players, position-by-position. Kirby participated in these activities.The event was well-attended; an estimated 150 kids of grade-school age participated.Running back Michael Hayes (#29)

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-75527495879226151462011-04-05T22:23:00.003-05:002011-04-15T04:42:19.985-05:00

In case you haven't already seen it, a compelling compilation of classic video-game deaths, made even cooler by an eight-bit version of Tears for Fears' Mad World:I even see a couple of my old Sega Master System faves, Space Harrier and Hang On!, included.Oh, the memories. Very. Frustrating. Memories.(Hat Tip: boingboing)

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-13779224410324401792011-04-05T21:40:00.003-05:002011-04-15T04:41:49.092-05:00

Rendez-Vous Houston happened 25 years ago today. I remember sitting out with my family on Allen Parkway with hundreds of thousands of other people to watch the spectacular laser and fireworks show. Although I've seen many rather impressive pyrotechnics displays since then, I can honestly say that I've never seen anything quite like Jean-Michel Jarre's concert and light show in terms of its

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-80309885491288430752011-04-05T20:44:00.001-05:002011-04-15T04:41:12.840-05:00

The azalea is a common landscaping plant in Houston as it is in many other parts of the southeastern United States, and during the spring the city is awash in its blooms. A couple of weeks ago I walked around my neighborhood to take some pictures of these plants in full bloom: Very pretty indeed.

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-67841809082128963662011-03-29T22:12:00.003-05:002011-04-15T04:40:57.279-05:00

As I noted in the previous post, my original plan after participating in Mardi Gras in New Orleans was to fly directly to Dubai to assist in some business development work being undertaken by my company's office there. However, after the Dubai office suddenly canceled my trip, I found myself needing to find my own way back to Houston. Should I fly Southwest (which is how I got to New Orleans),

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-90881339878117134162011-03-29T19:58:00.001-05:002011-04-15T04:36:32.304-05:00

So a month ago I rode in the 2011 Krewe of Pygmalion Parade in New Orleans. In typical Thomas fashion, I didn't get around to writing and posting pictures until now. Better late than never, I guess. Anyway... The wine-themed Krewe of Cork parades through the French Quarter. I had never been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras season before. I enjoyed the festive "vibe" the city possesses during

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-27261550361503824782011-03-27T20:37:00.002-05:002011-03-27T20:38:09.433-05:00

So I had Ohio State, Duke, Florida and Kansas in the Final Four.Needless to say, I am hating college basketball right now.

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-91808094014609892232011-03-14T23:44:00.002-05:002011-03-15T01:10:41.470-05:00

While the rebuilding men's program had a season to forget, the UH women's basketball team had a surprisingly good year, winning the C-USA regular season title en route to a perfect 16-0 conference record and a 26-5 overall record. As a result, they've punched their ticket to the NCAA womens' basketball tournament.The Lady Coogs, who enter the tournament as an 8 seed, will face 9 seed West

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-84719910041248347052011-03-12T23:18:00.001-06:002011-03-13T05:13:20.226-05:00

I know I'm rather late to the party, but I'd nevertheless like to offer a belated congratulations to my cousin Liz and cousin-in-law J.E. on the arrival of their two twins, Iris and Theo, last week.Twice the diapers, twice the fun! Or maybe not. But welcome to the world regardless...

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-90416654774931576292011-03-01T19:58:00.002-06:002011-03-01T21:12:33.118-06:00

Received the "we think we have our staffing needs worked out, so we don't need you to come over here after all" e-mail from the Dubai office on Sunday morning.That's right. The day before I was supposed to leave.Needless to say, I'm a bit annoyed right now.

