Twittering Levi Johnston & Flying To Puerto Rico With Burning Eyes

It is yet one more gray day here in Texas. Heavy rain and flooding is anticipated.

I saw on Twitter, this morning, that Levi Johnston had done some fresh funny Tweeting about his Baby Mama's Mama again. I blogged about it on my TV Blog. This is twice now that Levi Johnston has provided me blogging fodder on my TV Blog.

Last night I went over to Miss Puerto Rico's and was able to book her a flight to the island. This was managed without incident. We had a breakthrough in that she now understands that you save a lot of money by booking a flight yourself online.

And I learned that Travelocity is really easy to use. Years ago I tried to book a flight using Travelocity, but gave up due to how laborious it was.

I went swimming this morning. It was not raining. The water has warmed up again due to us warming up into the 70s the past couple days, during the day. At night it gets down into the chilly 60s.

I have talked to several locals now who are sharing a burning eye problem along with me. It comes and goes. I am wondering if it is caused by the now widely reported, and research validated, bad air pollution we are being served courtesy of the out of control urban natural gas drilling that is cracking up this thing called the Barnett Shale underneath us and causing earthquakes and other woes in the process.

I need to find a couple thousand bucks by tomorrow. I think I'll go on a long walk and keep a sharp eye out for a lot of loose change laying on the ground.

Suddenly that does not seem like a good plan due to heavy blobs of falling wet stuff hitting the window. Why do the forces of nature always make my plans go awry? Bad planning?

Things Are Looking Up. I Won Another Scrabble Game

Finally. I won something again. I thought it was a miracle of good luck and good letters when I beat the reigning Scrabble Queen of Washington State the first time.

And now it's happened again.

This almost cheers me up. Almost.

I enjoy Scrabble. It really does strain a part of my brain that prefers to not be disturbed. When I first woke up that part of my brain I had a lot of trouble coming up with words or seeing how to make multiple words.

But as more strain was put on the Scrabble part of my brain it became less of a strain. I'm thinking it's causing all sorts of new neurons and synapses to form. I have no idea if those are the proper terms.

Help!

Help, I need somebody,
Help, not just anybody,
Help, you know I need someone, help.

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like I've never done before.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me.

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me, help me, help me, oh.

The Dallas Cowboy Stadium Makes Too Much Noise

In this morning's Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Letters to the Editor there were 3 letters about the Dallas Cowboys, their new stadium and Jerry Jones.

I live about 6 miles from the stadium, apparently not close enough to hear it being noisy. But if you live 2 miles from away apparently the noise from the stadium can get you vibrating.

The first letter is about the stadium noise, the second letter is suggesting the Cowboys starting a new football league and the third letter writer thinks Jerry Jones should be ashamed. The third letter writer is from Bastrop. She must lived too far from Dallas to have learned that Jerry Jones is shameless.

And now the letters....

Too Noisy

I have lived in Arlington since 1981, and I am appalled and frustrated with what this city has become and allowed. It is no longer a community but simply a slot machine for a few pockets.

At 11:55 p.m. on Sunday, I was not able to sleep because of the ridiculously loud music coming from the stadium. I live two miles away and my house was vibrating — literally!

If this noise was coming from one of my neighbors or me, the police would be giving someone a large fine or taking them to jail.

I did not vote for the stadium, and it’s unfair that events like this are allowed to continue after 10 p.m. on any night. Most people have to be up before noon to go to work and make a living.

It’s bad enough that this occurs one night a week, but to allow these loud disturbances every night is infuriating.

I don’t get one penny in benefit from having the stadium here. All I ask is that I don’t have to leave town every weekend just to get a good night’s rest.

The Police Department is obviously unwilling or unable to control this noise disturbance. Somebody better!

— Sarah Lawrence, Arlington

A New Football League

Perhaps the Dallas Cowboys should consider creating a new football league. Just think of it: They could have the greatest stadium in the history of semipro football.

Gets my vote. Might even be able to afford a ticket and a soda.

— Roger Latham, Fort Worth

Jerry Jones Should Be Ashamed

My daughter is a TCU graduate, Class of 1999. I was very surprised to learn that Texas A&M and Arkansas were playing each other at Jerry Jones’ stadium on Saturday night, the same night that TCU and SMU played in Fort Worth. I realize that these two teams get very little respect in Texas, but TCU does fare better in the national opinion and is ranked No. 10 or 11 in the nation depending on which poll you read.

Jones should be ashamed for making his stadium available to outside teams Saturday, thereby taking away money that could have gone to TCU and SMU at their stadiums. It is obvious to me that Jones cares very little about the home teams, as lining his pocket is his biggest concern.

— Marian Morris, Bastrop

Real Estate Mogul & Environmental Benefactor Princess Annie of Wink

That is Princess Annie of Wink, daughter of Queen Jammin, at her Lemonade Stand, where she sold Lemonade to her Wink subjects, contributing to Princess Annie's fund raising efforts that she has used to build a Wink real estate empire.

Princess Annie has purchased tracts of Wink land and is restoring them to their natural state. It is a big project, believed to the biggest project of its kind being undertaken by any of the world's princesses.

