Houston Amtrak Station

I had intended to go to check out the station and pick up my tickets last week. Unfortunately, I got really sick and didn't make it out there. I was even tempted to go yesterday (day of departure) afternoon, just so I knew where it was. At this point, I wish I had.

To call it a station is an exaggeration except maybe in the purest form of the word: it isn't going anywhere. The station consists of a solitary building in the middle of what appears to be an abandoned parking lot under the freeway. There is no platform and no fencing, the train just stops behind the building.

The second I pulled into the parking lot I knew that my truck wouldn't be there when I got back. The ticketing agent confirmed that no vehicles would be safe after closing at 11pm. I was lucky enough to have some friends come and pick up my truck so that it wasn't left overnight. The ticketing staff were kind and helpful, holding my key for me until my friend arrived. The HPD officer on site was not helpful or courteous in the least (they rarely are, in my experience). He basically told me that if I didn't get the car moved before the train left, it was my problem.

In all, these issues at the Houston "station" wouldn't be so much of a problem in the daylight. However, the train never stops in Houston during the day.

Putting my money where my mouth is

As I've said before, I think the TSA is a gross misuse of powers never granted. But, I need to go to Arizona this week. My train has just departed.

Replacement

B: You were asleep so we replaced you with a board game.

Seven's Blessing

My letter to Southwest Airines

Here’s an email I sent to Southwest Airlines tonight. I urge anyone else who is concerned about the TSA to write their congressional representatives, airports, and airlines.

I am a fairly-frequent flyer. I go between between Houston Hobby and Love field sometimes 3 – 4 times a month. My family frequently flies to Dallas because it’s more convient than driving. However, as the TSA continues to infringe upon travelers, there is no longer a convience factor.

It is my understanding that airports may choose to provide their own security rather than submit to the underpaid, undereducated, unscreeened TSA agents.

The two airports I travel through the most, Hobby and Love Field, have significant space used by Southwest, the main airline I travel with. I would like to let you know that my family and I have decided we will no longer fly as long as the TSA has a presence at our airports.

Chatting with B

Chatting with B

Here's a little bit of B's time in the hospital room with Seven. I added subtitles because through much of it you can't really here what B's saying.

Chillin'

Seven Chillin'

More Hospital Photos

Big Brother

B (in his best sing-song voice): Calm down, your big brother's here!