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-71241029059462714732011-02-25T08:39:00.001-06:002011-02-25T08:39:00.152-06:00

My company's Dubai office has requested my presence there to work on some business development items. It's been over two years since my last trip, so it will be interesting to see how things have changed since I was last there. I'm especially looking forward to seeing the completed Burj Kalifa and riding the Dubai Metro for the first time.But before I do that, I'm heading over to New Orleans to

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-53274667001954318112011-02-25T07:41:00.004-06:002011-02-25T07:56:48.904-06:00

The late Jeff McKissacks's fascinating architectural homage to his favorite fruit is located only about a mile and a half from my house. It truly is one of Houston's most unique attractions.Last weekend I took Kirby there for the first time.The Orange Show is currently undergoing renovations and was only open for self-guided tours when Kirby and I went. Which was fine, as Kirby easily guided

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-19016750414374641652011-02-15T23:06:00.005-06:002011-08-19T18:44:45.631-05:00

The University of Houston has released its 2011 football schedule, as follows: Sep. 03: UCLA Sep. 10: at North Texas Sep. 17: at Louisiana Tech Sep. 24: Georgia State Oct. 01: at Texas - El Paso (UPDATE: now Thursday 9/29) Oct. 08: East Carolina Oct. 15: off Oct. 22: Marshall Oct. 29: Rice (UPDATE: now Thursday 10/27) Nov. 05: at Alabama-Birmingham Nov. 12: at Tulane (UPDATE: now

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-51483310415837913702011-02-04T23:43:00.002-06:002011-02-05T04:49:26.792-06:00

When I woke up this morning and saw that that the "one to three inches of snow" on the ground that the television forecasters had breathlessly been predicting over the last few days hadn't materialized, I was a bit disappointed. (And I wasn't the only one; my son was pretty bummed, too.)But I wasn't exactly surprised. I was in fact beginning to have my doubts about the possibility of snow over

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-40522559678929637382011-02-04T22:29:00.004-06:002011-02-05T04:49:33.717-06:00

Last Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day high school seniors sign national letters of intent to play scholarship football at their college of choice. It's obviously a big deal in the college football world; as any coach will tell you, recruiting is the "lifeblood" of any college football program.The University of Houston Cougars signed a total of 22 players: twelve on defense, eight on

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-65079453122838600732011-01-30T22:24:00.002-06:002011-01-30T22:36:36.429-06:00

This website challenges you to do nothing but "relax and listen to the waves" for two full minutes. If you touch your mouse or keyboard, you fail.Can you go the full two minutes without doing anything? Remember: no using your mobile or doing any other activity during this time, either. It might be harder than it seems!(Hat tip: Zoe Pollock.)

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-81303638288450393502011-01-25T22:42:00.001-06:002011-01-26T02:21:27.987-06:00

If you felt especially down yesterday, there might just be a reason for that. According to a British psychologist who in 2005 devised an equation comprising variables such as weather, debt, the time passed since Christmas, failed New Year's resolutions and other factors, Blue Monday, the last Monday in January, is the most depressing day of the year.Okay, so the methodology used in deriving this

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-26455508468472654732011-01-14T23:37:00.002-06:002011-01-15T05:17:44.203-06:00

Since I honestly did not expect this to happen, I am very pleasantly surprised right now:The NCAA has granted a sixth year of eligibility to Houston quarterback Case Keenum, who missed the final nine games of the 2010 season with a torn knee ligament. The NCAA's decision was first reported by KRIV-TV. The school announced it on Friday. Keenum was nearing several NCAA career records

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-60552238033186956932011-01-14T22:13:00.002-06:002011-01-15T05:17:38.151-06:00

I hope that even those who do not like President Obama or agree with his policies would at least appreciate and take to heart these words he spoke at Wednesday night's memorial service in Tucson, Arizona:If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should, let's make sure it's worthy of those we have lost. Let's make sure it's not on the usual plane of politics and point scoring and

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-77217732213614238132011-01-14T20:00:00.001-06:002011-01-15T05:17:34.139-06:00

Some belated thoughts on the end of the 2010 college football season:1. As much as I hate the Bowl Championship Series, I think it got things right. At least, as far as crowning a legitimate national champion is concerned. Auburn went undefeated in the SEC, which is clearly the best conference in the nation, and defeated an excellent Oregon team in the BCS National Championship. No controversy or

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-59883368965488532602011-01-11T20:16:00.001-06:002011-01-15T05:17:29.094-06:00

In the five years that I've owned it, my Olympus C-770 has served me well. However, a chipped lens as well as the fact that I felt it was just time for an upgrade meant that I was in the market for a newer digital camera. I was originally thinking about going all-out and getting a high-end DSLR. However, its cost (as well as the fact that, two years of photography class in middle school aside, I

