November 2009 Archives

On November 9th, Michael and I headed for Houston's Intergalactic Airport.  The plan was 3 countries in 3 weeks.  The goals: find some more stuff for the shop, experience different cultures and see more of the world, and try not to get sick.  Missions accomplished.  And then some... 

We tried to document every moment of this trip for 2 reasons - first, we have to be really specific when we place orders for the shop for ship salvage and other items we find along the way because if we're not, we'll end up getting sent a 40' shipping container full of widgets.  Don't know what a widget is?  Neither do we - that's why we have to be specific - sizes, pictures, drawings are a must - and sometimes we still get random crap in the shipment.  And second, my brain just isn't wired the same way any more - if I don't write stuff down or take a picture, chances are it won't be there when I go looking for it a few days later.  When we're sitting around in 50 years with nothing to do, I'd like to be able to look back and say "remember when we did that?".  So I must document.

And I'd like to invite anyone who has nothing better to do to relive it with me here as we chronicle our journey around the world - literally.  And you won't even need to apply for the visas!

Day 1:
 

Ok Galveston.  Next week is Thanksgiving.  Time to let everybody know what you're thankful for.  So.  Let's hear it.
 

Don't forget that this Saturday, Nov. 21 is the Free Tree Giveaway for 2,000 trees!  See the announcement below.  Also, here's a link from the GCDN regarding a new ordinance for plantings in the right-of-ways.

Galveston Re-leaf: Free Tree Giveaway on November 21st

Free trees will soon be available to Island property owners who lost trees to Ike's salty surge last year.

Nearly 2,000 trees will be given away to Galvestonians on Saturday, November 21st. The trees were donated by the Tree Folk of Austin, Apache Foundation, and Randalls.

WHAT: Galveston Free Tree Giveaway
WHEN: Saturday, November 21st - 9a.m.-4p.m., and Sunday, November 22nd (if there are remaining trees) 1-4p.m.
WHERE: Galveston City Hall parking lots 823 Rosenberg

Stipulations: Trees will be given away on a first come, first serve basis. Limit two trees per address. Identification and a city utility bill with a Galveston address are required. Recipients must sign an agreement to plant in Galveston and care for the tree. Trees may only be planted on private property; not in the city's right-of-way. A variety of tree species, selected especially for Galveston, will be available at the giveaway. Large species include live oak, Mexican white oak, Mexican sycamore, and sweet gum. Smaller species include mountain laurel, Mexican plum, loblolly pine, and a fruited pear. Each tree is potted in a 5-gallon container. Planting and care instructions will be provided. Additionally, mulch from the City's recycling center will be available for free. Members of the City of Galveston's Tree Committee and the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy will be on hand to load trees and offer planting advice. More volunteers are needed.

Please contact David Schuler at (409) 599-7578 to help with the giveaway. Donations to assist with replanting Galveston will be gratefully accepted.

Contact: Ken Steblein
Phone: 772-3500
 

Interesting article today on 9 common sayings that originated from sailing. For instance:

9. Under the Weather

Keeping watch onboard sailing ships was a boring and tedious job, but the worst watch station was on the "weather" (windward) side of the bow. The sailor who was assigned to this station was subject to the constant pitching and rolling of the ship. By the end of his watch, he would be soaked from the waves crashing over the bow. A sailor who was assigned to this unpleasant duty was said to be "under the weather." Sometimes, these men fell ill and died as a result of the assignment, which is why today "under the weather" is used to refer to someone suffering from an illness. A related theory claims that ill sailors were sent below deck (or "under the weather") if they were feeling sick.

Check it out for the rest of the list!
 

New Galveston merchants Fit 2 Run are putting on a "MAKE ROOM FOR THE TURKEY!"  5K run/walk/stroll/roll on Friday, November 20, 2009.
 
This is a fun, social event (just like the Harvest Moon & Margarita run), and your participation will help assist our local Gleanings From the Harvest in providing Thanksgiving meals to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Galveston County!
 
MAKE ROOM FOR THE TURKEY! will start and end at Mario's on the Seawall.

* begin running/walking around 6:30pm, please show up earlier

* entry is $15 for anyone ages 13 & over (this is whether you participate or attend for support and cheering). under age 13 are free.

* entry includes t-shirt, food, eligibility for door prizes and fun activities for children.

* cash bar available

* they ask that each person who attends (regardless of age) donate a non-perishable food item for this event. PLEASE bring this food item with you on Friday, November 20th, to Marios.

* they will provide a reflective band for you to borrow during the event, but invite you to wear your reflective gear and/or bring a flashlight or glow sticks. Remember, it gets dark early. (Fit 2 Run also has some fun and functional reflective items - they really make a difference!)
 
TO REGISTER - please print the 2nd page of the form (download the form), fill it out and turn it in one of the following ways:

* bring your form FIT TO RUN along with your check (payable to FIT to RUN) - they prefer you bring it in....we like to see your smiling faces!

* mail your registration form & check: FIT TO RUN  528 23rd St, Galveston, 77550

* fax the form to: 281-605-1995 and bring your check with you to the event
 
Feel free to call 409-539-5150 with any questions. They are looking for volunteers to help spread the word around town as well.
 
