Author: Robert Kimberly

My First Father's Day

First, I got a card. I walked in to find her this way, and patient girl, she held the pose for a picture. What a sweet girl! Her mom rocks, too.

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Zoe and Father’s Day Card, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

We started driving…

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I-10 out of Houston, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

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Light Pole, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

…until we got to China.

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Forbidden Gardens Panorama 1, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

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Forbidden Gardens Panorama 2, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

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Forbidden Gardens 4, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Back in Texas, I got some custard…

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Ritter Frozen Custard Sign, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

…and we ended the evening learning all about Quizboy Billy and friends.

It has been a really nice day.

At the MFAH: This Thing

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MFAH exhibit, originally uploaded by ThisIsIt2.

Tattoo designs + Vegas casino signs = Something I want in my house.

Four Good Days: Tickets and More Reasons Why I Love My WIfe

Friday: “Did you notice that Zoe seems to make her greatest leaps in locomotion while we are watching Battlestar Galactica?” 12th model?

Saturday:


Derby Ticket, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Great couple of bouts! More proof that supporting the local girls is totally worth 10 bucks.

Sunday: “Does the new Venture Bros. warrant the making of chocolate chip cookie dough to eat while watching?” The secret of safe raw cookie dough?… pasturized eggs. So. Good. So fattening.

Tuesday:


Eddie Izzard Ticket, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.
Nosebleed seats. Worth it!

Fun in the Sun: Abandoned Chong Hua Sheng Mu Holy Palace

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Abandoned Chong Hua Sheng Mu Holy Palace, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

I got myself a little sunburn, but it was worth it. Finally visited the Chong Hua Sheng Mu Holy Palace, all that remains of the doomed Tien Tao temple complex.

I first read about the place on Swamplot and knew I must visit the place. The palace was the only building started in the 11 acre site in southwest Houston for worship, daycare, retail and residential living.

When the leader of the Wu-Wei Tien Tao Association, Kwai Fun Wong, left the country for the 1999 funeral of her predecessor, immigration issues prevented her return. The lack of her leadership ended construction on the complex. While incomplete and unattended, the site is relatively maintained and free of vandalism and graffiti. All the more surprising seeing how easy it is to access the complex due to a broken gate.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Additional links:

Houston – News – End Times: “The Tao shall set you free — but maybe not in Kingsbridge Park”

Abandoned Chong Hua Sheng Mu Holy Palace, Houston, TX – 2008 – a set on Flickr

Wednesday Night Photo Post: Other Person's Pix

A lack of recent photo opportunities has me scratching my head as to what pictures of mine to post. Fortunately, a search of “Houston” on Flickr results in loads of interesting photos. The following shot by meltedplastic is just one such shot.


Houston Photos – 11232007 – 009, originally uploaded by meltedplastic.

Ventures in Low Culture: How I Will Be Spending $22 This Sunday


When I am not helping art institutions install culturally engaging and visually unique art exhibits, I read gossip and conspiracy websites and watch cartoons (made for kids, adults and both.)

So, when I read that the 3rd season of the disturbingly funny Venture Brothers was offering limited edition t-shirts, I was right on it. The animated show manages to mix occult and conspiracy theories with super-science and celebrity appearances (David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Klaus Nomi as the leaders of the sinister and inept Guild of Calamitous Intent!)


I wish I could get a Guild of Calamitous Intent auto emblem much like the Freemasons have. I would gladly represent as guild member driving my sweet 2004 Kia Optima. A menacing ride indeed!

I can’t afford to subscribe (yes, subscribe) to all 13 shirts for $250, but I will be adding at least one to my wardrobe.

Lastly and only mildly related, enjoy Klaus Nomi’s covers of “Lightning Strikes,” and “The Twist.”

House Hunting: Breaking & Entering Edition


at The Art Guys Museum, originally uploaded by Shawna Mouser.

A little while ago, wife and I were driving Houston, house hunting in new neighborhoods. We hit the lovely and almost-affordable Meyerland area. We have a love of ranch-style houses and that part of town has a nice collection of them. When we saw an unloved house for sale, we stopped by and broke in. Well, the door was open. The place was trashed, with the clear smell of cat and garbage all over. Must have been built in the 60’s, with old fixtures and lightswitch covers. Oh, and a large pile of bullet shell casings near the bathroom. It had the appearance of a rental gone horribly wrong.

With great rooms and loads of square footage, this would be someone’s dream house in the right hands. But it’s being sold as land and would be a money pit to transform it back to its former glory. Most likely the house will be a scrap-off resulting in another oversized, pseudo-Mediterranean, beige monstrosity taking its place. Which is just what Houston doesn’t need but will get.

In the meantime, our adventures in Houston real estate will continue.

(Photo found on Swamplot.)

Doomsday Wrestling @ Fitzgerald's, Houston TX

Doomsday Wrestling at Fitzgerald’s. Good time. Nice way to spend a Saturday night.

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Doomsday Wrestling – Fitzgerald’s, Houston TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

The Adonis Explosion

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Doomsday Wrestling – Fitzgerald’s, Houston TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Dirty Sanchez (manager) berating the Kosher Killer.
“I’m talking to jew!”

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Doomsday Wrestling – Fitzgerald’s, Houston TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Silicone Valley’s Pretty Perfect in the ring with Texan girl Charlene Lonestar.