Deep Ellum

Ahop lives right near an area known as Deep Ellum in Dallas.  I thought this area of town was pretty cool.  There was a ton of interesting art in the area as well as bars, restaurants, night clubs, and art galleries.  The night life scene has unlimited potential in the area but needed a lot of work in my opinion.  It was like UT's 'strip' except about threes times bigger.  Imagine putting three of the strip back to back to back.

There is a lot of history in the area which leads to a pretty eclectic vibe.  The crowd of people that hang out down there currently is a little different.  Lots of the 'goth', 'emo' kind of people.  Also a lot of the biker type of folk.  I felt a little out of place but everyone there was cool, even when Ahop and I were the only non-bikers at a biker bar.  Was there an episode of 'Gangland' that was about a biker gang in Dallas??  If so, that's who we were hanging with, kinda scary.

I should have taken my own photos, but check out some of the art.  Good Stuff:

Pretty sweet sculpture park under the I-45 overpass near Deep Ellum

Wall Murals/Graffiti

 

My personal favorite:  THE TRAVELING MAN SCULPTURES

From what I have read about Deep Ellum, it seems that they are currently trying to revive it back to the urban hotspot that it was in the early-to-mid 90's.  It looked like there were a lot of bars and restaurants that had recently closed in the area (I assume they were closed.  The signage was still up but they were closed on a Friday night?).  There appears to be a lot of newer apartment/condo complexes in the area that could easily utilize the area but currently don't.  Hops and I had the brilliant idea to open up a few places down there that would attract the people living close by that currently go out socially in 'Uptown'.  Its a genius plan.  We just need someone to finance our ideas. A fail-proof plan guarenteed.  Who's down?

25...

"We are still Tennessee and they are still Kentucky" - Lane Kiffin

BOOM.   Kentucky the Vols will always own you.

Hardesty is a moose.  179 yards, 3TD's.  I have no clue how he didn't get any PT before this year.  This kid is a stud.  I know he was hurt a lot but did he just get that much better this year or was the old coaching regime just that dumb?  I'm guessing the latter.  I wish he was around for another year or two.

Important win for the Vols program.  Looks like that could be headed to either the Cotton or Outback bowl.  Very successful season under the new head coach IMO.

BR to Dallas

Just got back from my trip to Dallas not too long ago.  That drive was exciting let me tell you.  There were about two things worth seeing the entire trip.  The Mississippi River leaving BR and the cityscape of Dallas upon arrival.  The rest of the trip I would call a cultural experience.

The entire state of Louisiana is odd to me but the areas that I drove through was a completely different society.  My Garmin took me off the interstate onto the backroads between BR and Alexandria to save about 30 mins on the trip.  These people live a different life.  It looked like the majority of people living on I-76.  Some things I saw on this 100 mile stretch of road:  swamps, cypress trees, bridges, waterways, levees, more single and double wide trailers than should be on the entire planet, front yards of houses filled with at least 10 cars that havent run in easily 10 years, a possible dog fighting ring, $9 deer rides, lots of LSU flags, at least 1000 tires lying on the side of the road, people riding on horses down the highway, and an assortment of people walking down the road trying to bum a ride.  Really a strange road to be driving on but it kept me entertained for a while.

It was very obvious when I crossed into TX.  The amount of huge F250 trucks on the road easily doubled and the 50% of people on the road were wearing cowboy hats.  Keep in mind this was out in the 'countryside' of east TX.  Coming home today, at the state line crossing back into LA, I immediately started seeing LSU signs; 'This is Tiger Country'  (3 hours away from BR).  There was absolutely nothing to see between Shreveport and Dallas.  Terrible stretch of road.  This is all I saw for 3 hours:

Trip Stats:

6.5 hours and approximately 450 miles  Not a very fun ride to make by yourself but I had a good time in Dallas.

