"Two hot, new bars set to open downtown" shouted the headline on Chron.com last Friday as their entertainment portal, 29-95 (now less vulgar, still pretty uninteresting however), published a glorified press release from the folks that brought you Anvil Bar & Refuge (and their high prices and brilliant scheme to ensure obscure liqueurs don't go to waste) announcing the opening of two new concepts downtown.

The headline for the story itself however was a little more muted.

Clumsy Butcher to open new wine/beer bar on Main St. Alison Cook, 29-95 a Chron.com blog

Ironically, this new wave of bars and party spots opening downtown is reminiscent of the wave of openings that occurred right before Houston's, now infamous, SuperBowl event.

Part of an occasional series of images depicting Texas in other countries. (including other countries within the United States).

In Dubai, this is Texas:

The funny thing was, every time we told someone we were from Texas the reply was "Yee Haw!" and a thumbs up.

I didn't have the heart to tell them I don't even own a pair of cowboy boots so the wife and I just went along with it.

The fact that Spirit Airlines recently changed their customer service number from toll-free to a 'traditional' line doesn't surprise me.  It's cheaper to use traditional lines rather than toll-free for a company and Spirit is all about running on the cheap.  Whether or not you like them, it's a profitable business model for them, and enough people seem to be utilizing their services to get from point A to point B to keep them flying so they're going to be around for a while.

Recently the wife and I spend a long-ish weekend in Dubai.  Should you wish, you can view the pictures from our trip here on my Flickr account.  I liked Dubai, but I don't see myself returning there anytime soon.

The best way that I can think of how to explain it is to say that Dubai is a city without a soul.  For example, Paris has a romantic soul, Madrid has a laid-back soul, Rome has an ancient soul and Dublin has a drunken (and fun) soul.  Dubai is nothing but sand and tall buildings.

The Texas Tribune, continuing their drive to get Texans to pay Carol Alvarado a living wage, raises a question today:

Do Over votes in Texas Legislature raise questions. Aman Batheja, Texas Tribune

The Texas Legislature took three high-profile mulligans last month. Twice in the House and once in the Senate, a majority of lawmakers voted one way on a bill or amendment, only to quickly turn around and vote the other way.

Presented with only one comment.  This is behind the Chron's paywall so I'm only going to quote a very small piece (which I believe is keeping with the spirit of fair use) and encourage you to go read the whole thing.

US Transportation Chief: Houston needs to 'get it's act together' on Light Rail. Dug Begly, HoustonChronicle.com

LaHood said the area is coming up short because more hasn't been done to extend lines to the suburbs where most people live.

Houston is the 9th happiest city for young professionals.  At least, it is if you take this report from Forbes' Magazine seriously:

Happiest cities for young professionals. Jacquelyn Smith.

There's been a lot of breathless adoration over Tesla Motors of late and it's pretty easy to see why.  Their latest vehicle, The Model S, is a pretty little thing to look at which has (mostly) led to it being named the "Car of the year" by Motor Trend Magazine. Sure they gush about it's handling, it's power, it's storage space etc.

Something to remember come election time in 2014.

Potential Lt. Governor candidate (and Current State Comptroller) Susan Combs released $29.3 Million dollars of taxpayer money to the father of this lady:

Tamara Ecclestone bares all for Playboy. Celebrity Buzz, Chronblog

The billionaire daughter of Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has bared all for Playboy.

Want to change Burka's mind?  Blow in his ear.

Water, water everywhere? Paul Burka, Texas Monthly

Sylvester Turner has been in heavy negotiations with Republicans. One plan he was supporting was to go with a 2 + 2 + 2 bill: $2 billion each for water, transportation, and education. But Republicans have pushed forward with water alone right now.
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