Wednesday Night Photo Post: Large Things on Highway 6

The Tiki Head of Twin Lakes RV Resort - Manvel, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Big Gun, E-Z Line Pipe Support Co. Inc. - Manvel, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Sig and the City: From The Houston Library's Microfilm Reader to Your Computer

Lately, I've benefited from moderate bouts of unemployment and our daughter's happy introduction to day care.  This has given me some predicable and productive free time.  Productive mainly for the fans of Sig Byrd, Houston's mid-century chronicler of the the local underclass.  If he had never strolled the streets, there would be no huge void in the city's history.  But his writing tells parallels tales to the popular take on the city and its developement.  Civic boosters must have had a daily conniption, reading about drunken barflys, grifters, the private eye, hitchhikers and many others who are the real-life characters in Byrd's noir-esque writing.

The Houston Press is archived on microfilm and the I've been scanning the 1952 columns for their eventual posting on the Sig Byrd set on Flickr.  June through December is on my computer, awaiting titles and other amending before they are internet-ready.  1953 is, to the best of my knowledge, is all there for the reading.  I never intended to be be an archivist, but making Sig a subject of research has reduced my sloth slightly and compelled me to visit locales that I wouldn't have otherwise (Morgan's Point, TX and Morales Cemetery in North Houston.)

I have hopes these efforts wil evolve into a more formal archive, but until then, Sig's writings will simply be more accessible to those few who are interested.  And that is a good thing.

Wednesday Night Photo Post: Urb-Ex in the HOU

Adventures in eyesores.

I don't have any urban exploration cred, but I do have every copy of Infiltration. Fortunately, others live a life I only read about. See the below pix for this week's adventures in Houston, and for sight-seeing in Europe visit sleepycity.

Small Spiral, originally uploaded by Band!to.

1st Floor, originally uploaded by Secret5468.

Fishermen's Supplies, originally uploaded by Band!to.

Diversity , originally uploaded by Band!to.

Stay Classy, Houston-Driving White Corvette Owner

 I'm not saying I wouldn't try some automotive dumbassery if I had a car like this, but I would try to keep it on the road and away from gawking pedestrians.

Wednesday Night Scanned Newspaper Post: The Greatness That Was The Houston Press, circa 1952

"Why Is Houston Kill Crazy?" - Houston Press, 1952, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

"Attention All Masons" - Advertisement, Houston Press, 1952, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

"Chinar Grotto's 'Teen-Age Revue'" - Photo & Caption, Houston Press, 1952, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Wednesday Night Photo Post: Don't Know Why... Stormy Weather

I love storms. Especially if they occur while I am sitting at home. The last few afternoons have been pleasant breaks from the heat.

Aug 23 10 storms 028 building 2, originally uploaded by MichaelB in Houston.

This Weekend in Photos: Townhouses, Airports and Masons... Oh, My

I'm looking forward to cooler days, this weekend was scorching. But the heat didn't stop us from a little in-town sightseeing.

Pan Am Fan, The 1940 Air Terminal Museum - Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

1940 Airline Terminal Museum - Houston, TX 2010 - a set on Flickr

Abandoned Shriners Arabia Temple - Houston TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Townhouse Manor - Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

New Favorite Thing: All-White Model of Watts Tower

On our next trip to LA (when...?) I want to visit Watts Tower. Even more so after seeing this cool model online.

Scale Model of the Watts Towers, originally uploaded by narrowlarry.

Scale Model of the Watts Towers, originally uploaded by narrowlarry.

Scale Model of the Watts Towers, originally uploaded by narrowlarry.

Scale Model of the Watts Towers - a set on Flickr

Christians Who Don't Mind Foreigners: Indian Hills Christian Church Student Ministry

Alien Church - Danville, KY - Danville, KY, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Conspiracies in the New Neighborhood: My Kind of People

"Why Do The Children Deserve The Massive Debt of The 'R.D.' Oligarchy?" - Willowbend Blvd. - Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

This odd sign is the only thing in the neighborhood like it.  Outside the Loop isn't known as a hotbed for conspiratorial thought, but I'm sure Glenn Beck is on a lot of the TV's here.  Being a fan of conspiracy theories, I'm pretty well versed in most of the major players.   The "R.D. Oligarchy"is a total mystery to me, though.  It doesn't ring any bells and Google shows nothing.

Guess I'm leaving a note the next time I walk that way.

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Wednesday Night Photo Post: Wolves, Safe-Cracking and Pipe Smoking Hotties- Headlines from the Houston Press, c. 1953

For those worried about the recent decline in journalism, maybe these headlines from 1953 will make you feel better about the current state of affairs in print.

"Pretty Susan Puffs A Pipe" - Houston Press, Pg. 11 - Saturday, February 14, 1953, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

"Girls Learn Ju-Jitsu For Insurance Against Wolves" - Houston Press - Thursday, April 16, 1953, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

"Crack Alley Theater Safe" - Houston Press - Saturday, April 25, 1953, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Wednesday Night Photo Post: An Imagined Vision of Houston from the Past

"The City of Houston, 1868"
Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries

I learned about Mount Houston in April. Like much of the city's historic sights, it too was torn down.

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For more:
Link to original 1868 image - University of Houston Digital Library

Sexy X: Less is More

"This is great, but you know what would make it better?..."

"... much better."

Top:
Field Guide To Wild American PULP ARTIST - Virgil Finlay Entry

Bottom:
Eizo Pin-up Calendar 2010 – more than integral nude | Ufunk.net - Orginally seen on Boing Boing

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 Also see: Neon Poisoning: High-Lighting The Sexy Mind: Folk Art In Atlanta and Modern Elsewhere

(Image from Sperone Westwater Gallery)

A Visit to the Coast Electronics Museum: Post and Pix

I posted a review of the Gulf Coast Electronics Museum on 29-95.com. Lots of pix here.