Thursday's Briefing

Decorating Texas Style In 1942

This Is My Old Friend Roger

Andy O Neal

It's Hump Day:You Know The Drill

Someone I Could Look Up To

Poor Poor Pitiful Me

I'm left to cook on my Weber while some enjoy the finer things of outdoor living.

Screwed Again

If there is going to be a consumer to get screwed it will be me. That is one reason I am so darn gun shy when it comes to electronics. At any rate, just as in the commercials, I am on the verge of developing carpal tunnel when I use this Roundup spray. Constantly pumping the trigger and it's stream is like that of a 75 year old man. So I put down more bucks to buy this version of Roundup in the pump up sprayer. Now I admit I'm not usually optimistic but I had high hopes. I did till the FIRST time I used it. After pumping and pressurizing the tank, I would pick it up by the handle I would hear all the air leaking out. Needless to say it just drips out. Now if I carry it around like a baby it works as it should. I think I was attracted to the new version by the logo "Pump 'n Go". Sounds a lot like me.

I've Never Heard Of Such A Thing

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) shakes hands with U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Veteran Republican senator Stevens was charged on Tuesday with concealing $250,000 of gifts from an oil services company and its top executive, the Justice Department said. Well. Will wonders never cease.

Now That's The Way To See Yosemite

Tourists look out at the view in Yosemite National Park, partially obscured by haze and smoke from the Telegraph Fire in Yosemite National Park, California July 29, 2008. The blaze has closed Highway 140, a major artery into the famed park.

That's What He Gets For Wearing White Socks

A New York Yankees fan becomes entangled in the screen behind home plate after he fell trying to catch a foul ball hit by Baltimore Orioles batter Kevin Millar in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 29, 2008.

Let Me Be Your Tour Guide

I Can Do Anything You Can Do Better

They Always Work Till...

all the houses are sold and the developer is long gone. Then you sit in home owner association meetings and listen while they explain that the fountains are too expensive to maintain/repair.

Houston's Jonathan Horton Olympic Bound

Photo by Smiley Pool/Chronicle

Tuesdays With Al

Baby's Got Back

Nathaniel Curran claims the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O'Neill and the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings lead at Huntington Beach, California.

Liza!

Liza Minnelli performs on the last night of the Jazzaldia Jazz Festival in San Sebastian July 27, 2008.

Top Off

Gotta Love A Dog Lover

Beach Aerobics

Soldiers from South Korea's Special Welfare Command participate in an exercise before their colleagues' infiltration operation drill during a photo call on a beach in Boryeong, about 190 km (118 miles) southwest of Seoul, July 29, 2008.

The Eyes Have It!

Actor Jesse Williams arrives for the premiere of the film "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" in New York.

Monday's Pit Stop

I Want To Sleep All Day

Open Spaces Are Okay With Me

Less than 2 miles from my home cattle are roaming the land. I like that.

But developers do their thing and soon all the cows are gone. Well except for some of the house wives in the hood but that's another post. I know where I live used to be ranch land and fields of sugar cane but I hate to see so much of the surrounding area developed. Especially when there are so many empty store fronts.

Thank You Dolly

My girls loved laying in the wet grass this past week after the bands of rain from hurricane Dolly passed thru.

Saturday Night Ritual

Brideshead Revisited Again? The Nerve!

It is difficult to believe anything could top the PBS mini series of Brideshead Revisited yet a new movie version has been made. Let me tell you I was quite obsessed with this and waited anxiously for each episode. For a young man living in Arkansas with no cable this was a romance I adored. Yeah, yeah, I know it pales to what we see now but in the early 80's I had not even seen any gay porn yet. And I've always been a fan of bonnet movies and a bit of an anglofile so this period piece with a hint of romance between two men, well I was quite taken. Young stars Anthony Andrews and Jeremy Irons led a cast boasting John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier in the original miniseries. Makers Granada put the total cost at 4.5 million.

Matthew Goode, left, is an Oxford student and Hayley Atwell and Ben Wishaw are siblings in Julian Jarrold’s screen adaptation of “Brideshead Revisited.” The new cast seems less striking to me but maybe younger viewers will feel as I did almost 26 years ago.

Adapted from the Evelyn Waugh novel by John Mortimer, lavish drama Brideshead Revisited depicted upper class passions in Edwardian England.

This scene in the new moive is supposedly when Charles first spots the gorgeous Sebastian and his flamboyant manner.

Have A Fun And Loving Weekend!

Model Kitchen

I love the wood panels on the refrigerator.

