The Dark Lord Newo travels again

Howdy yall. thats right I am in Texas. I am on a two week off season hiatus, one week in TX the second in MD.

I left the Butte on Saturday 23 May, and after the four hour layover in Denver we leave the gate on time. However, the dark clouds that hovered over the mountains while i circled concourse B unleashed their fury and we went from one runway to a second and finally off a third to arrive about a 1/2 hour late in Houston. My folks picked me up and, thank god for big cities, as I could (and did) have a extermely delicious meal (chicken chili rellenos) at Hugo's at 10 PM.

My folks are the third resident to move into this super-swanky brand-spanking-new high rise condo on Kirby at Westheimer. Its 30 stories, but each story is 12ft or so tall. My folks live on the 13th in the northeast corner -- great view of downtown, with the medical center to the right. Interesting part of town, minutes to the museums, downtown, galleria, Joel Osteen's mega church.

Since my folks have just moved in, the awesome spectacle of the 11 foot floor to ceiling windows is somewhat soured by the oodles of unpacked and somewhat unpacked boxes, and stuff kinda strewn all over everything.

I was looking forward to sleeping and swimming, and was somewhat hindered on both counts: from the balconly I can look down onto the spectacular, large pool on the club level, floor 7. Oh it was a sight for sore eyes! Tomorrow I can help my parents unpack and then swim in that delightful pool! Nope, the pools ready to go, but the condo hasnt gotten the two permits yet for the pool -- by next weekend. OK.

And, my parents have installed blinds which are transluscent, so as the sun rose over downtown, it shone right into the media room, in which I was staying. Yall will remember that dinner was over late and we got in around 11:30 -- tour an all. the 6AM morning sun came a little early for 1/4 vampire me.

So, after waking, my dad and I walked over to WHole foods for double shot of wheatgrass (hooray!) and muffins. I get myself a sticky bun. WE come back to the condo, and then it is unpack three houses worth of books and stick em into one condo's 11foot floor to ceiling bookshelf wall. So I help my folks unpack over the weekend, and visit with my sister Elise once she is off her two days of nursing shifts, see the kids (we play Risk). The kids are excited as this is their last week of school, and Camille is excited about going to Camp Cheley in Estes Park. This is the same camp that I and Cousin Grey, and the Browns went to among others. Monday night at my sisters -- perhaps I will be able to sleep in!

Nope, 7 AM sharp, the endless lawnmower and leaf blower noises as the small army of mexican garderners descend for two hours of primping the neighbor's yard. ANyway, lunch with my folks and Elise, then I am off to Corpus -- finally, I will at least be able to get into the teeny tiny twin dolphins pool!

I arrive in Corpus, get my swim on (just have to tripple or so the number of laps I swim to compensate for the small pool), and have dinner with Aunt Lou at the Yacht Club. It was kinda strange walking into Mom and Dad's condo that was empty except for two twin beds and the joinery. I wondered if it would make sense to stay in an empty condo, but Iwas so busy, I didnt have time to hang out anyway, just enough time in the condo to swim and sleep. Wednesday was touring the ranch with Jimmy and Jon (looking at dirt), lunch with Ashley Carrol (it was so great to see her again!), off to Robstown to the insurance people and FSA, helping Aunt Lou figure out her new satelite TV, meeting with Jacob Sudhoff and then swim, swim. By the time I could get to dinner it was 10PM! Thurday was equally long. I met with Joe Newcomb at 9:30 and that went until 12:15. Very interesting. A lot of developments to consider. Then it was back to the condo to collect the last remaining items and then hit the road.... except the last remaining items ended up being a whole carload and 3 hours of packing!!

On the way back to houston I stopped to take pictures of the new wind project in Odem.
Then I have the worst meal Ive ever had in Houston at this terrible Thai place in Rice Village and now I am off to 100% taquito which gets an A in the Fearless Critic.

until next time

newo out