Playing Chicken

Saw this on the way home. It made me laugh because it reminded me of the game of chicken, specifically I thought about the game of chicken played on Footloose where Kevin Bacon's character faced off against the cowboy hat wearing villain in tractors. I didn't see any people in these vehicles, but maybe like in the movie Cars they have minds of their owns.

Penske, Penske Everywhere

It was moving day today and thanks to the gods for these trucks. If not for them we would have had to do many many a long trip. We then had to hunt around to find a gas station that had diesel fuel and wouldn't you know it, we found one right across here. :D

McDonald's Interior

This is the McDonald's across from the old McCreless Mall which is being turned into an H.E.B. Plus. I hadn't been in there in a while. Not sure if they are doing this to all the McDonald's but I liked the way this one turned out. I especially like the porthole in the gray wall. I know they just redid the McDonald's on San Pedro near downtown. They tore it down all the way to the ground and rebuilt it. I haven't been inside that one, but I'd like to see if they did the same thing there.

2008 Final Four Window Dressing

I'd been trying to get a good shot of the Alamodome windows dressed up for the Final Four. This was the best shot I was able to get. I shot it when we were on the highway driving home through the back window.

Ben's

Driving down Old Highway 90 we came across Ben's. My grandfather used to shop here all the time when we were wee bairns. He used to get all or most of his meat here. I remember they used to wrap it up in that white butcher paper. I also remember that they used to sell the saint velas (candles) here. I'd like to stop by here and see what it looks like on the inside. If I do you can bet I'll be taking pics and posting them at a later date.

Marks of the Past

As I walk about town I notice some of these marks. This one is up on a wall (probably part of a building) on the River Walk. I had noticed it before but hadn't had a chance to get a pic of it. A member of Flickr informed me of the following:

Alfred Giles was one of San Antonio's most illustrious architects.

Wrapped Meat

This isn't really a San Antonio photo per se, but I just couldn't help posting it. Saw a photo of the original on flickr and after much discussing back and forth I decided to try it. I mean I like bacon and I like hotdogs (the cheese stuffed ones are the best), so yeah although they may lead to an early death, while here on earth they are nothing but tasty goodness. I followed the directions given and lo and behold my attempt. It came out pretty good considering I was thinking a bacon grease fire might insue.

BTW They appear to be popular and illegal in LA.

Powder Blue Chopper

I've seen more bikes on the road this year than ever before. You see the motorcycles like this, the more racy ones, and you also see the scooters (the Vespas, etc.) I think it's because the rising gas prices. I know a lot of people that are talking about getting something like this if only to save on gas. When I was younger our street used to be a main thoroughfare and we always used to hear the motorcycles going down the streets. I think back then it was the Bandidos that rode up and down that street, but can't be sure...my memory has gotten foggy as I've aged.

Bluebonnets Coming Up

Saw these bluebonnets popping out of the ground today. Don't know if I've noticed them before. Last year we didn't get too much bluebonnets, but I'm hoping for carpets of them this year. I love these flowers, not just because they are the state flower, but because they are pretty and I like their color.

Mud/Ash Showers

I had no idea what was going on until I got out of work. I saw the colors of the sky and felt the wind on my skin and was like hmmm, then I noticed the layer of dirt or something on everything. We stopped and put some gas on the way home and I was cleaning off our windshield and windows and my sister and I were discussing what it was. A man at another pump said it was pollen, but I've seen pollen and its usually this almost day glo yellow and kind of puffy looking. I went to Tar-jet next and the people in the lines were talking about it. My nephew even called me asking what it was. Everyone was talking about the end of the world. My sister and I were talking about how it looked like chuvasco clouds (translation: really bad storms, when the sky gets yellow/gray/pink and you know tornadoes/hail/sever thunderstorm can't be too far .) It was times like this when my grandmother used to come out with her knife and cut the skies (to lesson the severity of the storm.) When I got back into the truck I went to the local news station websites (WOAI, KENS, KSAT) and found out they were saying it was a combination of ash from the fires in Central Mexico and a dust storm in Texas that had collided with the rain storms to form Mud showers.