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-13040248345308158462010-12-31T22:08:00.003-06:002011-01-15T05:17:25.035-06:00

The last few minutes of 2010 are running out, and after I finish writing this entry I am going to walk (no reason to drive tonight) over to a bar near my house and ring in the new year. I am looking forward to 2011. 2010 was simply not a very good year for me.First of all, my marriage to Lori officially came to an end last April, as our divorce was finalized. The process actually began in the

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-86160337218937726912010-12-31T19:46:00.002-06:002011-01-15T05:17:21.698-06:00

I've had an iPod for five years now: first, a Shuffle that I received for Christmas 2005, and then a Nano I purchased a few years later. I thought it would be interesting to see which songs I've listened to the most over those past five years.Below is the list, with title and artist, and then album, release year and label in parentheses. Obviously, I like electronica, but I also like 80s pop and

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-14541812068572360122010-12-30T23:46:00.001-06:002010-12-31T02:11:23.552-06:00

I read this story with great interest and a bit of sadness:An unlikely pilgrimage is under way to Dwayne’s Photo, a small family business that has through luck and persistence become the last processor in the world of Kodachrome, the first successful color film and still the most beloved. That celebrated 75-year run from mainstream to niche photography is scheduled to come to an end on

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-52813640034881361192010-12-24T19:29:00.003-06:002010-12-25T13:39:34.715-06:00

This is always a horrible thing to have happen, but it's even worse when it happens on Christmas Eve:A University of Houston police officer died Friday morning after she apparently lost control of her police unit and crashed into a tree. Twenty-four-year-old Ann O'Donnell is the first UH Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty. O'Donnell was responding to a disturbance

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-78022270703458778252010-12-19T19:41:00.006-06:002010-12-31T02:11:20.711-06:00

Houston's subtropical climate does not lend itself to the brilliant and picturesque displays of fall foliage common in other parts of the nation. But sometimes we nevertheless get bits and pieces of autumn color down here. Here are some pictures I took while Kirby and I walked around the neighborhood and the adjacent University of Houston campus yesterday:Kirby was obviously more interested in

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-44720836166810848382010-12-19T18:35:00.003-06:002010-12-31T02:11:17.404-06:00

Citizens of Denton had much to cheer about yesterday, as two of their teams were playing in state high school football championship games. Guyer High School faced off against Cibolo Steele in the Class 5A Division II championship, while Ryan High School met Lake Travis in the Class 4A Division I championship.Alas, neither team was able to bring home any hardware. Guyer lost to Cibolo Steele 21-24

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-86348500670219400802010-12-01T22:33:00.004-06:002010-12-31T02:11:14.148-06:00

College football's 2010 regular season comes to a close this Saturday; after this weekend's games, the postseason, featuring a record 35 bowl games, begins. One team that will not be making a postseason appearance is the University of Houston Cougars, who lost to Texas Tech at Lubbock last Saturday, 20-35, and cemented a losing record. The Coogs' 2010 campaign will probably go down as the most

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-40353955189946911762010-11-30T23:10:00.002-06:002010-12-01T02:17:04.259-06:00

Following up on that Trinity Railway Express locomotive I spotted in Houston last week: I received an e-mail from Sal DeAngelo, Chief Mechanical Officer for the TRE, explaining that said locomotive was just passing through town:What you have photographed is one of our units that has undergone a complete overhaul returning from Norfolk-Southern Railway’s Juniata Shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania,

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-78784061746575802082010-11-30T21:57:00.001-06:002010-12-01T02:13:16.897-06:00

We can all breathe sigh of relief: today is the last day of the 2010 hurricane season.The meteorological prognosticators had predicted that this season would be busy. This is why I called the season's first named storm a "shot off the bow." But while the 2010 hurricane season was indeed active - 19 tropical storms, 12 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes - it only shot blanks at the United States.

