Kevin Scott: August 2009 Archives

Shame on Paul Burka.  Again.  I've already felt disgust for him since his first article in Texas Monthly back in November 2008.  You can read my response here.  His newest article is no better.  Perhaps worse.  The man is a BOI.  But he acts like he's allergic to the Island.  Or his vision is constantly blurred when he travels back to his hometown.

In my opinion (take it what it's worth), Paul Burka is wrong in his depiction of Galveston in its current state post-Ike.  His examples of a lackluster economy don't seem to be quite accurate.  In fact, I know Islanders who are doing quite well in their business ventures.  Even if the Strand is desolate (that's according to Paul Burka).  All in all it just puts a really filthy taste in my mouth to read his article.  I don't like Paul Burka.  Read the article for yourselves and let us know what you think.

 

No matter how long you live in Galveston, you still get to experience plenty of "firsts."  Whether it's the first time you went to the beach or watched a cruise ship depart or arrive.  Or the first time you went through one of the historic districts or your first hurricane.  It could even be the first time you visit certain establishments.

Well, just recently, Mrs. Mondo and I were invited to lunch at the Pelican Club.  For those of you who don't know, it's the members only portion of Gaido's.  I know.  Swanky, right?  Not only do you have to be a member, but you must make reservations too.  There is a dress code involved, so break out your collared shirts and sport coats gentlemen.  But it's worth it.  Private seating.  Special chefs to prepare your cuisine.  Top-notch service.  Fine dining tastes really, really good.

You're probably wondering who the Mondos know in order to get a foot in the door, right?  That's a secret.  A good secret never reveals its source.

Ok.  What gives?  Here we are in mid-August and not a named storm to be found.  Don't take me the wrong way here.  I am NOT complaining.  But just like in baseball when a pitcher is working himself into a no-hit/perfect game situation, nobody's supposed to mention anything about it.

Well I'm talking about it.  Hurricane season 2009 is in full force and not a single named storm to date.  However, at the moment, there is potential out there.  And no.  I'm not begging or even offering to the thought of a storm heading our way.  I just want to acknowledge the matter at hand.  And make sure we're all thankful that we've been blessed with a worry free season thusfar.

Perhaps if we collectively let out the breath we've been holding so far this season (and face east), we could create enough wind shear to knock any potential storms off course.

So cross your fingers.  Say your prayers.  Rub your rabbit's foot.  Spray your monkey with water.  Just do something to keep the shutout going.

 

Mrs. Mondo and I recently watched a scary movie based on true events.  The movie's story did a pretty decent job of putting the ol' scare in us.  It never fails that when you watch something fearful, you start to notice every little noise and question it.  Was that the dog?  Or did our house just become haunted?  Of course it doesn't help that our house is over 130 years old.  And who knows what happened in it over all those years.

But the movie got me remembering when we first moved in and some of the things that happened.  Spooky things.  Not necessarily hauntings.  But spooky, yes.  One example is a picture I took with our digital camera.  For some reason, this particular picture of a half glass door (window is on the upper half of the door) showed a strange and creepy blur in the glass in the form of a female silhouette and her hand reaching through the door.  Okay.  So you kinda had to stretch the imagination to make it all work.  But it was spooky enough.

Then, I decided to film the same door with the digital camera.  Wouldn't you know it, something in the form of a person appears to peer out quickly through the window and then pull back.  Creeped us out, it did.

After those two incidents, we haven't really observed anything noteworthy of ghost activity.  There was a period of time that I woke up almost every night at around 3 a.m.  That had me on edge since the 3 a.m. hour is considered by many as the "witching hour."

After talking with friends and neighbors, it turns out Galveston is full of spooks and hauntings.  Several of our neighbors report somewhat regular activity in their houses.  I've always told myself that I would enjoy the thrill of living with haunts.  Experiencing the supernatural has always intrigued me.  But I don't know that I'd want to deal with it on a regular basis.  Unless it was something out of a Disney movie.

Now I dare ask the fine folks of Galveston to share some personal hauntings, spirits, or weird "energy."  Perhaps this should have waited until Halloween time, but oh well.  So tell me.  Is your place haunted?  Do you feel like someone is watching you (other than the local transient peering in through the window)?  Does your skin crinkle with fear?  Share with the class...