6 posts tagged “texas”

If it were not for accidental timing, flat tires, and gasoline leaks, I would not have met Rick Burch, bassist, and his "employee" Michael at the Starbucks on Kirby this morning.

In all actuality I mostly likely would have not seen my friend David, and worse case, my car could have blown up when I started it this morning. The thing is, little bits of time added up which allowed me to meet and chat with Rick and Michael, talk to my friend David, and finally, have my car's gas tank lid tightened by Lenny, another good friend. It was the morning of cheerful guys doing what they like, and me getting a cheap gasoline high.

This all began because I was running a little late this morning (as usual), and yet in actuality, I need not have worried because Lenny was not where he was supposed to be this morning after all. You see, my car was leaking gasoline; two little spots on the concrete had over night grown into two larger spots. The smell of gasoline permeated my car's interior when I got in, and ended up with a cheap high at 9:00 am.

Last night we discovered the leak issue and I called Lenny to see if he would be available today to check the fuel lines and gas tank; unfortunately, he said he was going to have an alligator day and could not guarantee anything. However, he did say he would let us know if the problem was bad enough that the car might blow up the next time we started it. In any event, he was nowhere to be found this morning. But I was not worried; I just drove past, turned onto Myrtle Street, and then hung a right on Virginia where I pulled over and gave Lenny a call. I was hoping on the off chance he would arrive soon, but no luck. He said he was getting a new tire for his Rover and that it would be about 45 minutes before he arrived. I told him I would get breakfast first and be back in about an hour or so.

Choosing to drive to the Kirby Starbucks, I decided to sit outside with my latte and scone. I never sit outside and later I

wondered what prompted me to do so. Perhaps it was the cool morning, and the patio being in the shade; there was a light breeze with hardly anyone outside. That certainly helped my headache. In any event, it was no time before David appeared and said hi. Standing tall with his familiar salt and pepper hair and big friendly grin, he towered above me. A few years ago, he and I used to work together--he did the hard stuff, the coding, while I did the design work for corporate intranet projects. He looked the same as always and we chatted about Macs and our children for a few minutes. Then, as quickly as he had appeared, he had to leave; things to do, people to see. He said goodbye and I resumed reading my RSS feeds and throwing scone crumbs on the patio for the sparrows.

In a few minutes, two guys pulled up on knockabout racing bikes. Locking up, they went inside for drinks, then returned and pulled up chairs next to the windows behind me. They chatted to one another about what would be the best way to ride back to where they started; whether they should ride on Paisano, Texas, Copia, or some other way. One used a Blackberry to map their journey, and there was talk about the zoo, an unnamed venue, and more about which way to go. It was then that I turned around and asked if they had recently moved to the area. No, they said, we're in a band that is playing here tonight. But they had forgotten the venue's name. By the zoo, I asked? Yes. That's the Coliseum I said. Yes, that's right, they nodded. What band, I asked? Jimmy Eat World, one said. Oh, I didn't know you were playing here tonight, I confessed.

We continued to talk about bands and how my cousin Gabe Gonzalez used to tour with At the Drive-In, as their sound man and backup keyboardist, about Jim Ward and his new band Sleepercar, and about what SXSW had become. One noted Jim's new Texas tour and album, and I recalled how Gabe had experienced, what Michaela described as, a "Richie Valens flight" that put him off touring forever. The two band members remembered the time, saying they totally understood. Australia they noted. Yes, I replied. We then talked about projects that the original band had spawned: Sparta, The Mars Volta, and Ward's work with my friend Bobby Byrd of Cinco Puntos Press, in addition to the new Sleepercar.

We resumed talking about the best way to get back to the venue and I cautioned them that Paisano was busier and hillier than Texas Avenue, which eventually turned into Alameda; Paisano always has a lot of truck traffic that is headed into Mexico. They agreed they would go back the way they came, which was on Texas-Alameda.

I also talked about Michaela and Shannon's blog, The Rich Girls Are Weeping, and how Lauren, at Michigan State, has now started attending shows and taking pictures of bands for her Facebook album. That being a good segue, I asked if I could take their picture, to which they said no problem.

Afterwards, we all left at the same time as the pedaled down Mesa towards Texas Avenue, and me headed in the same direction to go to Lenny's. This is how little bits of my morning time added up, and allowed me to see my friend David, and meet and talk to Rick Burch and his "employee" Michael from Jimmy Eat World, a band that will perform tonight at the venue across from the zoo.

Oh, and the car--Lenny tested the fuel tank's "lid" that is accessed from inside the trunk. He described how it "works exactly like a mason jar" lid, which he then tightened. It should be fine now, unless there is another leak in the fuel line. And if so, I'll be back again.

In any event, the band will play on tonight.

This ad may have been paid for by the Pat Haggerty campaign, but thanks to You Tube anyone can view it anytime. Unfortunately for Pat, I will not be voting Republican in the Texas primaries to be held March 4.