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-77967957133190118572010-11-24T23:34:00.007-06:002010-11-25T04:02:58.448-06:00

If you're looking of a good example of the attitude that embodies the arrogance, elitism and downright corruption of college football's Bowl Championship Series, look no further than Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee, who claims that neither TCU nor Boise State are worthy of a BCS championship:In an interview with the Associated Press, the president at the university with the largest

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-21530937590700788712010-11-24T21:38:00.004-06:002010-11-26T00:28:59.928-06:00

The Cougars are coming off a 59-41 shellacking at the hands of Southern Miss and end their season against Texas Tech in Lubbock this Saturday. Given that the home schedule is over and a win against the Red Raiders is rather improbable, I've decided to go ahead and put up the updated wins and attendance graph for UH football:Thanks to a strong season ticket sales campaign and excitement

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-89189853612500952372010-11-24T20:09:00.004-06:002010-12-01T02:15:54.031-06:00

Noticed at the BNSF railyard near the University of Houston while driving home this afternoon:The locomotive painted like the Texas flag is a rare sight in Houston because it belongs to the Trinity Railway Express, which is a commuter rail line that runs between Dallas and Fort Worth. It is numbered TRE 120. According to the TRE's rolling stock datasheet, it is an F-59 PH locomotive purchased

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-51855118401330888672010-11-24T12:04:00.002-06:002010-11-24T12:13:38.974-06:00

As the conference realignment shuffle continues, we at least know where one school is not going:North Texas athletic director Rick Villarreal told [Western Athletic Conference] commissioner Karl Benson that the school has no interest in joining the league late Monday night, just hours after Benson called to gauge the school’s interest in leaving the Sun Belt Conference. In other words: "sorry,

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-45483665888194328872010-11-18T21:58:00.002-06:002010-11-18T21:58:00.105-06:00

As of this afternoon, Frontier's Denver-Houston service has shifted from Bush Intercontinental to Hobby Airport:"Hobby Airport offers great benefits to Frontier's guests," said Daniel Shurz, Frontier’s vice president of strategy and planning. "In addition to its easy-to-use refurbished terminal, Hobby offers convenient access to downtown Houston as well as to great tourist attractions such as

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-86340849819432622342010-11-16T23:32:00.001-06:002010-11-17T04:23:16.697-06:00

To say that the University of Houston has had a rough football season would be a monumental understatement. The loss of star quarterback Case Keenum (as well as his backup) against UCLA, coupled with the Cougars' porous defense, has resulted in bitter disappointment in what was originally supposed to be a promising year for the program. The team truly appeared dead in the water a few weeks ago

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-35112289776956360482010-11-16T21:48:00.001-06:002010-11-17T04:23:25.553-06:00

Last year, I wrote about a popular tradition of assigning nicknames to inside-the-loop Kroger Stores. The Kroger store located on West Gray in the River Oaks Shopping Center (pictured here) apparently has several nicknames, including "Posh Kroger," "Deco Kroger," or "River Oaks Kroger."It turns out that store management has their own ideas on what this particular store's nickname should be. I

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-5103382615293261262010-11-05T22:36:00.002-05:002010-11-17T04:23:30.786-06:00

There's no way for the Democrats to spin this one. They got their butts kicked. Voters, angry at the sluggish economy, high unemployment and a perception of out-of-control spending in Washington, handed Republicans sweeping victories at the federal, state and local levels. Perhaps Democrats can take solace in the fact that they held on to the Senate, or that voters rejected a handful of the

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-83618789020885572262010-11-04T23:21:00.004-05:002010-11-05T03:28:09.979-05:00

Even as we find ourselves in the middle of another college football season, discussion about the sport's future landscape continues. Last Monday, New York Daily News sportswriter Lenn Robbins reported that Big East presidents and athletics directors were holding a meeting on Tuesday to discuss possible expansion of their league, which currently consists of eight all-sports (i.e. FBS football)

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-42441401486396896372010-10-31T23:05:00.004-05:002010-11-01T04:24:49.020-05:00

Maybe not my best work, but I nevertheless got a lot of positive comments about it during this evening's onslaught of trick-or-treaters:Happy Halloween, everyone!

