Proposition 11 Wins Slight Victory For Foes Of Eminent Domain Abuse In Texas

There was an election yesterday in Texas, just like there was in most of the rest of America. In Texas we had several Propositions to vote on. All passed.

Including Proposition 11 which alters the Texas state constitution to make it more difficult for local governments to use eminent domain to seize private property to give to a private developer.

The Texas state-wide revulsion to outrageous cases of eminent domain abuse has been fueled by what was done to hundreds of citizens in Arlington so the Dallas Cowboys could have a place to build a football stadium. This is widely believed to be the worst case of eminent domain abuse in American history.

In North Texas we also have had a lot of people annoyed by how the Barnett Shale gas drilling industry has run roughshod over property owners, particularly what has happened in Dish, Texas, with landowners losing large slices of their property to pipelines, effectively destroying the value of their land.

Of yesterday's Proposition 11 approval, Texas Governor Perry said, "The voters of Texas have sent a clear message: Don't mess with private property rights."

Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke said passing the Proposition was an important, but incomplete, victory. Dierschke says the Texas eminent domain laws still favor the condemner of property.

The founder and director of Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom (TURF) said, "Texans sent a strong message with their vote that they want eminent domain reform, but Proposition 11 did not get the job done."

Well, Proposition 11 certainly came along 5 years too late to stop Jerry Jones and the City of Arlington from committing the worst case of eminent domain abuse in American history. But I think Proposition 11 would stop Jerry now. That and the fact that the City of Arlington has told Jerry Jones there will be no more abuse of eminent domain in Jones' quest to build more parking lots.

Bill Gates & His Microsoft Minions Took Over My Computer Last Night

When I woke my computer up this morning I was not happy to see that none of the programs I'd left running were still running. I could tell the computer had been re-started because the WeatherBug window was open, which it always is on a re-start, til I close it.

Then a little message balloon popped up telling me that critical security updates had been installed which required the computer to be re-started. I clicked on the balloon to see what these updates were, but the balloon went away without telling me.

The normal procedure for Windows XP updates is I'm told they've been downloaded and are ready to install. I then hit the install now button.

Usually the critical Microsoft Windows XP security updates say something like an issue has been discovered that could allow someone to take over your computer, this update fixes that issue. It's worded totally different than that, but I've got the drift of the message right.

I find it very ironic that the only entity I am aware of that takes over my computer, without my permission, is Microsoft. Isn't this some sort of crime? Or should be. I think Bill Gates needs to do some hard time behind bars again.

We Are Busy Getting Drunk At The Durangrilla Bar In Durango Texas Tonight

There is a town in Texas, down Waco way, called Durango. I did not know there was a Durango, Texas when I moved to Texas. My Internet nickname was Durango long before Texas came across my radar screen.

I just got an email from Moby Dick, who says he, or she, is a "traveler who likes to explore Texas."

Miss or Mr. Dick asked me, "Are you from Durango, TX? Do you live in Durango, TX? Have you been to the Durangrilla Bar in Durango?"

I answered "NO" to all 3 of Moby Dick's questions.

When I learned there was a town in Texas named after me I had to go check it out, and so I did. And then I made a webpage about it. I had not thought to look, for quite some time, but I just Googled "Durango Texas" and was appalled to see my webstuff overwhelms the actual town of Durango. I guess this explains why I get questions like "Do Harriet McBee still live in Durango?"

I barely hit the publish post button when I heard back from Moby Dick. Here is what he/she said (I don't think he/she has seen the blog, so he/she is unaware of the gender confusion)

I checked out your web page....so here's an update.

A buddy of mine owns some property about 3 miles away from Durango (we both live in Dallas) so when we take the boys down to camp at his farm, we always eat at what is now known as "Durangril-la" ( I guess a bad play on Shangrilla) but it's the same place as the Durango Inn you show in your web page. They actually have a damn good hamburger and, of course, ice cold beer. One of the best things on the menu (you should make another trip) are the "white wings". These are a small chicken breast strip wrapped around a jalapeno pepper and that whole thing is wrapped in bacon and deep fried. They are about the size of a billiard ball, maybe slightly smaller. Damn, those are good! Happy travels.

The Bluest Skies I've Ever Seen Are In Texas At Fosdic Lake In Fort Worth

I used to think the bluest skies I've ever seen were in Seattle, with the hills the greenest green, but today I'm thinking Texas is being bluer and greener than Seattle. It is definitely warmer and less cloudy.

I stayed in the pool for a long time this morning. The water did not feel as if it had been heated up all that much from yesterday's 75 degrees. It's that warm out there again, today, at 1pm. Windows open.

My power bill was only $18.92 last month. I think something must be wrong with the meter.

I spent all morning in Twitterland, ignoring my blogging duties, well, sort of ignoring them. At noon I had to get out of here. So I did. I went to Oakland Lake Park to walk around Fosdic Lake. No matter how many times I've walked around Fosdic Lake I've never found Oakland Lake. There really aren't a lot of places it could be hiding.

Now, you had to admit, don't you, Fosdic Lake is one serene looking lake. With no wind ruffling its surface, today Fosdic Lake was like a mirror. I didn't need to tell you that, you can see it yourself in the picture above.

The temperature was being so perfect the Fosdic Lake turtles were having themselves a real fine time basking in the sun. I'd never seen so many of them lined up on one log. And today they weren't being all jittery when I stood there taking pictures of them. Only a couple of the turtles jumped in the water. Usually they all bail ship, one by one.

The Tandy Hills Have Dried Out Somewhat From The October Texas Deluges

Today was the first I've been to the Tandy Hills Natural Sanatorium Area in weeks, due to the deluges of October.

The endorphins released by hill hiking have greatly improved my dire outlook.

Fall has fallen harder since the last time I saw the foliage on the hills.

The hills were still a bit wet, but I had no mud issues. I did have an issue where I was chased by a pack of 3 dogs. They probably just wanted to be petted.

I tried to find the Witchey Tree and the Death Van to no avail. I followed what I thought the van's course was, took a left and headed west at the point where I thought the driver would have lost control and careened down the steep ravine. But, I found no Witchey Tree or Death Van. I did get bit by some bugs. That rarely happens to me.

It is day 2 of November and there are still wildflowers coloring up the Tandy Hills. I don't remember when the first freeze happens here in Texas.

I heard from one of my Washington corespondents this morning. She was east of the mountains, that is Washington speak, meaning she was east of the Cascade Mountains, in the Tri-Cities, where she said it was 27 this morning. I'm at 75 right now at 2 in the afternoon in Fort Worth.

The pool should be a pleasant temperature tomorrow morning.

Why Bother Going To Church With Texas Spiny Lizards?

I've had a couple days in a row of spending way too much time doing something that is likely nothing but a waste of time. It's left me in a state of mind I've been in before. As in.

Why Bother?

I'll feel like the bother was worth if it, or when, I get the feedback I'm looking for that indicates I have not been wasting my time. So far that feedback evidence has not arrived. I may be looking for it to soon.

Yes, I know I'm being cryptic, not being specific about what I've been wasting time on that has caused me this over-arching feeling of wondering why do I bother.

No, I did not take that "Why Bother?" picture when I went to church yesterday.

This morning I learned, from one of Fort Worth's best botanists, he likes to call himself "DY," that the alligator I saw lurking by my pool last night was actually a Texas Spiny Lizard. It must have been a distant relative to an alligator, because it sure looked like one. Biggest lizard I've ever seen out in public, not in a zoo.

I think it has dried out enough that I can go search the Tandy Hills today and find the infamous Witchey Tree. And the rusted Death Van. I am hoping the hill hiking endorphin fix may break me out of this dire "Why Bother" mood I am being plagued with at the present moment.

Miss Puerto Rico's Mom & A Possible Alligator

Miss Puerto Rico called me around 3 this afternoon. She wanted me to come over. She was in the midst of a family crisis due to her 84 year old mom taking a fall that broke some bones that resulted in an ambulance taking mom from Coamo to San Juan.

Mom is stabilized enough to be operated on tomorrow.

Miss PR's sister, who lives in Miami, flew to the island, soon after the fall. She is now back in Miami. Miss PR's brother, Tito, an army hero who served in Iraq and who is now stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, was flown to San Juan by the Red Cross. He got there today. He called while I was at Miss Puerto Rico's.

I stayed long enough to stabilize the situation and then escaped. On my way back here I walked by the pool and was startled to see the large reptile you see in the picture. I don't know what it is. Gator? I'm thinking more than anything temperature-wise, this reptile may cause me to re-think my morning swim habit.

Gar The Texan Is Drinking Wine In Milan Italy At McDonald's

Gar the Texan travels the world looking for unique McDonald's. I limit my search for unique McDonald's to North America. The world is just too big for me.

