HouTex

They told us with an automated email/voice massage on Sunday evening that power should be restored by EOD yesterday. Nope. We got the same message yesterday evening that it would be restored by end of day today. So far, nothing.

I priced a Tesla solar/battery system a few years ago because my patio home does not have enough room for a natural gas powered generator. I wanted enough battery power to last two days with no sun running both of my AC units in a typical Houston summer. The quote was $80k and a few power guys I know didn’t think it would be feasible because the batteries would take up most of the space in my garage. I’m still without power near Woodway and Potomac in 77057. If I could install a solar/battery system that would meet my needs for $30-40k I’d do it. I’ve been told that the batteries should be coming down in price.

Longest I’ve been without power as well and I’ve lived in Houston since 1984 and a Texas resident my whole life. Supposed to get it back today. We’ll see. I’m in 77057 and still several pockets without power in the Tanglewood and Briargrove areas.

I drove past it last night after the game. Same or similar thing happened about 20 years ago to Chase tower. High winds came roaring down Travis St and micro bursts picked up gravel from some of the nearby roof tops and threw it at Chase Tower. A ton of windows were blown out. We thought it must have a tornado but we later heard it just very high winds that can be magnified by the tall buildings.

It a very good course. Played it in 2019 at an annual guy’s golf outing. The accommodations are spartan but it’s good golf. I guessing it will be in good shape next month.

We need to outlaw trees and/or bury the power lines (kidding, sort of). The damage was mostly from falling trees and heavy branches. Also some broken glass from downtown skyscrapers.

Went to the Astros game last night and we got in just as the storm arrived. Couldn’t tell what was going on outside during the game. We left in the 7th inning and it was shocking how much damage was done in such a short period, As bad or worse than the last few hurricanes to hit the city.

“Plastics”. The best line from The Graduate. Not to change the subject from a really good post,

Yep. Need a pipeline from below lakes Conroe and Houston to Lake Travis.

I think that’s correct. Man, he really needed to get his bag quickly just to weight in the isle (double downing on “isle” and staying consistent with “weight”).

I suppose one man is too many. The latest death number (approximately 4,400) actually is shockingly low considering the scale of the invasion. My avatar eventually came around to support the landing at Normandy but he feared 100,000 men would die that day. For the latest death number see https://www.history.com/news/d-day-casualties-deaths-allies

I was in DC Monday and yesterday and drove right past GWU and didn’t see any protesters or problems. Guess it’s away from the main drag.

My biggest fear is losing my mind or experiencing significant changes in behavior. I recently was on a flight with one of my law partners of 25+ years. He is around 75 (still practicing law) and has been a great guy and a joy to be around. It was a 737 with the usual 3 seats on either side of the isle. He was a few rows behind me in a window seat. The plane was completely full. I was in a middle seat on the exit row across the isle from him. When we arrived at the gate most of the isle passengers got up to start gathering their things, as usual. I kept my seat until it was my turn to get up and quickly get my stuff together. My law partner, from his window seat, as soon as the seat belt sign went off asked the guy next to him in the middle seat to let him get out so he could get his bag from the overhead bin right above his row. The middle seat guy seemed like a decent guy and he did what I would have done by telling my law partner to chill out that everybody has to get their stuff from the overhead bin and we're not going anywhere fast. My law partner basically insisted that he needed to get his luggage out of the overhead bin and just crawled his way over the guy in the middle seat, and somehow forced his way into the already crowded isle where he stood while the rows in front of him slowly exited the plane. It was very difficult to watch. Ten years ago I can't image he would have done such a thing. I don't think he had a clue that he was being an asshole. Getting old sucks.

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Maybe it happened later than 1984 after I graduated, but I went through the West Mall 4-6 times a day from 1980-1984 and never saw anything being smashed. There was always some kind of peaceful protest or demonstration (almost always sparsely attended) happening on the West Mall but the frat guys, speaking for myself and the ones I observed, just walked on by. And nobody ever blocked my way or threatened me.

Been married for 35 years and I know that what’s good for the goose is NOT good for the gander, but my wife would be all over me if I was overweight. She’s always been into fitness and working out and at 61 she still looks great but if she let herself go and got fat I would damn sure let her know. If she gains two pounds she’s after me to help her lose weight.

Not sure if serious. During the depth of the wask wearing days I would see friends I knew well and didn’t have a clue who they were.

Made small pies with berries picked today.

Sad news. The legends are leaving us.

A few years back I got a quote from Tesla to install the solar panels and batteries. My patio home does not have space around it to install a gas fired back up generator so I was looking for another option for back up power and to save on electricity as well. The quote was for around $80,000 to power my entire house and IIRC the batteries would only last a couple of days with no sun. My electricity bills are so low that I would never get a return on the $80,000 cost. I didn’t pull the trigger. I’ve heard the cost of the batteries will be coming down so one day I may revisit it.

This. Jeez, OJ was a human being too.

Commute to where? Downtown? It’s probably faster than it was in 1979 with several more lanes in use. I commuted to downtown from Campbell-I-10 from 2004-2015 and it was about 15 minutes each way unless there was a wreck. Wilcrest would add 5 minutes or so. Of course, being Houston, a wreck or something unusual could add 5-15 minutes any given day, but I could generally count on sitting at my desk 18 minutes after I left my house in Spring Valley. On a good day I could be home in 13 minutes.

Jessica

Ben-Hur (1959) last night for maybe the 20th time.