Getting all liquored up...

My first foray into the bar scene happened last night.  I got a text from my boss saying that there was a group going out to partake in an "adult beverage" and asked if I would like to join them.  I agreed whole-heartily and was told to meet them at "The Tasting Room" off of South Alabama street.

The Tasting Room is an impressive wine bar.  The folks there were very helpful and knowledgeable about their product.  Although a bit pricey, it is a very nice place to meet.  One side note... they give you a set of shot glasses and water in a clear bottle.  What immediately popped in my mind was Zorba the Greek and doing shots of ouzo.  Been there, done that...sent chills...

After a glass of a very good Chardonnay, it was suggested that we mosey on over to the South Alabama Ice House for a beer.  Now evidently this place is a Houston icon.  It is basically an outdoor beer garden that does not have air conditioning.  It is called an ice house because they used to put blocks of ice in front of the fans to cool down the patrons in the summer.  Fun place.  Had a bottle of a local brew and headed out.

So I head home and remember that I have not eaten supper.  For some ungodly reason, a burger sounded good to me and there is a 5 Guys Burger place right by my home.  I love their burgers.  Unfortunately, I am not 25 and eating one of their burgers with a large fries fifteen minutes before going to bed is not the wisest of decisions.  But man... it tasted good.

To battle the ogre windmills...

Last Saturday I went to see a wonderful production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" in the Woodlands.  This show is (in my mind) a masterpiece that combines very witty, quick dialog that would make today's viewers think of Aaron Sorkin along with Bob Fosse's choreography (none better).  This amateur production would have made Robert Morse proud.

Last night I had the pleasure to attend the Theater Under the Stars (www.tuts.com) and a production of "Man of La Mancha".  First off, the the venue is magnificent.  'Nuff said... and after some initial sound issues (the background/supporting stomps, claps, noises tended to drown out the dialog) I settled into a wonderful performance of a wonderful musical.

One of the best things about the Theatre (to me) is the magical way a good production can make you forget what is rumbling around in your mind (and I had a LOT of things rumbling around there last night) and transport you into a story.  Now, 'Man of La Mancha' is a special one to me just because I have had a special affinity with Senor Don Quixote and that special kind of "madness".  But more to the point, it is wonderful to have the number of venues and the breadth of productions available to this version of Cervantes' hero.

Get out there and enjoy.  Tilt at a few windmills.  Dream a dream.  Go lose yourself in a story... you just might find yourself in a whole new light.  Experience the power of the story teller, we all could use a little madness in our dreams.

To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ... 

This is my quest, to follow that star ... 
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ... 
To fight for the right, without question or pause ... 
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ... 

And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest, 
That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm, 
when I'm laid to my rest ... 
And the world will be better for this: 
That one man, scorned and covered with scars, 
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage, 
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

The Brits and the Woods...

Did a northern exploration this past weekend.  Discovered a place called The Woodlands (yes, the word 'The' is a part of the title of the burg).  It is a rather... um...pretty suburb north of Houston.  What I mean by my hesitancy is that it also seemed very sterile.  One of those places that has been built to be hip.  It was perfectly nice.  There is a man-made stream/creek/river that is lit wonderfully and the restaurants and bars are nicely placed for easy access.  I ended up eating at Bar Louie and had a nice burger (I think)... and I guess that is the issue I had with the area, everything was very pleasant but as my friend (who lives there) told me... "Welcome to Stepford".  That is the perfect way to describe the place.

The next evening I finally found a wonderful British Pub called the Baker Street Pub and Grill.  Enjoyed a shepherd's pie and a rather interesting peach cider.  The place was absolutely marvelously decorated and laid out.  But the most interesting thing about the whole evening was the employees.  One word - young.  It got to be funny how our waitress would just appear seemingly out of nowhere, interrupt the conversation and ask how we were doing.  It almost got to be a game with us trying to guess when she would appear again.

That is one of the best things about living in a large city.  Variety.  Nothing is predictable and that is quite frankly, the spice of life.  Viva le Difference...

Looking for a twang...

Now I know that I have not been here in the Bayou City for very long.  I will admit that I have not put a concentrated effort into this, but I have not seen the music scene.  Please, please... I understand that I need to put a little effort into it... but the few times I have actually wandered around or walked from a restaurant to my car, there has been a surprising lack of tunes floating in the air.

You can walk around downtown Chicago or LA and hear the bands (both for good or for ill) playing in the bars to the appreciative patrons.  I have not discovered it here yet.  Now I cannot believe that it does not exist.  The fourth largest city in the country has to have a stable of musicians.  Especially in a southern city where the weather is absolutely ideal from September through June.

I know that we have a very good symphony.  I know that we have a very active musical theatre scene.  I was just hoping to see that smoky jazz or blues club that serves a shot and a beer for a couple of bucks.  Or perhaps that piano bar that is over-crowded and everyone is tipsy and singing at the top of their lungs.  Even the honky-tonk with dirty beer steins and everyone wearing cowboy boots and an ugly plaid shirt...   I know that they are here... they just have to be.