The Off Topic Thread
 

A few of the other regional sections of the forum have threads for off topic chat, so I thought what the heck, we should have one here. Sometimes there are things to talk about that don't quite fit the update threads and don't necessarily warrant their own thread. So feel free to post your off topic posts here.

So, while reading the "##Check this out too##" thread in the Skybar section of the forum, I clicked on a link that was posted about funny "wtf" moments. Check out who I spotted in number 26 of these pictures! :haha:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/647083/#

Okay, here's mine:
Texas State University is in the process of developing a full-scale engineering program. Do any of you have suggestions for potential degree programs that might fill a niche that UT is too big and busy to fool with, partnerships with central Texas corporations, or anything else to make the Austin-San Antonio corridor a better place ?

That last picture of the basketball hoop is HILARIOUS :haha:

Funny pics. I don't know who that is in #26 you refer to (I assume someone you've seen in Austin) and he's probably a cool guy but...whoa...that's one ugly outfit he's wearing!! :haha:

It's Leslie Cochran. He's a cross dressing homeless man who lives in Austin. You can expect to find him around 6th Street, though I've seen him walk down my street a couple of times. He actually ran for mayor in 2000 and got 7 percent of the votes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Cochran

I think I remember that guy now, I believe I've seen him in some other Austin threads before. BTW, I'll miss George Carlin too, he was one of the best. Some of his comedy routines used to give me some of the biggest belly laughs I've ever had!!

A few years ago John Kelso wrote an article about San Marcos trying to stop partying by cutting the power to the host's home. In it he talked about Hell's 40 Acres and Southwest. IIRC, his exact words were, "When I walk across UT's campus I feel like an old man; when I walk across Southwest Texas State I feel like a dirty old man." :tup:

Anybody remember those "San Antonio Salsa" chips that came out a few years ago for a limited time? Man those were great.

No, but I remember being able to buy some stuff at Randall's (I think) that was really good and bottled by a company located on Westpark here in town. Instead of mild, medium, and hot, the flavors were Texan Wannabe, Texan Transplant, and Native Texan. I think the company's name was Henry's Creations, or or something like that. Unfortunately I haven't seen it in a few years, neither at Randall's nor Kroger. :shrug:

By the way, does anyone know if Henry's Hideout (The Horniest Place in Texas) is still around in Plantersville, on the road from there to Magnolia?

Nope. Never saw or heard of them. I feel left out. I love me some salsa. We have El Lago chips here. Made fresh at a factory in East Austin. Delicious. There's another local brand too that we get every once in a while, but the name escapes me. Tonight we got some Tostitos chips and salsa. I've never had that before, so I'll critique it after I give it a taste.

The SA flavored chips were put out by Lay's in '03, and they also did some other city flavors as well as part of a program called "Taste of America."

Here's what it said on the SA chips packaging:
"Lay's® Tastes of America™ Potato Chips are the ideal way to experience the unique flavors from across America without ever leaving home. Twice a year, we will introduce two new flavors from different regions of the country. Each flavor will be around for a limited time only, so enjoy them while they last. San Antonio is known for many things — the historic battle at the Alamo, the pristine beauty of the River Ralk and the panoramic views seen from the Tower of the Americas. But another thing that has made San Antonio famous is its salsa — the kind that blends the mouthwatering taste of fresh tomatoes, peppers and onions. This unique taste experience is exactly what our San Antonio Salsa Artificially Flavored Potato Chips capture for you."
http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?snack_code=1329

More info:
http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/c...dID_352009.htm

Anyway, they were really good, and too bad Lay's doesn't make it anymore :(

Perhaps El Galindo? And if you love Salsa, you've probably been to the Austin Chronicle hot sauce festival.. held each year at Waterloo Park in August. Very, very hot but some great Salsa and hot sauces to taste and buy. We used to have the Fiery Foods festival too, but that's gone now... too bad, it was indoors and had much shorter lines (because they charged admission).

That might be it. And oh yes, I'd like to go to the hot sauce fest this year. I've missed it the last couple of years. I went in '03, and it was so incredibly hot, dry and dusty that day.

El Milagro Tortilla Inc. makes chips locally. I think that's the one yall are talking about. They're on E. 6th just a block or two off 35.

Texas Texas makes great Salsa and they're based in Austin....(my favorite and available at HEB)

http://www.sandersonfoods.com/v/vspf.../products.html

And YDoc, I remember the San Antonio chips...my favorite was the Chcago Loaded Baked Potato. Those were killer.