A double oven always comes in handy especially during the holidays.

I don't particularly care for electric cooktops but they do seem to be easy to keep clean.

Corian counter tops are so comfy.

No Sparing The Rod

Spectators hold up photos of Madonna as New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez waits in the on-deck circle during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday.

Are You Ready?

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning throws the ball during the first day of football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, July 25, 2008.

Minnesota Vikings players Gus Frerotte (12) and Matt Birk (78) started training camp in Mankato, Minn. on Friday.

Denver Broncos safety John Lynch jokes with reporters as players head back to the locker room after taking part in morning session of the opening day of training camp at the team's headquarters in southeast Denver. The Broncos' camp runs through mid-August.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, talks with coach Bill Belichick during the NFL football team's training camp Friday, July 25, 2008, in Foxborough, Mass.

‘Last Lecture’ Professor Randy Pausch, 47, Dies

The New York Times has reported the death of Randy Pausch, 47. He shot to fame almost two years ago with his famous last lecture at Carnegie Melon on You Tube. He was quoted as saying: "I think I'm clear where I stand on the great Tigger/Eeyore debate." What a positive message for his children.

It's Friday's Debriefing

I'm Gonna Start Taking The Stairs

I Have A Package For You

I'll Show you Mine If You Show Me Yours

Red Bull Art Of Can Exhibit

I stopped by the Galleria last weekend to see the Red Bull art exhibit. Some awesome sculptures in addition to a clever advertising campaign. If I only had time to sit around with a pair of tin snips what wonders I could create. Not really. Here's a few of my favorites.

Some were more amused than I was.

The backside of Tinkerbell or a fairy in the foreground and a humming bird feeder.

Lay-A-Way Me For Christmas Please

While in the galleria I noticed this wonderful bag in the window of the Louis Vuitton store. Have I told you I LOVE red? Anyway, I wouldn't carry it but I could keep it by my bed with my back issues of Honcho and Blueboy close at hand. Christmas is just five months away. I'm just sayin'.

I Realized

I was watching Hopkin's tonight as I anesthetized myself with barbecue and realized something. It wasn't the first time I have had this epiphany and it won't be the last. There was a segment about a young boy having facial surgery to reconstruct the right side of his cheek. He seemed like such a sweet kid and both his mother and father were so affectionate towards him. Then before he was to go to surgery his father hugged him and the boy returned the hug with such fervor and I realized I will never know that affection. He was such a nice boy of 8 and I know soon he will be a sulky, smart ass teenager but still. That one moment was quite precious.

Charred Animal Flesh

I was feeling lazy as I so often do and got some take out on the way home. Heavy rains this afternoon. Finally, getting some in Sugar Land from these bands of showers due to Dolly. I'm sure the folks in the valley are less pleased with all the rain. It seems it's the only way we can get any rain in Texas in the summer is from a tropical disturbance of some kind.
At any rate, the barbecue was quite tasty. Sorry you weren't here to share.

Thursday's Briefing

I Love A Good Foot Massage

Some Guys Rub Me The Wrong Way

We Can All Use A Helping Hand At Times

Karaoke Tonight At My Place

Hump Day

Chin Up

Whatever Floats Your Boat

Kerry

Vintage Al Parker

The Real Summer Games

Monday's Pit Stop

Cheesecake

I made a cheese cake last night to take to work today. Grudgingly, I baked it in a water bath and low and behold no cracks. But I don't mind the cracks one way or another. I just fill the top with fruit if I were serving at home. At any rate, it's too damn hot to be baking.

It's That Time Of Week

Struggling In The Heat

I Hope You Get Some TLC This Weekend

Blue Boy

A model presents a creation by German designer Michalsky during 'Fashionweek Berlin Spring Summer 2009 ' in Berlin. The event runs from July 17 to 20 in the German capital.

I Want One

Bollywood actress Lara Dutta poses with a Fiat 500 during its launch in Mumbai yesterday.

Did You? Was It? Do You Think He Will?

Actor Heath Ledger as The Joker is shown in a scene from director Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" in this undated publicity photo released to Reuters July 18, 2008. The film's robust performance in advance screenings bolstered projections that "Dark Knight" was headed for an opening weekend of $100 million or more in the United States and Canada.

Eye Candy

Actor Simon Baker, star of the new CBS drama series "The Mentalist", takes part in a panel discussion at the CBS summer 2008 press tour in Beverly Hills, California July 18, 2008.

TGIF

Friday's Debriefing

Dicks

Woof!