Carnevalito

Saw this little carnival set up in the Edgewood Square parking lot and field. This is on the west side of San Antonio on S. Gen McMullen and Castroville right across the street from San Fernando Cemetary #2. You see these little carnivals pop up in various lots, I've seen them on the southside the most often I think, on Military. This reminds me that Fiesta is coming up next month with the mother of Carnivals moving to the Alamodome parking because of the Main Plaza enhancements.

Southwest General Hospital

This hospital is on the southside of San Antonio. It's kind of warren like. We were visiting the ICU and it was after 8. They tell you the doors are locked after 8 p.m. and to enter and exit through the ER but we couldn't find our way to it, even using those You Are Here maps. We just made our way back to the entry and since the doors seemed to be broken just walked out the same way. When you get out you can see that the ER is to your left as you exit, but how to get there is still a mystery. While in the hospital I noticed those waterless foamy anti-bacterial things everywhere, by the elevators and such. I always appreciate them because for some reason my hands always feel so dirty when I walk out of a hospital. My nephew volunteered here for a bit, he had some stories to tell us. :D

Floor Decor Mural

We were shopping for some new tile floors at Floor Decor on the northwest side of SA. (There was a plethora of choices). I couldn't believe the tile seemed to be the cheapest thing. The wood, bamboo, cork and even some of the laminate was more expensive than some of the tile. I toured the whole store and was drawn to this mural, it was so bright and colorful. Right below the mural on that vertical rack is the samples of cork they had. I liked the color selection, in particular they had this blue I liked. I've seen this kind of flooring used on those TV home shoes but don't think I've ever seen it in use in RL. They also had this setup where you could hear the difference when a golf ball would bounce off a wood/laminate floor with green padding or not. I really didn't think I would notice the difference, but I did. They had some nice slate and some glass mosaic tiles that I had seen used in the home shows too.

San Pedro Playhouse

I pass San Pedro Springs Park most days but I've never actually walked through it. On this day I was walking to go meet some friends at Big Kahuna's (I love their teriyaki chicken or lemon grass chicken with noodles, their spring and summer rolls aren't bad either, but I prefer the fried ones.) and took the time to get some shots in. San Pedro Library is on the grounds, or right by it. I got a pic of a little house on the grounds, the swimming spot, the McFarlin tennis courts and the San Pedro Playhouse of course.

I blogged about the sign that advertises what's playing in the playhouse back in November.

Under Ground Books

This book store is in the lower level of Ruta Maya (If you're ever there try the Cuban, sandwich that is. *grin*). I've never been in there because I couldn't find it and didn't want to look like an ID10T by asking where it was. It kind of reminds me of the old location of the Book Cellar, when it was in the lower level of the old Hertzberg Library, which is now gonna be some kind of western museum. Of course now you can find the Book Cellar in the lower level of Central Library.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Saltimbanco

While walking along the river I saw these guys from Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco gamboling about on their stilty legs. This girl was happy to take pics and everyone else was asking them to stop to take pics too. They were in SA from March 12-16th at the AT&T Center, better known as the home of the World Champion San Antonio Spurs. Apparently they were making appearances all over town, drumming up business for their show. I heard they made an appearance at First Friday too.

All the Way from Wyoming

Not sure if other cities see these tour buses as often as I see them in San Antonio. You mainly see them in downtown, but also on the highways of course and in the parking lots of Wal-Marts and such. This one caught my eye because of it's Wyoming license plate. A few months or more ago there was a big flap (hehehe) over a publicity push that Wyoming Libraries was doing for an Auto database. They were putting mudflap girl bumper stickers in Auto stores.

"...market the ChiltonLibrary auto repair database. Mudflap girl stickers meant to be put on vehicles, were sent to auto repair stores across the state advertising the Chilton database."

I thought it was a great idea, putting the info where people who need it will see it, but others disagreed. I think Wyoming Libraries do a bang up job of marketing themselves. I'd love to see SA do something similar. To check out their efforts follow the link: Wyoming Libraries Campaign.

Maria II

This is part of a Women's History Month exhibit in the Central Library Gallery. It's by Adriana M. Garcia. I really liked the colors of this photo. To really appreciate it, you have to see it in person. Not sure how long it will be on display, but check it out if you get a chance. You can see some more pieces here. (Shout out: Happy 15th Gabster!)

