September 18, 2008 3:45 AM

Greetings from Hell...or, as it's known locally, southeast Texas

So, here I am in Houston...and it seems it's going to be a case of "be careful what you ask for...." Unfortunately, I'll be working on the west side of Houston, and my hotel is near the Sam Houston Tollway and I-10, about 45 miles from Seabrook. I may be able to get to Seabrook tomorrow, but I'm not sure about that. Working 12-hour days for three weeks straight will do a number on your best intentions.

In driving to my hotel from Bush Interclusterf--k Airport, I didn't really see a lot of obvious damage in far west and northwest Houston. A few dozen busted-up trees, billboards that had been beated into submission...but really nothing that I haven't seen in this part of town from previous, less powerful storms. What becomes immediately evident, though, are the large swaths of dark areas, neighborhoods where the power is still off. The area immediately adjacent to my hotel has power, but a few blocks away, there's still no power. Street lights aren't working, which makes for all manner of interesting exchanges, as drivers who are clearly beyond frustrated blow through intersections as if they're the only drivers on the road. Hey, it's been a rough week for folks here, so I'll cut them some slack.

Here's how it usually works when most of us travel: we go somewhere, and things work. Why? Who knows...or cares? It's just what happens, and we seldom, if ever, think about it. Things just work. Well, welcome to Houston, which right now just doesn't. It's on it's way back, but it's got a ways to go. It's amazing what a difference it makes when the things that go into make a major city function simply disappear.

I've been here just a few hours, really...but long enough to understand that something as simple as finding breakfast could be a real adventure. I'm stuck for three weeks in a cheap hotel in west Houston (note to self: avoid Candlewood Suites at all costs), but at least I have electricity.

Now, if I could only figure out where there's a restaurant around here where I can get some breakfast....

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on September 18, 2008 3:45 AM.

Good ol' boys just wanna have fun was the previous entry in this blog.

And now for something...well, I'm not quite sure what really is the next entry in this blog.

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