So i thought i would pick my fellow forumers brains.

And here we go.

This is personal but its a part of life, or so i am told. Last friday my boss called me in to his office and basically told me that i am being laid off. I have 2 weeks to basically apply for jobs, go on interviews and really do what ever i want. (Granted that is good they are letting me do that, but it doesnt help that its a holiday week and a lot of people are off). In addition i get paid an additional 3 weeks, and they pay out all my PTO (a full month), I was saving it to go to Europe but i dont think thats going to happen anymore. Also they would let me collect umenmployment if i were to apply for it.

Anyhow one thing i have been thinking about is moving. Oringinal i grew up in San Antonio, and i did live in Seattle for a year. The question i am trying to figure out is should i stay in Houston, or just get up and try another city. Now i am pretty much undecided on what to do. I very much like Houston but would like to go to some other place. Either way its fine. If i were to move, i dont want to stay in Texas and going back to San Antonio is not an option. Of the cities i think about are Seattle, Chicago, California (San Diego or San Francisco), i do have a friend who lives in NYC, and so that may be an option as well. I do love Miami but that would just be to much, so yeah no.

I would like the city to have good public transporation for sure and a good night life. As well as a variety of arts, parks, food, and outdoor activites.

I dont have much time, i need to make a decesion a lot sooner or later. I am not really happy about being layed off, but maybe it is for the better, i mean what can you do. Anyhow i am curious to see what you all think.

Thanks...

San Diego and Seattle are cheaper, Seattle and San Francisco are more bikey/young-go-getter, Chicago is big-city wow, NYC is ... NYC.

If you want to move, move. Just remember you'll skid on the runway a bit before you get settled (which I'm sure you know)

Well, according to Trae this is the gay talk thread full of gay topics!

First up: RUGBY OR FAST-PITCH SOFTBALL?

What's your pick? I pick Rugby, even though there's a buy-in on all the teams up here and they meet when I'm laziest. But I'd totally do it! I'm built for it!

Hurray for the gay talk thread!!!! :banana: :rainbow: :upload_71700:

Where's the pussy talk thread?

Complex01, it depends if you want to put the cart before the horse so-to-speak. Do you want to apply for jobs first then move, or target and/or move to a city first then look for a job there? What business do you work in? One of my companies is highering both in Houston and in some mid-western states.

Ciao,
AWACS

Gay talk thread? Sheesh, you post a picture of ONE, just ONE middle aged man in a thong, and suddenly it's a gay talk thread. :ahhh:

Listen! Where will we talk about rugby? And then instantly change the topic to divas to fool the straights so they don't want to hang out and annoy us?

Tsk. Are you one of them? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM?

I was about to come in here and say I'll never play a throwing/swinging/running sport since I hurt myself putting down weights after lifting my own weight and here you go talking about men in thongs.

I AM INSULTED, SIR. GOOD DAY. MADOONA KYLIE MARIAH. BE GONE.

But really, in non-gay news, I did hurt myself but it wasn't bad. Tennis elbow plus a mashed fingernail. Yes, a fingernail. Those hurt too, you know

You only have to ask once, and no, I'm not "one of them".

I have knee issues from wiping out on my bicycle as a kid. I helped my brother move today and I'm definitely feeling it. On worst days when I put a lot of demand on them, I can hardly walk. My left one especially. It's like someone hit me in the back of my knee with a hammer.

Off topic threads are the strangest threads. :yes:

Honestly in the perfect world i would like to have something before i move. The thought of going some place and not having something is bit nerve racking to say the least. I work a lot with graphic design, I also work a lot with SEO and Email marketing.

Anyhow thanks for the tips. It does help...

:yes:

Tennis elbow supposedly clears up in a year, so I hope I'm not grousing about it 2 years from now since it's hard to do anything without a stream of obscenities. Thankfully I work with people who cuss sometimes!

What exactly is tennis elbow?

What's the name of the building in NY that looks like the Weston Centre?

i think it's called the empire state building....? ;)

Screwed up tendons in the elbow that make your forearm hurt.

Usually I need minimal support of the painful and tender part of my forearm to go through the start of any lift and then any other subsequent lifting I can push through, but that's repetitive. Single-movement things like lifting a big bag of cat litter or something causes a bit of pain unless I re-balance myself.

