Ha. Good afternoon finish to my work week. Went to the brand new Starbucks down the road with a real rootin tootin god ole boy insurance agent who wants our business. The manager at Sbux looked familiar and he recognized me also. Turns out he was the manager in Pioneer Square, Seattle. Then me and Tex we'll call him sat outside, discussed multi million dollar oil drilling deals and talked about cadillacs. Something like that... at least how I remember it. Even got a ride in his big truck. Then I went back to the office, packed up and left. Now, I'm living it up. At the hotel pool, laptop, sun blazing. Also got to see the Rapalot van at the Shell.

Finally treated myself to some bbq. Found a mighty fine place I reckon. All Texas lookin'. That's white bread toast, bbq beef potatoe salad and green beans. Also the feeder/frontage roads that confused the hell out of me at first but I've grown to love. They un parallel woth the freeways.

Another working day in Htown. Nothing too exciting. Bought some fancy sandals on ebay, been looking awhile for sporty showy sandals, and today I succedded.

I also love 104.9 here... its primarily Houston rap, which I already loved. So to wake up to it and listen to it in the car is great. Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Rob G.....the list goes on.

I went to a shady corner store yesterday for some sodie pop. Next door was a 24 hr adult modeling center. Must be a busy place to have to be open 24 hrs. The collection of beat down 80s cars in the parking lot gave it away that this place is nothing but trouble.

Now I'm off to the gym

Not too eventful a day but fun. Went to work 5 hours, then drove to Sugarland, TX to meet the companies insurance agent. He will be my "JR from Dallas" cowboy I've been wanting to meet. big tall boistrous and an accent thick as a mint julip on a cold night, I tell you what! Okay he rubbed off on me. Now lll really fit in.

After that I went to the big fancy Galleria mall. Claim to fame: ice rink. Was cooler than expected, some brave male figure skater out there showboating hard... that's him mid flying twirl in 1 pic.

The mall itself kind of sucks. Expensive, boring... ice rink is its only draw. And naturally the texas souviener shop.. At least for me.

I'm a loser. I came here, then went to look at tattoo shops downtown. Nice, but 1 was busy the other one the guy mumbled so I didn't like him. So then I got lost downtown for about 30 mins. Since the freeway literally forms a loop around downtown, I drove tilll I hit it. I then went back to the gym. Its a wild life I tell you, down here, in the dirty south I reckon.

I worked. Love the H town office. Big, new... big office for me to use. View of the 610 freeway. Had mexican for lunch with one of the PM's (project managers). Worked until 6:30 unlike everyone else who left at 4pm..... no comment. went to sbux today... spilled it on my rental car seat, continuing my destruction of rental cars. Now at whatburger for supper. Plan on hitting the gym then maybe a tattoo shop... maybe the other way around. I'm pretty tired but only have 4 evenings incl today, like to get the most out of my trip.

My digs in houston. Much nicer than my seattle office.

Here's what I'm sporting to blend in as a local. Esp the "country boy"

After the board walk we went on a tour of mansions. Turns out there's a lot of bonafide mansions along the water. Even ZZ Top, one member, has a mansion here. Stopped in a tattoo shop that was time transported out of the 70s. Quickly turned any enthusiasm about a tattoo away. We also went shopping, got myself some good olde Texas tshirts. Also a visit to Frys, which is completely Nasa themed. Then to the mall for more souvieniers and general site seeing. After the mall we drove by the real Nasa which was a delight. Then to a true texmex restaurant. From there it was time to part ways after a busy day. I hope to visit League City area again tueday for one last blast. Special thanks to Sami the fellow sidekicker for taking pity on me and offering to hang out and play tour guide. Made the trip might fine, I reckon.

Lotta pics from day 2. Started off at 24 hr fitness, followed by a haircut. Then went down to League City to hang out with my new found TX friends. We did the board walk again. This time I went and saw the sting rays, even touched one. Very fun. Also ate at Joes Crab shack. Attached are some other misc pics like the car with wheels stickin way out, downtown Houston.