I shouldn't have been sooo hard on Omaha, it's ok.
I still wish I could find a reasonably priced city to live where all 4 seasons are bearable and somewhat near the ocean or at least a large lake.
I have a couple candidates, but, the quest continues...
Next stop, Brisbane!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Some Final Thoughts
- My brain can come up with very interesting expletives on the spot when confronted with an annoying driver. Usually a compound word with one being a curse and the other being a random word. Examples: D@#klick, S@#tpole, F$#knut, etc. It's really pretty amazing.
- No one else in the country gives a shit whats going on in Omaha. It;s getting better, but we are seriously geographically challenged. Our skyline' s laughable. If all my family and friends weren't here, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to move.
- GPS is a beautiful thing.
- Cruise control is too.
- I could've spent 3 times the amount of time I did on that route, I don't know how I ever thought I could go twice as far in the same amount of time.
I am so glad I did this. - People asked me what I do to pass the time in the car. I just thought I was easy to please, just listening to music and seeing the scenery, but I noticed that I am constantly playing math games in my head to pass the time. I am analyzing time of day, speed, distance, variations in speed, mileage, gas mileage, mph, distance to the end of my trip, and distance to other key locations constantly. I don't know if anyone else does this, but it's exhausting. And fun, I do enjoy it, I can guess the arrival time several hour away within minutes, if not closer. I'm a dork, maybe I should have been a math teacher instead of a graphic designer.
- I wish I never had to work again.
- I have learned that most of the things I really enjoy when traveling are free or really cheap. I could spend several hours in a state park for 3 bucks or less. And the architecture of skyscrapers and college campuses are amazing to me as well.
- Obviously getting the photography equipment costs a bit, but after the start-up, you can go a long time without putting too much into if you wanted to.
- Good food and live music not included in the free or cheap thing.
- I should have slept in my car more, I went a few hundred over budget, but nothing crazy.
- Staying with friends sometimes ends up costing more than not, when you go out and drink, and eat at nice places, etc.
- I will never know everything. There is so much out there.
- My roommate's home, gotta go, more to come later.
Norman to Homaha -- May 4th
Woke up and started off to see the OU campus and stadium. I had to wear my NU hoodie. To my surprise, no one said anything to me. I think I perceived a few looks here and there, but nothing concrete. The campus was nice, but it started to rain, so I got in the car and went OK city to get another DDD meal. I went to Leo's BBQ, and the location was vacant. It did have a different location written on the door, but it said it was only open til 2, it was 1:30. So I high-tailed over to other location and luckily, they didn't have any problem serving me. The waiter was very friendly and attentive and he recommended the ribs. That's what I had, and it came with their "world famous" strawberry banana cake. The sauce was AMAZING, and so was the cake. I wish the ribs were cooked a little longer, because if they had, it would be my new all-time fav BBQ joint. But they weren't, so it's still Jack Stack in KC. I did buy some of their sauce, and after all that, plus tip, I got outta there for 16 bucks. And the lady at the counter sent me home with two pieces of free cake! Very cool.
It was pretty rainy the rest of the way, so I decided to go all the way through to home, only stopping if necessary. I drove for about 8 hours today, the longest of the trip. It was also the only time I was in 5 states in one day. OK, KS, MO, IA, and NE. My favorite multiple state day would have to go to: FL, AL, MS, LA though.
So I booked it through, stopping just for gas and restrooms, but I had to stop for sunset, so I pulled over and went to Squaw Creek Nat'l Wildlife Preserve near Mound City, MO. It was cool. Very beautiful. The last 25 miles were the most annoying of the trip. I was ready to be home finally, when 3 times there was construction where we would all get back up to speed and in order, then we'd have to slow down by 20 mph for like 6 miles. Three times in a row!! Of course, the guy at the front all three times was going like 48 in a 55 also. Do you know what it feels like to go 48 for 6 miles when you've been doing 80 for 7 1/2 hours? It's excruciating. Oh well.
Finally got home, was greeted by rain, but there were like 5 parking spaces open at my apartment, so I couldn't complain. I guess everyone but 3 or 4 tenants have just moved out. I took about 5 trips up 3 flights to get all my shit in, relaxed for minute, got some Arby's and here I am. The drive from Mound City to Omaha was surprisingly the 2nd largest windshield bug collection, right behind the Everglades and Alligator Alley. AHhhh! Home Sweet Home.
