Visually Speaking: September 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

I wonder about developers. This area of Houston just east of "Uptown" Houston is hot at the moment with stores such as Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrell, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, Williams Sonoma, and the list goes on and on. It is already quite congested with parking difficult. So what do the developers do but construct more shops in the prime area on prime parking. I'm sure it's the same in other metropolitan areas. They build and build then they realize they have parking and traffic issues.

With You And This Home:I Could Be Happy!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

At Water's Edge

Last Nights Supper

Now aren't you glad you weren't sleeping with me!

During My Commute

I was able to enjoy this beautiful sunset as the storm clouds cleared last night during my drive home from work. It makes rush hour traffic much more tolerable.

Less Threatening And More Filling!

Short Range Missiles Of Another Kind

Okay, so one dud is not ready to launch.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Monday's Pit Stop

Wouldn't You Know It

Another "Pit Stop" opens up next to mine featuring full service and name brand synthetic oil.

I'm Anal Like That

We all have these little projects we want to do but rarely get around to do them. One such project I started probably over a year ago. At that point, I decided it wasn't worth the effort and gave up. But something bit my ass over the weekend to get this done or chunk it all. So I opened up the garbage bags and let the feathers fly. I had two feather pillows with stained covers. No not those kind of stains. I haven't humped a pillow since I was a teenager. At any rate, the unsightliness annoyed me and I cut them open and had intended to just wash the covers but...

I had plenty of pillow ticking, as it's often called, left from making slip covers so I sewed two cases and proceeded to fill them with feathers.

Okay, at one point they were king size pillows and now they are just standard size but at least they are clean. Can't say that for my garage though. Now all I need are a couple of those anti allergy zip up cases and I'm set for guests.

I'd make someone a good Granny.

Artist Kehinde Wiley

The One That Got Away

With 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Texan's Chris Brown fumbles at the goal line. It still hurts.

Final score: Jacksonville Jaquars 31, Houston Texan's 24.

Chronicle photos

I Bet You Can't Eat Just One?

Saturday, September 26, 2009

The Hills Of Home

My father has returned to the hills of home. My brother took him home last weekend. I was a bit shocked when I was on the phone with an aunt from California and my brother came in and I handed the phone to him to say hi to her. During their conversation he told her, "yeah I'll be taking Dad home on Friday". What? This was on a Wednesday night. Huh thanks for the heads up. I know my Dad had said he was ready and wanted to go home but I thought the consensus between my brother and I was that he wasn't ready yet. Well, so much for communication. I thought I was bad about not sharing and divulging.
So I was at a loss somewhat last weekend and since. I had developed a routine of what had to be done while my Dad was here and stuck to it. I think me and my girls, exhausted from being humped constantly by my Dad's dog Joe, slept most of last weekend. This is really a busy time at work for me. As a result, I haven't had a chance to really miss them and feel lonely as I have in the past when my Dad and his dog from hell have been here for any length of time. I'm not sure if my Dad really appreciated anything I done for him while he was here or if he felt it was just my obligation. I'm not bitter but I didn't do a thing but work while my Dad was here except cater to him. All the while, my brother and his family kept on going 90 to nothing as always. My father would tell me how busy my brother and his family were and I'm thinking they are busy entertaining themselves. My neighbors would tell me that they saw my brother and all his family at the Texans football game or I would hear from someone else they were all seen at a restaurant. That's fine but his grandchildren never came by to see him during the 7 weeks he was here. My Dad only went to my brother's home for two meals during that time as well. So bitter no but a bit amused I am. At any rate, after talking with him a few times this week my Dad seems happy to be home in the Ozarks.

Old Habits Die Hard

Now that my Dad has gone home till the holidays it's easy to get back in those old habits of a single guy. Such as sleeping in the nude, running around the house in my thong, okay I don't wear a thong, having dinner in front of the TV. Oh and catching up on all your activities.