Fire Academy

I've been told this is the San Antonio Fire Academy off of 151. I'm always a passenger and ask what's that, what's that as I see stuff I don't know. This stretch of highway is nice because it had a number of What's That locations. I like the vertical building with the outside stairwell. I've seen movies where the firefighters train, dragging their hoses and other equipment up those stairs. Any local firefighters out there, give me a shout out if this is what I've been told.

Brick (stack)Houses

I'm not sure what these things are but I see them when I'm riding along 90 or 151. I like the look of them. They remind me of silos, but who knows what they are. If anyone out there knows feel free to school me.

Weston Centre

This was one of those windy days that I love. I couldn't decide what I wanted to eat (beyond noodles and/or mashed potatoes) so I went to the Baptist cafeteria and didn't like any of their offerings. I then walked to the Copper Kitchen and they had already run out of their hot offering. I the took myself off to the Milam Diner, but they didn't have mashed potatoes either. I ended up just going to Bill Miller and getting a Poor Boy. You can see the full building in this shot, and you can see how windy the day was by checking out these flags (you could actually hear them snapping in the wind-the way you can hear a towel snap when it's whipped at you, in gym class) at the front of the building.

Reading in SA

Lately on my walks about town I've noticed people reading all about. I saw this man on my way to lunch at the Copper Kitchen Cafe. I was lucky it came out, since it was a hip shot. I didn't know if I had gotten anything until I reviewed the pics on the camera later. I've also seen people reading on the River Walk. In one particular shady spot under two big trees and another spot in the more touristy restaurant row.

Mad Girls in Kilts

As you walk down the River Walk or any mall court you get people calling you out trying to get you to go to their restaurant, try their food. In the mall court you get a mix of boys and girls; but while walking along the River my male co-walker mentioned how all the girls along the river are young, cute and good looking. I told him well of course, they want people to notice them and stop. These girls are stationed at Mad Dogs British Pub. I like their kilts and I especially like the girls shoes on the right. As we came back the other way there was a boy with them in a green kilt and I so wanted a photo op. I was going to ask if I could get a pic, but just then a group of people were needing their attention. Maybe next time I'll get a pic of the boy in green.

Voting Day

I tried to vote today but found out that I would have to wait until November because my voter registration had expired. I never knew it would expire. Granted I registered in high school when they make everyone register, the girls so they can be registered to vote and the boys so they can register to vote and for selective service. I haven't received one of those voter cards in the mail in years and so I don't know where I'm supposed to vote so I asked these nice election workers and they tried to find me but to no avail. I did tell the guy that I had registered ages ago, and asked if it ever expired. He said that if you don't vote it does, so I reckon that's what happened to me. The few people that I told the story to said they learned something new as they had never heard it expired either.

Un-uniform Uniforms

Was out walking about the time that the kids got out of school. Fox Tech is right around this area among other private schools. You see a lot of kids in uniforms in downtown. You can tell the private school ones because the girls are in plaid skirts. These group of girls must be from Tech, or some other school that has khaki as their uniform color. What struck me about this group was how they had individualized their uniforms. The pants are all the same color, but they are different lengths and styles. The shoes are different, and although they all seem to be wearing hoodies or sweaters they are all different colors, even their backpacks. I think they all wear same color if not same style shirt, but I don't remember and I never did see the front of these girls.

Arcade Games

There are still a few places that have these games. I remember we had at least Centipede and Galaga I think at our old neighborhood store called La Tiendita (on the corner of Fortuna and 36th). We used to go there all the time and play it. I remember the feel of the Centipede ball under my hand, although I was never too good at any of these games. These arcade games are at Acadiana's. My sister tried her hand at a game of Centipede while we waited for our table for two that ended up being three. She lost really quickly. :D

March Theme Day: Graffiti and Murals

I had a hard time finding what to post for this theme day. I've taken a couple of other graffiti/mural pics, but I think I've used pretty much all of them. I was browsing through my flickr photos and happened upon this one. This marked (or should I say carved) up tree is on the River Walk.

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,