Great book reccomendation!

I just finished Dan Brown's new novel The Lost Symbol. It was just as impressive as The DaVinci Code, and revealed countless truths about which I had no idea. This was disconcerting as his new novel is set in D.C. and has a great deal of historical research behind it. I was on the internet looking up everything he claimed, and it was all real! i.e. A giant statue of Washington depicted as Zeus which used to be in the Capitol, or the painting in the dome of the Capitol rotunda titled The Apotheosis of Washington (which shows Washington ascending to heaven a-la Christ), apotheosis literally means deification, and the existence of breathable perflourocarbons (I won't say what that means in case you read the book, but it is amazing technology!)

Brown's dialogue can seem a bit stiff a times, but the content is well worth the momentary awkwardness! So much research must go into these books. It is amazing what you learn from his fiction.

Travel Season

Is it just me, or has everyone else noticed the unseasonably low price of vacationing this fall/winter? Airlines have CUT their ticket prices (as long as you are booking at least a month in advance). Southwest has great deals flying out of Texas (Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio) for domestic flights. Think around $150 round trip! Jet Blue is also offering some good prices, although the destinations are more limited.

But, you know me... I am thinking of--international travel. Where to? Well... I am glad you asked. Topping my list are: Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. I would of course like to revisit England and France with the Hubby as well. I have found tickets to all of these for around $500 RT. Some prices are cheaper if you are able to travel post-holiday (mid-January) and before the Spring Break beach rush (March).

My goal is to find a weeks vacation for less than $1000 (that is for two) which includes lodging and travel (and possibly some attractions, i.e. museum passes, theater tickets, tours, etc.) I will keep you posted.

September Issue

I am going to see this tomorrow at the River Oaks Theater. I can't wait!

VOTE HOUSTON!

Just FYI: voter registration deadline for Houston is October 5th. If you want to be able to vote in the upcoming municipal elections, make sure you get it done by then! I mailed off my updated form last week!

What am I looking for in our new Mayor? I want a functioning inner-loop(at least!) rail system in the next 5-10 years. I want someone committed to creating jobs outside of the non-renewable energy field. This person also needs to have a plan for green-ifying the city (in the eco-sense). Water conservation and planning should also be a top priority. Our inner-city kids also are in need of some serious TLC. We need programs to bring some culture to these kids. I did hear about city-wide free wi-fi, which I also think is an EXCELLENT plan--downtown is piloting this now, so take your laptop to discovery green as the weather cools down, enjoy the outdoors and check your favorite blog as well! You can see the map of free wi-fi hotspots HERE.