Views from Hotel Rooms -- SpringHill Suites Houston Hobby Airport

Looking north out the window of a somewhat unimpressive SpringHill Suites. There wasn't really anything wrong with the hotel. People were friendly, and the room was comfortable. Just can't say it was anything more than 'average'. Maybe it was the view of concrete that made it feel so bland.

Ahh a view of the parking lot for the hotel next door. Score!

The hotel was remodeling and using the shipping crates for storage

I wonder if the other Marriott has a better view. Bet they do. Lucky bastards.

Views from Airplanes -- DFW to Houston Hobby

Random view from the American Eagle regional jet taking me down to Houston on a very warm/humid day

Nothing much going on out my window today

Always wonder why American Airlines always seems to have either a bunch of empty gates, or a bunch of parked planes just sitting at them. Noticed the same at Chicago/ORD too. Seems like the planes would make more money if they were constantly in use, and then maybe (just maybe) they wouldn't need to pay rent on so many gates they don't really need

Now Triskaideca-Certified with IBM SiteProtector Goodness. . .

From the IBM Software Middleware Group on February 24th, 2012:

"In recognition of the commitment to achieve professional excellence, this certifies that Christopher J. Marcinko has successfully completed the program requirements as an IBM Certified Development Professional -- Security SiteProtector System v2.0 SP 8.1."

Date of Certification:
February 24, 2012

Craig Fergerson at the Winstar

Many many many many rows back from the Winstar Conference Room stage at the Craig Fergerson Show

Way way way back

Turner Falls Sidetrip

On the way to see Craig Ferguson, Alicia and I took a sidetrip to enjoy some local fruit pies from the Turner Falls Overlook while we were in the area

Looking down from the Turner Falls Overlook off of US77

The 77ft waterfall was flowing heavily. But the park itself was closed for the season. All trails and buildings were eerily empty.

A fence blocks off neighboring rockfaces from local explorers

Many visitors have left their hellos on the Overlook. Most of the visible messages appeared recent. The rocks themselves have been painted grey (presumably to cover up the older messages)

One of the many many local mesquite trees hanging over the trail.

The area was also covered in cedar trees

The original trail wrapped down and around the hillside, but was blocked off from the Overlook. Many mesquite trees are now growing in the limestone cracks, effectively blocking the trail even without the fence.

Alicia coming down the walkway to join me on the lower part of the Overlook

Steps were a bit dicey

Yep, she's having fun