Attn: Houstonians

Truant · Post by **Truant** » October 19, 2006, 7:23 pm

I am going to be moving my mother to Houston in a couple weeks (and my father not long after).

However, I know next to nothing about Houston. I've been a couple times on weekends, and I know my history and whatnot. But as far as what parts of town are what, and all that good stuff, I got nothing.

I need a crash course in Houstonology! I would be most grateful if any of you would be willing to school me. I'll even repay you by buying you drinks on one of my soon to become many visits!

Thanks in advance

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 19, 2006, 8:02 pm

OMG YAY!!

I'll PM you our phone numbers. We must hook up when you get settled!

OK, Houston is mostly the suck. BUT depending on what you want out of a city, you can find some neat things.

The art scene is pretty good, both local and grand-scale (museums). The Menil museum is my favorite (the Cy Twombly gallery and Rothko chapel especially which are in separate buildings). Its free to the public. I never tire of it.

I don't do dance clubs other than gay clubs, so can't comment on that, but there are some cool bars and coffee shops I love. My favorite place in the whole wide world is a wine bar/coffee shop called Cafe Brasil (really just "Brasil") at Westheimer & Dunlavy. No signs and its kind of hidden, but it is the best place to meet for drinks, morning coffee, dessert, whatever. They serve great food too.

Another cool bar is Marfrella's on West Gray. This one is REALLY hidden. The entrance is a door under some fire-escape stairs on the side of a strip center. No signs. It used to be a place where business men took their hookers and mistresses. The seating upstairs is all couches and its more of a couples place, very romantic.

All the cool shit is in the Westheimer/Montrose area. The whole area has a vibe I love. The area has a high population of gays, tatoo/piercing parlors, thrift stores, antique stores, coffee shops (note: Empire Cafe, a coffee shop on Westheimer, has half priced cake on Mondays), cool little shops, etc.

The Heights, an old part of town that is very trendy and very expensive to live there, has got some cool things too. Onion Creek is a coffee shop with great breakfast and awesome sandwiches (always get the foccacia -sp?- bread which is the best I've ever had)

So, what part of town will be moving to? What kind of things you interested in?

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 19, 2006, 8:05 pm

I think I misread. You won't be moving here, just visiting a lot, right?

I got all excited that you were going to be living here lol

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » October 19, 2006, 10:35 pm

Lalanae wrote:I think I misread. You won't be moving here, just visiting a lot, right?

I got all excited that you were going to be living here lol

I was wondering why you were giving him the dance club, tatoo info for his folks...not that they mighn't find it useful but...

Truant · Post by **Truant** » October 20, 2006, 1:31 am

haha yeah, at least for now. My parents will be living there, and I'm going to stay in Dallas for at least 2 years to finish up my school. (that's the plan anyways) After that, who knows...though I have definately decided I would like to stay in TX for the rest of my days.

But considering that my parents will be living there (in addition to some family I'm close to), not to mention all the family/friends I have in Austin/San Antonio, I'll be in that neck of the woods pretty darn regularly. Which is fine as it's not a bad drive from Dallas.

Initially my mother will be staying in university housing (very temporary) until their house up here sells, at which point my father will be joining her in Houston and they will decide whether to purchase a house or a condo. (my mother seems intrigued by urban living, but knowing my father he'll want to move out into the outlying area)

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » October 20, 2006, 2:42 am

i got offered a job near austin but fuck texas!

Al · Post by Al » October 20, 2006, 2:45 am

Austin Butt Fuck, Texas? Is that near Whichita Falls?

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » October 20, 2006, 10:11 am

*~*stragi*~* wrote:i got offered a job near austin but fuck texas!

Austin is nothing like the rest of Texas. It might be the state capital, but it is also one of the few blue islands in this huge-ass red state.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 20, 2006, 12:41 pm

*~*stragi*~* wrote:i got offered a job near austin but fuck texas!

You are crazy for not taking it. Why?

(1) Cost of living is probably a lot lower than where you are at.
(2) No state tax
(3) Austin is a kick ass party town, but really laid back too. If you are into music, its a dream.
(4) The weather is generally better there than other parts of TX
(5) Melissa lives there and I visit her every 3-6 months!
(6) Eric and I live only 3 hours away!

I've never heard of anyone who hates Austin. In fact, people pretty much gush about Austin. Its kind of like California in Texas.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 20, 2006, 12:42 pm

Oh and if Kinky Friedman gets elected governer, that's another plus for Texas in my book

Post by **Sylvus** » October 20, 2006, 12:45 pm

Lalanae wrote:Oh and if Kinky Friedman gets elected governer, that's another plus for Texas in my book

How is he doing in the polls? Does he really have a shot at winning? I think that'd be pretty cool if he did.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 20, 2006, 12:55 pm

Sylvus wrote:
Lalanae wrote:Oh and if Kinky Friedman gets elected governer, that's another plus for Texas in my book
How is he doing in the polls? Does he really have a shot at winning? I think that'd be pretty cool if he did.

