International Center

I wait for the bus home here sometimes. Back in the day when this was the location of the old Main Library I used to wait across the street from here, when that building was still a bank, or something like that. I remember one day when the wind was just tearing through the alleys created by all the buildings in downtown.

Rainbow and Raindrops

Saw this on the way home. The colors were way better than what shows up on camera. I also noticed later that there was a double bow.

Raspa Casita

I love raspas, so much that I have a snocone making machine at home, along with a slushee making machine. This little hut took the place the one that was there before. I haven't had a chance to try this one, but you can't really mess up raspas.

Tortilleria

Was at our local H.E.B on Potranco and got to see the tortillas going along on the assembly line. My mom would probably want to smack us upside the head if she knew we buy our tortillas instead of making them, but damn these H.E.B tortillas are good. Now if only they would let me grab one hot off the comal and put some butter on it the way my grandma used to let us.

Thai Hut

We've been trying all the local Asian eateries around our area. This was the first time we tried this. We are used to Asia Kitchen for this kind of food, and this was fairly similar, but my sister and I both agreed that Asia Kitchen was better.

Who Doesn't Love a Man in Uniform?

Can't say I don't. My preference is of course military uniforms and in San Antonio there is no shortage of those. You can see many a military man roaming around the city especially on the weekends. We aren't known as Military City, USA for nothing.

Seeing Double

Waiting for the bus today I noticed these sets of women walking by the International Center. I thought I might be seeing double, or just ran across some women who liked to dress the same--but I thought it might have something to do with a twin convention and when I got home I Googled it and found out it was indeed so.

Retail Spiders

Every year the stores seem to jump into the holidays earlier and earlier. As we took my niece to Claire's to redeem an old gift card I saw these and thought they'd make a good addition to my Halloween collection.

Theme Day: Big

The theme for this month is BIG (my not so big right now, but soon to be hugemungous collection of Sharpies). I thought of the many pics I have of those Big Red Balls on the library's lawn, but I hadn't got a recent pic of those. I also just now thought of those not as big as the libary balls that Target has in front of their stores, but then I thought of these. I purchased these recently when I told myself I couldn't pass up the price for the amount of Sharpies I was getting. I do have a few more than this but I wanted to get the shot. Apparently there is a big following of Sharpie online. There is a Flickr pool and much more. I saw a prom dress done with Sharpies and one of the girls I used to work with decorated a tank with some--I'd like to try that. Another girl told me that they now have Sharpies that don't bleed through and I just saw a television advert for them. I want some of those now too, along with one of every color and those clickety ones too. I do have the silver Sharpie for writing on dark surfaces. I also saw that Sharpies can be personalized, much like M&Ms.

Sky on Fire

I love when the skies get like this. I like the purples and oranges and red and yellows. They always remind me of when I used to watch Bob Ross painting on KLRN. He made it seem so easy and everytime I see a sky like this I wish I could put it to canvas.

Mannequin Family

These mannequins can be found at the Old Navy at South Park Mall. My niece is always talking about wanting a sister and I told her well here she is. She didn't want to take a pic with them at first but I got her to do it. She seemed a bit freaked out by how big her little sister was. :D

St. Mary's University

This here is St. Mary's University. These are my old stomping grounds, not because I graduated from here but I lived in the general area for the better part of my life. The first library I ever went to, Memorial Library is across the street from this university. I just recently found out that the University used to be in downtown on College Street. This was where the founders moved it too after SA started outgrowing itself. I did attend a few classes here one semester and the Oyster Bake is held here every year.

Side Swept Rain

We get so excited by rain or even the possibility of rain that when I spotted these clouds I figured what I must be seeing was rain bands being swept to the side by wind. I think that's what it was, if it wasn't I liked the look of them anyway.

VIA Transit Center

This is the Ingram Transit Center. Two days I waited for my third bus of three buses I took to get home. It was uber hot and uber sunny. I think those few minutes for those two days were enough to burn me a bit. I got a section of skin the shape of my shirt a bit paler than the rest of me to prove it.

