Another morning commute

Danger - Poisonous Animals

I understanding the intent, poisonous or venomous animals, but I cannot be sure about the animals they are warning us about.. Are ticks poisonous, or did they forget a set of legs and really mean poisonous spiders? And, what the hell is in the upper left corner - a poisonous horned butterfly thing?

My friend John turned me on to the sign - it’s a classic wtf.

The line bully

I like to watch people. When I sit in an airport or on a plane, I watch for subtle social interactions. Sometimes they are humorous, like the guy who tried to tell my traveling companion to go to the back of the “B” line at Southwest’s terminal in San Antonio yesterday. He almost wet himself when I confronted him. The funny thing was watching the line bully change from an aggressor to a complete sissy when I lowered my voice and told him, “she is traveling with me”. He actually blanched when I spoke to him, going from healthy looking to oh-my-god-I-made-the-big-man-mad pasty white. I hate line bullies – but I hate racists more.

Living in LA, I don’t normally see open racism any more. But I’ve been working in Texas and Mexico over the last few weeks. Racism is alive and well in the lone star state’ it more overt racism than subtle racism so it is easier to see. Like eating dinner at a nice restaurant and then watching the whole establishment go quiet when a young black couple enters. After a few experiences like this, I started paying more attention to one on one social interaction. I got interesting at the airport.

I had already boarded the plane. My seat was two rows from the back of the aircraft on the isle. I watch the plane fill up. The line bully sat five rows ahead of me on an isle seat. He looked back. We made eye contact. It was not a friendly exchange of glances. A few minutes a later, a scraggly looking young black man walked down the isle. He wore a vest that showed his arms and a leather cowboy hat. An iPod mini hung from his neck. He carried not baggage. I had him pegged as a hurricane evacuee, like many of the other people on the flight, in my mind he was running for the safety of LA. As the iPod dude approached the Line Bully, he stopped and asked if the middle seat was open. He spoke in a gentle and polite southern accent; I thought he was from Georgia. The Line Bully lied. He claimed the seat was taken by person in the bathroom. Thank god for honest people, the woman in the window seat made it clear that the middle seat was indeed open. I watched as the iPod dude climbed into his seat. The Line Bully looked back towards my seat searching with anguished eyes for an open seat. I could tell he was completely repulsed by the idea of sitting next to a black man. I change my demeanor from passive observer, to aggressive challenger as he sought to make eye contact with me again. His smile faded – I would not be an ally in his search for an open seat. He rose from his seat to look around. There were still a few open middle seats, and one open isle seat. It happened to be across the isle from me. He moved to claim is new seat. When he approached, he asked the lady in widow seat about the isle seat “is this seat taken?” She replied, “Yes, by a woman in the bathroom”. It was a lie too – the seat remained open the whole flight.

Ice Photo's - way cool

Check out these ice photographs they are very beautiful. I'm so jealous.

Viva Mexico

I shot this on the wall of Johnny's in Acuna a day before Mexican Independence Day last week. I think the Mexican’s enjoyed their holiday as much as I enjoy the 4th of July.

I keep looking for the hidden message

Someone spent a little time and energy covering this no smoking sign in LAX’s terminal one with an In & Out sticker. I'm sure people wanted to know why I was shooting this picture – From the looks I got, I figured they thought I was nuts. I can’t help it, I need to know why.

Yep - I'm in Texas

I see these along the highways leading into the various small towns in south Texas. What are these suppose to accomplish? People with faith will say “yup yup” – people without will say “what’s the point” I saw one like it in the movie Constantine. I remember thinking, "wow - that's pointless".

Btw way – Constantine is some other language for really bad movie.

Of course I have to know.... the signs are sponsored by Family Theater Productions. This organization has put of signs like this in 134 cities across America over the past 20 years.

Whataburger through my window

So this is where my steak came from

I don’t like to eat in Mexico. After eating at well reviewed local restaurant, I got sick. My illness lasted almost three weeks. Of course, I also ate at a restaurant in Del Rio. I was never quite sure if it was the steak in Mexico, or the escargot in Del Rio.

I gave in to pressure today and ate at Johnny’s in Acuna with several of my co-workers. I had a nice big sirloin. I wondered where they got their meat. When I asked, they said the butcher. I think I found my next steak on the range outside of Acuna.

The owner asked me to put a review up on the Internet. Here it is: Johnny’s is the place for a good home made meal. They serve a wide array of steak and chicken dishes, all are good. If I survive the night, I’ll go back again.

Welcome to the USA

I drove from Mexico over the Lake Amistad Dam this afternoon. The dam is located in the middle of a desert on the Rio Grand River. I drove through utter desolation only to find a beautiful and cool vista. The border crossing is mellow compared to Acuna/Del Rio. I talked with the guard for almost five minutes. I think he was bored.

As I drove into Texas, I was greeted by this poorly painted mural. I wonder what they were thinking?

Hot Pit B-B-Q

I had passed this restaurant about a dozen times in over the last few weeks. It has never been open. It was 7 p.m. as I passed tonight. I saw the open sign flip to closed, so I hit the brakes and pulled into the parking lot. The owner opened the door and invited me in. The place is great. Good BBQ and a fare price, this is a real find here in Del Rio. The only problem is, it is only open while I am working.

I can’t wait to get back to LA.

Really?

I was driving around Del Rio when I spotted this subtle sign. Who would design a sign six feet high and four feet wide to tell you a 100 foot long side street is ending? The city planners must be nuts.

Palm Tree, Del Rio Tx

At one time, I am sure some civic leader said “Hey, I’ve got and idea. Let’ plant palm trees to welcome tourists to our fair city.”

Fruit cart, Acuna Mexico

I don't have the guts to try these, but when it's 95 in the shade, they look real good to me.

Sad Cactus Revisited

I really liked my sad cactus photo, so I posted another.