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,

A Bit Too Close to the Edge

Saw this on one of my River Walk walks. This is one story above the river level. I was thinking if the driver had backed up a little more he might have been parking right on the river. Not sure if there is a lip or one of those cement things in parking lots that tell you how far you can go, but I hope so. I'll have to investigate further, if only for my peace of mind.

A View from Above

I took this from a downtown building 10 stories up. I walk this route quite often. In the background you can see the Holiday Inn. On this day there must have been some kind of Armed Services thing going on at that location, because I saw me a bunch of soldiers in their cami's coming back from lunch. The peaked roof almost in the middle of the picture is a downtown church. The building to the right of that is the Majestic Theater. On this day they were still unloading Phantom of the Opera materials for the show. The red roof is a hotel.

Old Walgreen's Building

This is the old Walgreen's location in downtown on the corner of Houston and Navarro. It had a wonderful old sign, that you can see here. Not sure exactly what's happening with the building. Some say it's going to be remodeled and reopened, others say it's going to be torn down and replaced with something else. I've stopped here a number of times in the recent past; a couple of years ago I even got some Christmas decorations here. In the way old past, when I was young *smile* I used to wait for the bus right next to that store.

007 Style Tunnel

This red tiled arch can be found way south of the river walk entrance from the August street bridge. I liked how red and shiny it was. It reminded me of that famous shot from the James Bond movies opening sequence. The International Center is to the upper left of this archway. It used to be the old location of the Main Library.

My Little Pony

Was in the right place at the right time to catch this shot. I had noticed the box and was wondering what was in it. The horse looks like a match for the cat and bird that were in the same place a while ago, so I reckon it's a Botero. Will catch a shot when they bring it out of the box and post a pic of the pony in all its glory then.

Cuellar Community Center

My sister and I needed to get some stuff done so we dropped off the kids and went to go find some eats. When we went to pick them up they were out at the park. I hadn't been to this park in years. They've expanded it and it was busy with b-ballers, families and kids. My sister even pointed out the skate park that had been added.

The whole story of the day:
My sister wanted to eat at Asia Kitchen but forgot that it was closed on Sundays. We ended up eating at Acadiana's. I love their chicken and dumplings and we love their nachos, which we normally get for an appetizer. We had a lovely guest who was eating alone and didn't want to sit by himself. (Thanks for the meal and the company J., good luck with your house and good luck to your son.)

The Phantom of the Opera

I saw this on the way to and back from an appointment. Police were directing traffic around the unloading of this truck. It was backed up to the Majestic Theatre on St. Mary's and College. You can see the front of the theatre here.

Bacon Cheeseburger Deluxe

I got this burger at the Milam Diner. I was walking back from La Villita and was hankering for a burger. I stopped here right before they closed and got served quickly and was on my way. I've eaten a number of times at this place. I like their home style type of cooking. This restaurant is on Soledad and Travis. I also really like their red shiny booths.

RiverCity PediCab

Saw these guys at La Villita. I had gone back to try to get some more photos because I had run out of memory and batteries when I was there for the mass wedding. I had read a story about these guys in MySa.com. I was telling a coworker that I would love to take a ride on the pedicab, if for nothing else but to take photos.

The End of the Line

On this day we went the opposite way on the River than we normally do. The walk was pretty short, since this is the side that is being extended. I still got some good pics and even got to listen to some good jazz. This is the Museum Reach section of the San Antonio River Improvements Project. (To the left of this is the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel on Lexington) I'm not sure how far they are extending this piece of the river, but you can read more about it here.

Dick's on the River Walk

This is Dick's on the River Walk. I took this pic on one of my almost daily ambles I've been taking lately. Every day we go farther and farther, I was telling my co-walking co-worker that we needed to watch it or we might walk right out of downtown. The one and only time that I was in this restaurant was for Sonia's bachelorette's shin-dig. It was pretty raucous, but totally lively and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. The celebrants all wore paper hats with funny sayings on them. People threw paper at each other across the restaurants. I can't talk about the food since I didn't have any, but my sister liked it enough to say she would like to have her birthday there.

Joe and Harry Feeman Coliseum

The Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum is in the same area as the AT&T Center where the San Antonio Spurs play. The last time I was here was when I was 10 years old. We walked from the eastside to see some old school wrestling. On the ticket that long ago day were the Von Erichs. My sister was in love with Kevin von Erich and would even dream about him. She had those 8x10 glossy's of Kerry and Kevin. Now me I liked Kevin, although I thought David kicked a$$. Michael was pretty good too, and easy on the eyes. You can read more about them here.

