Can't say I'm as big a fan of Houston as you are, but I'm biased having grown up in the Dallas area. I will agree about the museums though. Have you been to the Menil Collection? The art is pretty nice, but the building itself (by Renzo Piano) is amazing. Point of uninterest, I recently interviewed with the architecture firm that designed Reliant.

I hope you get the kind of work you are looking for.

And when in Houston, don't forget to visit the Art Car Museum. NOT in the Museum district, but a good time nonetheless.

Architecturally speaking, you may be interested in the Orange Show and the Beer Can House. The Orange Show is a good example of the zoning philosophy of early Houston. And maybe even recent Houston.

I'm more of fan of the Houston Metropolitan Area than The City of Houston. The Houston city government has become a joke, but that is pretty much government in general.

The gov'ment should stick to managing infrastructure projects, public safety, and national defense. If they can't do that, move 'em out and find someone who can.

Perhaps I shall run for Governor.

Oh, I've seen the Beer Can house...very impressive. I actually liked another house in that general area better...it had giant sheet metal columns and a big stone frog in front. The mailman told me they call it "The House with No Walls"...but maybe that is just the nickname for it among the postal carriers of Houston. Thanks for the well-wishes, the interview went good, but no word yet on the result.

How many movies have you made and is your wife a Kennedy? Oh wait, that's Our governor.
It's Amino world without Chemists

Were you ever a professional wrestler?

*grin*

Unfortunately my political career would likely be short circuited by my tendency to simply speak my mind instead of talking in circles.

That and the fact that not only am I NOT filthy rich, none of my friends are either.

Reality just keeps getting in the way.



The most likely way for the world to be destroyed, most experts agree, is by accident. That's where we come in; we're computer professionals. We cause accidents. -- Nathaniel Borenstein

I heart Seattle weather. It's nice and warm in the summer, but not too warm. It freezes just enough in the winter to keep the spider (ick ick ick) and insect population down, but not enough to make me miserable. The rain the rest of the year keeps things all pretty and green and ferny, rather than that nasty tan color that seems like it's taking over California. And lastly, the constant rain and cloud cover prevent me from having to worry about burning my pale, pale skin.
I don't get SAD, either. :)

We're trying to keep a low profile up here -- it's already getting crowded with people moving here from California. So I try to point out that unless you can find the beauty of looking at the many shades of gray that is Puget Sound, and don't mind having moss growing everywhere, and having it rain so much, please just come visit us during our beautiful (but short!) summer. Don't be fooled into moving here full-time.

Don't worry, marinerd. I still think Seattle weather sucks. I went there for a day with my parents once a couple of years ago, and at the end of the day, I couldn't believe I'd wasted three hours of my life in a car and another five hours in some crappy, overcast city where water and cold form this unholy alliance, almost leaking out of the brick-walled buildings and fomenting a kind of green scum over every stone object. When we arrived at whatever dismal, nondescript parking lot we found ourselves in, I pulled my sunglasses out of my pocket like I usually do, put them on, took a look around, sighed heavily, and put them back in my jacket pocket. It was going to be that kind of day. I think I started getting SAD the minute I stepped foot out of the van.

If UK weather is anything like that, I can see why my ancestors moved. To Boston, but hey, they moved.

So hey, Californians, go ahead! Move to the beautiful Pacific Northwest! Enjoy the open space, the rustic beauty, and the novelty of four (okay, three: no summer to speak of) genuine season!

Just don't blame me when you move back in five years, bitter and disillusioned and suddenly happy to sit in commuter traffic for an hour because it's 75 degrees outside and it's not even April yet, barely making a rent payment that's just as large as the aborted mortgage on your house "up north."



*steps down from soapbox sheepishly and crawls in a corner with face to wall*

never mind.

Yes, Matt, it totally sucks here in Seattle. Your post reminded me of an old email:

You know you live in the Northwest if you...

1. Feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.
2. Know at least eight people who work for companies that manufacture computer parts, airplanes, or athletic shoes.
3. Can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai food.
4. Return from a California vacation depressed because "all the grass was dead."
5. Know the vast difference between Seattle's Best Coffee, Tully's, and Starbucks.
6. You know the exact location of fifteen drive-thru espresso stands in your neighborhood.
7. Take a half day every July 1 to find your sunglasses and sunscreen.
8. You know what this means: "Today's forecast: Showers followed by rain" and "Tomorrow's forecast: Rain followed by showers ".
9. Remember the date, severity, time of day, where you were, and how long you were out of power and phone service for every winter-weather event in the last five years.
10. Feel guilty for days after throwing an aluminum can in the trash instead of recycling it.
11. You know what the term "sun breaks" means.
12. Are able to use 10 words to order a beverage the rest of the country calls "coffee."
13. You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
14. You obey all traffic laws except "Keep right except to pass".
15. Have ever called your insurance agent to ask if your homeowner's policy covers falling trees, flooding, or mud slides - or if the number of your favorite roofing company is on your phone's "speed-dial" list.
16. Never go camping without waterproof matches, ponchos, and mattress pads that double as flotation devices.
17. Know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
18. Moved to the Northwest because you read that the two most popular hobbies are fishing and reading. Since arriving you've taken up fly fishing and learned to tie flies by reading a book.
19. Consider that if it doesn't have snow on it [in the summertime] or has not recently erupted, it's not a mountain.
20. Can point in the direction of two or more volcanoes even though you can't see them through the clouds.
21. Complain about Californians until the day you sell your house to one for twice what you paid for it.
22. Don't complain about Californians because you are secretly married to one or are dating one.
23. Find a wallet with $500 in it, return it all to the owner and refuse a reward.
24. Know the difference between Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon.
25. Used to live somewhere else but won't admit it publicly.
26. Believe swimming is not a sport but a survival skill to prevent boating deaths.
27. Believe swimming should only be done indoors, except in emergencies.
28. Own more than 10 articles of clothing that have the names of microbrewries/brewpubs printed on them. Bonus for embroidery.
29. Wave at people who drive Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles like yours.
30. You stand on a deserted street corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal.
31. Think downtown is "scary" because you were panhandled there once.
32. Go to work and return home in the dark in the winter, even though you only have an eight-hour work day.
33. Find that when the weather gets above 60 degrees, you replace your hiking boots with Birkenstock or Teva sandals.
34. Believe people who use umbrellas are wimps, Californians, or tourists.
35. You are amazed at an accurate weather forecast.
36. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50 degrees, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.
37. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60 degrees, but keep the socks on.
38. You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
39. You'd be miffed if the store were out of your favorite brand of water.
40. Fifteen blocks away is a good parking spot.
41. You are sitting at a downtown red light. The light turns green and the car in front of you does not move. You do not honk. After two more light changes, you approach the driver to ask if they need any assistance.

to our favorite Washingtonian for that list.
It's Amino world without Chemists

Yup. Totally sounds like my Christmas vacations with my parents, outside of Portland, OR.

*shudders*

I was down there (Houston) for spring break last year (first week of March), and while it was a nice change from Rochester's winter, I wouldn't want to live there. You can't see any stars! (I tried, the night I went to the rodeo. It didn't work.) And the humidity even around this time of year is enough to make me feel like I'm swimming through the air.

It's actually getting nice up here, surprisingly... There isn't any snow left on the ground(!) and it's actually over freezing(!!). Of course, the mud could swallow elephants, but part of that is because RIT's built on a swamp.

Yes, SN, it's the one or two weeks of the year that it's nice to live in Houston. I just came from the Galleria on my lunch hour, and I really didn't want to come back inside!

Well, considering he said "BA", one could be led to assume that he's referring to British Airlines, and thus "what you're used to" = "British weather". (I don't personally know what British weather's like, I'm just interpreting.)

As far as Missouri weather, it's currently in the midst of the just-before-spring daily changes.

-There's someone in my head, but it's not me.-

Not sure if we've still got our Brits around, but the one time I was there (in July!) it was cold and drizzly.
It's Amino world without Chemists

I was in London for a few days in late November. My feet were not dry from the moment I left the airport until about halfway through the flight back to Spain. IT was miserable. I suppose most of you are thinking... "Duh. London in November was cold and miserable... I am shocked. Really." Well, yeah.

