So I shot a minute worth of old Redland Drive In Theater facade. Coming back and looking at it I realize I should’ve continued shooting from a better, frontal angle and not feared or doubted the PT Cruiser that slowed down and a couple of guys stared at me.
Soon after, I saw the Trooper in my rear view mirror. I didn’t have anything to worry about. I wasn’t speeding. My registration was alright. Insurance Certificate, I didn’t have on me (remember, I had forgotten it at home where I was tying my shoe lace), but not long ago I had read someplace that the law enforcement community can now check online if you have the necessary, minimum insurance or not. So I was cool. I slowed down and let the trooper pass. But he came alongside, nodded (sort of smiled? I don’t know) and turned the lights on. In a fraction of a second I pulled over. Turns out I didn’t get my inspection done in time and the sticker gave away it was now two months past due. Damn. I got caught off guard. It was embarrassing because I am very particular about a few things. Car matters are one of those things. Even if I’ve put off something, I’m aware that I have. In this case it had just slipped my mind and I couldn’t believe it. Anyways, I signed off and moved on. If anything driving under the limit could’ve given him the reason. Or was it the occupants of the PT Cruiser? I don’t know. I’m not going to worry about it. Since then I have gotten the inspection done and sent in the report along with a $10.00 cashiers check. Remember the good old days when they accepted personal checks? Now there are online payment systems. The one I checked out would’ve charged me $5.95 had I used it. Imagine, almost six bucks for a ten dollar payment. The service may be of use to someone really, badly stuck and in a jam, not for me. Any ways…
So I’m passing through Nacogdoches and I see a truck stop that I recognize right away. I’m sure I wasn’t looking for it. A client owns it and had shown me the pictures. So I stopped. I didn’t expect the owner to be there. And I didn’t announce to the guy behind the counter who I was. Just chat, small talk you know. It’s not everyday that he saw somebody who spoke his language. Very courteous, this young man was. A little shy, but he agreed to go on tape. One of these days you’ll get to see it. At least on that particular day and those few minutes I hung around there most people I saw were Hispanic or Latinos. One of these days I’m going to learn the correct way of putting this without sounding foolish and /or offending people. In everyday talk you may say Mexicans but that doesn’t sound respectful and may not be correct. No one was willing to go on camera. I got coffee and moved on.
On the way I saw a sign for Old Stone Fort I wanted to follow. I don’t know why I didn’t. Back at home I looked up and found the following information. I don’t know if it’s legal but I suppose if I give the credit where it is due and am not benefiting monetarily it should be ok. So, those who didn’t know like I didn’t, learn why I saw so many, Spaniards, as Dr. McDonald describes them in the following article from www.texasescapes.com
The Old Stone Fort
by Archie P. McDonald, PhD
In the spring of 1779 a later-day Moses named Antonio Gil Y'Barbo led some displaced persons back to East Texas to found the community of Nacogdoches. They had formerly lived in western Louisiana and eastern Texas near Spanish missions, but a change in government policy had forced them to move to San Antonio in 1774.As soon as they arrived in San Antonio, these East Texas Spaniards petitioned for permission to return eastward. Their request granted, Y'Barbo led them to the banks of the Trinity River where they established the community of Bucareli. Four years of floods and trouble with the Comanche convinced them to move eastward, where they founded Nacogdoches.Soon after leading his wanderers to the valley of LaNana and Banita Bayous, Y'Barbo erected a Stone House on the northeast corner of town square. It was private property, but because of Y'Barbo's civil and militia authority the Stone House took on a public nature it never lost. There he conducted private and government business, so it became the civic center of the community.When Simon Herrera came to East Texas in 1806 to negotiate the Neutral Ground agreement with General James Wilkinson, he headquartered in Y'Barbo's Stone House. In 1813, the Army of the North led by Augustus Magee and Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara proclaimed Texas independent from Spain while occupying the house, and within its walls A. Mower set type for the Gaceta de Tejas, the first -- if short lived -- newspaper in Texas, before moving on to defeat in the southwest. James Long led Americans across the Sabine River in 1819 in violation of the Adams-Onis Treaty, and again used the Stone House as the venue to declare Texas independent, once more unsuccessfully. The story was repeated by Haden Edwards and the Fredonians in the 1820s, again unsuccessfully.
