MARDI GRAS!!!

February 21, 2009

So, I discovered that Mardi Gras is held in many other places (not just New Orleans). As it worked out, Galveston is one of the larger Mardi Gras parties too. So of course I wanted to see what it was all about.
I went with Betsy and a couple of her friends. They started me out on a Margarita. And a shot of Southern Comfort. My first beads were given to me by a guy who insisted I could not be walking around Mardi Gras without beads. Then I learned how you really get beads! They toss them from the balconies. And all you really have to do is make good eye contact with one of the people dropping them and Who-ray! There you go!

We walked around Mardi Gras for a bit in search of the NAVY and ARMY beads. Betsy was determined to get them from someone! I rather enjoyed the attempt of getting beads. Its rather hard to grab at flying beads with a drink in your hand. But some where in there we got dinner at a nice fish place, and it was pretty good! I chose to go with coke for a while, as too much at once got me kind of quick. It was fun though!
After dinner we adventured back out into Mardi Gras, found out what time the parade was going to be and just walked around for a bit. Occasionally stopping to get more beads. I was rather excited when this old man decided I was the one that would get this really nice pair of beads. Except when he threw them down to me, they cracked me so hard in the face, I thought I had busted my lip. Turns out I just ended the night with a welt, but not as bad as the huge bump on Betsy's forehead from something that got thrown down.
The parade was amazing! Even more beads got thrown out during the parade. I got hit so many times it wasn't funny, and very few of them did I actually get to keep because others were quicker than I was with reacting to getting hit. It was a blast, and I slept really well that night!

I have to say ... Mardi Gras is worth the experience!

Legally Blonde the Musical

February 18, 2009

Had quite the day. As we got sent home from work that day because of a fire alarm. Some piece of equipment started smoking and we evacuated the building. Just a couple of hours later, I met up with a few other girls from JSC to head into Houston for a musical at the Theatre Under the Stars.
I discovered how beautiful the city of Houston looks at night. They went to check out the gift shop, I went to check out the building from the sidewalk. I walked for a bit and just realized how appealing cities can be for the mind. I still love my stars more but I don't at all mind the city.
The play was Legally Blonde and make fun as you may, but it was a really good show. Followed the first movie pretty well, just put to song and without Reese Witherspoon. But it was funny as well. So many comments that referenced tv shows from now and then, and enuwindows. I enjoyed it!
And driving through downtown to get back to 45, always neat!

Adventure on the Fly

February 15, 2009

The day didn't go at all as planned, again! But it ended so very well!
After taking Saturday off because of rain and just reading, I decided this Sunday I was going to find the Houston Zoo. I found it just fine, as I have been by the zoo a couple of other times. Seems I'm finally learning how some thing work and how to drive around Houston. That's a good thing!

Anyways, the Zoo parking lot was so packed that there was no parking and it was hard to get through. I gave up after about 20 minutes of looking in different parking lots and decided I clearly was not meant to go that day. Didn't have any other idea of what I wanted to do, so I got on 45 North. I went farther North than I wanted because no one would let me over and in a traffic jam people become bigger assholes than normal. Anyways, I went back South to go down town. I got off at Dallas Street (I believe). I decided I was just going to adventure around downtown for a while.
I found Minute Maid Park and the one next door to it. Went back toward where I had gotten off and discovered this neat little park. I found parking in an adjacent park with an awesome view of the skyline. I followed that park over a bridge and under the high way bridges to the Sam Houston Park. This park was full of a little village from out of the late 1800s. And literally right next door to the large downtown buildings! I walked up the walk to one of the larger houses and just stood on the porch. And my only thought was "If I could wake up and have a view like this every morning, I would love it!" So maybe I am a glutten for beautiful skylines but a yard.
I spent a little more time than I expected I suppose just walking around that park and rather enjoying the view. I also walked along the street to a couple of other little places in the Historical District. I was all smiles and happiness. I walked back along the little gully/stream to the park I had parked at. I stopped at the swings and just enjoyed the rush of the wind during the swing until my arms got tired. It did feel good to just be a kid for a few minutes. I grabbed a few pictures and just enjoyed the view! Even if the gully was rather gross looking because of the litter.
I then swung back into downtown, as I had no idea how to get back to 45 South from where I was. Someone actually aimed to hit me and reminded me of why I so badly hate the people of this beautiful place! Sometimes you really just want to hope someone learns the hard way about things! Anyways. I found the Aquarium, the Theatre House, the George Bush (41st president) Park, and a few other really neat places. Some guy was taking pictures of cars driving down one of the streets (he got my car). And after following a road south out of downtown, I found 59 going the wrong direction. And I'm learning how the roads work here! Because U-turns are amazing little things!
The night ended well and I enjoyed every minute of it (except for the lady that aimed to hit my little car, and Clarance wouldn't have survived that one).

Details of Getting Lost!

January 31, 2009
Decided I wanted to check out the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston on Saturday. As luck would have it, I got lost after missing the road I needed. Turns out I was so close to it, it wasn't really even funny. But I missed it and instead of just automatically pulling a U-y I chose to check out what was long the road I was on. Well, by the time I decided to turn, I definitely had no idea where I was and then it was a weird road set up. So I headed in a different direction than originally intended. I recognized street names as I drove. Street names that were familiar from trying to find the Galleria and the Natural Science Museum. I wasn't sure how they all actually linked up, and I wasn't sure I wanted to find out yet.

Instead, I drove a while and tried to figure out where I was. I can be half decent at direction if I have the chance to drive it and explore it. I managed to find the University of Houston. Not sure how and not sure I could find my way back again. But after that, I did manage to some how get myself back to the exit I had gotten off on. Then about the time I knew where to turn, the damn cop had decided to block the road. I just decided to say screw it and kept going. I eventually found 610 and was considering going into down town but ended up in the wrong lane and went South. Traffic was nicely backed up going North.

Instead of just ending the day, I followed the signs to the The Battleship Texas and San Jacinto Monument. Paid a buck to get into the park. Got to see the ship from the shore, but I decided to just sit down by the river and watch the ships go by. It was relaxing and interesting. I enjoyed the moments alone on the shore. Just reflecting a bit. I walked around and looked at some of the memorials they had from the battle. There was a plaque that called out a couple of guys from Cincinnati (made me smile).
I did wonder over the other monument before the park closed. The monument looks huge from a distance but actually looking up while next to it, is almost dizzying. I was so surprised at the height. But at one point it was really a pretty picture to see the cresent moon next to the monument. I went through the little museum. I always forget that Texas was its own Republic for a few years after winning its independce from Mexico. I have just always seen it as part of the Union.
Anyways. It was an interesting day that went rather well considering the original plan. Its wonderful how fluid things can be.