Whataburger Limited

Saw this joint a few times and thought it was cool vintage looking. We actually stopped and I thought we were gonna order and eat at the tables. I thought it might be a smidge hot, it being summer in SA, but I was willing to go for it. The driver hadn't realized we couldn't eat inside, but when he did we beat a fast retreat and took off to eat somewhere else.

Happy Birthday Rob

Had these cupcakes hand delivered by the baker. Thanks Jen-Jen!! I had no idea who Rob was until I saw the little signs then I was like Oh! I know him.

First Day of School

Today was the first day for most of San Antonio. The private schools start earlier I think, but we are trying the local public schools for the first time. I got a kick out of this sign because it says "Welcome Stingrays to the greatest middle school in Texas." I wonder if its wishful thinking or truly based on something real.

Sunshine Laundry

Not sure if this place is still open and if it is, whether it still operates as a laundry. I did see cars in the lot, but not sure if they were for it or something else. What I liked about this shot was the sign, the color and vintageness of it.

Beer Pull Lock

Saw this as we were riding home one day. We took the long way home instead of the highway. When I looked to my right I noticed that this guys lock was a beer pull. I wonder if he ever gets stopped by the police and what they think of his locking mechanism.

Cracker Barrell Breakfast

My sister had some time to spare this morning and the kids hadn't started school yet so we stopped at the Cracker Barrell for breakfast. I had Eggs in a Basket with sausage patties and hashbrown casserole I think they call it. To drink I had a frosty lemonade. I tried that pin game they have and as always I lose. I have to remember to go back because my brother likes taffy and I remember they have some there.

Graffiti Wall

This wall caught my eye with its burst of color in normally not so colorful downtown. I stuck my camera through a fence to get this shot.

Cupcake Junction

My sister and I had been wanting to try this place since she saw an article in the SA Business Journal. She was able to get two dozen mini cupcakes for my nephews party in July, but although we had tried at least twice after that we just keep being too early or too late for their business hours. Today we finally made it with a few to spare and I acutally got to go in the store and check it out. Of course I forgot my camera so all I have is this outside shot. The guy in the store was really nice and said that if we knew we were gonna be late we could call and ahead and they would keep the doors open for us.

We ordered a dozen ready made cupcakes, plus two special bigger ones (mine was strawberry and my sister's had chocolate on the inside). They have small medium and large. You can decorate your own cupcake in the store but my sister really wanted to try the Red Velvet. There was none at the time, but we still made out.

Welcome Home

Saw this banner hanging on a neighborhood house. The emblem on the banner is the USMC anchor so I assumed the person coming home was a Marine. I imagined for a moment how great it would be to be welcoming my brother home from Afghanistan. Anytime he gets to come home on leave is great, but when he's coming back from a deployment it's extra special. I regret the fact that we can never actually be there in person to welcome them off the plane, but living in the center of the continental us when he has either been on the West of East coast in not conducive to those kind of things.

I'd like to take a chance to welcome all those wandering soldiers home and for those still abroad, thank you and godspeed home.

Mosaics

Saw this across the street from Fox Tech High School in downtown. Not sure if it's theirs or just some public art. In this shot you can see the vaquero and the buffalo. I didn't get too close, but from afar it looked like a mosaic.

Gold Star Bar

Saw this out the window of a long bus ride. Can't quite remember where it was, but I think it was fairly close to downtown.

Chick-fil-A

Went to do some back to school shopping even though I was dying from all the hard labor I had one the previous and same day. We stopped at chick fil a. I usually eat the chicken sandwich but today I tried the chicken salad sandwich with a fruit cup and a strawberry something or other. The fruit cup was excellent and the strawberry thing was good. I didn't finish the sandwich beyond a bit or two, I think I was just too sore, tired and hot to enjoy it.

