Go Bucks...

I am in a BW3 in Lewisville,TX, which is near my home. It is filled with Iowa and Ohio State fans. The attached picture is in the restaurant and celebrates Eddie George, Archie Griffin, Chris Carter and Orlando Pace. How cool is that... When I walked in (i'm wearing an OSU shirt) a bunch of people said 'O H'. All watching until I responded with 'I O'. Then we all began yelling.

I love football.

Some will get this immediately...

So I got up at 8 am because...well because I had a 10 lbs Chihuahua standing on my chest licking my nose trying to tell me he had to go out and NOW!!! As you can imagine, he can be VERY determined and persuasive. I got up and began planning on where I was going to watch the game. Everything was going to plan. At about 1030, I got a shower planning on leaving the house at 11. I figured I would take my time, get there early and watch a little pregame.

(you who have figured it out have a smirk right now)

As I am driving, to my horror the radio announces that Ohio State has scored on their opening drive. But that is not possible because they aren't playing yet. I mean the entire planet knows the kickoff is a twelve noon eastern standard time...

EASTERN STANDARD TIME...shit!

Somewhere between Valley Ranch and Lewisville I had the sudden realization that I no longer live in the eastern time zone. In addition, I found myself exactly one hour behind schedule.

I'm such an idiot...

Go bucks and I hope everyone is doing well.

Art Museum...

Ok, not a great Art Museum. I tought C-bus's was better. In addition, I got a drink when I was leaving, an a guard told me I couldn't walk across the hall to the exit door with it. Because 'that's in the museum' and everyone knows you can't have food or drink in the museum...give me a break... I wonder if he knows how close he came to wearing that drink...

Trip in...

So, the entire trip here took two hours. Not time efficient, but I like to think I saved something green...

Tower...

Mom, this is the Tower I was talking about. It is attached to the Hyatt Hotel. Since, there is a Tunnel that takes their from Union Station, I will check it out on the return trip.

Same...

Train I came in on..

Unio Station...

I am at Union Station waiting for the Red line train to take me to City Center Station, where I will pick up the trolley. It has been fun so far.

Light Rail Train...

Note for Mike and Kim. As it turns out, 20 minutes down the track and 3 stations is AA Center where the Stars play.... Hummmm...

Downtown...

I have decided to explore downtown Dallas today. I'm also going to do it using public transportation. I wil take the DART (Dallas Area Rail Transit) light rail line to the City Place station downtown. Then will ride the tolley to the Art Museum (my final destination today)

Should be fun. Hope everyone is doing well.

Grapevine Heritage Rail Road Conclusion...

I had a really good time yesterday. The Stock Yards are a really good place to people watch. You see all types. There is such a huge difference from Fort Worth and Dallas. Dallas is very metropolitan and 21 century. Fort Worth is just the opposite. It is unusual that they are this close.

Here is a link to the pictures I took.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91874780@N00/sets/72157606784504214/

This is a movie of Big Red, the 1953 Vintage Diesel Locomotive, moving our train in position. You will notice that at the end, "Puffy" is already attached to pull us to Fort Worth.



This is "Puffy" at the "end of the line" at the Fort Worth Stock Yard Depot. He was taking on water to "refuel" for the return leg of our trip.



And finally, the infamous Long Horn Steer Cattle Drive. For some reason, I expected more cattle than this. I guess this helps to make this a little more safe...



Later...

If this place...

Doesn't bring your inner hick out, nothing will. I have seen more cowboy hats and boots in the past hour than the hole of my life. Kim, I have found a place for you to find a cowboy. You will, of course, have to search through the ass load of wanna-be cowboys here.

Currently, I am waiting for the Long Horn Steer drive in about 6 minutes..

Meet 'Puffy'...

The Stockyards in Forth Worth, TX...

We have arrived and are late. It is 245 and we will board for the trip back at 515.

'Puffy' did great...

We were robbed...

Sort of...

'Puffy' is running...

Apparently he has been given a clean bill of health and is up and running. So, for the first time in my 37 year young life, I will be transported my a steam locomotive...named 'Puffy'. Would have picked a better name, but 'oh well'.

I will have pictures and a movie posted later...

Tain update...

Currently, I am waiting on the platform for the train. Whether or not 'puffy' will be joining us is still a question. Apparently, he has been 'under the weather' for a few weeks an has not made the run in a while. The diesel engine is positioning the cars on 'the main line' while 'puffy' preps on a service line. I guess he is currently listed as 'probable'. If he doesn't make it, then it will be trusty diesel for the trip. Since the world is anxiously awaiting tis outcome...I will keep you up to date.

PS - when I got my ticket the lady said 'you alone' with a shocked look. I wanted to say 'yes, I have leprose' as I touched her hand to retrieve my ticket. I don't care who you are, that's funny. Love our society...