Not sure TBH, but he's getting a lot of exposure and I see signs in people's yards whereas I don't see signs for anyone else. Chris Bell and others are trying hard to paint him as a racist by using his comments out of context. Kinky was on a local radio program and he mentioned that some time ago, before the smear campaign, Bell had told a reporter that he was a huge fan of Kinky's music in college. Now he's using Kinky's words against him. What a little prick.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 20, 2006, 1:02 pm

From http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/St ... raug30.htm

Sadly, he's running last, but I just can't believe so many people would vote for Rick Perry. But we are talking about the same morons who voted for Bush.

Compared to the previous month, Perry lost 2%, Bell stayed the same, Strayhorn gained 4%, and Kinky lost 2%.

Rick Perry (R) 33%
Chris Bell (D) 18%
Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I) 22%
Kinky Friedman (I) 16%

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » October 20, 2006, 1:58 pm

Lalanae wrote:
*~*stragi*~* wrote:i got offered a job near austin but fuck texas!
You are crazy for not taking it. Why?

(1) Cost of living is probably a lot lower than where you are at.
(2) No state tax
(3) Austin is a kick ass party town, but really laid back too. If you are into music, its a dream.
(4) The weather is generally better there than other parts of TX
(5) Melissa lives there and I visit her every 3-6 months!
(6) Eric and I live only 3 hours away!

I've never heard of anyone who hates Austin. In fact, people pretty much gush about Austin. Its kind of like California in Texas.

but i can't leave behind the stragi empire in phoenix!

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 20, 2006, 1:59 pm

Hire winnow to manage it for you

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » October 20, 2006, 2:01 pm

Lalanae wrote:Hire winnow to manage it for you

i had to fire him as vp of the modding forum!

Post by **Xouqoa** » October 20, 2006, 5:54 pm

Lalanae wrote:My favorite place in the whole wide world is a wine bar/coffee shop called Cafe Brasil (really just "Brasil") at Westheimer & Dunlavy. No signs and its kind of hidden, but it is the best place to meet for drinks, morning coffee, dessert, whatever. They serve great food too.

We have those up here in Dallas, too. So if you're ever here for a bit, you can be sure that you can go to one! The food there is wonderful, we go for lunch once in a while.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 20, 2006, 6:04 pm

Are you sure its the same place? The one here isn't a chain and the owner is a local guy who splits his time between the cafe and an eclectic book shop he owns a couple doors down.

Edit: yeah, I think its a different place if you are thinking of the Cafe Brasil in Dallas that serves Brazilian food (according to my search). This place has got a French wine-bar feel and the food is more soups/sandwiches/pizza kind of thing.

Or it could be the Cafe Brazil I'm seeing (with a Z, not an S).

Sargeras · Post by **Sargeras** » October 20, 2006, 6:54 pm

I think Zoo just wants to go to lunch with you. I know I do.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » October 20, 2006, 7:00 pm

I hear they have a lot of violent gang-bangers that immigrated there from Nawlins! I'm sure the entire city is grateful for that gift.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 20, 2006, 8:04 pm

masteen wrote:I hear they have a lot of violent gang-bangers that immigrated there from Nawlins! I'm sure the entire city is grateful for that gift.

Yeah

The crime rate spiked dramatically after Katrina.

Post by **Xouqoa** » October 23, 2006, 5:47 pm

Lalanae wrote:Are you sure its the same place? The one here isn't a chain and the owner is a local guy who splits his time between the cafe and an eclectic book shop he owns a couple doors down.

Edit: yeah, I think its a different place if you are thinking of the Cafe Brasil in Dallas that serves Brazilian food (according to my search). This place has got a French wine-bar feel and the food is more soups/sandwiches/pizza kind of thing.

Or it could be the Cafe Brazil I'm seeing (with a Z, not an S).

http://www.cafebrazil.com/

That's the one I'm talking about. Maybe it's different, but it sounds a lot like the place you were describing -- at any rate, it's excellent. Try it if you're up here some time and see how it compares.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » October 23, 2006, 6:02 pm

Those are two different places, but that's okay...they can still be friends.

Still not sure what weekend exactly I'll be headed that way, but it'll definately be during november.

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » October 23, 2006, 9:43 pm

I moved into the Katy area on the west side of Houston. I've only been here since June, but I can move couches and such if you need a hand.