Sympathy Rains

When Hurricane Isabel made landfall Thursday on the US East Coast, no one else's weather reports mattered much. Except of course, ours.

For some reason, it started raining... and raining and wouldn't stop. It rained more than it did with Claudette and it rained more than it did with Erika. But, what the hell...?? I'm in South Texas, not North Carolina!!

It's a natural wonder when we actually get rainfall down here in drought-ridden deep south Texas. The slightest sign of gray clouds has the weathermen interrupting our favorite television programs with talk of deadly drizzle. It's annoying and completely uncalled for.

But I'll let it slide this time around because this rainfall was, by our standards, substantial. Almost the entire region was covered with rainfall that just wouldn't quit. The rain drove on until this morning when, finally, the sun was able to peak through.

Of course, the damage was done... Expressway asphalt buckled, poorly constructed streets and roads cracked and fell apart under the weight of the flood waters. Luckily, the damage wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Because of the rain, we had an early deadline for today's newspaper. We were done by 10 and I was out of here by 11 pm. By that time the rain had subsided quite a bit and I was able to hang out with Vanessa for a couple of hours.

This morning she called me to tell me that the sun was out and that she wanted me to go to her grandmother's garage sale. I was so tempted, but I enjoy the company of my bed much more. So I fell back asleep and didn't get up until 1:30.

There are still dark clouds looming around the sky, but I think for now, the worst is over. It's just funny that we've been targeted by two hurricanes this season and neither of them did any substantial damage. When there's a big one that hits far away, it seems we feel the effects too.

Mayan Temple

How many people do you know who were schooled in a Mayan Temple... Well, I was.

No... not really. I went to elementary at James Bowie Elementary School, which is right across the street from my parents house.

"A cast-concrete frieze of yellow and green snakes writhes across the facade of Bowie Elementary, nicknamed La Escuela de las Viboras (school of the snakes). Created in 1928 by Harlingen artist Luis Lopez Sanchez, the distinctive mural blends Mayan and Aztec motifs with angular snakes, symbols of wisdom and knowledge for many Native American people."

The building's facade is very beautiful and I have nothing but fond memories of that school. As you walk out of the front door of my parents' home, the first thing you see is the colorful murals. Here are a few pics that I took a while back. There aren't too many photos of the building on the web, so I hope I'm doing my old school some justice...

When I was in the fifth grade, the school underwent major renovation. They gutted the interior and rebuilt everything. They bricked up entryways and windows and shifted everything to fit within the main building of the school. In my opinion, it was ruined.

I suppose they could always restore it to its original charm by removing the blocked up sections, but the ceiling tiles, the tall doors with windows above each door... It's all gone. For some reason, this school stayed so close to me that it is often the setting for my dreams. It's weird.

I noticed today that they had fenced off part of the front yard and there were palm trees strewn all over the lawn. I couldn't tell if they were ripping them out or planting them there. But it got me thinking about the place and the time when all the remodeling was going on. Which also reminded me about these pictures that I never shared.

I begged my mom the other day that if she does end up moving and building her own home, that she finds a designer who will incorperate some of this Aztecan motif. I think I'd have an empty place in me if I was completely parted from this school...

Insane Ninja Child

Must kill, ha ha, ha ha! Death! Playground antics! Cake and cheese! Yes! As a survivor of the Impending Nuclear Apocalypse I am an Insane ninja child!

The blast must have hit me particularly strong, because I've gained a billion new superpowers and can take on anyone I want. Even that kid Gunrock-with-nine-arms from down the street. Only problem is, it's driven me completely insane and I now have a thirst for blood equalled only by my thirst for vengeance and peeing in the kitchen bin.

"No, stop! That's what the toilet's for. Stop I say!"


Which Survivor of the Impending Nuclear Apocalypse Are You?
A Rum and Monkey joint.

Put out my flaming heart-fires, you're Mychal Judge!

The chaplain to the New York Fire Department was tragically killed when one of the World Trade Centre towers collapsed on September 11, 2001. You provided years of Christian service, and will be remembered forever for your heroism.

You're also gay.

You provided a home for an AIDS ministry; you funded and supported the gay-friendly Queens St. Patrick's Day parade; you stood against a prominent Cardinal on a 1986 gay rights bill and were falsely accused of child molestation as a result. You rule.


Which Famous Homosexual are you?
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey

Okay, this is really creepy...

Right now I'm listening to the "Ballad of Maxwell Demon" from Velvet Goldmine...

Meanwhile I'm at the dumb website from earlier tonight... And it says I am a stimulated lizardman who loves to hump blow-up dolls.




Fuckin creepy.

What I am