Thank You for Playing... the Gentrification of Houston is Now Complete

gen·tri·fi·ca·tion (jĕn'tre fĭ-kā'shen) n.
The restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in displacement of lower-income people.

My friend, SWM, just informed me that the Pig Stand restaurants as well as Deitrich's would no longer grace Houston. I knew about the Pig Stand restaurants (bankruptcy - which I kinda feel like is their own fault), but Deitrich's was sold out by their landlord. Apparently, the landowners want to expand their spa... and that's what Houston needs... another spa! Worst of all, SWM informed me that Deitrich's would be selling all their stores to Starbucks! Say it ain't so! I mean, I have nothing against Starbucks. I love a good grande nonfat latte. But let us have choices, people!

I suppose I'm in such a foul mood about this because I just drove by that great old building on Allen Parkway and Studemont just to see that they're demolishing it... along with most of the metal buldings along that drive.

And I've recently heard of threats to demolish the River Oaks theatre... in favor of condominiums. Whatever.

I've lived in Houston pretty much all of my life. As I reflect back, I'm mindful of all the fun places that no longer grace Houston.

Landmarks
Shamrock Hotel with its GIANT pool
Jefferson Davis Hospital on Allen Parkway

Music Venues
Old Music Hall
Club Hay Hay on Washington
Fabulous Satellite Lounge

What do you remember?

What's still in Houston that makes it truly unique? The orange show, the beer can house... what else?

I can hear Bob Dylan in my head, "the times they are a-changin'". But is it for the better?

All for now,
Lisa

The End is the Beginning

This is my tribute to Erin B. I just read today on her blog that she's decided to quit blogging. With all the upcoming activities in her life, I can definitely respect her for making this decision. And so like her to not let something idly stand by, but make an active decision. I appreciate that. I know I'm not alone when I say I hope her blogging decision is more of a long hiatus than a permanent decision. But I think that decision can come later.

I looked back and the first comment on my blog was from Erin! So like her.

hmmm...the unshackeling of mysteries. i'm sure many of the mysteries that have
become known to me are secondary to various experiences, even allusive ones.
traveling has always done this for me - getting out, away, alone. solitude, true
solitude as Henri Nouwen speaks of in The Way of the Heart, does this as well.
it's scary, but it's awesome. art and journaling definitely. being brave enough
to share myself with myself. sounds weird, but sometimes i think i hide things
from even my mind's view. digging things up, letting them spill

Most of you may not know this, but she was the reason I started blogging in the first place. I didn't even know her. Just was referred to her blog as I was surfing one day. Read her entries, then her bio and I knew I just had to meet her. Then, at the next First Things First in the city (and First Prebyterian), I asked someone to introduce us (I was hoping she wouldn't think I was a complete weirdo... "hey, I read your blog... huh huh huh huh"). Well, that wasn't the case at all, we decided to meet for lunch at the Daily Grind one day and our frienship was immediate.

I have learned a lot from my friend. Not by anything specific or deliberate, but more of how she has daily lived out her faith, and the perspective she takes. Very much as her comments states above... being brave enough to share herself. I find that unusual, unique, and unbelievably cool!

Here's to you, my friend! I read somewhere that in true art, the end is merely the beginning.

All for now,
Lisa

Night showering vs. Morning showering

Do you shower before going to sleep at night or when you wake up? I have tended to be a morning showerer and depending on what I have done during the day, I will sometimes take one before bed. So, which is better? This has been a topic of conversation recently, so I present to you this:

benefits of showering at night
you go to bed clean (especially nice if you have just put clean sheets on the bed)
a warm shower relaxes you before bed
you have less work to do in the morning

benefits of showering in the morning
a hot shower refreshes you for the day
even though you may shower the night before you still feel dirty in the morning (especially on a warm night in Houston)


I suppose all of this still applies if you prefer a bath over a shower.

All for now,
Lisa

An Editorial About Election Day

So, I walked down to my voting location this morning (I love being able to walk to the location and the fact that it's a 1930's school building just adds to the appeal). Incidentally, I ran into Daniel Williams in the voting line, which was a nice surprise. But I digress.

Today was not much different from most voting days. I've lived in my house for almost 15 years so I have a bit of a perspective on the situation. As a matter of fact, the voting precinct “judge”, or whatever her title is, has been the same lady since I’ve been voting there. As I was waiting in line, I pondered that and the fact that each year has brought new changes and rules. I empathized with her as she struggled to make sure all her bases were covered.

So, my editorial comment is this: why is there so much frustration experienced with voting? I think I experienced the most frustration with the new voting machines. Now, you have to go through two lines. The first was to be qualified to vote (this is where you sign and get a ticket). Then you turn in the ticket to get a code. Then, the second, much longer line was to wait for the voting machines. Unless you vote a straight party vote, it takes time. But what took longer was the fact that the voting machines weren’t working properly, as well as there being so few machines to begin with. UGH! It makes me want to go back to the paper ballots, hanging chads and all.

All for now,
Lisa

P.S. Cartoon courtesy of the Houston Chronicle