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-47094652994257058542010-10-31T22:47:00.003-05:002010-11-01T04:24:37.671-05:00

It would seem that rumors of the demise of University of Houston's 2010 season have been greatly exaggerated. The Coogs won their second road game in a row Saturday night in emphatic fashion: after allowing Memphis to score the game's first points on a field goal, the Cougars rattled off 49 unanswered points on their way to a 59-17 rout of the Tigers at the Liberty Bowl.Quarterback David Piland

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-36492306366562059342010-10-29T22:50:00.001-05:002010-11-01T04:24:45.200-05:00

Although my main office is in the Uptown/Galleria area, I've lately been spending a lot of time at my company's client's offices downtown. Earlier this week a cool front blew in and cleared the skies, giving me this wonderful view of the downtown skyline from my clients' window:(Although, the way things have been going lately, a few rainclouds would be just as welcome in this view as well...)

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-74912833757400426092010-10-29T21:38:00.001-05:002010-11-01T04:24:41.403-05:00

The time had simply come.My 1997 Nissan Sentra served me well. I had it for twelve years, eight months and 129,319 miles. But the battered old car was clearly reaching the end of its useful life.I originally had planned on holding out until early next year to get a new car. But then I asked myself, "why wait?" I had enough money saved for a down payment and Nissan was offering attractive deals on

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-42494512333976663242010-10-28T22:46:00.002-05:002010-10-30T02:36:31.708-05:00

It's probably a good thing that I took a short vacation from blogging over the past few weeks: I really wouldn't have wanted to write about Houston's losses to Mississippi State and Rice.The 24-47 loss to Mississippi State I could handle. Sure, the Bulldogs' victory snapped a 17-game home winning streak, but let's face it: the Cougars were breaking in a brand-new true-freshman quarterback, David

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-45687699170243082322010-10-26T20:36:00.004-05:002010-10-27T04:18:00.288-05:00

Although the news is a week old at this point, this blog cannot go without noting that "Dodgeball Time" has come to an end at the University of North Texas. Faced with the reality of yet another losing season, UNT Director of Athletics Rick Villareal last week decided to relieve Todd Dodge of his duties as head coach of the Mean Green.One could argue that it was in bad form for Villareal to fire

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-46279705537722161042010-09-30T23:14:00.003-05:002010-10-27T04:20:06.083-05:00

As we bid farewell to September and take the quarter-turn into the three-month stretch of 2010, I thought I'd share a few links that I found interesting or amusing.The airline mergers continue; Southwest is acquiring fellow low-cost carrier AirTran. Is this good news for travelers? Yes, for some, especially those who hate AirTran's baggage fees or who fly to or through Atlanta. Probably not for

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-82314707291903163742010-09-28T21:42:00.005-05:002010-10-27T03:20:49.369-05:00

The weather was unbearable. The game wasn't pretty at times. But coming off last weekend's debacle in Pasadena, the Cougars did what they needed to do: get a win.First, the heat: according to the weather app on my Droid, at kickoff the temperature was 90 and the "feels like" temperature (factoring the humidity) was 95. Inside Robertson Stadium, an enclosed place full of concrete and aluminum that

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-73430955624901037952010-09-20T22:12:00.005-05:002010-10-27T03:12:33.903-05:00

Here is a picture of myself, my brother David and my friend Joe before kickoff. We were happy at the time of this picture, which was taken by a member of Case Keenum's family. We weren't quite as happy after the game was over.If the University of Houston Cougars wanted to prove to the world that they had indeed taken their program to the next level, then last Saturday night's game -

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-8962974715170037302010-09-15T22:23:00.001-05:002010-09-16T04:25:53.707-05:00

If the University of North Texas Mean Green were to show that they were indeed turning a corner in year four of the Todd Dodge era, then they simply had to win last Saturday's home game against a Rice Owls squad that went 2-10 the previous season.They didn't.In a painful flashback to the year before, wherein UNT lost five games by a margin of four points or less, the Eagles found themselves on

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-90134070398377785732010-09-15T21:34:00.003-05:002010-09-16T04:25:45.740-05:00

About a month ago, Kirby and I flew up to Denver to spend a long weekend with my brother and to see a few sites. This is becoming an annual occurrence; August is a great time to get out of Houston, even if only for a few days, and Kirby gets to end the summer on a high note as well.We spent a couple of days exploring areas west of Denver, including the Pearl Street pedestrian mall in Boulder.