Adopt a Child

It's that time of year again when I get volunteered to do manual labor for this event. This is one of the rooms that we help to set up. Each of these boxes/bins will go to a child who needs help starting off the school year. They will open them up and find a full set of school supplies, clothesm (including undies and socks), shoes, a backpack and possibly a few extras. (Hygenic things are sometimes put in by the agency, and sponsors will put in whatever they like, including books at times).

Find out more about this annual event.

Roof Tops

Was out for some midmorning training and while waiting for the previous session to let out I got this shot out of one of the windows. I always wonder why roofs don't get utilized more. I know there's been more talk about living/green roofs and or using them for solar powered cells, but I always want to see it as some kind of living space, otherwise it just seems wasted to me.

Pink Scooter

Saw this pink scooter riding lady as I waited to get picked up. I wonder if it was that empty scooter I spotted a bit ago and blogged about. This day was super hot (JavaNooks Frosty Max Sunny Max saved me once again) and super long. I got lost on the bus. I started off by Medical, got lost by Churchill, and finally made it back to downtown only to be blessed/hugged by some stranger after he asked to use my phone and then to get some money to buy himself something to drink. =8O

Arby's Lunch

Had lunch at Arby's today out by Medical I think. This is only the fourth time I've ever eaten Arby's and only the third time I've eaten there in person. I like their stuff. My only mistake was not asking them to hold the onion rings they put in the sandwich and asking for sauce, I have no idea why I asked for that because I never like barbecue sauce. Their curly fries were pretty good too.

Tree Faced

This was one of the art pieces that was hanging in the Central Library Gallery. At the moment the name of the exhibit and the artists escape me, but I'll edit this post if it comes back to me later.

Olive Garden Pasta Dish

Went to the Olive Garden by 1604. It's a fairly new one and I like the inside and outside. The kids had some spaghetti and pizza, but I had this. It was chich, shrimp and noodles. I love pasta, but I ended up having to take about 3/4 of it home in a box. I also really like those chocolatey mints they give you at the end of the meal.

Sitting Steps

Every time I wait somewhere to get picked up I really appreciate when there is something beyond the floor to sit on. These steps are perfect, although not too accessible. (out of the shot there is a ramp) I like that you can use them to climb up to the building, but they are perfect for sitting a spell. Waiting for my ride I read a bit, took some pics and also did some Daily Training on Brain Age.

Interior Design

Saw this at one of those remodeled McDonald's on the north side. I really like what they have done with them. I barely remembered that I had a double cheeseburge Big Kids meal for lunch, but these orange globe light things I recall perfectly.

The Kid in America

It's rare to see people without some kind of umbilical now a days. You see kids on their hand held games or some other game console, on their cell phones, listening to their iPods or hunched over a computer. I've heard these same kids complain about having to walk any distance or that they are poor. Pardon me, but back in the day if we wanted to get anywhere we walked. I remember once walking from MLK drive on the East side to the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum to see the vonErichs wrestle. Heck one time I was so desperate to check out some books from the old Main Library that after I paid my fines to be sure I could check them out, I had no bus money to get home. I walked from downtown to where the new Mission Library will be. Kids in this day and age getting worn out from walking the mall. And as for poor the only times I played games was when I went over to other people's houses and I didn't have cable in my house until I was in college. I didn't get a computer until my last semester in college and my only internet access was dial up access through school.

Some Like it Hot

I get a kick out of some book displays I see out and about. The bookstores can get really creative, but some of the library displays are just as good or better. Every year for the past couple of years the library has been doing this one. I always notice that the red dot ones (Inferno) are usually gone within a few days. The blue (smoke), green (sparks) and yellow (flame) dot ones tend to stay on the shelf longer. Of course it could be that there are just more of them to begin with.

