27 February 2011

Keeping my head down

Long time, no write.  I've been busier than a one armed paper hanger with an itch.

Been off the grid for a while.  Ran up to Austin for a few days to help out my son with some minor surgery.  Wasn't a big production, but momma insisted she had to be there to make sure he was ok and who the hell am I to question the boss.  The dogs seemed to enjoyed the road trip, even if stuck in a trailer for a few days.  Life always seems interesting when camping on the road with a couple of active mutts.   

I finally seemed to kick my cold/flu thing, but it hung around a while.  I haven't run since the 1/2 marathon because I did not have the energy, but finally started back up my routine this week.  When you slack off a couple of weeks, these old muscles are a bit less forgiving.  Still, it beats the alternative.  Now to start training for next year's run.   

It's rodeo time down here.  To be a bit more specific, the 78th Annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo offcially starts on Tuesday and runs though March 20th even though there has been a build up of activity starting this past week.  Friday was Go Texan Day where a lot of people haul out their jeans and cowboy boots and cowboy hats to wear to the office.  Friday was also the official kick off of the rodeo season with the Trail Riders converging on Memorial Park (13 different groups of trail riders coming in from all over the state) and the World's Championship Bar-B-Que contest.  For the next three weeks, there is lots food, games, activities, and concerts to attend/see.  Every night, after the rodeo, there is a concert for a different artist/performer.  Lest one assume that this is a purely country venue, the list of performers has been pretty mixed each year.  This year they have booked a lot of country artists (Clay Walker, Trace Adkins, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw) but there are a number of other musical talents on the stage this year as well (Kid Rock Janet Jackson, Kiss).  Over the years, there have been a ton of different acts performed on the rotating stage (Maroon 5, Mary J Blige, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Black Eyed Peas, Tony Bennet, Jimmy Buffett, Styx, Sinbad, Bill  Cosby, Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Larry The Cable Guy, Sonny & Cher, and even Elvis - twice).  I've had a chance to see a few of the shows and been to the rodeo in the past, but most was with my son when he was older.  I haven't been back in a few years, but it still is a hopping place to go over the next three weeks.  


Oh, yea, Mardis Gras Galveston is starting up as well.  Not as big and flashy as the New Orleans version, but it does turn out some interesting parades/people/costumes.  Lots of beads tossed out.  Remember good people, what happens at Mardis Gras, usually winds up on YouTube.

2 comments:

terri said...

Glad to hear you're feeling better and hope your son is okay too.

I've never been to a rodeo. We have them here now and then but I've never been inclined to go. But it would be a lot more tempting with a good concert following. I may consider the next time around!

meleah rebeccah said...

Oh, I hope all is well with your son. I would have to be there too if that was my child. No matter how old they are, and no matter how "minor' it may be - surgery is survey. And that's scary.

Im glad that you're feeling better. I have it now, and it's like having the plague!

The Annual Huston Rodeo sounds like SO MUCH FUN! I bet the BBQ is amazing! I hope you get the chance to go over the next three weeks. I would LOVE it if we had something like THAT here in NJ.

And yes, what happens at Mardi Gras ALWASY ends up on YouTube!
HA!