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-44100880211165977312010-09-13T22:40:00.001-05:002010-09-16T04:25:36.927-05:00

It's commonplace for Football Bowl Subdivision (aka Division I-A) teams to open their seasons against second-tier Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) teams. Most of the time, these games are little more than scrimmages that result in big wins for the FBS programs.But that's not always the case; sometimes the team from the lesser subdivision upends the team from the greater

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-53089833395786831692010-09-13T19:56:00.001-05:002010-09-16T04:25:28.957-05:00

There were plenty of things to like about Houston's runaway victory over Texas-El Paso late last Friday night.First, the Coogs notched their first conference win of the season, avenging last year's disappointing 41-58 loss to the Miners in the process.Second, the Cougars played before their second-consecutive announced sellout of 32,119 fans at Robertson Stadium. There weren't that many people

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-24579103727340239212010-09-07T22:52:00.000-05:002010-09-08T08:07:07.341-05:00

One of the most notable things about Houston's season-opening win over Texas State last Saturday had absolutely nothing to do with what happened on the field. It had to do with what happened in the stands. 32,119 people were in attendance Saturday night. That is the largest crowd Houston has ever had at Robertson Stadium since UH football returned to campus in the late 1990s.We've come a long

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-75159878269840211582010-09-07T21:37:00.003-05:002010-09-08T08:06:44.668-05:00

In the year since I wrote this post, I have not made any progress on my weight loss. I've been hovering at or above my current weight for the past year and right now I weigh about as much as I did exactly one year ago: less than I used to but more than I should.Maybe I should try a little harder. And not gloat as much.

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-52224160993041715052010-09-06T17:37:00.002-05:002010-09-08T08:03:36.343-05:00

Okay, so I admit that it's probably cheating if I put up a preview after the team's first game of the season. It's my fault for not finishing this entry before the Cougars took the field against I-AA Texas State last Saturday evening. On the other hand, the results of what was basically a scrimmage (Texas State is a respectable program, but they're still FCS) gives me a slightly better idea as to

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-5986948259995171712010-09-02T23:34:00.001-05:002010-09-08T07:56:40.906-05:00

Since Todd Dodge took over as head coach three seasons ago, the Mean Green have won exactly five games. That's going to have to change this season, lest the high school coaching legend be out of a job. In 2010, the choice is simple for North Texas: either win some games and go into 2011 (and a brand-new football stadium) with some momentum, or continue to lose and be forced start all over from

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-55772205253662755452010-09-02T20:33:00.004-05:002010-09-08T07:44:47.755-05:00

The conventional wisdom in the college football world is that the top tier of the sport, which currently "officially" consists of the NCAA's 120-team Football Bowl Subdivision, will one day grow smaller, to include only the most select "big-time" programs. The number being proposed for this new top tier is most often 64, but can vary from one proposal to the next.College football is already

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-26481496394810985772010-08-31T23:16:00.006-05:002010-09-08T07:49:20.330-05:00

This week is college football preview week here at MGCR. I'll have my 2010 University of Houston preview up in a few days, and a preview of the North Texas Mean Green is on its way as well. But first, I wanted to take a look at what are expected to be the top (and bottom) teams going into the 2010 season, and make a prediction as to which team will win the BCS National Championship at the

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-71337126644902139132010-08-29T22:15:00.002-05:002010-08-30T08:20:23.104-05:00

The full and lasting effects of Katrina on the New Orleans area and the Mississippi Gulf Coast cannot be measured or understood in years, but rather in decades. However, in reading today's Chronicle article regarding the five-year anniversary of the worst natural disaster in recent US history, I did want to look back at some predictions regarding that city's fate that, five years later, turned

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-23547384608987134782010-08-29T21:51:00.001-05:002010-08-30T08:20:53.492-05:00

If at least one online travel publication is to believed, Houston has the best airports in the United States:You don’t have to be an oil baron to get the most out of Houston’s top-ranked airports—but it helps. The Texas city tops the charts for its VIP-friendly airline lounges, found mostly at George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). For everyone else, both IAH and Houston Hobby came in at No. 2 in

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-30486131591781377382010-08-29T15:44:00.005-05:002010-09-16T04:28:02.048-05:00