The Old Stone FortPostcard courtesy rootsweb.com/~txgenweb// postcards/Index.html
Y'Barbo's Stone House hosted meetings of the Nacogdoches Committee of Public Safety and the selection of representatives to the conventions and the Consultation during the Texas Revolution and it witnessed the Battle of Nacogdoches in 1832. There mustered soldiers for service in the Civil War. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the Stone House, by now known as the Stone Fort though it never served as such, fell on bad times. By then it sheltered a saloon and was consider quite unsavory. Still it was a shock to the community when the Perkins brothers razed the old rock house and erected a modern business building.The Cum Concilio Club, a local women's group, salvaged the remains of the Stone House and stored them on Washington Square. Later some were used in a building on the public school campus. In 1936, a replica of the Old Stone Fort was located on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University, and visitors can drop by and get a good idea of what the first building in Nacogdoches looked like.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Biscuits and Gravy, Youtube, other miscellanea...
I am grateful and appreciate the times and people I have and am living in and around. Just last night while taking some pictures my wife asked me to really be serious and do something about the weight, specially the protruding belly. This morning I suggest we go to IHOP for breakfast and my daughter reminds me what mamma said last night and my son jokes a little. I found Bellamy Brothers and Pervez Mehdi and Reshma on Youtube. And while Ramta is relating his Africa travel travails, and his Amreekan Wohti, again courtesy Youtube, I'm called for breakfast - Biscuits and Gravy. Just like Billie and Maria made them at Texas Inn in Irving back when I lived and worked there in the early 80s. A woman born and raised in Karachi makes Biscuits and Gravy as authentic as a born Texan. Oh, may be I'm exaggerating. But really every time without fail it reminds me of Billie and Maria and Big Bill and John Golden and other folks that lived, worked or frequented the place.
And, because she loves me, she probably doesn't even realize this B&G breakfast will fill me way more than pancakes would've. B&G has the added calories of memories of good old days and love of a woman my kids call mamma.
Here's Sabiha, Santosh, Muneer Hussain, Reshma and Pervaiz Mehdi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1EQ89Yu4M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYeotm1Cngc
These are just two of the thousands of golden, everlasting songs from Pakistan - one from a movie, the other from a television program. I can go on and on about them but those who know, know and those who don't wouldn't relate. George Jones puts it best, "Who's gonna fill their shoes..."
And here, finally, is the Bellamy Bros' Old Hippie song along with the sequel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzdvQOXxRD4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NziqyNiNdI&feature=related
Although in the 60s I was not even in my teens, except for the
Vietnam part, seems I can relate to all of what these guys are talking about.
And for some reason I remembered the 40 Hour week by Alabama and found it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38b3RVg7Jpo
And tell you what, here, while I'm at it let me post this Ramta link also. Just take the trouble of copy pasting it in the browser and enjoy many Ramta stories. I want to say the sweetest language, Punjabi, but then I think of Sindhi and Urdu and Spanish and I don't want to judge. I think when they talk about fun and joy and love and such things, all languages are beautiful. But really Ramta is hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID0W6Ukh2IM
And, because she loves me, she probably doesn't even realize this B&G breakfast will fill me way more than pancakes would've. B&G has the added calories of memories of good old days and love of a woman my kids call mamma.
Here's Sabiha, Santosh, Muneer Hussain, Reshma and Pervaiz Mehdi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1EQ89Yu4M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYeotm1Cngc
These are just two of the thousands of golden, everlasting songs from Pakistan - one from a movie, the other from a television program. I can go on and on about them but those who know, know and those who don't wouldn't relate. George Jones puts it best, "Who's gonna fill their shoes..."
And here, finally, is the Bellamy Bros' Old Hippie song along with the sequel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzdvQOXxRD4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NziqyNiNdI&feature=related
Although in the 60s I was not even in my teens, except for the
Vietnam part, seems I can relate to all of what these guys are talking about.
