DFWTexEx

I am shocked. I did not expect this result. It's rare. Good for them.

I'm on the hoax wagon, but it's not that far from reality. We all know the girls that went batshit crazy planning Kardashian style weddings for no reason, creating all sorts of grief for everyone around them. And, in the Valley at least, the system of "padrinos" or sponsorships of the wedding is really common among a certain crowd/class of folk. You essentially sell off sponsorships for each element of the wedding (cake, band, dress, flowers, food, etc.). And, at the reception, all the sponsors march in to be acknowledged. I moved away before I was a part of that, but my parents still write checks.

I agree about E, but I just looked it up. Wow. I went when it was $250/per person including wine pairings, tax and gratuity. Things have changed.

So much on here sounds great. But, which of these islands is accessible by either a normal size jet or a larger regional jet directly or that flight plus a boat / ferry ride? In other words, no puddle jumpers or sea planes would be involved to get you there.

I stopped following WileyH years ago because it was exactly that, just retweets and sharing. No insight. Sounds like he/she is still the same.

Not sure if this should be here or Lulz, but is anyone following this train wreck on YouTube? Pure trash. Texas trash. On the suggestion of a friend, I watched 1 1/2 episodes. It was all I could get through. About the Daughter The Ridiculous Show Meet Los Henrys, a blended Mexican-American family from San Antonio, Texas. Their mini-series reality show, "Hangin with Los Henrys" debuted on YouTube on December 13, 2017. The show centers around Thomas “Tom” and Azteca Henry and their two children, Thomas Jr., 19, and model/actress Maya Henry, 18. Also featured is “Abuelita,” Teresa Crawford, who lives with the family in their San Antonio mansion. Follow Los Henrys as they try to top the $6 million Quinceanera they threw for daughter Maya last year with a multimillion dollar 18th birthday party for son Thomas. Watch the ups and downs of big budget party planning with this fun-loving family, headed by patriarch and high-powered attorney Thomas J. Henry. And that's just Season 1! Hang with the family for Season 2 to experience South Texas living, Los Henrys style.

And there is this classic...

Yes, but his over the top obsession actually started when she gave Spoon 4 stars instead of 5. The dude is as much a marketer as a chef (maybe more so), so even though the reviews were really positive, he freaked out. I thought the 3 stars for Knife when it was only a few months old was generous. We were not fans and our foodie friends didn't like it either. I have heard good things lately, so maybe it has evolved. The side note to the Knife review was the "Brenner Boycott" that Tesar started with the guys at Proof & Pantry (RIP) and Lark in the Park. It got national press because these rebel chefs proclaimed that they would not allow her or DMN photographers in their restaurants. It was supposed to start a movement of some kind. It never really took off and Brenner's normal reviews continued until she left. The new critic (also from LA) says she is redoing the star system. But, I don't think she has published a review yet.

On most days, I would have preferred Cafe Madrid or Si Tapas, but it's hard to compare them to Casa Rubia, which delivered a different type of experience. In it's heyday, Casa Rubia was unquestionably the best Spanish restaurant in town. From James Beard nominations, to best restaurant awards, to 4 star reviews, etc. it achieved a level of acclaim that Madrid and Si Tapas did not and have not. But, it's all subjective. Madrid and Si Tapas are certainly more fun and they are still around, so they got that going for 'em! And the eggplant at Tapas Castille is incredible! Back to burgers now? This is a pretty good article on Wingfield's, which is still my favorite burger: CraveDFW on Wingfield's

So seedy... This really is stunning news when you consider the Feds' track record against prominent South Dallas politicians. They must have showed him some good stuff in their file.

Very good friend joined the Peace Corps when we got out of UT in the 80s. He had an amazing time in West Africa. He ended up with a career in international healthcare and emergency services (expat evacuation, etc.) from connections he made while in the Peace Corps. He lives in Dubai now. It worked out quite well for him.

We did Purepecha on Saturday night. Absolutely stunning. One of the best dining experiences I have had. The room is charming and magical and absolutely evokes childhood memories of the kitchens of grandparents or aunts. It seats just 12. That it's just a small door from the rock and roll atmosphere of the front room is amazing. It's a different world. Rojas cooks (or finishes) the plates in the room and he and his mom team up to present and garnish. Two very quiet girls serve. It's like eating with family. He talks about the dish, its ingredients and history as each course is served. Come hungry. This is not a BS tasting menu. The dishes are complex and presented like art, but the portions are generous and you will get full. We are not shy about eating and left food. It was $100 / pp for the food, fixed price (nothing a la carte, no options, no surcharges...avoid coming with anyone with a dietary restriction or that doesn't like this or that). With 3 bottles of wine for our 4 top, this was a $400 / couple meal. But, I don't regret a penny of it. As best I remember: Flounder ceviche with grapefruit, smoked fish eggs and orange infused olive oil Michoacan style gazpacho of cucumber and poblano, with some great Cotija that he brought back from Mexico and edible flowers. Beautful dish. Octopus Al Pastor. Amazing. Oja Santa steamed lamb in a sauce of three chiles, served with the best tortillas for making little tacos and dipping into the sauce! Green mole with lobster Red mole with duck breast and excellent rice (and those tortillas) Strip of Wagyu beef, served with a quesadilla of Menonite cheese and squash blossom Flan (made by the mother. It was nice, but nothing special...in a way this was honest because the meals of my youth with Mexican family always ended simply with fruit or something. Spectacular French style desserts were not part of the deal).