Grapevine, TX

This is a little city about 10 miles away that, of course, has a great mall (like all cities here). However, it is supposed to have a quaint downtown area and a few wineries (right up my alley). Now…you’re thinking “well, makes sense Grapevine has wineries”…right. Interesting you should ask, because vineyards are relatively new to Grapevine. Grapevine was settled in 1844 and is names so because it was located on the Grape Vine Prairie which was near Grape Vine Springs. Historically, Grapevine wasn’t known for wine, but Cotton. It was part of the infamous Cotton Belt after St. Louis South-Western Railroad (the Cotton Belt Line) began service there in 1888. This remained the primary agriculture industry until 1974 when the rail road left and the construction of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) began. It was during this time that cotton fields began to turn into vineyards. The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association officially moved to Grapevine in 1990.

However, there is still one historical piece of the past that remains in Grapevine, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. They still run a route between Grapevine and Fort Worth Stockyards on the weekends. They currently run a 1953 Vintage Diesel engine on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. However, on Saturday (unless it is down) they run “Puffy”, an 1896 Steam Engine #2248.

http://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/ThingsToDo/GrapevineVintageRailroad/tabid/267/Default.aspx

So, I’ve decided to kill two birds with one stone today. I would like to ride the train and see the Stockyards with out having to drive there. The train will leave at 1 pm and arrive in the Stockyards at about 230 pm. For the math lovers, that is an hour and a half to go thirty miles. In there defense, there is a mock “train robber” half way through. Or at least I hope it is a mock “train robber”. Won’t they be surprised when they rob me…they might feel so bad they might give me money.

I will then have two hours at the Stockyards before the return trip back to Grapevine.

This should be fun and I will post a critique of the adventure (complete with pictures) when I return…

Flight...

I have a relatively unhappy Chihuahua right now. Everything was fine until I fed him a piece of fruit. Now he is awake and ready to go. Of course, he can't since we are only half way there. A little wining with a gentle foot tap on the bag to remind him to stop. Nothing like stretching out on my seat then tapping the bag that he was shoved into twice today where he has little room to stretch out. I bet i am number one on his list. He'll probably piss on something of mine tonight. I have such guilt...

I hope he will soon lay back down. :(

Traveling...

Inside this bag is a very well behaved, yet extremely annoyed, Chihuahua. We have made it through TSA without either of us having a breakdown.

Let me set the stage. I am carrying two bags over each shoulder. On the left shoulder is my work laptop bag with all my traveling goodies. Over my right, the above mentioned Chihuahua. When we get to the first TSA agent, I am juggling my boarding pass, passport and my morning orange juice. Now, all of you frequent travelers you are probably asking two questions. Why are using your passport and why haven't you already finished your orange juice? Both very good questions. I am using my passport because until the State of Texas mails me my official license, I am using a temporary license with no picture. As for the OJ, I forgot I had it and didn't want to through it away. Plus i figured everyone behind me will be much more pissed at me when I go through the scanner that they will forget about this incident. And I was right...

So this is the process through the scanners. I grab two totes. Remove said laptop and place in a tote. Push laptop bag and tote to the end of the table. Placed dog bag on table. Removed all metal/shoes and place in tote, preparing for the 'violation'. Open Taco's bag and remove his harness and collar (I know I should have already had this done, but give me a break - first time!!!). I then remove the Chihuahua. I am now standing in front of the table (which is not connected to the scanner) looking at two bags, two totes and carrying a Chihuahua. I make a quick scan around me and noticed I have consumed the entire prep table. And angered several people around me. I bet they have forgotten about the OJ. :)

I really can't explain this visual, but I now must tranfers all bags and totes to the scanner while holding Taco. Priceless...

Can't wait for the flight...

Officially a Texan...

It is official...I am a Texan. The first step was accomplished last week when I transferred my insurance to Texas and I now have proof I comply with Texas Insurance laws. The next step was to have my vehicle inspected by an approved State Vehicle Safety Inspector, which was accomplished on Monday. With these two steps completed, I could now proceed with step 3 - vehicle registration. This was accomplished on Wednesday when I had to pay the 90 dollar New Resident Tax before being issued my Texas plates. Something I find unusual are the stickers. Once you get your inspection sticker, it is placed inside the front window on the drivers side at the bottom. Then your registration sticker is placed right above that sticker, instead of on the plate. A little odd.

So, those three steps cleared the way for my final indoctrination to the state...a Texas License. Today, I renounced all other citizenship to all other counties...err I mean states and became an official member of The Peoples Republic of Texas. And I have an ID/license to prove it...

For other news, I have mixed feelings about coming back to Columbus. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends and especially family. However, I am not looking forward to the divorce hearing or seeing the Anti-Christ. Knowing her and her lack of dignity, she will likely have someone from his family with her. On the other hand, it will be nice to finally have this over. Because of this hearing, I have been thinking about how everything happened and her actions the past three years. And to be honest, it makes me angry every time I think about it.

After the hearing is final, I will finally remove my internal filter and send a post with exactly what I think and how I feel. I feel like I have to finally have a conclusion for me. Besides, this is my post and I'll do what I want… I would tell her specifically, but it would fall onto deaf ears like it has for the past several years. Besides, she only cares about one person and it sure as hell isn't me. So, for all of you who are related to her or don't want to hear my rant, please "tune out" the next post.

On a side note, Taco will be taking his first flight tomorrow with me in his new specially designed carrying bag for air transportation. It even has wheels. This ought to be a new experience. Hopefully I will see most of you this weekend. Later...