It was pretty rainy the rest of the way, so I decided to go all the way through to home, only stopping if necessary. I drove for about 8 hours today, the longest of the trip. It was also the only time I was in 5 states in one day. OK, KS, MO, IA, and NE. My favorite multiple state day would have to go to: FL, AL, MS, LA though.
So I booked it through, stopping just for gas and restrooms, but I had to stop for sunset, so I pulled over and went to Squaw Creek Nat'l Wildlife Preserve near Mound City, MO. It was cool. Very beautiful. The last 25 miles were the most annoying of the trip. I was ready to be home finally, when 3 times there was construction where we would all get back up to speed and in order, then we'd have to slow down by 20 mph for like 6 miles. Three times in a row!! Of course, the guy at the front all three times was going like 48 in a 55 also. Do you know what it feels like to go 48 for 6 miles when you've been doing 80 for 7 1/2 hours? It's excruciating. Oh well.
Finally got home, was greeted by rain, but there were like 5 parking spaces open at my apartment, so I couldn't complain. I guess everyone but 3 or 4 tenants have just moved out. I took about 5 trips up 3 flights to get all my shit in, relaxed for minute, got some Arby's and here I am. The drive from Mound City to Omaha was surprisingly the 2nd largest windshield bug collection, right behind the Everglades and Alligator Alley. AHhhh! Home Sweet Home.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Houston to Norman -- May 2-3rd
Last day in Houston. Packed in quite a bit of quirky stuff to do. Angie had some errands and stuff to do, so I went out by myself. First I went and saw the 50 foot saxophone made out of vw beetles. It was in front of a now closed restaurant, so there was an overgrown palm tree right next to it, but still pretty cool. Then I went to a giant armadillo statue, then on to the beer can house. Some guy in Houston completely covered his house with beer cans that he cut up, and made the fence, garage, etc. the same way too. There were bottles as a fence, tabs as curtains, it was crazy. They had some really cool t-shirts too, but they wanted $25 for it, so I passed. The guy was very nonchalant about it forever, commenting he wouldn't walk around the block to see the house, and didn't consider himself an artist. Instead, he would just say, he just didn't want to paint the house or mow the lawn. There were over 50,000 beer cans, he and his wife drank them all. After that I ate at Jack in the Box, gross, but I get to cross it off the list now.
Next, I hit up the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, a neat little preservation area with trails and stuff. I went on a hike for a little over an hour, and got a few cool pictures. I then headed home because we scored free Fleetwood Mac tix!!
Got home and Angie and I left for Carabba's restaurant. It's the original one in the country. The fare was fabulous, absolutely awesome. We shared some mussels for an app, and then I had a panchetta wrapped quail served on polenta with asparagus and roasted potatoes. I had a food orgasm, I think. That was my first quail experience, and it won't be my last. Prbably the tastiest bird I've eaten.
We had a little trouble at the ticket window, and we were a little late to the show, but we got in, and only missed about 4-5 songs. I wish we could have caught them, I heard we missed Rhiannon, The Chain, and Gypsy, but the rest of the show rocked. Stevie's voice sounded great and Lindsay Buckingham's guitar play was incredible for any 30 year old let alone being a 60 year old man. So cool. They went for about two and a half hours, including a 3 song encore and a second 1 song encore! Then Angie and I went to a bar to hang out, we got kinda drunk and watched a cool little cover band that did songs in kinda rockabilly style. They played AC/DC, Steve Miller, Sublime, Tom Petty, and were taking requests. Unfortunately, they didn't know Weezer or Nirvana, so I just had to make due. Very cool bar, though. The Abbey Pub, I think. They were having a pajama contest, the bartender were pouring shots into people's mouths while standing on the bar, and the crowd could have entertained us for hours, kinda hick, kinda biker, about equally black/white, very interesting.
After that we went home and looked at photos until we passed out.
