This is hands down the largest mimosa I have ever seen in person. It’s sitting right off 287 at a rest stop somewhere between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls. (I know: that’s helpful.) It’s utterly breathtaking! There was just no way for me to do this beautiful tree justice in just a few quick snaps. I’ve included one with Ryan standing in it to try and put the size in perspective.
Wow. First, I don’t even recall what precisely you’re referencing at this point. Second, I’m absolutely positive it was said in good humor as a joke. And lastly, somewhere you must have missed the part where I have lived in Houston and LOVE the city. I am a native Texan and have lived all over DFW, in Houston, and in Austin. And as far as H-Town goes, I miss it. Nay, I *crave* it — the art scene, the culturally rich atmosphere, the ethnic diversity… the freaking fantastic food! I consider Houston quintessential America — the proverbial melting pot of humanity and culture.
To further clarify, that joke is intended to be a literal commentary on Houston’s weather. Which seems like a pretty silly thing to argue. Are you suggesting that Houston is not indeed hot and humid — not hotter and more humid than most of Texas? Although, I confess that Houston is not the smelliest. That award is most obviously bestowed upon San Antonio. :P
Beyond that, I would venture to say that the problems are not exactly the same from city to city in Texas. I lived in enough of them long enough to know. Without going down the list, I’ll just throw out that, for instance, Houston and Austin have grossly disparate crime rates — with Houston being one of the most violent cities in the nation and Austin being one of the safest cities in the nation. (Austin has boasted, at times, the lowest homicide rate in the nation, whereas Houston has, at times, boasted the highest… Statistics calculated for cities with populations greater than 100,000.)
You’ve left no identifying markers. At least I had the good grace to make myself traceable. And double posting the same comment was just a tad tacky. (So I double replied.)
Having said that, I’ll be in Houston the first weekend of March, if I can buy you a beer. Having the moxie to take the time to spout your opinion on my personal blog counts for something. :-)
The “armpit” comment in Facebook on the Texas Fans page was really rude. It’s really sad that so many Texans in the other cities have absolutely no respect and have to trash talk about the state’s largest city. I’m not a native Texan but have lived in both Austin and Houston and have been appalled at these attitudes from people in Austin and DFW, as if their cities don’t have most of the same problems! Houston is a great, surprisingly urban city with lots of neat things, cool neighborhoods, big trees and a beach nearby, and I’ve really enjoyed living here. Some of the other Texans really need to get over themselves.