Showing posts with label texas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label texas. Show all posts
June 27, 2013
June 9, 2013
Texas Panhandle Supercells
A video diary of a storm chaser from May 8, 2013 taken near Childress.(which is located at the very bottom of the east side of the state line that forms the Panhandle)
May 9, 2013
December 10, 2012
December 7, 2012
Industrial Country Market
From Texas Country Reporter
Now THIS is how we need to promote alternative/renewable/green energy production, not giving massive subsidies to huge solar companies who take the money and run. (declare bankruptcy) I'm still not a fan of direct subsidies/payments for solar/wind generation, but don't strenuously object to tax credits. (I'd rather see it coming from a state than the federal govt. though.)
Now THIS is how we need to promote alternative/renewable/green energy production, not giving massive subsidies to huge solar companies who take the money and run. (declare bankruptcy) I'm still not a fan of direct subsidies/payments for solar/wind generation, but don't strenuously object to tax credits. (I'd rather see it coming from a state than the federal govt. though.)
December 5, 2012
Stately Sandwiches
http://statelysandwiches.com/
From the website: Kelly Pratt - I’ve set out to make the sandwich for each of the 50 states as a fun way to work on my photography, design, and writing skills. It will be quite a delicious journey across the US. Before I make each sandwich I do research on the Internet, call local sandwich shops, and check out a few books to be sure I do my best to properly represent a state.
The choice for the Texas sandwich is brisket, and I wouldn't argue against that. Their reasoning?
When a sandwich starts with bloody marys and ends with tequila, it’s pretty impossible not to love.
Couldn't argue against that, either.
Stately Sandwiches
From the website: Kelly Pratt - I’ve set out to make the sandwich for each of the 50 states as a fun way to work on my photography, design, and writing skills. It will be quite a delicious journey across the US. Before I make each sandwich I do research on the Internet, call local sandwich shops, and check out a few books to be sure I do my best to properly represent a state.
The choice for the Texas sandwich is brisket, and I wouldn't argue against that. Their reasoning?
When a sandwich starts with bloody marys and ends with tequila, it’s pretty impossible not to love.
Couldn't argue against that, either.
Stately Sandwiches
October 21, 2012
State Fair
A tribute to the Texas State Fair, closing today.
In my procrastinating way, it's apt that I post the opening of the movie on the day the fair is ending.
I remember seeing this movie at the "pitcher show" with my sisters. (we probably sat through it twice) I also remember it being the first time I was ever excited over a woman - Ann Margaret.
She still excites me.
In my procrastinating way, it's apt that I post the opening of the movie on the day the fair is ending.
I remember seeing this movie at the "pitcher show" with my sisters. (we probably sat through it twice) I also remember it being the first time I was ever excited over a woman - Ann Margaret.
She still excites me.
October 20, 2012
Big Tex Vex
vex [veks]
verb (used with object)
1. to irritate; annoy; provoke: His noisy neighbors often vexed him.
2. to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry: Lack of money vexes many.
3. to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: to vex a question endlessly without agreeing.
4. to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.
5. to afflict with physical pain.
If you're from Texas, you've most likely heard that Big Tex was destroyed by fire the other day. There were quite a few postings about it on Facebook, most lamenting the fire, but there were also some snarky comments.
(most comparing the accident to the ubiquitous fried food served on the midway, some saying it was torched like the Texas defense had been by Oklahoma in last week's annual Cotton Bowl game. My own favorite was that Big Tex had been sleeping with the Statue of Liberty and she forgot to put her torch out before coming to bed.)
That's OK; even though it was a State Fair icon, I suppose there could be some humor found in the accident. (I'll admit that the photo above is a little funny, what with half of Big Tex's clothes burned away and the cowboy hat being nothing but fire, the goofy fiberglass face framed by the flames) After all, no one was injured and the structure will be repaired in plenty of time for next year's fair. The Amarillo TV station KFDA linked to a story on their website from their Facebook page and there were only a few comments, but one annoyed me to no end...it "vexed" me.