2:1 potatoes to butter. But, go for 1:1 on this day.

I have an eBag. I've had it for a couple of years and it has been on some very long international trips. It still looks brand new. Very well put together and organized. It's a nice grey fabric that looks professional. It can be used as a briefcase too. I have the slimmer one, but there is a bigger one and I think there is a smaller one too. eBags

The Hilton double points promo end on 9/9, before my trip. I don't follow hotel chain promos. Should I expect that there will be another, similar one for Q3?

I got dragged to this too. Films like this are why I don't go to the movies. I can't imagine how a group of adults, especially ones with some sort of talent and / or lots of money, can watch this film being made and maybe sit through the last cut and say, "yeah, that's good". They should all be ashamed. I can't form an opinion about Kate McKinnon based on this film. She is funny on SNL and she may be funny in a funny movie.

Making his mashed potatoes tonight in his honor. Seriously.

WTF?

Slightly off topic perhaps. I have to go on a business trip in late September. I will need to book 14 nights in hotels in India and the Philippines. I need to use the corporate credit card, but I can book any way I want. Is there a hotel booking engine that provides better rewards, assuming the pricing will all be similar. Should I use something like Hotels.com and get a free night for every 10 nights or booking.com that gets me Aadvtange miles or something else?

Interesting stuff from City Hall this week. The Fair Park story is pretty incredible and could be (time will tell) up there with the Trinity tollway vote as a watershed moment when real government trumped the desires of the Dallas Citizens Council. The handpicked insider group that was to be given Fair Park did not get selected as the recommended bid for the park's privatization. Instead, the thumbs up went to outsiders whose plan may actually save the city $100 million. There likely will be drama about this, but since the Park Board's hands are tied now, there is not much those folks can do other than torpedo the whole thing at City Council. And leave Fair Park for dead, again. Fair Park Privatization And we got to read about what really happened at the City Council meeting in 2013 when the McDermott "bridge" was approved. This is where the City Council voted to spend $115 million on a decorative pedestrian bridge that no one really wanted or needed. Griggs (of course) and Hunt questioned the whole thing and voted against it. Jill Jordan* (of course) defended the project and said it would be perfect. And Jordan approved the "value engineering" that led to the cost cutting that led to the bridge now being too unsafe to use. The South Dallas council members gushed about how great of a job she did. Story on the Bridge *Did Jill Jordan actively try to sabotage the City of Dallas? What else can explain the devastation she caused (the Trinity stuff, the Standing Wave, this bridge, the Trinity Forrest, etc.)

This is an interesting question and probably one that "can't be asked" because it ventures into victim shaming. And I don't mean to do that at all. It's more of a question of group mentality and how fear of speaking out works. In reading the reporting, it seems that is was common knowledge and even the subject of recurring jokes that the doc for the wrestling team was a perv. If you went in for a shoulder pain, he would ask you to drop trou and fondle you. Everyone knew this. On the surface, it was all ok. How does that happen?

For upgrades, lounge, etc. this is right. But Gold gets you access to so many more seats, especially seats up front and aisle seats. For me (I need an aisle seat), Gold is not only nice, it's necessary. I get to Platinum too but never Platinum Pro. Except for free seats in Main Cabin Extra, there is almost no difference between Gold and Platinum. With so many EPs, I never get upgraded.

We used CanvasPop for a couple of things and were very happy with the results.

The Statler has a very good tech package, including a nice TV. The speakeasy is really nice, with excellent -- but pricey - drinks. The new high end Chinese restaurant just opened, along with some casual fun places, including an arcade bar. There is rooftop pool and bar too. You were right about the Crescent, but it may be worth another look. They are finishing a $30 million update. I was just in the main lobby going to dinner at Nobu and it does look great. The in-room televisions were upgraded. Crescent Remodel

Looks like a storm blew up on them while they were on the water. The water got pretty violent. If you see this video, you will see the water. Only the strongest swimmers could survive that. Video of Duck Boats in Storm