And for some reason I remembered the 40 Hour week by Alabama and found it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38b3RVg7Jpo
And tell you what, here, while I'm at it let me post this Ramta link also. Just take the trouble of copy pasting it in the browser and enjoy many Ramta stories. I want to say the sweetest language, Punjabi, but then I think of Sindhi and Urdu and Spanish and I don't want to judge. I think when they talk about fun and joy and love and such things, all languages are beautiful. But really Ramta is hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID0W6Ukh2IM
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Road Trip
Yes. It finally happened.
I left home at about 10:30 Thursday morning as opposed to the night before as intended. The weather was beautiful. In less than an hour I was out of town. I had taken 59 going North. On the way I was thinking about where to go, what to do, the cost, if this was the right use of time and money, etc.
Repeatedly the thoughts about other matters also kept crossing each other. That I had forgotten the blanket and the pillow. That I left the title and insurance of the car right there where I was tying the shoe lace, etc. Well, we'll deal with it if the night is cold or when the trooper pulls me over.
Of all those thoughts, came bang, a mighty heavy one. This one had been there for a while and I didn't let it come to the fore always. Long time ago a very dear friend, and then colleague, of mine - Shagufta - had given me what she had written some years ago to the effect that why people keep putting off doing things that they like. Thanks Shag. Since then I've heard and read similar views elsewhere. Why does something totally unrelated and irrelevant has to happen before I do something that can be good for my soul and heart, and may be mind, right here, right now. Some call it prudent, some patience, some sacrifice. I don't want to be too philosophical about it really. And that kind of thinking may have some merit. But really, from what I have seen a whole lot of us worry or wait for the next long weekend, next raise, agreeable or like-minded company, kids' school, better set of circumstances, etc. before we'd do certain things that we can do right now, right here that we've been wanting to do all along.
Why talk about others, take me. I still haven't bought that set of wood carving tools because at this point in time it is not the priority. But then the HOA (and I so badly want to use an expletive here but choose not to) sends me a bill for almost a thousand dollars and I'll pay it. Is that really my priority? Heck no. That shit got formed off of this society and system I choose to live in. So, while I'll pay that bill, I'll make sure I take another, closer look at the so called and much touted "priorities" from now on. Anyways...
So I pass Kingwood and Porter and I know there's Splendora and Cleveland, etc. not too far up north. I don't stop here for they are too close to town and a little bit familiar because a couple of our clients have their businesses here. But it reinforced an idea, the one about talking to people. So I stopped at Goodrich. Hanged around a store a little bit, stared at and weighed in folks as to who'd talk to me and be willing to go on camera. A couple of people I spoke to weren't from around here. I had my own shyness and hesitation to get rid off also. Well, I guess it's not something you can get rid off totally. The best you can do is get a handle on it. You learn to maneuver and get by and constantly make the best of it. At least that's what I do. Anyways, Goodrich is the first attempt. Not successful 'cause it didn't yield any footage. Yet a success as I found out I can approach total strangers and they won't bite me.
So I drive on. Man, it was pretty. Blue skies and bright sun gave way to clouds that got grayer by the mile. It drizzled a little bit. Sometimes no matter how bad the weather is, if it's good inside, then that's all that matters. And the colour on the trees. I didn't ever think this way but I asked myself. Can death make things look so pretty. What else was it but the drying and falling leaves. May be it's the awareness of becoming alive again in a few weeks. If I'd know at my deathbed that I'll come back to join my loved ones, may be I'd look that good too. I can't say it enough it looked so beautiful.
About two hours outside of Houston I decide to make another stop. This is Moscow, Texas. What stopped me was the rundown shape the post office front was in. Charlene is about to close shop but very kind to talk to me. So is Crystal. Thanks, ladies. I tried to get the USB cable earlier today so I could upload the video but couldn't find the right one. There's something about not needing the USB but a Firewire cable. And the computer needing 4 point or 6 point card blah, blah. I'll make another attempt in the next day or two.