CD Rotation:
1.  Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds -  Live at Radio City Music Hal-Disc1  (3 plays)
2.  Robert Randolph - Colorblind (3 plays)
3.  OAR - 34th & 8th  (10 plays, great album!)
4.  Dave Ramsey - Financial Peace University (discs 1-6 of 12)

Highlights:
Dallas Skyline at Night (not my picture, obviously)

Small town LA

 Horace Wilkinson Bridge crossing Mississippi River, BR

 

Thanksgiving

Just got done eating Thanksgiving dinner here in Dallas with Ahop and Carrie a few hours ago.  Great meal.  We made enough food for about six people instead of three.   Did things right:  Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cornbread, mac 'n cheese, and corn.  Good times with good people.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone!

New Neighbors

Just spotted these two guys next door a little while ago.  It appears I have a couple new neighbors.  No names yet.  Any suggestions?

Also,  I think Rex has gone missing.  Maybe they traded him off to get these two guys?  Hope not.

Football: 11/22

I barely got to watch any football this weekend due to preparations for final review today (which is extremely irritating but hey it’s finally over), but what I did get to watch was a couple of the most unique things I have ever seen happen in a football game. I got to watch the fourth quarter of the UT game and the fourth quarter of the LSU game. They can be broken down quite simply into two plays.

The Good:

This has got to be one of the coolest ways to possibly end your career as a TN Vol. He has battle through injuries his whole career. To end like this in front of the home crowd is awesome. He carried the defender 8 yards! Do you think he wanted to score? Warrior.

The Bad:

The ending to the LSU game was one of the worst endings to a game I have ever seen. Worst clock management in history. Spiking the ball with 1 second left on the clock, seriously? Does anyone on the team know what is going on in the game? Get your kicker on the field and kick a field goal to win the game. There was plenty of time. If you’re not going to get your kicker in the game, RUN A PLAY!!! The whole scenario doesn't make sense. Les? Jefferson? Anyone have a clue?

No NFL for me this weekend but what do you know the Bears lost again, great. At least I won my fantasy matchup (unless Rob Bironas has a 30pt game. I'm feeling pretty confident).

Oh yea. The Blackhawks have won 7 games in a row, the last 3 being on the road, shooting themselves up to the top of the ESPN Power Rankings. They’ve got a date with San Jose on Wednesday to see who the best in the Western Conference is early on. Hopefully Marian Hossa, one of the best players in the league who hasn't even played yet this year due to injury, will be back on Wednesday. Things are looking good for my Hawks.

BasketVols 2010 Signing Class

The Vols got a huge commit yesterday from Tobias Harris, the #5 rated high school senior in the country.  Bruce Pearl had a huge signing class in the early period.  A recap of the players from Rivals.com and Scout.com:

TOBIAS HARRIS #5 Overall #1 PF    5*
'Still physically developing, Harris has an advanced skill level as a hybrid forward. He handles the ball at a high level and can score it with touch from the outside and also score inside with more of a power game. Best suited to guard a four man, Harris is a difficult match up for opposing four men with his versatile skill set.'

JORDAN MCRAE #42 Overall #9 SG    4*
'Fine wing athlete who can get himself to the paint. Shooting it better than he did as a youngster. Needs to become rock solid from the line. Great body. Sometimes could stand to slow down and let the game develop.'

TRAE GOLDEN #55 Overall #12 SG    4*
'Big time shooter and stud student in the classroom. Known for his ability to knock down jumpers, he wants the ball in his hands at crunchtime. Needs to improve his handle in traffic. Weapon behind the arc and he makes them off the dribble pull as well.'


The signing of Harris yesterday catapulted the Vols to the #4 signing class according to Rivals after the early signing period.  Big time.  Jayvaugh Pinkston was ready to sign and changed his mind at the last second.  Hopefully we will still be able to pull him in the spring.  A commit from Josh Selby AGAIN would also be nice but I'm not sure Bruce Pearl and Co. are going to pursue him a second time.  Big things are ahead for the Vols.  Bruce, you are a stud.