Gar the Texan is currently in Milan, Italy. Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world. I think Gar may be in Milan to show off his latest fashion line, in addition to looking for unique McDonald's. Or it might be something else. Gar the Texan is like some sort of secret agent. You really never know what he's doing.

Maybe he's on the search for a new wife again. I read somewhere he'd lost his spark with one of his wives. I think it's the current one that's gone spark-free, but I'm not sure. It is hard to remember these things.

Since he's been in Milan, Gar the Texan has befriended several of the locals and they have been taking him to various wine distributing locations where some excessive imbibing has gone on, at least judging from some of the semi-incoherent blogging I've been reading coming out of Italy.

During one of his wine empowered Milan wanderings, Gar the Texan found his way into some sort of mall that is designed to look like a cathedral. Or maybe it was an old cathedral, turned into a mall. The mall is cross or T-shaped, with faux marble floors and high ceilings, hence the cathedral-like reference.

Gar wrote something about an old lady living in an abode above the cathedral mall, who likely still lives there because Italians don't know about the democratic capitalist concept of using eminent domain to take people's property. In his wine infused stupor Gar used imminent instead of eminent to attach to domain.

So, Gar the Texan was wandering around in this mall, looking for more wine, when he came to the center of the cross, or the cross of the T. On one corner there was a Prada store, the opposite corner, a Louis Vuitton store, another corner another upscale store. And in the 4th corner there was the latest addition to Gar the Texan's collection of the World's Most Unique McDonald's.

I do not know if Gar the Texan found the wine he was seeking in the Milan McDonald's. Or if he got a Big Mac. Or what. He leaves out a lot of details.

I Forgot About The Switch To Standard Time, Seattle vs. Dallas & Last Day For Texas Giant

I thought I slept in this morning, getting up at 6:30. I was half an hour into staring at the computer monitor when I realized I'd forgotten about the time change.

One benefit of the change is the sun lit up the place an hour earlier than it did yesterday. I thought my morning swim would be warmer than yesterday's, due to the fact that we got into the 70s yesterday. But the water didn't seem to pick up any of that heat.

My therapist, Dr. L.C., felt compelled to once more opine that she questions my sanity regarding going swimming. Apparently she stuck her hand in her pool and had to use a heat pad to recover from the shock. I think she exaggerates.

The Seattle Seahawks are in town, playing in the new Dallas Cowboy stadium for the first time. I suspect Dallas will defeat Seattle. I learned of this game whilst reading this morning's Seattle P-I. It starts at 10am Seattle time, which would make it noon here. Do all those football fans do the beer drinking, barbecuing, tailgating thing when the game starts early?

I have only been to one NFL football game in my life. Years ago in the Kingdome. I have no memory of who Seattle was playing. I do remember thinking watching football on TV is a lot easier than watching it from seats up high in a stadium. When you're there in person and the game stops for a commercial break it seems disorienting. You couldn't really watch the cheerleaders do their thing during the commercials because they were so far away and tiny. This was before the invention of giant TV screens.

I'd go Arlington and try and walk amongst the hoopla and take pictures, but I can think of no way to do this without paying $40 to park. Which I'm not going to do.

Today is the last day you can ride the Texas Giant Wooden Roller Coaster at Six Flags Over Texas. The last train leaves the station at 7pm. It is being re-built into a faster, smoother, less bone-jarring ride with new elements never before seen on a wooden roller coaster. Or so the hype says.

I have ridden the Texas Giant exactly once. I found it back wrenching in addition to bone-jarring. I like roller coasters. I did not like the Texas Giant. The new version of the Texas Giant is supposed to be ready to go for the opening of the 2011 Six Flags season.

Pre-Dawn Fort Worth Fire Lights Up The Tandy Hills

Incoming from Don Young reporting about a house on fire very close to home and the Tandy Hills. Currently I don't think there are any suspicions that this fire was in any way caused by Barnett Shale gas drillers.....

FIRE ON VIEW STREET

The house next door to mine burned to the ground this morning. We noticed a very bright sunrise coming in our window when it was supposed to be dark, about 5 am. The FWFD was here in less than 3 mins.

The place has been vacant for several years and had a lot of wood in it. Burned steady since there was little wind. The FD is still here at 8:20. Arson is suspected but it could also be someone stealing copper from the electrical system that was still turned on.

My property values are dropping rapidly.

DY

Note to DY: Your Earthlink mailbox is full and is bouncing back email.