Cooler this morning, but maybe not actually raining. Yesterday started out misty and got to drizzle, with scattered downpour around town. I was driving on the ring road in heavy downpour, but to my left, and 1000 feet away it was sunny and blue sky, for miles. Houston. Even if you think you know the weather, it’s only YOUR weather. Today could be much the same.
I spent too much time messing around yesterday, and not enough time driving. It was messing around that needed to be done, certainly, but still it took up more of the day than it should have. I ended up doing my farthest pickup, after bypassing two other stops thinking I’d get them on my way back. Nope, the rain had traffic messed up and I ran out of time. I was able to get to my doctor appointment on time, but skipped the pickups.
So today I am driving in opposite directions to get my stuff done, and starting earlier in the day than I normally would. That’s the plan anyway. Something is sure to interfere or cause me to be “flexible.”
On a related note, as I’ve been driving around I’ve had a few things catch my eye. I’m seeing more burned out buildings that ever before. I think I’ve commented on this recently, but it struck me again. And I’m seeing more closed businesses, and ones you don’t often see, like national brand fast food. Normally when they close, they remove all the identifying marks from the building. Not Church’s Chicken, not in Houston anyway. I have seen a half dozen closed stores now, and in all different parts of town. I’ve seen Jack in the Box stores closed too. Closed gas stations. Sit down, “fast casual” restaurants. Retail storefronts. BIG retail stores sitting vacant. And Houston’s economy is booming. They are redeveloping one of the failed malls on the north side of town (Greenspoint area- or “guns-point” as it’s known…) into new multi-story multi-family residential. I have a feeling it will be an insta-slum within 3 years. Only out of towners would move to that area, no matter how nice the building, or the amenities, and I can’t see them staying once they find out what the area is like.
The only language I heard spoken at the grocery store yesterday was spanish, other than the checkers, who spoke to me in english, and one black lady speaking english. I might have been the only white person in the store. That is a BIG change from when we moved to this neighborhood in 2008. The increase in blacks as a percentage is massive too. A huge demographic shift has taken place and continues to take place here. People are on the move. Globally and locally.
Jack needs to be nimble and Jack needs to be quick. Keep your eyes and options open, and stack something.
nick
added- the emergency broadcast test will be ringing everyone’s phones today, take the helpful and friendly advice on the cover of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. And pay no attention to any black helos that might be zipping around.