Here's the comment, just as it was written:
i know its been their forever, and so forth,its cost tax payers thousands & thousands of dollars maintaining,painting it,when theirs people living in the streets in down town Dallas & every magor city in this country !! children lay in filth and going to bed hungry !!!! but lest fix a damn 52 ' statchu and start a memoraul for the damn thang,hungry kids living under a bridge will alwas be around !!
I shouldn't get so angry but the sheer stupidity of the post made me want to write a scathing reply...but I didn't. I understand that I shouldn't get so upset over a comment plus I really don't need to be slamming someone on Facebook, creating drama that could be avoided, but I can't let it go. (It's MY blog and I can rant all I like) Here's what I WOULD have said if I did reply to the ignoramus:
Yes, such a waste. Never mind that it was a main attraction at one of the most successful annual events in Texas and with all things considered, it at least probably paid for itself several times over in good will. The structure didn't cost that much to build and the maintenance costs couldn't have been that much, either. I believe Big Tex's clothes are made and donated by Dickies in exchange for the free advertising. (and for the "bragging rights", always important here in Texas) I expect the annual cleaning bill for the clothing - something like $350 - was most likely the largest expenditure.
Instead, we get you whining about it, priceless! Why don't you give up your internet and sell your computer and donate the money to "hungry kids living under a bridge"? I bet you don't even donate a nickel to causes that help the homeless. Good Grief.
I know one thing: the money spent educating you was a waste. The State Fair should put you on exhibit as a prime example of functional illiteracy.
verb (used with object)
1. to irritate; annoy; provoke: His noisy neighbors often vexed him.
2. to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry: Lack of money vexes many.
3. to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: to vex a question endlessly without agreeing.
4. to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.
5. to afflict with physical pain.
If you're from Texas, you've most likely heard that Big Tex was destroyed by fire the other day. There were quite a few postings about it on Facebook, most lamenting the fire, but there were also some snarky comments.
(most comparing the accident to the ubiquitous fried food served on the midway, some saying it was torched like the Texas defense had been by Oklahoma in last week's annual Cotton Bowl game. My own favorite was that Big Tex had been sleeping with the Statue of Liberty and she forgot to put her torch out before coming to bed.)
That's OK; even though it was a State Fair icon, I suppose there could be some humor found in the accident. (I'll admit that the photo above is a little funny, what with half of Big Tex's clothes burned away and the cowboy hat being nothing but fire, the goofy fiberglass face framed by the flames) After all, no one was injured and the structure will be repaired in plenty of time for next year's fair. The Amarillo TV station KFDA linked to a story on their website from their Facebook page and there were only a few comments, but one annoyed me to no end...it "vexed" me.
Here's the comment, just as it was written:
i know its been their forever, and so forth,its cost tax payers thousands & thousands of dollars maintaining,painting it,when theirs people living in the streets in down town Dallas & every magor city in this country !! children lay in filth and going to bed hungry !!!! but lest fix a damn 52 ' statchu and start a memoraul for the damn thang,hungry kids living under a bridge will alwas be around !!
I shouldn't get so angry but the sheer stupidity of the post made me want to write a scathing reply...but I didn't. I understand that I shouldn't get so upset over a comment plus I really don't need to be slamming someone on Facebook, creating drama that could be avoided, but I can't let it go. (It's MY blog and I can rant all I like) Here's what I WOULD have said if I did reply to the ignoramus:
Yes, such a waste. Never mind that it was a main attraction at one of the most successful annual events in Texas and with all things considered, it at least probably paid for itself several times over in good will. The structure didn't cost that much to build and the maintenance costs couldn't have been that much, either. I believe Big Tex's clothes are made and donated by Dickies in exchange for the free advertising. (and for the "bragging rights", always important here in Texas) I expect the annual cleaning bill for the clothing - something like $350 - was most likely the largest expenditure.
Instead, we get you whining about it, priceless! Why don't you give up your internet and sell your computer and donate the money to "hungry kids living under a bridge"? I bet you don't even donate a nickel to causes that help the homeless. Good Grief.