A Race To The Finish

Not really, but I have lived alone for so long that apparently I rarely look up once food is in front of me. My father eats soooooooooo slow. As soon as I or a server sets the food down in front of him he leans back in the chair and starts talking. If you confront, okay, ask him why he does that he says he enjoys a good conversation while eating. I'm thinking:Dad you have been a widower for over ten years now and you eat with people fewer times than I do as of late so what's up with that. I can see where my brother gets his gift of gab. They always have an opinion or a story to share. I believe I do too but I rarely express them so freely especially when there's food to be devoured.

It's Whats For Dinner

Well , last night's dinner actually. You think I had enough starch there? I wonder about myself sometimes.

I've Been Crushing Hard

Greg Aiello from In Motion, an ABC Living Well program, has been making my heart go pitter patter lately. I love watching this tour guide climbing rocks when he's wearing those tight shorts. Hey! I don't have cable so it doesn't take much to entertain.

Friday, September 25, 2009

I've Been On A Movie Binge This Week

It started with Matt Damon's The Informant. I hated to see Matt get fat

because he lost all of his cuteness with just those few pounds he put on for the role. His character was comical as his lies got bigger and bigger. I didn't think it was such a great movie though.

J. Cutler's documentary, September Issue, about the creation of the ever growing September issue of Vogue and it's editor Anna Wintour was definitely a chick flick. I caught a matinee when I left work early Thursday and I believe I was the only one in attendance representing my gender. The women seem to really like it when Wintour was rude and curt with associates on screen. I could almost hear them say aloud "I want to be like her". I liked it and would watch it again. Damn. What does that say about me?

The Surrogates starring Bruce Willis was a total BORE! I don't really care for sci-fi but I like Bruce. But I almost got up and left twice. An interesting premise but it looked cheap and some of the dialogue was hokey as hell. Oil well. I had wanted to see the Jennifer Anniston movie but I was too late. I'm a sucker for romance. I suppose since there's none in my life. I hope you are amused this weekend.

Lots Of Kisses For Your Weekend

Friday's Debriefing

May We Serve You?

Nostalgic Decor

In Paramont Pictures, Double Indemnity, the romantically linked Phyllis Dietrichson (Stanwyck) and Walter Neff (MacMurray), left, plot to kill Dietrichson’s husband (Tom Powers), right. Photographed 55 years ago, the foyer looks much the same today as it did then.

Mae Brunken's Beachwood Canyon home in the Hollywood Hills was recently featured in the Los Angeles Times. It's nice to see a home that hasn't been gutted and redone. It looks like the same front door, floor tile, and hand railing. I like that for some reason.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Have You Ever?

Been on a hayride? I have and but it's been a while although never during daylight hours. Sometimes one's hands would start to wonder under those blankets.

What Do You Collect?

Traffic Always Seems To Get Worse

When the days get shorter.

It's Not Too Soon

You know how time gets away from us after the Labor Day weekend. It seems the holidays are here before we know what has happened so it's not too soon to get out those pumpkins and such.

Rear French Men

Summer Sightings

It's Just My Point Of View

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

A Kitchen Redo:It's What I Want To Do

Before

After

I'm just a tad bit afraid I would regret painting the wood cabinets. But I think this looks so much better.

It's Hump Day:Show Your Good Side!

How's Your Fall Wardrobe?

Guiding Light No More

Last week CBS flipped the switch on one of my favorite soaps Guiding Light. I'm not sure when I first saw the show but I remember being attracted to Kim Zimmer's Reva Shayne almost immediately. She could cry at the snap of your fingers. And I'm somewhat ashamed to say she reminded me of me. I was told more than once as a young man so easily moved to tears that I was going to have to "buck up". Well I hate to see such a long running show, 72 years including it's start in radio, come to an end and so many actors and staff lose their jobs.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The First Day Of Fall

Well in the Northern Hemisphere at least. I hope you have some beautiful cool days ahead.

There's also more bear sightings this time of year it seems.

Matt Lanter

Checks out the goods at one of the booths prior to the Emmy's.