British actor Rupert Everett arrives for the fashion show of the label HUGO by German ready-to-wear company Hugo Boss on July 17, 2008 at the Westhafen industrial area in Berlin. The show takes place on the opening day of the Berlin Fashion Week running until July 20.

San Francisco Is Easy On Your feet

SAN FRANCISCO - JULY 17: A pedestrian walks along Crissy Field near the Golden Gate Bridge July 17, 2008 in San Francisco, California. San Francisco was named the most "walkable" city in the nation by the website WalkScore.com. The city scored an 86 out of a possible 100 based on residents' proximity to services and amenities. New York was second with 83 and Boston was third with 79.

Oil Drops For Third Str8 Day

But don't take the For Sale sign off your Hummer just yet. Oil dropped a wee bit again today falling below $130 a barrel. "The last time oil settled below $130 was June 5, when it settled at $127.79." I'm just wondering if it will be reflected at the pumps. All year when oil would go up the price at the local gas pump would go up over night. At least this drop and the drop in natural gas helped the stock market rally.

Thursday's Briefings

Do You Finger Paint?

Mr BIG

VHS to DVD:I Need Help!

Can you technical savvy folk off me any advice on video tape transfer to DVD. I am not talking of copyrighted material. I've reconciled myself to the fact that will fall by the wayside of all my 8 tracks. However, I do have several hours of family events and vacations on VHS tape that I would like to transfer to DVD. Those of you with experience, I ask is the quality okay with just buying a machine that dubs one to the other? Frankly, I find some of my tapes are very sharp and I can't imagine digital being better but nevertheless I want to save what I have if I can and maintain the quality. My computer at this point would not support more programs so I can't really go that route.
Any suggestions on brands or systems would be appreciated.

Touchdown Justin!

Singer Justin Timberlake uses a prop to become Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo at the 2008 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles last night.

Lovable Hump Day!

The Price To Go

Actually, this is in town at the Chimney Rock exit off Hwy59 Sw freeway. It's still less than $4 in the burbs. I just thought I'd take post this pic because I get tired of so many of you scolding me for posting lower prices than what's in your area. Hopefully this makes you feel better.

Someone's Got The Big Head

It's A Cover Up

I Keep Thinking

Where will the price of gas be in a year or two? I wonder how many people are actually in a hurry to downsize their cars and consumption of gas. I try to conserve and I don't just go out and lolygag around as I used to do but. I keep thinking it's all a big scam.
Before I went on vacation, one of the local TV stations was doing a story on the price of gas and insinuated people were rushing to downsize to smaller vehicles. They interviewed several car salesman and they were saying that oh you will have to wait on a Honda Civic for a month or so and another salesman said it could be the end of the year before one could get a Prius. Yet on my vacation to the hills of Arkansas and southern Missouri every po dunk town I went through had dealerships full of small cars. I'm getting 20 mpg with my 6 cylinder truck which is better than the 17 mpg I got with my 4 cylinder truck I had previously. I got 24 mpg while on vacation with me and my dogs along for the ride. That's like a family of four! There's no way I would trade to get a car that doesn't get more than 10 to 15 miles more per gallon. If a Lamborghini gets 10 miles per gallon and that tiny Smart car is predicted to get 40 miles per gallon, if you burn Premium gas,(what's that all about?) then I can't help but think somethings up. That's not a tremendous difference to me. Oh sure if I'm commuting hundreds of miles a week it adds up I know. But still...? Don't tell me to think green either. If we were so concerned about being green the government wouldn't have everyone in a frenzy switching our analog TV to digital.

Josh Hamilton Hits 28 At Home Run Derby!

Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton is a blur as he swings in Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby during All-Star game festivities at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 14, 2008. The All-Star game will be played July 15.

American League All-Star Josh Hamilton (R) of the Texas Rangers gets a massage from teammate and fellow All-Star Milton Bradley (L) during Hamilton's display of power while hitting 28 home runs in the first round of Major League Baseball's All-Star Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 14, 2008.

More Like "National Lampoon"

Monday's Pit Stop Includes A 10 Point Inspection

Meet Miss Universe Of 2008

This girl had the most beautiful and expressive eyes when so many of the contestants looked alike to me. Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, waves after Mendoza was crowned as Miss Universe 2008 during the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, Monday, July 14, 2008.

Miss USA Takes A Tumble

Crystle Stewart, Miss USA, falls down during the evening gowns segment of the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, Monday, July 14, 2008.