Bald Eagle

I saw this majestic bird when we were at the Rodeo. He was a part of the Birds of Prey exhibit. I didn't know he or the other birds were alive until they moved. The picture it made against the flag was great. I wish I had had some cash on me because I would have put money in all those donation boxes. These people have done events at the library, but I've always missed them. If they come again, I'll be sure not to miss them. My sister wanted to get out of this tent quick because the birds freaked her out. :D

San Antonio Food Bank

This is the new location of the San Antonio Food bank (off of Highway 90) the old location was on Director's Drive off of WW White. I haven't gone to the new location, but I did go a few times to the old location. I helped to box up canned and non-perishable foods. Back then in order to take some you had to pack some. I think I've heard the rules have changed some since they changed location. Every year the USPS also picks up donated canned goods from postal customers and donates them to the Food Bank.

Off Into the Wild Blue Yonder

I like the embellishments they put on new highways. They put these flying planes on Highway 90 right by the old Kelly Airforce Base, now it's called Kelly USA. The planes start before the point that I took the pic, but I couldn't get all of it into the picture.

Valentines Day Mass Wedding

Every year on Valentine's Day there are a couple of mass wedding ceremonies in San Antonio. The ceremonies start at 12:00 midnight and at least this year there were at least four or five other ceremonies. I went to the 2:00 o'clock ceremony for this photo op. This year it was held at the Arneson River Theater on the River Walk at La Villita. I didn't get a chance to empty my memory card so for the first time I ran out of room. I also ran my batteries out. I loved the many styles and colors of dress. The touristy river boats continued their tours through out the ceremony and they all took pictures and clapped. You can see all the photos here.

Last year Thien took a pic of the mass wedding at the courthouse, where it usually happens. This year the location was changed because of construction on the Main Plaza Redevelopment Project.

Beef Sundae

We were at the Rodeo with what it seemed like a gazillion other schools. We went our own way and looked at everything that interested us. I saw this sign and had to get a pic. I couldn't quite get the concept of a Beef Sundae. *Yikes* The rest of my rodeo pics can be seen here. The Birds of Prey were great as was the Pig Races.

White House

I really like this house. We pass it by almost every day on McCullough. It's not my dream house, but I like the nice clean lines of it, and the colors. I'm not sure if this is in one of those historic districts but it might be. It's also in the same general area of Olmos Park. We always drive really carefully in this area. :D

Old Photos on Old Buildings

I saw these photos as we drove down Guadalupe street. I had seen some before on Flickr or maybe on a photo blog. I really liked the way they looked. The one in the middle reminds me of some of the old photos that we have left from my mother and some that my grandmother had. I've been scanning some of the older photos we have, before they deteriorate further. I only wish that I had talked to my Mom and grandmother about the people and circumstances in those photos, because it's too late now.

Pico de Gallo Papel Picado

My brother had just been flown in from Iraq so we treated him to some real food, as he said he hadn't had any real stuff for the last seven months. We ordered one of those dishes that can be shared between 4, for three and he said he could eat it all, but of course he didn't. We filled up and went home, where he promptly fell asleep after having been awake for gods know how long. He was on Iraq time for the days he was home. The cook came out at one point and his daughter surprised him from a table with a "Hi Daddy!" I made sure I told her to pass on to her Dad that the food was eggscellent.

Shag Now, or Shag Later?

I'm not sure what this building is, but from the name I'm assuming it's a hair salon (unless of course it has something to do with the way Austin Powers used the term.) I like the colors and the shapes though, so I'm glad I got a chance to grab a pic.

La Virgen de San Juan

I think this mural can be found on one of the buildings on Guadalupe Street. I took this from the car on the way to pick up the kids. I rolled down the window and thought I had turned off the flash but I hadn't. There were some people waiting for the bus, in the same location. My sis and her friend call me the paparazzi, and she thinks I'll end up being confronted the way they are sometimes. I remember this Virgin really well. My maternal grandmother had an altar in her bedroom and a statuette of this one was featured. She also had the Nino Fidencio and many a candle from Ben's and I'm sure probably from Papa Jim's.

Pete's Tako House

Pete's Tako House is a great place to stop and have a bite. It's located on this little bitty island with barely any parking so get there early or later. The wait staff and owner are great. He'll come out to meet and greet. He seems to know his customers on a first name basis. I've eaten their migas and loved them. I've been meaning to try their fideo, but I haven't had the chance. I also love their lemonade.

You Could Pay More, But Why?

This spot is on the corner of Gen McMullen and Castroville. This Payless store has been here forever. Right behind and to the side of this store is the location of the old Las Palmas Library. This shopping center also has an HEB, Luby's and Subways. It used to have a 50 Off but that closed and the old Walgreen's also closed. Across the street is the San Fernando Cemetary.