Sleep Inducing Lunch

Mutual

Model Justin Thomas

When You Have To Do Your Own Reach Around

There Should Be A Penalty For Teasing

Are You Open To New Ideas?

Monday, September 21, 2009

Monday's Pit Stop

Have You Had Your Fruit Today?

2009 Emmy Awards

I've seen few of the shows that were nominated last night. I think I watch too much TV but the only show I've seen of these winners is Two And A Half Men.

Bryan Cranston. Woof! I haven't seen his new show and only caught Malcolm In The Middle a couple of times.

Glad to see his nuttiness honored.

I like Alec Baldwin, temper tantrums and that ample girth. Nope. I've never seen 30 Rock.

Ken Howard has been on TV since I was a kid. It's about time. But I didn't see this version of Grey Gardens.

Rob Lowe

Is he my generations George Hamilton?

Someone Club That Seal

Just look what he has done to Heidi Klum. Again!

So Much Eye Candy At The Emmys

Host Neil Patrick Harris and his partner David Burtka.

Jon Hamm

Mario Lopez

Jason Segel

Adrian Grenier

Hunter Parrish

Simon Baker

Scott Bailey

Glen Close Gripes My Ass

For some reason I just don't care for Glen Close. Perhaps, I can't get her character in Fatal Attraction out of my head but something about her I find creepy.

Here she demonstrates how she always wins awards. Now I do like that good grip you seem to have Glenn. Who's that fella with the thankless job?

Give It All You Got This Week

Texans Win In Tennessee 34-31

You can get used to losing. Houstonians know plenty about losing so I was a bit surprised at how well the Texans played yesterday against the Titans. Pleasantly surprised to win 34 to 31 away from home.

Texans tight end Joel Dreessen(check out those guns) celebrates as he runs off the field after the Texans beat the Tennessee Titans 34-31.

A Billion $ Plus Stadium Didn't Help The Cowboys

This field size flag was displayed as Jordan Sparks sang the National Anthem.

Giants quarterback, Eli Manning, didn't seem to be distracted by the noise at the new Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Eli tries to gain some yardage. The Giants win 33 to 31 over the Cowboys.

When the stadium is so large you can't see the action from your high dollar seat, you have to have a huge jumbo tron hanging over the field.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Monday's Pit Stop

What The?

While out and about yesterday with my Dad I noticed these on the side of Highway 288 south of Houston. I'd never seen or heard of them before. I suppose they are aproximately 20 feet in height. Looks as if someone left the door open to George Washington's bust.

I Want To Go North For Fall

I Just Hate It

When I go to a Blog I frequent and there are no posts. I feel disappointed. Granted, I don't have that many readers but I feel bad for my lack of posts the last week or so. When I'm disappointed sometimes it's purely for selfish reasons but other times I am wondering about the blogger and what's up. So let me say that I think I am close to exhaustion taking care of my Father. No, I don't have to wipe his ass or even help with his bath any longer but I do have chores. Cooking 2-3 meals a day, doing his laundry plus he likes his shirts starched and ironed,doling out medications, shopping, can take a toll on a working man. Plus I've slept better as of late than I have in months so no late night posting to or reading of blogs I'm sad to say. How do stay-at-home moms do it? In addition, work gets a bit busy this time of year for me and I've had associates off with the flu this past week too. Already! I didn't know it was flu season. At any rate, don't let me forget to mention my dogs and my father's dog, which loves to bark, that I also cater to. I came home from work one day last week and found a note on my front door from a neighbor complaining about the dog barking in the evening. Oh let me tell you I made a complete ass of my self storming over to their home and telling them that I keep my dogs inside from 10:00 PM to 7:30 AM everyday and if they have problems to call the police. I went on and on and off on the guy telling him how they harass me constantly. I immediately thought of myself while watching a certain tennis player as she had a fit yesterday. Oh well. It won't be the last time I've made an ass of myself and this, hopefully, won't be my last post to my blog.