Football in the Houston area was full of "ups" and "downs" this weekend. The highest "up" had to be the Rosenberg Lamar ConsolidatedMustangs winning the 4A Division I Championship 20-14 over Copperas Cove. Jacquizz Rodgers is the undisputed King of Rosenberg Football as he led the Mustangs to a title by rushing for 240 yrds and scoring all 3 TD’s. In addition Rodgers recorded 6 tackles, caused a fumble, recovered a fumble and blocked a kick. The Mustang defense also played a great game by holding Cove to 289 yards of total offense and stopping Copperas at the 2 yard line as they went for it on 4th and goal.

One of the "lows" came when the Dayton Broncos fell to the Austin Lake Travis Cavaliers 49-13. This looked like a wild one after the 1st quarter with Lake Travis leading 14-13 with over 270 yards of combined offense. The Cavalier defense then played as well as their offense holding Dayton to 68 total yards in the 2nd & 3rd quarters while Junior QB Garrett Gilbert (one of LSG’s top three in the state) passed for amazing numbers. At one point Gilbert had 23 straight completions and finished the night with over 480 passing yards. Click below to hear the show. 

Another "low" for the Houston area came when the Galena Park North Shore Mustangs lost to the Converse Judson Rockets 28-7 at Rice Stadium. Turnovers were the name of the game. The Rockets converted all four Mustang turnovers into touchdowns enroute to the win. Click below to hear the show. 

Another big "up" came when Lone Star Gridiron’s preseason #1 Katy Tigers (LSG was the ONLY one in the state to rank them #1) earned a spot this week to compete for their 5th State Championship due to their 66-21 victory over San Antonio Madison. The game was tied 14-14 midway through the 2nd quarter and then Katy broke it open and scored the games next 52 points. The Katy offense rolled up 477 yards of total offense. Katy will take on a tough Pfugerville Panthers squad in the title game at the Alamodome this weekend.

PLAYOFF TIME IN TEXAS BABY!!!

I was allowing my attention drought disorder to run wild the other day and managed to surf 4325 different websites. Website #4324 was a review of a Web 2.0 social networking site (these sites spring up like roaches, although some don’t have as many diseases (-; ). The new site is Yippykya.com and they propose that you can meet friends, make money, or get discovered. I’m choosing to make friends through other outlets and I have no artistic abilities worth bragging about so naturally all I want to do on this site is make money. I was thoroughly frustrated after creating an account, clicking on the option to make money and then being told to create an account. So, I don’t really have a good review about this site but maybe you do. Oh well. They had a launch party on the June 27th (yeah, sorry for the delay, did anyone else even know about the site?). They are developing the Houston community first and will branch out to other enormous cities at some point in the future. You can read another review (maybe a little more favorable) at Profy.com

The Houston Press is running a year long photo contest for high school students wanting to break into the world of photography. Up for grabs? A $1000 scholarship (no mention of what school or institute will be involved). Contest rules are here. The Animals Gone Wild contest is still running at the Houston Zoo with channel 13 as well and will end on March 31.

Cheers!

Always wondered why he was called the hunter. Coz the only thing hunters did was hunt animals, rather than explore them. And Irwin belonged to the latter.

Knowingly or unknowingly we are mourning his death, the death of the man who was rather popular by the name The Crocodile hunter. And this post goes out to Irwin and his family from the Houston Metblog family. I’m sure every other person, right here from Houston can relate to growing up watching his shows. The Australian who was known for his dare devil stunts, and his passion for wild life, especially the dangerous kind.

The part that saddened my heart, was when I saw a recast of him talking with Larry King live about how he dint want to die and leave his daughter without a father, he said he was going to try hard not to.

But most of all I’m glad he died doing what he did best, and what his first love had always been.

Irwin, May you rest in Peace, and you will always be remembered as the man who dared to do it.

I was just reading some local news over on chron.com and one particular thing I read has got me wondering about something.

The article states that Tom Delay’s concealed handgun license has been suspended due to his indictment. (Please note: I am purposefully avoiding commenting one way or the other on Delay and my opinions on guns and gun control, as I prefer to keep this focused on the question that follows.)

The part of the article that stood out to me was this:

DeLay spokeswoman Shannon Flaherty declined to say why DeLay obtained the handgun permit…

Flaherty would not say if DeLay has been carrying a handgun.

“As for whether or not he carries it. That’s the point of having a CHL in Texas, potential
criminals should assume everyone is.”

Is the thought that any citizen (over the age of 21) is very likely carrying a handgun a common one? It has never once crossed my mind, and now I’m wondering if I’m in the minority. The only time that a person carrying a gun in public has ever been obvious to me is when I’ve seen someone who feels the need to strap on a holster and wear his gun in plain view.

Do I just ignore the fact that guns are all around me when I’m out somewhere? Or is it as uncommon as I assume it is?

Do YOU carry a gun?

So with Lent almost here, today is one wild and crazy day in many parts of the world.

Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday is not a day to be taken lightly if you are of the boob baring / bead wearing persuasion — at least that NOLA tradition often the first image that comes to mind when thinking about today’s various drunken debaucheries.

Christina from the San Francisco Metblog has a killer post on different pre-Lenten celebrations around the world. I’m particularly taken by the Pancake Day tradition - even IHOP is in on it this year, offering a free short stack to each guest from 7am - 2pm today (oops… which ends in 40 minutes, sorry dudes).