I know one thing: the money spent educating you was a waste. The State Fair should put you on exhibit as a prime example of functional illiteracy.
April 24, 2012
A Texas-Sized Gripe
Since I first got on the 'net, I've been reading all sorts of memes about Texas. Most are funny, some are stereotypes but true, but there are several that just aren't true. I see people write that Texas is flat - not so, not even here in the Panhandle. Part of Texas is called the Hill Country for good reason. There are mountains in far west Texas. Another misconception is that Texas is hot. People who think that should spend a winter here in the top of Texas. Another is that Texas is all desert. Good grief. Texas borders the Gulf of Mexico and has some lovely beaches; east Texas has loads of timber and from here to Lubbock is some of the finest farmland in the U.S.
That's OK, though...those ideas are from people who just don't know any better. There's one thing, however, that's perpetuated by Texans themselves and I want to set the record straight.
There was a recipe post that hit my reader yesterday that finally made me decide to rant. The post - The Texican Burger - brought up the "what kind of coke do you want?" meme.
Me: Do you want a coke?
Not me: Yes.
Me: What kind?
Not me: Dr. Pepper.
This is such crap. I was born and raised here in Texas, lived here for over half a century and I've NEVER heard anyone say that nor been asked anything like that when ordering a soda. If you asked for a Coke, that's what you got. If you ordered a DP, they knew you meant Dr Pepper. (which originated in Waco, Texas, btw.) If you asked a waitress for a strawberry coke, she would probably tell you they had Fanta or Big Red or maybe you'd get a Coke w/ strawberry flavoring added.
Maybe this all stems from the popularity of Coca-Cola and being asked if you would like a coke. "Yeah, gimme a DP." That's the only thing I can think of that comes close to "What kind of coke...?" meme.
I belong to a couple of Texas Facebook groups which have posted this among other Texas "truths". Along with this (and that Texans all drive pickups with gun racks and school lets out during hunting season or that all the women are blonde and have "big hair"), they also state that "true Texans" don't say "soda" or "pop" or "soda pop". Like I said, I'm a native Texan and I say soda and pop and soda pop.
Do a search for "texas what kind of coke do you want" and you'll see thousands of posts that continue this idiotic idea. Maybe there's something to the stereotype that Texans are stupid - maybe I've just grown up around the smarter ones and the rest of Texas is filled with dumb asses.
That's OK, though...those ideas are from people who just don't know any better. There's one thing, however, that's perpetuated by Texans themselves and I want to set the record straight.
There was a recipe post that hit my reader yesterday that finally made me decide to rant. The post - The Texican Burger - brought up the "what kind of coke do you want?" meme.
Me: Do you want a coke?
Not me: Yes.
Me: What kind?
Not me: Dr. Pepper.
This is such crap. I was born and raised here in Texas, lived here for over half a century and I've NEVER heard anyone say that nor been asked anything like that when ordering a soda. If you asked for a Coke, that's what you got. If you ordered a DP, they knew you meant Dr Pepper. (which originated in Waco, Texas, btw.) If you asked a waitress for a strawberry coke, she would probably tell you they had Fanta or Big Red or maybe you'd get a Coke w/ strawberry flavoring added.
Maybe this all stems from the popularity of Coca-Cola and being asked if you would like a coke. "Yeah, gimme a DP." That's the only thing I can think of that comes close to "What kind of coke...?" meme.
I belong to a couple of Texas Facebook groups which have posted this among other Texas "truths". Along with this (and that Texans all drive pickups with gun racks and school lets out during hunting season or that all the women are blonde and have "big hair"), they also state that "true Texans" don't say "soda" or "pop" or "soda pop". Like I said, I'm a native Texan and I say soda and pop and soda pop.
Do a search for "texas what kind of coke do you want" and you'll see thousands of posts that continue this idiotic idea. Maybe there's something to the stereotype that Texans are stupid - maybe I've just grown up around the smarter ones and the rest of Texas is filled with dumb asses.
March 15, 2010
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