Learn more at: www.Fit2RunGalveston.com
 

I like to check the ibcgalveston.com site more often that I'd like to admit.  I think that must be why facebook is so popular - I must not be the only person that gets so bored that I want to see what someone else is up to at 4:30 on a Friday.  (I'd usually call poor Mikie for the umpteenth time while he's "showing" in Kemah, but luckily for him, his secondhand ebay cell phone with "minor wear and tear" (yeah, maybe for a WWF fighter) is on it's last bar and he's gotta save it so I can't check in minutely.)   

Well, I was reading Mondo's previous post and just thought it was funny and sorta spot-on the way our last 2 posts went.  I mean - I'm yaking about how great the beach is, blah blah blah and poor Mondo's writing about that guy (who I also saw at the bike rally wearing a camo coverall and skull cap and I felt pretty sure that the behavior he exibited at ARToberFEST wouldn't result in the same chivalry he was shown by the man of the hour, MOD protector and published author Ara 13) who needs waaay more than soup, by the way, and- just then, a lady walks into the shop, takes a good, long look around at all the NAUTICAL STUFF and turns and loudly asks "WHEREZZZ THA BARRR?". 

And just like that I realize "that is soooo Galveston".

Hey, does anyone else really think the world is going to end in 2012?  What have the Mayans been wrong about lately?  I'd like to have my mind put at ease. 

The other night, I had another brief run in with one of Galveston's finest (dripping with sarcasm here).  I don't know his name.  Don't really care to either.  In fact, I wish I didn't even know him at all.  You see, he's a bum.  Or homeless person for the politically correct in the crowd.  And the unfortunate part of the whole thing for me is that he frequents my block.

It all started a few years ago (yes... he is a storm survivor... somehow).  He came knocking on my front door one weekend asking for money.  I thought it rather ball-sy of the man (I really couldn't believe that someone would go door-to-door begging for money).  So for that reason (and the fact that he honestly scared me) I gave him some loose change I had sitting by the front door.  I think it was like 50 cents.  Let me tell you why he frightened me a bit.  He has the tear drop tattoo.  You know the one people apparently get in prison.  Because they killed somebody.  Yep.  He's got one.  And he was intoxicated.  And just seemed rather off-his-rocker-esque, if you can dig.

Fast forward a few months and he's back.  Knocking on the front door.  This time my favorite lady friend answered the door.  He asked for me specifically ("lemme talk to yer husband").  When I got to the door I told him that I would not give him any more money and that I didn't want him repeating this behvaior.  He tried to convince me that with a few dollars he could get himself some soups that would last him for a while.  I stood my ground and told him no.  He attempted to get a little agitated.  But he left.  Still money-less.

About another six months or so go by.  I'd seen him around the neighborhood, but he hadn't bothered us.  One night about 9:30 that special lady and I were watching TV.  And.  BOOM!  BOOM!  BOOM!  He's back.  Banging on our front door like he owns the place and forgot his key.  (Let me preface this by saying that I was in the middle of a rather stressful month at work.  And I tend to bottle my frustrations until they explode.)  I opened the front door after I peeked out the side window and saw hime making some kind of motion like he wanted to use my phone.  I gave him no time to say anything.  Instead, I cussed him all the way down the front steps.  Threatening to call the cops.  He ran off (I'd like to think he was quaking in his boots as he did so).

So I still see him from time to time around the neighborhood.  I saw him just a few weeks ago at ARToberFEST getting escorted out by Ara 13 (the human weapon).  And he in turn was arrested for public intoxication (he had been harassing folks outside Mod).

Which leads me to this week.  As he stumbled his way past our house, he stopped.  Held out his hand and mumbled something.  I told him to bo on about his business.  He stumbled off and voiced some form of an expletive.  And disappeared in the shadows.

If I'd only been wearing my high heels.  Have a splendid weekend G-town.

 

Michael and I took the hounds over to East Beach for a little jaunt again this morning and it is just crazy to me that, here it is - NOVEMBER - and we're walking on the beach, with our feet in the water - in tee shirts. 

This is truly an amazing place to live.

Michael and I just put the following into our stomachs.  We are sorta wondering why after reading the side effect list...

MEFLOQUINE 250 MG patient education pamphlet (anti-malaria medication)

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, fever, hair loss (um...what?), ringing in the ears, dizziness (yeah, I'm starting to get some of this), drowsiness, diarrhea (and there's your big boy), insomnia, strange dreams (alright which is it - will we sleep or not?), or lightheadedness.  If they continue or are bothersome (I'm sorry, "bothersome"?  Ingrown hairs are bothersome - strange noises in our attic are bothersome - this is just scary!), check with your doctor.  CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY (you don't say???) if you experience fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; seizures; severe or persistent cough; shortness of breath; muscle pain; loss of coordination; numbness; and tingling of hands or feet; or vision changes.  CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience unexplained anxiety (havin some right. now.), mood changes, depression that may include thoughts of hurting yourself (how could we when it sounds like this pill is pretty much gonna finish us off all by itself), hallucinations, restlessness, or confusion. 

Confusion?  CONFUSION?!  I'm very confused as to what's actually left that this pill is going to help us AVOID!