Woke up this morning with a bit of a hangover, but said goodbye to everyone and made it out by noon, my projected leaving time. Drove to Dallas, first stop: SMU. Poked around campus and took pictures, then went to Arlington, where the new $1 billion stadium for the Dallas Cowboys is being built. I met an enthusiastic photographer also there taking pictures and hung out with him while we walked around the new stadium. Then I snuck through the construction gate and got really close. It's projected to be done June/July-ish, so it's still kind of a mess, but the facility is the coolest stadium I've ever seen. Can't wait to go to a game there!!
Then I went west to Fort Worth to eat at another DDD place called Fred's Texas Cafe. They're supposed to be known for their burgers. I got there and there was a 3 day music fest going on! No cover. Bands all day. The menu was extremely limited due to the fest, but luckily they were doing burgers, so I had one. It was good, not really anything special, but tasty nonetheless. I watched about 2 songs from a local favorite band. they were great. 2+ drum sets, guitar, bass and vocals, great energy, experimental type music mixed with jam band and a little electronica. And the ladies were smokin'. Good times. Then I headed onto Norman, getting pulled over on the way, right before the Oklahoma border. The officer was super cool and gave me a warning, and I got into a brand spanking new Motel 6 about midnight. I'm very tired, sorry if the blog was brief this time, but I need to crash.
Next, I hit up the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, a neat little preservation area with trails and stuff. I went on a hike for a little over an hour, and got a few cool pictures. I then headed home because we scored free Fleetwood Mac tix!!
Got home and Angie and I left for Carabba's restaurant. It's the original one in the country. The fare was fabulous, absolutely awesome. We shared some mussels for an app, and then I had a panchetta wrapped quail served on polenta with asparagus and roasted potatoes. I had a food orgasm, I think. That was my first quail experience, and it won't be my last. Prbably the tastiest bird I've eaten.
We had a little trouble at the ticket window, and we were a little late to the show, but we got in, and only missed about 4-5 songs. I wish we could have caught them, I heard we missed Rhiannon, The Chain, and Gypsy, but the rest of the show rocked. Stevie's voice sounded great and Lindsay Buckingham's guitar play was incredible for any 30 year old let alone being a 60 year old man. So cool. They went for about two and a half hours, including a 3 song encore and a second 1 song encore! Then Angie and I went to a bar to hang out, we got kinda drunk and watched a cool little cover band that did songs in kinda rockabilly style. They played AC/DC, Steve Miller, Sublime, Tom Petty, and were taking requests. Unfortunately, they didn't know Weezer or Nirvana, so I just had to make due. Very cool bar, though. The Abbey Pub, I think. They were having a pajama contest, the bartender were pouring shots into people's mouths while standing on the bar, and the crowd could have entertained us for hours, kinda hick, kinda biker, about equally black/white, very interesting.
After that we went home and looked at photos until we passed out.
Woke up this morning with a bit of a hangover, but said goodbye to everyone and made it out by noon, my projected leaving time. Drove to Dallas, first stop: SMU. Poked around campus and took pictures, then went to Arlington, where the new $1 billion stadium for the Dallas Cowboys is being built. I met an enthusiastic photographer also there taking pictures and hung out with him while we walked around the new stadium. Then I snuck through the construction gate and got really close. It's projected to be done June/July-ish, so it's still kind of a mess, but the facility is the coolest stadium I've ever seen. Can't wait to go to a game there!!
Then I went west to Fort Worth to eat at another DDD place called Fred's Texas Cafe. They're supposed to be known for their burgers. I got there and there was a 3 day music fest going on! No cover. Bands all day. The menu was extremely limited due to the fest, but luckily they were doing burgers, so I had one. It was good, not really anything special, but tasty nonetheless. I watched about 2 songs from a local favorite band. they were great. 2+ drum sets, guitar, bass and vocals, great energy, experimental type music mixed with jam band and a little electronica. And the ladies were smokin'. Good times. Then I headed onto Norman, getting pulled over on the way, right before the Oklahoma border. The officer was super cool and gave me a warning, and I got into a brand spanking new Motel 6 about midnight. I'm very tired, sorry if the blog was brief this time, but I need to crash.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Houston -- May Day
Took it super lazy today. Went to lunch at this awesome little place close to home called Taqueria El Dorado #2, and had myself some pozole and tongue burrito. Yummy! Makes me miss home. The rest of the day I laid around, read, slept, watched tv, and got on the pc. Exciting!!
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