Play Whoopi

Comedian Whoopi Goldberg is shown in her uniform on the field before the All Star Legends & Celebrity softball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, July 13, 2008.

I'm Ready For My Bath Hop Sing

It's Hard To Believe That He's Alone Tonight

Yet there he is. Laying on the sofa. Waiting patiently for you.

Avoid Mold & Mildew:Let The Sunshine In

All I Do Is Think About You

Dr. Michael DeBakey Dead At 99

Dr. DeBakey died last night here in Houston at Methodist hospital. He lead a team in 1992 when my late mother had successful heart surgery here in Houston. He would actually come to the waiting area and give us the progress reports. We didn't really think he was hands on at that time but apparently he was quite involved in surgeries for several years later. Dr. Michael DeBakey, shown in the operating room in 1998, trained thousands of surgeons over several generations.

In its Aug. 31, 1968, edition, the Chronicle told of the successful multi organ transplants by Dr. Michael DeBakey shortly after Dr. Denton Cooley, DeBakey's main competitor in the Houston medical community,had successfully completed the first heart transplant.

I Hope You're Having A Fun Weekend Too!

Naked players participate in the traditional game of "naked Rugby" at St Kilda beach in Dunedin on Jualy 12, 2008 prior to the New Zealand-South Africa Test match.

A Fine Impression

British actor Michael Caine poses with his wife Shakira after placing his hand and footprints in cement in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California July 11, 2008. Hollywood celebrities have been honored with the hand and footprint ceremony since 1927.

Contenders

Heavyweight title holder boxer Vladimir Klitschko of Ukraine and U.S. contender Tony Thompson (L) square up following weigh-in session at a sports shop in Hamburg July 11, 2008. Klitschko and Thompson will fight for the IBF/WBO and IBO world heavyweight championship title on July 12, 2008 in the northern German city of Hamburg.

I Think I Will Open A Franchise

I Know A Lot Of You Love Ink

But this is really f*#ked up in my opinion.

Finally Friday's Debriefing

Lumbering Jack

I Gotta Have One!

An unidentified guest wears a hat made with gloves as he attends Ukrainian designer Aina Gasse's Fall/Winter 2008-2009 Haute-Couture collection, presented during the Rome high-fashion AltaRomAltaModa week, in Rome, Thursday, July 10, 2008.

Thursday's Briefings

I Need Some Discipline In My Life

I came home from work today sad to see it hadn't rained in my area. I played with the dogs a bit. Got hot. Made me about a 12 oz margarita and sat down in front of the TV flip flopping between the news and a rerun of Half & Half. The next thing I know I'm in a cherry picker about to go beyond the tops of trees and through some sort of sun screen. My heart is pounding when I wake up clutching the arms of my chair. Damn! It's 8:30 already and I have slept almost 2.5 hours. What the hell? Why? Why? Why? Now I'm screwed for this nights sleep and moreover for tomorrow. It should be fun. I need some discipline in my life.

Hump Day!

Kind Of Wet

Is how I feel this morning. I just put out the garbage and recycle bin and it is 82 degrees and no hint of a breeze. And it's only 5:00 am, so not much hope for improvement today. The girls and I no likey the heat. But I kind of like this guy with that BIG neck to kiss on.

How Does This Work?

Cop A Feel

I'm Certain He Could Afford The Gas

Iraqi police officers stand guard next to the luxurious cars formerly owned by Saddam Hussein's son Odai, at a police station in southern Baghdad's Dora neighborhood, Iraq, Monday, July 7, 2008. The Iraqi police on Monday foiled an attempt to smuggle five luxury cars that belonged to Odai, that were hidden in an orchard, out of the country. By Loay Hameed

The Economy Got You Down?

Lil Cuties

A woman smiles as she looks at lumpfish sitting on balloons at Shinagawa Aqua-Stadium aquarium in Tokyo Tuesday, July 8, 2008. The colorful "Eumicrotremus Pacificus," commonly found in the deep sea near the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, attach themselves to rocks in the water via a sucker disk on their underside so as not to be drifted away by strong current.

Nice Trim! So Who's Your Barber?

I Was Planning On TexMex For Lunch Today

But now I have a hankering for Japanese. Japanese-Taiwanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro laughs as he speaks about his role in the new film "Red Cliff" by famed Hong Kong director John Woo, during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, July 8, 2008

It's Monday's Pit Stop So Have A Sniff

Cigars? Cigarettes? Bobby Pins?

Wanna Wrestle?

Come Back To Bed Baby

Exhausting!