And for certain the biggest such project of any Texas princess.

Princess Annie is also working with the civilian rulers of her Wink Kingdom to properly landscape the lot on which Roy Orbison's house used to sit.

In addition to Princess Annie's Texas land restoration efforts, she also goes to school full time and takes care of several dogs and cats.

Despite being busy with her many projects, Princess Annie finds the time to have fun, like catching fish at Balmorhea Lake. And later this month Princess Annie is going to New York to inspect the fall foliage from a zipline high above the East Texas trees.

Princess Annie has accomplished so much. And she's not even a teenager yet.

The Sky Is Dark Over Fort Worth As We Wait For Noise From Mother Nature

The noon sky over Fosdic Lake at Oakland Lake Park today matches my Mood of Doom.

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, with the warning currently ending at 6pm.

This is not the time of year that usually spawns tornadoes here, but it can happen. And it has been quite awhile since I've heard the tornado sirens. So, we are due.

I just got a Travelocity Fare Watcher email. I can fly to Phoenix and back for $198. I'm thinking that it would be fun to escape to the desert for awhile. But, why would I return?

The wind is picking up. I think this might be a good one. The ground is already saturated from recent rain. The Fossil Creek creek watchers are likely going into High Alert.

I don't think we have had the severe type downpour, yet, to test how well all that new asphalt around the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium is going affect Johnson Creek. There have been improvements to Johnson Creek in the zone of the stadium.

But, I suspect if that area got 10 inches of wet in a couple hour span that Six Flags is going to see some flooding again. And now they'll have Jerry Jones to blame it on.

I Am Drowning & Going Over A Cliff In Texas

That's what I'm feeling like. Deep underwater with a very flimsy lifeline and a dull light trying to illuminate my darkness.

Last night I had a bad nightmare. I was driving along side a very blue river with rapids. There were a lot of people on various floating devices floating both directions on the river rapids. At times the rapids got to a Colorado River in the Grand Canyon level of rapid.

I keep glancing over at the river and the people on it, when suddenly I realize the road has turned, but I have not. I slam into a big bump of rocks, get over it and keep driving on a very rough rocky surface. My passenger is yelling that I have to get back on the road.

But, I could not stop the vehicle, could not turn it around, could not slow down.

And then I went over a cliff and woke up.

That's how today started, waking up, after taking a death drop off a cliff. While everyone else was having fun floating in a river.

It is another drab, gray day here in North Texas, in more ways than three. I'm guessing I have come down with one of my bouts of SAD (Seasonally Affected Disorder). I don't remember feeling SAD when I lived in the Pacific Northwest. I always liked gray, foggy days up there. I think over exposure to too many blue skies days in Texas has altered my psyche.

Sleepless In Fort Worth & Catching Common Carp at Fosdic Lake

I have been awake since around 3 this morning. I gave up on the sleeping concept by 4.

I'm tired.

At half past 5 I went down to the pool. The air temperature was 56. The water felt colder than the air. After 5 minutes I was not liking being cold. So, I got in the Hot Tub.

The Hot Tub felt way too HOT. After about 10 minutes I got back in the pool to cool off. This time the cool pool did not feel cold. I swam for around 15 minutes. I was back in climate controlled comfort before 6am.

That is Fosdic Lake at Oakland Lake Park in the picture, a bit before noon. As you can see we are being a bit gray here in North Texas. I needed to go on a walk. My backache woe is still not totally gone away, but it's a lot better. And a walk helps a lot.

I think the fish warning sign at Fosdic Lake has been changed again. Yesterday I mentioned I am a fan of goofy messages on signs.

The sign says...

EATING FISH FROM FOSDIC LAKE

The City of Fort Worth advises against eating common carp from Fosdic Lake. Recent test results from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) revealed a pollutant in common carp.

The City of Fort Worth and DSHS conclude that eating other fish from Fosdic Lake poses no apparent hazard to public health.

Tips for preparing fish to eat:

• Clean fish as soon as possible
• Remove and throw away the head and guts
• Fillet fish and cut away fat and skin
• Grill, bake or broil your fish and let the fat drain away
  

Now, doesn't that make you want to go fishing for dinner at Fosdic Lake?

Where To Find The Big Tex Choice Award Deep Fried Goodies At The State Fair Of Texas

Those are the Big Boots of Big Tex, standing guard at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

Early last month Big Tex gave out his 2009 Big Tex Choice Awards.

There were 8 finalists with the Best Taste Award going to Fernie's Deep Fried Peaches & Cream, with the Most Creative Award going to Deep Fried Butter.

The 6 Deep Fried Concoctions that did not win sound equally tasty and creative.

Below is a list of the 8 Finalists and where you can find them at the fair.

2009 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists

Green Goblins – Cherry peppers are hollowed out, stuffed with spicy shredded chicken and guacamole, then battered and deep fried. Served three to a skewer and topped with queso. Located at the entrance to the Thrillway.

Deep Fried Butter – 100% pure butter is whipped till light and fluffy, then specially sweetened with a choice of several flavors. The tantalizing mixture is surrounded by a special dough and quick fried. Located on Nimitz Drive. Winner of Most Creative in the Big Tex Choice Awards competition.

