Outside the Beltway...

Eventful last couple of days...OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY (key echo effect)













Thursday night:

We met Ken/Majorie and a bunch of their Houston friends at an Asian-Fusion restaurant to bid Ken a final farewell. Ken is going to MBA school at UNC for the next two years. The name of the restaurant was the "Rattan Pan-Asian Bistro" which was located on the far west side of town - outside the beltway. Apparently, all of Ken & Majorie's friends are from that side of Houston because they all work in the energy industry. Almost all of the energy Goliaths, such as ConocoPhilips (where Ken & Majorie work), have a presence out in this area - aptly called the Houston Energy Corridor. It took us a little longer to get there - especially during rush-hour traffic - but we still were one of the first to arrive. It helps that now we have an EZ-tag to enable us to use the toll roads.

Anyway, to make a long story short, we had a couple cocktails, sushi rolls and called it a night. It was sad to see Ken go - especially since we really just started hanging out with him - but with Facebook and email, he really only is a click away. Also on a positive note, we met a few new friends through Ken in the process. Besides...I'm sure our paths with cross again sometime.

















Friday night:

Brooke and I already had tickets to the Astro's game, so she invited some of her work friends over for a cocktail and to keep us company in the cheap seats at Minute Maid Park. I made my version of Erin's salsa (lest Erin remind me that it is truly her salsa) and we had a 12 pack of Fat Tire (beer) on hand. Someone else brought Tequila and someone else some mixers. I was moderately concerned about the dog - because we had never had any guests over - but our Redbone Coonhound was a hit with the people, especially the kids (as advertised).

Afterward, we all headed to the Park for the game. Strangely, Brooke's ticket had some of the UPC numbers rubbed off, so we (Brooke and I) didn't get into the park until the 3rd inning as the "ticket resolution office" had to sort it all out. When we finally arrived to our seats, the game actually ended up being pretty good - with the Astros coming back from a 1 run deficit in the bottom of the eighth and winning the game. Once again, there were Friday night fireworks AND, once again, these fireworks were almost directly over our heads. Think the Tet Offensive or Fallujah.

Saturday:

Brooke and I drove all over town to find her a dress for the Seattle Wedding - coming up in July. We started at Kohl's which is closer, but still practically out in the aforementioned energy corridor. Yet, we finally capitulated and drove way, way, way out on 290 to the Houston outlets (definitely not in Houston). Brooke found a nice dress that was in our particular price range and thus... all was right in the world.















Sunday:

Brooke's co-worker, Raquel, invited us over to watch the Final of the Confederation Cup (soccer). Once again, we were way outside the beltway because Raquel's house is also technically not even in Houston- but in Richmond, TX. Anyway, I had hit it off pretty well with her husband - Armando - during the Astro's game and I think he wanted a guy to watch the soccer match with. We were happy to oblige.

Armando grilled wings and cooked burgers - and Raquel made frozen rum runners. The food was great. The soccer game was just as good - except for the final outcome: Brazil 3, USA 2. The Americans played a great first half, but were overwhelmed at the end by a better Brazilian team. It was very exciting though and capped off an event couple of days - OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY (key echo effect).