Instead, I'll be standing in the other line. What I must write about now is what I think my in-laws would say if they could see Mrs. Haggery standing up for her son, Pat. Not only being a momma lion, she is also helping her son get reelected to the to Texas 78th District, which is a good thing. I remember my mother-in-law Lucille say Mrs. H ruled her roost and that she was a pistol. But then again, so was my mother-in-law.

Steely eyed moms rule the roost. Women who survived so much--the great depression, marriage for over 50 years, raising kids on a noncoms salary, and the separation and worry that come with war. They are fast disappearing. Some will say they are the greatest generation, which is what sons are supposed to think their parents are from. I was not surprised to see her with her nicely coifed silver hair sitting next to Pat in front of a roaring fire. She's just doing what must be done to see through the end of each day. That's why I was glad to see the Haggerty ad. She's doing what she thinks is necessary because she believes her son to be a good and true man.

Some will say if you use your mom then your campaign then you are in trouble. Some will say Mrs. H should have included Bob Craddick's title (Texas Speaker of the House.) But that's nit picky stuff. The fact is that the ad works. It's short, clever, and to the point. Pat didn't have to say much, he let him mom lay into his opponent. She quickly calls attention to Tom Craddick and the big money trying to buy Texas State Representative District 78 seat. And he lets her have the best line ever, "I have a carton of milk that has been in the district longer than (his opponent.)"

And, thanks mom, is all he need say.

We just got back from a "Faces against of Asarco" photo event. Around 5:30, we assembled on land owned by CEMEX at the intersection of I-10 East and Executive Center. Photographs were shot from a crane until about 6:45. I took a lot of pix too, and will have them up tonight on Flickr, in addition to updating this post. We got to see a lot of good friends: Lee, Bobby, and Johnny Byrd; representatives Beto O'Rourke (with new baby) and Suzie Byrd, her husband Eddie Holland, all the little Holland-Byrds; and Rosie

Salazar (she's fine, working two jobs). Also, I got to speak to Sen. Eliot Shapleigh (we talked about giving the feds hell about the state of the Ft. Bliss National Cemetery), stood near Nancy from Bordersenses, as well as being happpy to see Mayor John Cook there as well. In all, many, many old and new friends stood in solidarity against Asarco.

A great day (impending storm and all) and I believe well over a couple of thousand people stood, raised their hands together to send a message to Austin and wave good bye to Asarco. Thanks to CEMEX for letting us assemble on their land, the EPPD for traffic control, Ardovino's Desert Crossing (Charlie’s idea for the pix), and all who stood for a very important message: we do not need, nor do we want Asarco to reopen its smelting operations in El Paso, Texas.

Who are the last five people you called on your cell phone?

1. daughter, the judge
2. spouse, his office
3. spouse, his cell
4. parent's home
5. dad, his cell
   

There he is, just awake from that sort of dream--that kind of endless dreamland sleep

where everywhere west of Lubbock is jes doin' fine an' kinda floatin', like on a cloud."

Well, we are sorry to tell Mister Craddick, but we have a whole lotta people moving here with short hair and camo clothes. What will they find?

First off, we have congestion, overcrowded schools, few parks, and even less water. Oh, I forgot. We are supposed to have enough water now. I don't know how that happened, but once the BRACC said it would move scads of soldiers here we suddenly have enough. This must have occurred after they dug up all the grass at

the Ft. Bliss National Cemetery and threw rocks everywhere. Now, where was I. Oh, yes... not to mention that said new troops probably have little or no concept of the culture here on the border.

Ya here that? Yeah, that's Spanish and you know what else? It's OK that the language of Cervantes is spoken everywhere in this town.

Even to order Chicos Tacos.

And because the El Paso Times does not provide much in the way of edited stories that remain in the same location for breaking news, I'll just post the bit of what they posted today now and know the full story will be published Friday morning.

Anyhow, go back to sleep, Mr. Craddick. We've got it all under control.

Craddick 'stunned' by implications of Bliss growth (6:22 p.m.)  (don't count on this link working past midnight, but an updated version will later on Friday.) Well, what do you know? The link remained in place.

By Brandi Grissom / El Paso Times

Article Launched: 02/08/2007 06:07:21 PM MST

AUSTIN -- One of the state's top leaders said until this week he had no idea Fort Bliss in

El Paso would triple in size over the next five years, creating massive infrastructure needs in preparation for the population boom.

"I was stunned at the growth and how many people are going to be moved to Fort Bliss," House Speaker Tom Craddick said today, adding that he wants more information to determine how the state can help the city.

The U.S. Base Realignment and Closure Commission decided in 2005 that the Fort Bliss Army base would receive more new soldiers than any other base in the country. Craddick said he did't realize the scope of that decision until a meeting Wednesday with local officials, business leaders and an Army representative.

"I think it's a real positive," Craddick said. "I just had no idea that kind of growth was going to go on in El Paso."

Col. Robert Burns, garrison commander at Fort Bliss, was one of several local officials in the meeting with Craddick.

Burns said he explained how the base and the city would change dramatically with the arrival of up to 23,000 new troops and their families, totaling nearly 50,000 new residents [....]

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