It'll pass.

ahahaaha...ahaha...aha..ah

No, the Weston really does have a twin....you'll see if somebody can remember the building haha.

You must be talking about the Citicorp Building in Queens. It's the tallest building in New York outside of Manhattan.

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=...orkcity-ny-usa

Yep, that's the one, thanks!

Whoa, it does!

Does anyone know the protocol for proposing skyscraper trades between municipalities?

I'd give them the Weston Centre and the Hedrick Building for that one. :yes:

You know, I'd rather have a bunch of gorgeous 350-400' buildings than trade up our Weston. What I'd really like to see in downtown SA is something with a fin (Don't say it.) or some kind of glass crown to compliment the Tower Life.

Of course, I agree. Your neighbors in Vancouver (CAN) figured that out. What a place! On a side note, I am hoping that they approve their waterside soccer complex so that they can have an MLS team along with Seattle. That area is so amazing.

I was just trying to unload the Hedrick Building on the unsuspecting NYers. :)

I really like the crown on the Bank of America Corporate Center in Charlotte. Such a fine 'scraper. I think that whole building would be a nice complement to the Tower Life Building.

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=...arlotte-nc-usa

If SA wants to keep "classic", they can do a 450 foot version of the WaMu Tower: http://www.washingtonmutualtower.com/

we are such nerds, by the way. our off topic thread has us discussing....skyscrapers!! :)

:cheers:

Oh, and you forget that there already is a building with a glass crown...CROWNE PLAZA :yes: hahaha

that would actually be a great building to get a facelift...more glass and a more dramatic crown.

KevinFromTexas, or others....What is the difference {intended difference} between the "City Compilations" and the "Regional Sections". I feel like the Austin threads are one-in-the-same. Are they supposed to cover different topics?

Cleaning the stained brick on the top of the west & east sides of the building would be a start lol.

could they intentionally stain it? (that would be different than letting years go by without cleaning which is why it is becoming so grisly these days)

and if they did stain it...brick red, perhaps? it could almost take on the look of a much older and much more prestigous building that way.

add some brass touches and a little greenish hue to the pyramid. mmm, that would be nice.

Who ownes the Crowne Plaza building? Did it change hands when it went from an Adam's Mark to a CP?

Yeah, I think brick red would look nice. It's just those darn black water stains on the brick at the top of the building (at least I think it's from water over the years, rain that is)

The city compilation thread in the main section of the forum and the Austin update thread are basically intended to be the same. Some people don't always check the Texas section, so having a thread in the main section of the forum allows them to see it. Basically it acts like a more central location with all the other city threads. There are several forumers who used to live in Texas cities who now live elsewhere. They might not always check the Texas section, but having the city compilation thread in the main section can be convenient to them. It's also a way to promote each city's development to more people. Someone from the other side of the country might not care or think to visit the Texas section, but might be curious enough to click on the compilation thread and be surprised at what they see. Just check the city compilation thread vs the update thread here in the Texas section. There's a far more diverse group of people posting in the compilation thread, even some international forumers. The other thing is that some of the cities that have their own thread in the city compilation section might not have their own regional section on the forum. For instance, there's a thread for Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia, but there is no regional Australian section on the forum. There used to be, but a lot of the Australian forumers started their own dedicated forums about their cities and their numbers dropped big time, so that section of the forum was removed.

Travel Suggestions
 

I'll be in LA for business 9/27-10/1 and want to go somewhere 10/1-10/5, preferably international, and preferably on Continental. Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards Quebec City...explore the town and see the foliage in the countryside.

I will probably be in Orlando for a few days in mid-October 10/10-10/15 and may jump across to Ireland 10/15-10/19, so that's not an option. Neither is London (did that in April), Paris, or Amsterdam (I can fly nonstop from Houston to CDG and AMS). Basically instead of flying home Wed. I'm using it as a day to get to someplace not served non-stop from Houston.

While all y'all where sweltering last week I was in Iceland with themps in the 50's! :tup:

I'm trying to fill up my passport by Dec. 31, 2011. and I think I need to hit 16 countries (32 stamps) between now and then, assuming stamps both entering and exiting. I think I can "cheat" my way a little by revisiting New Zealand via Australia coming and going (6 stamps), and going to Europe via Iceland, from a Canadian destination (10 stamps?).

Thanks Kevin for the info on the difference of compilations vs. sections and thanks for all your effort and posts. Much appreciated.:tup: