Caption Sarah and Piper Palin

me ^ | 12/14/09 | me

[reaganrevolutionin2010]

Sorry, I don’t know who she is. I was wondering myself!

[Allegra]

Richmond

Well, dang, that's where I fly in and out of when I go visit Dad. He's about an hour and 20 minutes' drive from there.

Dad is a Richmond native - grew up on Grove Ave. and went to Benedictine HS.

[jla]

I'm approx 10 miles south of Richmond proper but have a Richmond mailing address.
Been here nine yrs now and 'may have' seen a Grove street sign. (I am awful w/directions and maps. Got lost last night walking back to hotel here in San Antonio)
You probably travel on I64 to and from the airport (at Richmond). The Broad St (east) exit will take you, with a couple turns, to St John's Church where P Henry gave the "give me liberty or death" speech. (I used to attend St Patrick's across the road).
And there are a few nice spots in that gen'l vicinity to have a bite and quench one's thirst.
Are you now home (in the USA) for good?

[Allegra]

Are you now home (in the USA) for good?

No, I'm just home for a good break from it all. I'm headed back over early 2010 and possibly to the 'Stan in the spring.

I hope you're enjoying San Antonio. I always like visiting there. Is this your first time there?

Yes, we take I-64 east from the Richmond airport. I don't know when I'll be there again, but it's always at least once a year.

Will be flying into Reagan National next week. From Bush Intercontinental. :)

[jla]

I'm headed back over early 2010 and possibly to the 'Stan in the spring.

Can I ask - do you feel safe while there? I've seen where you have mentioned going to restaurants in Iraq and think, "being at a guarded compound is one thing, out amongst the populace is another". (Is this an ignorant question?)

I hope you're enjoying San Antonio. I always like visiting there. Is this your first time there?

Yes, first time in SA second in TX (spent three days in DFW area a few yrs ago, work related).
Wore a new pr of shoes yesterday and scraped back of ankle clean. Finally found a Macy's and bought a pair of Sperry topsiders and located a Walgreens for those lg bandages. (My left socks are getting too bloody LOL).

Odd city, no one seems to come out until after 5pm. The River Walk is very nice. I bet it is stunning in May. Will see Alamo tomorrow. Taxi driver from airport suggested seeing movie (IMEX or AMEX) about it prior to going.
Supposed to be in the 60s and partly sunny Thu thru weekend.
Had a michelada today and won't be ordering another. It sorta upset my stomach.
Over all, a clean city, and friendly. Even the guy last night who asked for money to sleep at some bunkhouse for the poor said, "God bless you brother" after I refused his request for money.
Then I felt guilty wondering if he really would have used the money for the stated purpose.
All in all I'm glad I came here and looking fwd to next few days.

[Allegra]

I'm headed back over early 2010 and possibly to the 'Stan in the spring. Can I ask - do you feel safe while there? I've seen where you have mentioned going to restaurants in Iraq and think, "being at a guarded compound is one thing, out amongst the populace is another". (Is this an ignorant question?)

Oh, no, no....I have never been out among the populace in Baghdad. The only restaurants I've eaten at are in the Green Zone. Mostly, we eat at the chow halls. I am always, always either on a guarded compound, or in a heavily up-armored convoy or military helicopter.

Iraq has improved, but not to the point where we can go gallivanting about yet. I have heard rumors very recently that some people who work with development agencies have been seen out at cafes and shops, but only in very upscale parts of town.

I'm not quite ready for that yet....nor am I allowed. :)

Sounds like you're having an interesting visit to San Antonio. You'll see people out all day during the weekend. I know our weather's been kind of crappy the past few days (we're sick of it, too), but it should start getting nice sometime tomorrow.

Hope your feet are better. I've done that before...worn new shoes and gone walking a lot and then....OUCH!!

Enjoy the Alamo and keep us posted.

[jla]

Waited for today to visit the Alamo. Supposed to be in mid/high 60s. Going into IMAX in a few minutes to first view 'Alamo: The Price of Freedom'.
Fun on Riverwalk last night. Expect more of the same tonight. Suggest all avoid Coyote Ugly bar - very loud and girls somewhat uncouth.

[Allegra]

Have you gone to Dick's Last Resort on the Riverwalk yet? (Is it still there?) That place is fun.

Also, if La Paloma restaurant is still there, they've got good Tex-Mex food and great margaritas.

Enjoy the Alamo! I've been there a couple of times and always enjoyed it.

[jla]

This movie screen is HUGE. It has to be three stories high and just as wide.
Want to also go to SA Museum of Fine Art. Not sure how close or away from hotel it is.
This morn at breakfast had a good concoction of steak (cooked thru but tender) tortilla, eggs and a sauce. I didn't know what I was getting as name of dish was in Spanish. Very tasty, and to my surprise, no beans.

Movie starting.

[bert]

I was there two weeks ago and saw the Imax Alamo movie. If you have a chance see A Christmas Carol in Imax 3D. It is awesome. you can almost feel the snow as it falls around you.

San Antonio is a truly great place to visit.

Remember the Alamo, but don’t forget Goliad.

Ahh but if we had Americans like that today to do battle with the marxist that destroy our freedom much as did Santa Anna who sparked the rebellion by trashing the constitution

[jla]

Seen Dick's but didn't go in - will look out for it - Question: at IMEX while waiting I looked at exhibits - one was a 50 and a 75 cal flint lock rifles - also had the balls they shot - stated the balls were known as "solid shot" and by ricocheting could kill scores of men w/single shot - I don't understand this, wouldn't the ball's progress halt after hitting anyone or anything?

Across the rd now at Pat O'Brien's. The Alamo is magnificently kept up. Quite an emotional experience - noted names of non-citizens who helped defend it - from Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Denmark.

[humblegunner]

stated the balls were known as "solid shot" and by ricocheting could kill scores of men w/single shot - I don't understand this

Not possible. There was a thing called "grape shot" used then which
turned cannon into shotguns.. load 'em up with "marbles" and blast away.

noted names of non-citizens who helped defend it - from Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Denmark.

Dang old white men.

[jla]

Ahh but if we had Americans like that today to do battle with the marxist that destroy our freedom much as did Santa Anna who sparked the rebellion by trashing the constitution

Ahh, but we do. What ticks me off are those (not any of you in the To: bar) who panic over Obama. Sure he's a destroyer but assuming he can succeed is akin to negating all our Founders created.
I read these posts by Texans here and yes, they really do have a 'swagger' (even on an Internet site). It stems from, I believe, a generationally handed down belief in God, freedom and country. In that order. For without freedom there is no country.
I work with several Texans who came up to Virginia with the company we're employed by. Here in San Antonio I try to discern 'real' Texans from transplants. I'm usually accurate. One can't fake being a Texan, they truly are different, in a healthy, Americana way. They will fiercely hold on to this difference too.
It's no coincidence that Geo Strait is C&W music's biggest and best. He's a Texan.

I realize I didn't quite succeed (above) in accurately putting my observations to words but I hope you get the general meaning of what I wish to convey.

[jla]

I'm going to go back to where I saw the "solid shot" exhibit and copy verbatim the description.

Dang old white men.

Oh, I left out that Mexicans also fought along side Travis et al.

Found Dick's and am having some shrimp and a Guinness. Real 'comedians' here, 'sarcasm leitmotif'.

(Must be an USAF base near SA)

[humblegunner]

I left out that Mexicans also fought along side Travis et al.

Colonel Juan Seguin was key to our intel and support.

(Must be an USAF base near SA)

Brooks, Lackland..

[jla]

Let me ask - what other cities or towns in Texas would you recommend if one wanted to spend 3-4 days here? I really like it here. (And I forgot about taking the tour of Toyota while in the area) Supervisor of mine, orig from Midlothian area, suggested Ft Worth. He scowled when I mentioned Dallas.

Why would people bring their dogs down to the Riverwalk? All I need is to step in dog shite. People, I tell you, can be (I'll be polite) inconsiderate.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Hmmmn.

Can we denile the lack of evidence that Eaker did not fail to miss the wrong target with his straightened arrow by not shooting at the incorrect target when he failed to miss the right target left over next to the other target that he incorrectly erred in failing to not aim at because the right target was left over next to the right target that he “claimed” he was actually aiming through?

[humblegunner]

Can we denile the lack of evidence that Eaker did not fail to miss the wrong target with his straightened arrow by not shooting at the incorrect target when he failed to miss the right target left over next to the other target that he incorrectly erred in failing to not aim at because the right target was left over next to the right target that he “claimed” he was actually aiming through?

Yes.

[Eaker]

Strong maybe?

[humblegunner]

what other cities or towns in Texas would you recommend if one wanted to spend 3-4 days here? I really like it here.

There is a party here at my place in Huffman next week.

As a reformed enemy, you receive special consideration and TheMom's stuffed jalapenos.

We'll be frying deer and blowing stuff up.