Music
Tyler Cowen of Marginal Revolution asked a couple of weeks ago, "Does anyone listen to XTC anymore?" I do. I even take them walking every now and then: 1. Wrapped in Grey 2. Ballet for a Rainy Day / 1000 Umbrellas 3. Pale and Precious 4. Chalkhills and Children
Houston
After years of being a They Might Be Giants fan, I finally saw them in concert this week. I wish I hadn't waited so long. The show was at the Meridian, a new club in an old warehouse on Chartres Street. About 500 fellow TMBG and/or Homestar
Life
I bought a new hair dryer this evening. My hope is that this one won't catch on fire.
Politics
From The Tom Peters Seminar (1994), pgs. 109-110: I've long been offended by the whining middle managers and professional staffers who tell me how tough they've got it. They're bound to their desks by dictatorial bosses who might demand their presence at any
Houston
I never thought I would savor a July day in Houston. But there I was an hour ago, standing next to the Main Street Square fountains. Temperature: 84 degrees. Humidity: 50%. Sky: Sunny, but not glaring. Fountains: Doing the full 20-foot jet every few seconds. Doesn't get
Uncategorized
My friend the Reverend Mark Hasty travelled to Austin from the Midwest three years ago to officiate a wedding. It's a shame he didn't have any Blue Bell ice cream while he was here, because it would have saved him from writing this post. A Lutheran
Houston
Yet another neighborhood business closes its doors. I'll miss having an irresistible tourist attraction eight blocks away to take out-of-towners to.
Education
At River Oaks Elementary, there is a bench with this dedication: "Education is the key to opportunity" in honor of Linda and Ken Lay's grandchildren This is true. Without education, you'll never get the opportunity to defraud your shareholders of billions of dollars.
Houston
There is a plaque in one of the lounges of the Fondren Library at Rice University which commemorates the campus' "Reading for Pleasure Club". Does Rice also have a "Reading for Duty Club"?
Sports
1. Marathon 2. Salamis 3. Euro 2004 (Not necessarily ranked in order.)
Intellect
Love is not something you feel. Love is something you do. If you do not act upon a love you profess, then how real is that love? If love of country—patriotism—is like any other love, then who are the patriots? If you measure love not by professions—by
Houston
River Oaks is the last neighborhood where I would expect to get chased for a block by an angry mutt. I think the dog was counting on that element of surprise.