Z-Man's Blog

Morning, Bloggerz...

Our 16 year-old cat has been getting slower and slower... obviously getting older and showing the effects.

Anyway... over the weekend, we found ourselves dealing with a bit of a kitty medical emergency. I'll spare the gory details... but the vet took a nearly $400 look and sent us home to see if the old guy will respond to a little time and medication. We'll find out, today... if more of that... or surgery is necessary to help him heal.

That said... the family-Z will have to find the balance of providing a quality of life versus prolongin his life becasue we're not ready to be without him.

So... what would you do in your family?

Z

We've lost another member of 'The Greatest Generation'.

Bill McIntyre was my Grandmother's brother... and my favorite Uncle, when I was growing up. I remember, as a kid, such joy when he would visit our family on a business trip. He wasn't from Houston... but seemed the quintessential fast-talking, cigar chomping Texas Oilman. The guy had friends everywhere. Fond memories of visiting Houston, in the 70's... and Uncle Bill and Aunt Sonia always showing us a great time.

When I moved my family to Houston 10 years ago... Uncle Bill was retired and a bit mellower but still the joy he always was. He will be missed, indeed.

Z

William Penn (Bill) McIntyre

Hey, Bloggerz...

Took the oldest Z-Daughter to summer camp, over the weekend... for her first-ever such trip. It's the longest she's been away from home without mom or dad. The fact that she was so excited to be there made the drive away a whole lot easier... but still, it's a pretty big deal.

I remember my first trip to camp, as a youngster... and recall being beside myself with home-sickness for the first days. It ended well-enough... but I'll be excited to hear all her stories. What do you remember about your trips to camp?

Z

Morning, Bloggerz...

Once again... the news included another story of a mother (not in our area, this time) who left her infant daughter in the car while she went grocery shopping. Her 'excuse' was that she 'forgot' her child was in the car. What?!?!?! How does one forget such a thing?

Now... to the Child Protective officers who've taken her child (who was, thankfully, saved)... this woman says 'sorry', and doesn't seem to understand what the fuss is about, while she pleas for the return of her child. 

What should be done about people like this? 

Z

Morning, Bloggerz...

This is national Bike to Work Week... and, with gas prices, now may be the best time to start pedaling.

I tried it, this morning... (I'll let you guess how early I started)... and will share the experience when Mayor White does a bike to work event on Friday.

Look... depending on how far your commute is... bikeing may get you to your destination faster than a car. Plus... there's the gas savings and the exercise. Yes... it does take some planning... but you might find you like it.

Meantime... let me know if you give it a try.

Z

Hey Bloggerz...

Just wanted to update with some random thoughts after this year's MS 150...

-Thanks to all who supported with either Money or good-thoughts.

-Man, it was windy. This was my 7th ride and, maybe, the most challenging. Just a non-stop push against a good 'ole Texas Headwind. Everyone... from experienced riders to beginners said it was tough. I can imagine a lot of first-timers might not come back...which would be too bad.

-10 year-old Cian McConnell ... who was a guest on the Morning News last week... had a great ride. I found him along the road Sunday... and rode for a little bit with him, and his father. Great Kid.

-As much as I like Houston... Austin, and the State Capitol, is a beautiful sight at the end of the 180 miles.

-My buddy George, with whom I do a lot of riding, is a great friend to have on the road.

-My wife, Mrs. Z is pretty tough, too... as are all my friends who laughed, ate, grimaced and pedaled our way there.

-If you read Ken Hoffman's column in today's Chronicle... I can attest to his delerium when we met on that elevator... and was wearing a Fox 26 cap, not a bike helmet. Oh... and he said he needed candy... badly.

 http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/hoffman/5
700224.html

I can hardly wait unitl next year.

Z

Hey Bloggerz,

As a lot of you know... this weekend marks the annual BP MS 150 bicycle tour from Houston to Austin. It's the biggest event of its kind and will raise around $14 Million to help battle Multiple Sclerosis.

This morning, we had Mark Neagli... the President of the Lone Star Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society... and 10 year-old Cian McConnell on the Morning News. Young Cian has wanted to do this ride for years... and he's finally old enough to join the crowd of 13000 cyclists. What a great kid!

This will be my 7th trip to Austin... and I'd love your support.  This is a great charity which helps fund efforts to treat and cure MS. Bet you know someone who fighting the disease.

if you can help... every dollar helps. Here's a link to my donate page.

Hey Bloggerz...

You may have noticed that we've started streaming some of our newscasts. Now... My sister gets to watch from the comfort of her computer in France. Pretty Cool.

Not long ago... The Chronicle asked readers, 'Where's the strangest place in the world you've read the paper?'... So I'll offer this challenge. Let us know where you're watching our newscasts or webcasts.

See You.

Z

Hey Bloggerz...

With the spin-control in full motion in the Hillary Clinton Camp over her 'misspeaking' about having to duck for cover from sniper fire when she visited Bosnia, years ago... when, in fact, she ducked from nothing and was perfectly safe... Floor Director Ed offered some interesting insight.

Now... it's important to note, here, that Ed was a Marine in Vietnam... who carried and used Shoulder-Fired anti-tank rockets for a living. The guy's been there and knows of what he speaks. So it's interesting when he says being under fire and having to duck for safety is not something he (the Marine) forgets... but a Former First Lady who's never been in battle can? Besides... wouldn't such an event have been substantial news, at the time?

Is her glib 'I misspoke' enough of an explanation?

Z

Hey, Bloggerz...

If you missed it... we had this story, this morning...

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Morning, Bloggerz...

As I checked-in with our FOX Cousins, in Detroit www.myfoxdetroit.com ... to see how they were handling the 'Mayor Charged With Lying' story... I was particularly impressed with their blog-participation.

Most of the topic were about the story... but one of them has more than 1200 (!) responses... It has just rivited their attention.

Makes me wonder what kind of thing would prompt such a response, here.

Z 

Morning, Bloggerz...

Was riding the bike around New Ulm and Fayetteville, over the weekend... and saw the first few Blue Bonnets in blume along the roads. Make your plans... before long, the firelds of Blue will be ready for your enjoyment.

So... what's your favorite sign that spring is here?

Z