Earlier this summer, while my parents were out of town on an extended vacation and I had free reign of their living room, I put up a new Rokenbok build. It was more extensive than the award-winning one I created last year, and was real challenge to make everything fit together. But I was pretty happy with the results. Click on any picture for a larger view.It stayed up for several weeks and we

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-60122319789414283772010-08-27T20:49:00.002-05:002010-08-28T02:10:00.093-05:00

It's hard to believe that another college football season is upon us already, but it's true: the University of Houston Cougars kick off their 2010 campaign on week from tomorrow.I realize that I never wrote an end-of-year review of the Coogs' 2009 season. For one thing, I had a lot going on earlier this year (as evidenced by my overall lack of posting in general this spring). For another, the

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-80582082579722828512010-08-19T23:55:00.005-05:002010-08-20T03:35:00.107-05:00

Just when I thought the latest round of conference realignment was over, along comes a new episode of conference-hopping, this time involving the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and the Mountain West Conference (MWC). There are rumors that Conference USA in general and the University of Houston in particular could somehow become involved as well.The seeds for the latest and greatest collegiate

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-7335907205431095762010-08-19T21:50:00.001-05:002010-08-20T03:29:55.038-05:00

My cousin, who follows all things China, sent this to me a couple of weeks ago, and it's since been making the rounds in the blogosphere: a bus that straddles the roadway, allowing cars to pass underneath it:Proposed by Shenzhen Hashi Future Parking Equipment Co., Ltd, the model looks like a subway or light-rail train bestriding the road. It is 4-4.5 m high with two levels: passengers board on

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-25077444294579772082010-08-16T21:28:00.006-05:002010-08-16T21:38:09.041-05:00

Everything else seems to come with warning labels these days, so why not warning labels for news as well? British comedian Tom Scott has created a set of labels intended to warn readers of "sloppy journalism and other questionable content." There's even a .pdf of these labels for people who want to print them out and place them on their favorite (or least favorite) newspaper articles.

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-54811726108021780052010-08-12T19:24:00.002-05:002010-08-12T19:24:00.097-05:00

By now everybody has probably heard about the story about Steve Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant who walked off the job in dramatic fashion early this week: After a dispute with a passenger who stood to fetch luggage too soon on a full flight just in from Pittsburgh, Mr. Slater, 38 and a career flight attendant, got on the public-address intercom and let loose a string of invective. Then,

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-42198062297357853212010-08-12T18:36:00.001-05:002010-08-12T18:36:00.454-05:00

Laura's obituary ran in yesterday's edition of the Conroe Courier. As is my tradition, I am posting it here as well:Laura Edwards, 36, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away July 25th 2010 with her family by her side. She is survived by her parents Mr. and Mrs. D.V. Edwards of Conroe, her brother Michael Edwards, brother-in-law Christopher Bride of Dallas, and her boyfriend Josh Rouch of Washington

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-5351529910672640262010-08-10T22:13:00.003-05:002010-08-20T03:43:21.796-05:00

A couple of months ago, we learned the unfortunate news that Houston-based Continental Airlines would be merging with United. The Continental name will disappear, and the merged airline's corporate headquarters will be located in Chicago. Now comes word that Houston's other hometown airline, ExpressJet, is set to vanish as well:Consolidation in the U.S. airline industry has trickled down to the

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-71554186377111339352010-08-09T23:49:00.002-05:002010-08-10T06:38:00.458-05:00

About a year ago I picked up on a story about a movement to tear down the Claiborne Expressway in New Orleans. It wasn't clear how much momentum the idea had at the time, but this recent article from the Times-Picayune suggests that the idea might be getting some traction:Hoping to give further momentum to an idea that has picked up a growing number of adherents in recent years, a group of local

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18672113.post-71098483759404545202010-08-09T21:29:00.003-05:002010-08-10T06:46:51.768-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, the Houston Press presented their list of the ten best moments in Houston sports history, as well as the "five most heartbreaking." At the top of their ten best list was, of course, the Rockets' back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.The Press notes that after the Rockets blew large leads - at home, no less - to the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the 1994

Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269150385889753471noreply@blogger.com0