I've been in England twice, Lancaster and London, for a total of two weeks, once during springtime, once in late October. Most of the time the sun was searingly hot, especially during my October trip, and I had a total of maybe two days of light rain. Are you sure the fault is with the British Isles ? *grin*

Well, on that same trip I went to Ireland and it was lovely, sunny and as warm as one could reasonably expect for late november. I had dry feet. I suspect it was a nexus of evil hovering over London itself. Hard to say though.

I know I've posted this before, but it seems appropriate, in light of how the British apparently react to anything but the most clement of weather, plus.... it's Friday!

The Beatles - Rain

If the rain comes they run and hide their heads.
They might as well be dead.
If the rain comes, if the rain comes.
When the sun shines they slip into the shade
(When the sun shines down.)
And drink their lemonade.
(When the sun shines down.)
When the sun shines, when the sun shines.
Rain, I don't mind.
Shine, the weather's fine.
I can show you that when it starts to rain,
(When the sun shines down.)
Everything's the same.
(When the sun shines down.)
I can show you, I can show you.
Rain, I don't mind.
Shine, the weather's fine.
Can you hear me, that when it rains and shines,
(When the sun shines down.)
It's just a state of mind?
(When the sun shines down.)
Can you hear me, can you hear me?
If the rain comes they run and hide their heads.
sdaeh rieht edih dna nur yeht semoc niar eht fI.
(Rain)
naiR.
(Rain)
enihsnuS.

The worst I've had to deal with was the time it was 35 degrees and pouring...in May.

Weather in Chicago is in the midst of being really freakin' windy.

What? This surprises anyone??

*grin*

Soon we'll all be cicada weather!

Oh. What, you mean now? It's... dandeliony. Is "dandeliony" an official weather condition? If not, it should be.

Around here the weather has mostly been in lawful compliance with the Übergroundhog's decree that winter it is, and wintery it shall remain until the calender says otherwise.

I think it's because we keep waking him up when he's trying to hibernate.

*buzzsaw-like snoring sounds*
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
"Phil! You in there? Phil? Prognostication time already. Phil?"
"Huh? What...oh, it's you guys again. What time is it?'
"February. The second."
"Crap. Jeez...okay, here's a prediction for ya: YOU'LL ALL BE MAKING ST. PATRICKS DAY SNOWMEN AND WONDERING WHY THE HELL IT'S SO DAMN COLD IN THE MIDDLE OF MARCH, and then you'll look back on this day and wish you'd let me sleep in for a few more weeks. That'd be my guess. And here's yer photo op:"
*moons cameras*

Transcript of events not verbatim. I'm just guessing on some of the details. But it has been really cold still, and that seemed like the most likely explanation.

You've got to be kidding. It's still just becoming grassy here - no dandelions in sight. No tree buds either. And it snowed last night.

Ah, Rochester...

Our forsythia are in bloom, as are the crocuses, day lilies and other spring flowers.

Tthhbbbpptt.

*grin*

That's just cruel and unusual punishment, Paul.

We have forsythia in my yard at home, and it blooms only sporadically - a few flowers here and there. It makes a great place for the sparrows and finches, though. I used to love hiding under it when I was little.

The real question is, though, is it for-SY-thee-ah, or for-SITH-ee-ah?

You've apparently got to prune them way, way back right after the flowers are gone, because only the new growth blooms. Though my dad wants to tear out the one in our backyard because it doesn't bloom much and nobody ever bothers to prune it.

It's pronounced for-SITH-ee-ah, unless it's in the yard of an elderly actor who is the perpetually hidden boss of three hot babes who put their bodies in danger on secret missions... (ba da boom)

The bushes here are thick with blooms so that they look like little chartreuse snowpiles. I find that particular shade of greenish-yellow to be rather unpleasant, but saying that here will about get you lynched by the natives who seem to be very fond of that pissy color...

Paul, you've earned one Angel point. Mixing with Devil points may have an explosion reaction. :)