Preparing for vDay

We were at HEB on this day, gods know for what, but I noticed this colorful bunch of Valentine's balloons. Now granted it's a bit early, but not as early as they seem to put up other holiday minutia like Halloween and Christmas.

Prepping for Repairs

I never figured out what happened to the wall on this building, but I figured it had to be some kind of hit. On this day they were prepping to fix it. You can see the wall as it was before the fix here. The job didn't seem to take long at all--they were done before I was picked up.

In a Half Shell

I had been looking forward to this exhibit (Te Tataitanga/Bind Together: Contemporary Art of New Zealand) since I read about it. I couldn't go to the opening, but I finally found some time to go across the street to the Southwest School of Craft and Art Navarro Campus and check it out. I took a few photos, but this really caught my eye. It kind of reminds me of the story of Venus' birth. You can see the rest of the photos here.

Fiesta for Dummies

The Library is taking part in this yearly Dummies contest. I think the winners get a cash prize and maybe a pizza party or something. I saw them putting it up and later a photo op was had with some people waiting to take a computer class. I head someone say, what better represents San Antonio than Fiesta. Good Luck SAPL!

Asia Kitchen

This is a photo of Asia Kitchen. I had been here once before and my sister goes here quite often. They serve Chinese and Thai dishes. I wish I had gotten a pic of the inside because it's quite colorful, but I didn't want to disturb the other diners. I ordered some sampler thing that had some kind of fried cheese sticks, shrimp, pot stickers and spring rolls. I liked the shrimp and the spring rolls the best. The pot stickers were okay, but I didn't like the cheese sticks. For the entree I ordered Pad Thai combo. It was pretty good but way much. My sister ordered some glass noodles something or other and that was good too. Next time my sis goes here for lunch I can definitely tell her what to bring me back. :D

Taking a Steam

As I was walking by the river I noticed steam rising off of it. It was one of those days where it was pretty cold (I mean I was wearing my blazer, hat and scarf and it was drizzly all day). I knew why this was happening because just the day before they had mentioned it on the news. It was happening with one of the local lakes/rivers. They explained that the temperature of the water was higher than the ambient temperature.

Can You See Me Now?

I guess when you are building two story high ceilings that will look great, you don't think about how the light bulbs will be changed. This little big blue machine, otherwise known as a cherry (maybe in this case it should be a blue berry) picker is what it takes to change out the bulbs in this ceiling. I had not realized how dim it was until all the lights were turned on, then it was like I saw the very bright light. :D

Oliver Wendell Holmes High School

I found myself on this high school campus watching a soccer game (results: it was a tie with no score, and no bending it like beckham, at least that I saw). The wind was pretty biting, and I realized what those dp'ers in colder climes were talking about when they say their hands are freezing when they are trying to get some shots. On this day my hands were a bit cold. This is the home of the huskies and they wear the green and gold. This is the first time I have stepped foot anywhere near here since high school probably. It's right across the highway from Ingram Park Mall.

Gray SA

I took this shot to show how gray and dreary it's been lately in San Antonio. On this day it was pretty cold and I was only wearing a short sleeve shirt when I stepped out onto the patio to take this shot. Across the way you can see the Compass Bank drive thru, which can lay claim to the loudest, but politest ATM I've ever come across. Right across the street from Compass is the Fox Tech high school campus. You can find quite a bit of their students hanging around the Central Library just about any time of day. Across from there is a day care center. You can see the kids out playing on good days. From this vantage point or there abouts you can usually spot the steeple of Our Lady of the Lake University, but I think this day was too overcast.

Taqueria Mexico

This is a to-go box from Taqueria Mexico on the southside. My sister and her co-workers go here quite often as it is fairly close to where she works on Somerset (the street not the town). I've gone here a number of times with her even though Mexican food is not my favorite food. I usually get their chicken soup, where I then take out everything but the soup, the chicken and potatoes. I also try to remember to order corn tortillas, but I forget most of the time. I've also ordered their pozole, which I like. Today the box contained a humongous burrito. I'd never had it before but couldn't think of what else I wanted. It was ok, but way too much. I actually wish it had had more beans, in place of some of those huge chunks of chicken, but still.

Graffiti be gone

Lately I've been seeing more graffiti popping up everywhere. A few days before I took this shot I was wondering how they would take it off of this type of surface. Well this day I got my answer. It appears as if the man in blue was using some kind of sander, at least I saw dust coming up off of it so I assume that's what it was doing, grinding away the surface. On the weekend I actually saw a young man in the midst of tagging one of those power boxes at a southside park. I told my sister look at that. I only which I had my camera more at the ready.