The colours I just referred to were really bright and hot in Corrigan. That's a mental note I had made. Corrigan seemed relatively prosperous. I am saying this because on the way, almost all the way up to Carthage I saw a lot of boarded up businesses and store fronts, old broken down shacks, some property fronts that looked like roadside salvage yards. For all I know may be they actually were. I didn't stop to check. Also, I don't know if it was Ike or the lumber companies, but there were a lot of fallen trees. As far as the lumberyards go, I just saw one and that was I think beyond Nacogdoches. Yeah, Nacogdoches. I've heard it said before and saw two big billboards announcing it's the oldest town in Texas. And I got to talk to its newest resident. He's from India and has been here five months. You'll see and hear him say this himself in a couple of days, soon as I get the cable to upload the videos.
But before that there was Lufkin. Five attempts, first three rejects. But by now I had learnt to not give up. So the next two I got on tape. And a guy interrupted "not much to talk about Lufkin". I thought that's a first one. I've never seen an unproud Texan. In fact cancel that. You can't be a Texan and not be proud of your town. So I conclude he is not a Texan. Or may be he was just butting in, you know, that's another way of makin' it known you're a country boy. I bet if he'd be a country song writer he'd eventually write something like "Bury me in Lufkin Texas in my jeans, or out". Next time I'm definitely going to Lubbock.
Past Lufkin there was this totally rundown, gone to the dogs building. I crossed it at what, say 60 miles, and I caught the word theater. What? A theater? I parked on the shoulder and walked back. It was Redland Drive In Theater. Those were the days hm? Drive In theaters. No more. Not the way they came then, anyways.
I'm at this the past couple of hours and getting tired now. So, I'll post it now and write more later in the night, or may be in the morning.
I left home at about 10:30 Thursday morning as opposed to the night before as intended. The weather was beautiful. In less than an hour I was out of town. I had taken 59 going North. On the way I was thinking about where to go, what to do, the cost, if this was the right use of time and money, etc.
Repeatedly the thoughts about other matters also kept crossing each other. That I had forgotten the blanket and the pillow. That I left the title and insurance of the car right there where I was tying the shoe lace, etc. Well, we'll deal with it if the night is cold or when the trooper pulls me over.
Of all those thoughts, came bang, a mighty heavy one. This one had been there for a while and I didn't let it come to the fore always. Long time ago a very dear friend, and then colleague, of mine - Shagufta - had given me what she had written some years ago to the effect that why people keep putting off doing things that they like. Thanks Shag. Since then I've heard and read similar views elsewhere. Why does something totally unrelated and irrelevant has to happen before I do something that can be good for my soul and heart, and may be mind, right here, right now. Some call it prudent, some patience, some sacrifice. I don't want to be too philosophical about it really. And that kind of thinking may have some merit. But really, from what I have seen a whole lot of us worry or wait for the next long weekend, next raise, agreeable or like-minded company, kids' school, better set of circumstances, etc. before we'd do certain things that we can do right now, right here that we've been wanting to do all along.
Why talk about others, take me. I still haven't bought that set of wood carving tools because at this point in time it is not the priority. But then the HOA (and I so badly want to use an expletive here but choose not to) sends me a bill for almost a thousand dollars and I'll pay it. Is that really my priority? Heck no. That shit got formed off of this society and system I choose to live in. So, while I'll pay that bill, I'll make sure I take another, closer look at the so called and much touted "priorities" from now on. Anyways...
So I pass Kingwood and Porter and I know there's Splendora and Cleveland, etc. not too far up north. I don't stop here for they are too close to town and a little bit familiar because a couple of our clients have their businesses here. But it reinforced an idea, the one about talking to people. So I stopped at Goodrich. Hanged around a store a little bit, stared at and weighed in folks as to who'd talk to me and be willing to go on camera. A couple of people I spoke to weren't from around here. I had my own shyness and hesitation to get rid off also. Well, I guess it's not something you can get rid off totally. The best you can do is get a handle on it. You learn to maneuver and get by and constantly make the best of it. At least that's what I do. Anyways, Goodrich is the first attempt. Not successful 'cause it didn't yield any footage. Yet a success as I found out I can approach total strangers and they won't bite me.