Hint of what's to come tomorrow.

Spain's Rafael Nadal (R) is congratulated by Switzerland's Roger Federer after winning their final tennis match of the 2008 Wimbledon championships against at The All England Tennis Club in southwest London, on July 6, 2008. Nadal won 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7. POOL.

It's Saturday Night:You Know You Need One

Perfect Evening Stroll

Although there were ominous clouds and distant thunder for most of the day it never rain in my area.

The temps were a bit cooler thanks to the cloud cover and quite breezy keeping the mosquitoes at bay and allowing for a nice evening walk.

The Sweetwater golf course just before sunset this evening.

Only Thing Blooming Around My Yard

Not much blooming in my yard this time of year. Just to hot for many things. I can always depend on the crete myrtle for a bit of color.

Oh and thanks to the birds for a few sunflowers.

Oleander is a hardy summer bush for this area.

Machete Anyone?

I was thinking of taking a machete to my neighbors banana tree that I have to swat to go through my gate. Can anyone help me out?

Wildfire?

Two horses fight during the "Rapa Das Beestas" traditional event in the Spanish northwestern village of Sabucedo. On the first weekend of the month of July, hundreds of wild horses are rounded up, trimmed and groomed in different villages in the Spanish northwestern region of Galicia.

Those Williams Girls Clean Up

Venus Williams of the U.S. (L) holds her winners trophy as she stands with her sister Serena, holding her runners-up trophy, after their finals match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London.

Serena and Venus (L) Williams of the U.S. hold their trophies after defeating Lisa Raymond of the U.S. and Samantha Stosur of Australia in their doubles finals match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London July 5, 2008.

Far Right?

Riot police arrest a far-right demonstrator as hundreds of them try to break up the annual gay parade in Budapest July 5, 2008. Several hundreds of demonstrators clashed with the police in the center of the Hungarian capital as police tried to separate them from the participants of the Gay Pride march.

I'm Screwed

It's after 3:00 AM and I still can't get to sleep. Well I slept great for about an hour and a half but then up about 1:30. Too many fireworks I suppose. That means my day will be shot. I won't have any problem sleeping all day when I have crap to do. Maybe it will rain all day and give me a good excuse? Oil well. I hope you are getting/got some sleep or some good lovin' or something that met your needs.

A Houston 4th

Following afternoon thunderstorms it turned out to be a great evening for fun and fireworks.

Always plenty of cowboys on had to watch the show.

Have A Great Evening America!

Hot Guys For Hot Dogs

Fans wear hot shaped hats while waiting for the start of Nathan's annual hot dog eating contest in the Coney Island section of New York, July 4, 2008.

A Great Conversation Piece

Ceramists Francisco Figueiredo and his wife Cassilda work on phalluses at their workshop in Chao de Parada, central Portugal June 26, 2008. The Figueiredos are among the last exponents of a traditional Portuguese handicraft -- making ornamental ceramic penises. For more than three decades, the couple have carefully shaped thousands of ceramic male organs, moulding them into upright shapes and painting them in life-like colours for export to Germany, France and North America.

Amy Sings

British singer Amy Winehouse performs during the "Rockin Rio" music festival in Arganda del Rey near Madrid on July 4, 2008.

That's Why

I never lay on a hotel room's bed till I pull back the covers. Well in his case.

Mamma Mia

Abba members Agnetha Faltskog (L) and Frida Reuss (R) pose with cast member Meryl Streep during the premiere of the motion picture version of the musical 'Mamma Mia' in Stockholm July 4, 2008.

Friday's Debriefing

Have A Great 4th of July!!!

Thursday's Briefing

A Match For All Times

US Serena Williams (R) and her sister and teammate Venus get ready to play against India's Sania Mirza and US Bethanie Mattek during their doubles tennis match of the 2008 Wimbledon championships at The All England Tennis Club in southwest London, on July 2, 2008. The pair could face each other in the women's single match.

Someone To Care

A graduate of the Military Academy adjusts the hat of his counterpart while preparing for a group photo after the joint military academies commencement in Kaohsiung county July 2, 2008.

Just Dandy

Serious Tongue Action

Michael Phelps prepares for the final of the 200 meter freestyle during the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials on July 1, 2008 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Hump Day's Ass Of Worship

Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

Blow That Trumpet Boy!

Ahhh Sugar Sugar!

It's A New Day:It's A New Month

And I'm Feeeeeeling Good!

Sweet Pea

Better Than Baklava

Tuesday's Torso With Head