I know all about the 12 day / 11 night Galveston festivities (althought the Mardi Gras Museum is news to me). But what do YOU do for Fat Tuesday? How sinful do YOU get anyway?

Sadly, it looks like the most excitement I’ll be getting into is going to school to take an exam — but man, pancakes sound good tonight. Maybe my boyfriend will flash me for some maple syrup or something. WOO HOO.

Any other suggestions?

Pancake photo via Flickr here

The weather was a bit warmer than usual in January… causing many trees to start blooming, which is wonderful for my allergies.

No one posted any ideas on things to do for Chinese New Year in Houston (thanks you bastards). Luckily, a friend recommended I check out Tan Tan Restaurant on Bellaire. Turns out it was an exceptional recommendation as they had great food and a massive amount of fireworks despite the state-wide burn ban.

When (not if) you go… I urge you to try the hot pot. ANY of them.

The dragons came inside the restaurant for a little while… and the place went WILD. The kids especially enjoyed the little red envelopes the dragons gave away.

Later in the day, I happened to see this truck of tired dragon dancers.

And then…

Checked out the Basquiat exhibit at MFAH and nearly dropped $140 for a pair of shoes inspired by his art. Inspiration = Marketing Opportunity?

I think Sir Basquiat would have a shit-fit if he saw what people were doing with his artwork.

~ QUICK CONTEST ~

HouMetBlog needs more bloggers damn it! To encourage at least one of the 4 million plus residents of our fair city, I’m willing to give away two tickets to the Mozart concert on Feb 14th at the Menil Museum to the first person that signs up and posts.

Second place winners will receive a coupon book from the Houston Downtown Alliance with coupons to places such as St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin, Zula, Havana, Kim Son, Massa’s, and more!

To qualify: sign up and post immediately. Get to it guys… the clock is ticking.

My co-workers have recently introduced me to the glories of Sandy’s Food Market - a mere hop-skip-jump from my humble office abode.

If the novelty of eating in the middle of a grocery store food aisle isn’t enough to draw you in (it was for me), then the live jazz and completely phenomonal salad bar should.

There are also nice little old ladies that push serving carts literally overflowing with countless kinds of teas who try to force yummy ginger cookies on you and smell like your grandma.

There is also a super hot buffet with wild rice and other veggie delights (the potatoes are to die for). Supposedly their breakfasts are even better and they are just about to begin afternoon tea services and dinner as well. I heart Sandy’s.

Since 1989, the Torres family has been serving up great Tex-Mex food at reasonable prices. The newest addition to the La Tapatia family is no exception. Located at 14025 Westheimer Road, Tapatia #8 features the menu that has become a Houston Tex-Mex tradition. From $3.85 burritos, to the $9.95 Camaron (shrimp) dishs, Tapatia serves up some very tasty (and inexpensive) food. Tapatia #8 is open the standard chain hours: from 8:00am - 3:00am Sunday through Thursday, and 8:00am - 5:00am Friday and Saturday.

Contrary to the resteraunt’s website, Tapatia #8 does have a happy hour. If you love margaritas, on Wedensdays, Tapatia #8 offers $2.95 margaritas from 11am until 11pm. Combine that with a burrito (or two), and some Pastel de Tres Leches, and you’ve got yourself a great dinner.

Some of the menu items I’ve tried are (those designated with (d) are dinners, including mexican rice, beans, and/or guacamole):
Camaron (shrimp) Burrito: $5.95 - Good. The shrimp are a bit salty, lending an interesting twist to the experience (also availible as dinner).
Pastor (marinated pork) Burrito: $3.85 - Inexpensive, filling, and good (also availible as dinner).
Flautas de Pollo (Chicken Flautas): $6.55(d) - The Flautas de Pollo are excellent, though I usually order mine made with flour tortillas (as opposed to corn). The ranchera chicken filling is wonderful.
Parrillada Tapatia (for two) $24.95(d) - Combining Shrimp, Chicken and Beef Fajitas, Quail and Mexican Sausage, this dinner for two brings together the ultimate fajita experience. While the quail is farm-raised (doesn’t quite have the “wild” taste of free-range quail), it is still quite good. The sausage is excellent, and true to form the fajitas are wonderful.
Fajita a la Mexicana: $9.95(d): Chicken or beef fajitas, cooked in a spicy Mexicana sauce, served with rice, beans, pico de gallo, and guacamole.
Pastel de Tres Leches: $3.95: The Tres Leches comes with a story. When I first tried the Tres Leches, I didn’t know what it was. Lacking the words to accurately describe it to me in English, my waitress explained it as “like cake, only better.” I decided to give it a try, and was presented with a large square of cake with a creamy (almost cream-cheese looking) frosting on top, soaked in an almost syrupy milk. Everyone I introduce to this desert treat has the same response… “Wow, it really is better than cake!”

If you ever find yourself on the west side of town, near Highway 6 and Westheimer, drop in and give Tapatia #8 a try. Tapatia #8 is in the old Marco’s/Blue Macaw location, in the same shopping center as Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Que, Monsoon Indiana Cuisine, and Cheers 2 U. Enjoy!

After reading a glowing review on Houston rocker Michael Haaga’s crazy-good performance at sxsw, I went wild and ordered his album theplusandminusshow (because yes, I am a very impressionable young lady).

So I like it, it is rocking - and not only because Michael sent cookies, stickers and pins along with the cd - but I have a feeling that I’ll only get the true Haaga-effect when seeing them in person, which is where this comes in:

Helios // Saturday April 16th // with Les Saucy Pants and Two Star Symphc