So I drive on. Man, it was pretty. Blue skies and bright sun gave way to clouds that got grayer by the mile. It drizzled a little bit. Sometimes no matter how bad the weather is, if it's good inside, then that's all that matters. And the colour on the trees. I didn't ever think this way but I asked myself. Can death make things look so pretty. What else was it but the drying and falling leaves. May be it's the awareness of becoming alive again in a few weeks. If I'd know at my deathbed that I'll come back to join my loved ones, may be I'd look that good too. I can't say it enough it looked so beautiful.
About two hours outside of Houston I decide to make another stop. This is Moscow, Texas. What stopped me was the rundown shape the post office front was in. Charlene is about to close shop but very kind to talk to me. So is Crystal. Thanks, ladies. I tried to get the USB cable earlier today so I could upload the video but couldn't find the right one. There's something about not needing the USB but a Firewire cable. And the computer needing 4 point or 6 point card blah, blah. I'll make another attempt in the next day or two.
The colours I just referred to were really bright and hot in Corrigan. That's a mental note I had made. Corrigan seemed relatively prosperous. I am saying this because on the way, almost all the way up to Carthage I saw a lot of boarded up businesses and store fronts, old broken down shacks, some property fronts that looked like roadside salvage yards. For all I know may be they actually were. I didn't stop to check. Also, I don't know if it was Ike or the lumber companies, but there were a lot of fallen trees. As far as the lumberyards go, I just saw one and that was I think beyond Nacogdoches. Yeah, Nacogdoches. I've heard it said before and saw two big billboards announcing it's the oldest town in Texas. And I got to talk to its newest resident. He's from India and has been here five months. You'll see and hear him say this himself in a couple of days, soon as I get the cable to upload the videos.
But before that there was Lufkin. Five attempts, first three rejects. But by now I had learnt to not give up. So the next two I got on tape. And a guy interrupted "not much to talk about Lufkin". I thought that's a first one. I've never seen an unproud Texan. In fact cancel that. You can't be a Texan and not be proud of your town. So I conclude he is not a Texan. Or may be he was just butting in, you know, that's another way of makin' it known you're a country boy. I bet if he'd be a country song writer he'd eventually write something like "Bury me in Lufkin Texas in my jeans, or out". Next time I'm definitely going to Lubbock.
Past Lufkin there was this totally rundown, gone to the dogs building. I crossed it at what, say 60 miles, and I caught the word theater. What? A theater? I parked on the shoulder and walked back. It was Redland Drive In Theater. Those were the days hm? Drive In theaters. No more. Not the way they came then, anyways.
I'm at this the past couple of hours and getting tired now. So, I'll post it now and write more later in the night, or may be in the morning.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Random Road Trip
After a long time it looked like it'll happen. But then may be it wouldn't. I don't know.
One thing that I have been wanting to do for a long time is to take a road trip - a trip to no predetermined destination. Just take a piece of time, say a long weekend. In the first half of the chunk of time you have, you go as far as you can in any direction, stopping where you feel like for as long as you like, sleep and rest in the car when necessary. You turn around and come back in time to go to work, school or wherever you need to be. Chronicle your trip, create and enjoy the memories. Do it again if you like, meet some people, make new friends, learn some, teach some.
The only person who agreed to go with me one of these days, just backed out. I think I'm going to do it on my own - this thanksgiving weekend - that's right, tomorrow.
I've got to go get the tires and brakes checked and replaced if needed. The oil and filter definitley needs changing. And the belt.
One thing that I have been wanting to do for a long time is to take a road trip - a trip to no predetermined destination. Just take a piece of time, say a long weekend. In the first half of the chunk of time you have, you go as far as you can in any direction, stopping where you feel like for as long as you like, sleep and rest in the car when necessary. You turn around and come back in time to go to work, school or wherever you need to be. Chronicle your trip, create and enjoy the memories. Do it again if you like, meet some people, make new friends, learn some, teach some.
The only person who agreed to go with me one of these days, just backed out. I think I'm going to do it on my own - this thanksgiving weekend - that's right, tomorrow.
I've got to go get the tires and brakes checked and replaced if needed. The oil and filter definitley needs changing. And the belt.
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