Twisted Yam on a Stick – A delicious, towering, spiral-cut sweet potato on a 13” skewer is fried to a delicate crispy texture, then gently rolled in butter and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. Located near the Exposition/Parry Avenue entrance.

Fernie’s Deep Fried Peaches & Cream – Sweet juicy peaches are coated in a delicious batter of cinnamon, ginger, coconut, graham cracker crumbs, eggs & milk, then deep fried to a crunchy golden brown on the outside, while luscious and sweet on the inside. Served on a plate drizzled with raspberry sauce, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and topped with a cool dollop of whipped cream. A side of vanilla butter cream icing is provided for dipping. The Dock Restaurant inside the Embarcadero Building. Winner of Best Taste in the Big Tex Choice Awards competition.

Texas Fried Pecan Pie – A mini-pecan pie is battered and deep fried to a golden brown. Served drizzled with rich caramel sauce, then topped with whipping cream and chopped candied pecans. Located on Nimitz Drive near the entrance to the Creative Arts Showplace Theater.

Country Fried Pork Chips – Thin sliced pork loin is seasoned, surrounded by a tasty corn meal batter and deep fried. Served with sides of ketchup or cream gravy. Located on Nimitz Drive at MLK and the Hans Mueller Booth on Cotton Bowl Plaza.

Sweet Jalapeno Corn Dog Shrimp – Shrimp on a stick is coated with a sweet and spicy corn meal batter, then deep fried to a golden brown and served with a spicy glaze. Located at the Belgian Waffle stand on the NE corner of the Esplanade.

Fried Peanut Butter Cup Macaroon – A peanut butter cup is wrapped inside a coconut macaroon fried and dusted with powdered sugar. Also available with a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream. Located near the Texas Star.

Sunday At The Fort Worth Water Gardens & Hell's Half Acre

That's the new Omni Convention Center Hotel as seen from the Water Gardens located on the south end of the Fort Worth Convention Center. I have grown used to the goofy big balconies sticking out. When you take in the entire complex of the Convention Center, the Hotel and the Water Gardens it is quite an upgrade to downtown Fort Worth.

I had not been to the Water Gardens since it re-opened after safety fixes were installed after the tragic drowning of 4 convention goers in the Active Water Pool.

The Active Water Pool was seeming way too active, to me, today. The steps down to it were a bit slippery. The first time I saw this I was both impressed and surprised. Impressed because it looks so cool. Surprised because it looks so dangerous.

The only changes that I could detect were new signage, with warnings not to swim or play in the water. I believe there are new shut off systems if someone falls in the water.

I'm a fan of goofy signs. This one at the entry to the steps down to the Active Pool says, "It is unlawful for any person or pet to swim or wade in the water features of The Water Gardens." The warning is repeated in Spanish. But not in any language that a pet might understand.

A small memorial to the 4 who drowned overlooks the Active Pool. The Water Gardens were designed by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee. According to a sign I read at the Water Gardens they were "designed to be a playground for the senses. Surrounded by over 500 species of plants and trees, the main areas of the park, that being the 3 pools, the Mountain, Central Square and the Theater, were created as micro-environments for the people of Fort Worth to enjoy and explore."

You can see how easy it would be for a kid to fall into that pool. And for a dad to jump in to rescue his kid. Or to trip and fall into the pool. The Fort Worth Water Gardens cover a 4 and a half block square area of about 4 acres. Every minute 19,000 gallons of water are pumped through 10 miles of pipes, flowing past 7 miles of retaining walls.

The small steps down to the Active Pool and back up are a bit dicey when trying to pass someone on the narrow steps.

Can you imagine standing at this view and watching a dad try to rescue 3 kids? And all 4 disappearing. Terrible. I'm glad it's been re-opened and I trust that it is now safe. Now if only Fort Worth could fix Heritage Park at the other end of downtown.


The Water Gardens and Fort Worth Convention Center are located in an area that used to be known as Hell's Half Acre. That being a notorious red light district which was a favored destination of thousands of cowboys, buffalo hunters, railroad workers and all sorts of other sorts eager to wash off the trail dust and have themselves a good time. To satisfy that demand Hell's Half Acre had a lot of Saloons, Dance Halls, Gambling Dens and Bordellos.

The Fort Worth Good Ol' Boy Network of the day tolerated the illegal activities, just like the same Good Ol' Boy Network does today, in Fort Worth, because of the importance of Hell's Half Acre to the town's economy. Hell's Half Acre gave Fort Worth a reputation for being a rowdy frontier town that brought in the famous gamblers of the time, like Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp. Outlaws like Sam Bass, Eugene Bunch, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid spent time in Hell's Half Acre. Modern day Fort Worth has even named part of its downtown after one of the notorious Hell's Half Acre outlaws, by calling several downtown parking lots Sundance Square.

I'll end our look at Fort Worth's Water Gardens with a picture of the Quiet Pool. You walk down to the Quiet Pool. Walls are all around you with water dripping down the walls. It is very quiet, peaceful and serene. Hard to believe this used to be known as Hell's Half Acre.