PreOwned Cars

I wonder when it was that people stopped calling them used cars and instead went to the term pre-owned, they both mean the same thing right? I remember when we owned our first cars, they were all "pre-owned". At least once I remember one of those cars stopping in the street, once of those busy streets--36th and some nice man stopping and helping us out, that time it was the water or something. My little brother would borrow the car too and it was always leaving him stranded. Of course he would say he had no idea what was wrong with it, but it always ended up that it was just out of gas. (You can't really blame him because the gas gauge didn't work). One of our other cars had no working speedometer. We could have honestly answered no if a cop ever stopped us and asked "Do you know how fast you were going?". Another one our cars was cute, we called it the hooptee. It had what I called a killer hatchback, because if you didn't prop it up with a stick it would come down on your neck and you'd be lucky if you weren't beheaded. :D

Stop for Children

We were back in our old stomping grounds--West Side, when I saw this ice cream man. I wish I had had cash on me cause I totally would have hit him up. The West Side ice cream trucks always have the best stuff. In the background of the picture you can see an ambulance. There was something going on down the street but I have no idea what it was, there was a lot of police cars down there.

La Playa Seafood

We were looking to eat at Thai Dee (sp?) on Blanco but it was closed so then we went on look about for this restaurant. My sister had eaten there a very long time ago, but we finally tracked it down. I rememember thinking that it must be fairly popular because it has a pretty big waiting area outside. My sister and I both had a shrimp and fish platter which was really good. She also wanted to try a fish soup, which was okay but I don't think I would eat it again. I know she was all like "Where's the fish?"

When we were there another patron came up to our table and asked if I was someone she knew and I was like no. She thouht I looked like one of her old friends. Thought I might be her daughter or something.

Theme Day: Night Shot

Had to go back a bit to unearth this night shot. I usually try to post a photo taken on that day or near it, but I haven't taken too many night shots lately, since my digital camera crapped out on me. My newer digital video camera takes still photos but any kind of motion wreaks havoc. The lit up sign on the right hand side is the American GI Forum.

The Yellow Quinta

This is a La Quinta on the north side. It's off of I-10 by the Mamacitas and somewhere is a Chachos. Down the street is a Benihana that I hear gets really busy during lunch. I like the yellow color, it just pops out at ya among the other drabber buildings.

Training Around the Horizon

This building houses the New Horizons training center in San Antonio. They also have a quite competent cafe on the 2nd floor. Their restrooms are relatively swank too.

Cupcake in a Window

Saw these little guys in one of those baker cabinets, I think it was HEB. They remind me of those puppies in the pet shop/shelter that are just looking for someone to take them home, except these guys will get eaten and hopefully the puppies don't.

Beverage Solutions

The graphic on the side of this van caught my eye. Not sure what kind of solutions they offer, but the little guy in the blue pants and red shirts looks fairly competent to me. :D

Ze Ol' French Twist

In this oven like heat, you'll do just about anything to stay cool. I usually start off my day with my hair down, but usually for most of the day it's in something like this, as much off of my neck as I can get it. I usually only put up with my hair until it's long enought to cut and donate, but even when I cut it I tell them to keep it long enough so that I can put it up in a chongo, as I hate to deal with tendrils of hair falling onto my face.

Here's looking at you!

I saw this little squirrel while walking down Baltimore St. on my lunch break the other day. He ran up a utility pole and peered down at me.

New/Old Walgreen's

Well, they completely demolished the old building and built a new one, but at least they put the old signage back on. You can see what it used to look like HERE.

Guitar Purse

Saw this in a book. I like bags, and the image on the purse looked cool, although I might choose something different for myself. I've noticed that crafting has taken off recently. I see it all over the place online, there are plenty of stores to buy supplies and even to learn techniques, there are craft groups everywhere and even the men and kids are getting into. I had an aunt who tried to teach me to crochet, but that didn't stick and I tried to pick up knitting on my own years later but never could get it. Some coworkers finally got me going a few years ago, and now I can say that I've completed a number of hats and scarves.

Deer in the Yard

Went to pick up my niece from an overnight stay and saw these deer all over the yards in the neighboorhood. Is this out in the country you ask? No it's in San Antonio. You usually only see this much deer in more rural areas like Floresville.

Angel in the Sky

I've been doing a lot of cloud watching lately and when I saw this feathery white cloud in the blue sky I thought of an angel/bird with outspread wings.