Days 4 and 5

Well, we had every intention of posting sooner but we just moved into the South. And as you might imagine, they aren't too big on the internet in these parts. What they are big on is humidity. They love the stuff down here, eat it up, as if it was a plate of fried chicken and waffles.

Lets go chronologically. We got to Houston about 2 hours before the game. Funny thing about downtown Houston, there are no exits. None. I guess they just want you to drive around it and look at it. Which we did. After a series of U-turns we parked and headed towards the stadium. Minute Maid Park is another doomed stadium, a must in Houston. First thing we noticed about this place was the fans. It was Tuesday afternoon and there was a line around the block waiting for the gates to open. Insane. So we picked our tickets up at Will Call and when to the bar across the street to grab a beer before we went in. We had St. Arnold's Amber Ale, a Houston beer, a little fruity, but made be forget about the puddles of sweat in my shorts for just a few minutes. Which was nice.

So we go into the game and we met with the Director of Business Communications, his name is Todd. Where did he take us? The press box. We watched batting practice in the press box. Filthy. And Todd is the nicest man in baseball. So excited to have us, so enthusiastic about baseball and his franchise. After speaking to him, and the VP of Communications, we fell in love with the Astros organization. Quality baseball down there.

Just before game time we left the press box and took our seats. Right behind home plate, about 20 rows up. To date they were the best seats I've ever had. It quickly turned into the best baseball game I have seen in a while. Homeruns, double plays, steller pitching, and routy fans. I love Texas baseball. I think the highlight was the battle of the closers at the end of the game. With the Washington Nationals leading 6-5 in the bottom of the 8th the Astros with two outs have runners on the corners. The Nats bring in Chad Cordero, who is leading the Majors in saves, and he shuts down the Astros. Top of the ninth and the Nationals are threating to extend their lead and all of a sudden the lights go out. We throught it was a cruel Enron joke. Then all of a sudden Brad Lidge comes stroming out to an rocking tune. And the scoreboard reads, 'Lights Out Lidge'. It was hands down the best entrance any athlete has made onto a sporting field since Eric Gagne came out to 'Welcome to the Jungle'. What can I say, Gagne is the best.

Cordero got the save in heroic fashion. We met up with my friend Meghan from school and her friends. They took us over by Rice University and we hung out at some good ol' Texas bars. The special of the night, $2 Texas beers. Everything else was $5. This state has more pride than an Orange County homecoming queen. Furthermore, every establishment in Texas has at least 2 of the following; dart boards, pool table, mechanical bull, karoke, other random gaming board i have never even heard of before, and chicken fried steak. These folks are active drinkers. They have to be doing stuff.

Anyhow, we left. We were blessed enough to stay with Meghan at the Sickler household. It was so nice. Such a ridiculously nice family to let us stay even though they have 4 children and 18 puppies running around. So cool.

We left Houston rather early in order to get to New Orleans. On the way we had breakfast at the Waffle House - Grace, my boss at the chem library, would be so proud.

Let me take a moment here to talk about the Waffle House. Anyone who has visited the south clearly knows what I am talking about because they are more ubiquitous than stray dogs in Tijuana. It is ludicurious. In Alabama I saw 3 within 1 mile of each other. On one exit I saw a Waffle House next to a Waffle King. Now I love waffles as much as the next guy, don't get me wrong, but is there really a need for 2 seperate types of waffle resturants?!?! Are waffles being consumed at such an alarming rate that one resturant cannot support the demand?! If so, we have a problem in the Bible Belt.

Anyhow, we got to New Orleans early afternoon. Crazy thing is that about 60 miles of Interstate 10 is on stilts. We were just driving over swamps. It was rad. But, New Orleans. The Big Easy, the big sleazy. Not much more can be said. The French Quarter is so cool. This town is kind of like the party atmosphere of Vegas with the personality/hospitality of the Deep South. It was rather mellow, it was a Wednesday night and all. But Geoff and I did enjoy some Bourbon on Bourbon St. Yada yada yada