The sign above them says it all for Bill and Neal McCurdy and their father/son trip to the UH Cougars opening football game versus Southern at Reliant Stadium last night, Friday, 8/30/13.
The fact it was only tiny Southern and that the Cougars handled them 62-13 hardly mattered in the bigger scheme of things of spending time with the people we love while we each have it is what really matters. ~ Add to that credo the fact that none of us, no matter the state of our ages, health, or life circumstances, can ever count on more than one moment of precious opportunity for contact – and that’s the one we are in at this time, on this day, at this particular sweep of the little second-hand on our watches. ~ Weigh that prospect against the always present possibility of nevermore and it gets easier to devote our precious time to what’s really important to us.
It was an interesting night for random thoughts and observations at Reliant Stadium.
Walking in through the NE gate from the parking lot north of Reliant, one can get a little better appreciation for the state of antipathy that many Texan and rodeo people feel for the Astrodome. I had not truly realized how close that abandoned old icon feels to the new stadium until we came into the place from that angle last night. To anyone with no historic attachment to “the old girl”, it must be close to feeling like having a falling down, abandoned house sitting in the lot next door to your still new, bright, and shiny home.
That environmental contamination feel has to be cured for any rehabilitation of the Astrodome to be successful – and it has to be for a purpose that is compatible with the main business of the neighborhood, Texans football and the rodeo. Nothing else will do ~ so, throw out that monstrous gambling casino idea from the start. You couldn’t get that one by my HOA either.
UH QB John O’Korn, #5, awaits confirmation of his 3rd and final TD pass of the game.
My son Neal doesn’t feel too optimistic about the November referendum, even though we both favor a plan to salvage the Dome in some manageable form. Neal fears that there are too many new residents who care nothing about the Dome and too many people who will vote against anything that smacks of higher taxes to get the Astrodome safely home. The park conversion proposal may be the only one that flies aesthetically and financially. It would certainly open up and beautify that proximity of the Dome to Reliant that causes, with neglect, that sore-eyed hovering feel about the place.
As for the game, we Cougars are not delusional about who we beat so badly, but then, neither should Texas A&M today, if they do the same thing to Rice.
I did like the 6’4″ UH freshman QB, John O’Korn, who completed 11 of 15 passes on 5 scoring drives, including 3 TDs by passes. The Cougar pass defense looked vulnerable and they committed far too many dumb penalties to hope for much success against a good team, but their running game looked really healthy with 372 yards rushing. All totaled, UH garnered 627 yards by ground and air.
It helped make for a nice start to the Labor Day Weekend for us Cougars, in spite of who we actually beat. (I guess I’m still primitively hooked on the idea that it’s better to win than lose, no matter what.)
Anyway, we hope your holiday is great too – and that you get to spend it doing what you want – with whomever you care to share the moment.
Tags: UH 62 SU 13 (2013)
The Pecan Park Eagle 
August 31, 2013 at 3:58 pm |
Looks like you had a great evening, and hope you too have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. All we need now is some 50 degree weather to make that Football what it should be.
August 31, 2013 at 4:21 pm |
Please let me clarify two important things regarding the repurposing of the Dome. The proposal that will be on the ballot on November 5 is the ONLY one we will get. It is either approve that plan to adapt the Astrodome for a multi-purpose venue that will be used by the OTC, Rodeo and all other major events at Reliant Park or it gets demolished. The time for other ideas is past.
Secondly, the “higher taxes” will amount to a little less than $8 a year for a property owner whose house is valued around $200,000. (The Harris County average is $188k).
For those of us who are passionate about saving the Astrodome, by far the most important building that has ever been constructed in our city, we need to educate the voting public. We have 12 weeks to do so.
August 31, 2013 at 5:16 pm |
Mike I don’t live at home and haven’t for a lot of years but I still talk to people on different levels and thru different media there at home. I tell them the exact same thing you are saying, I even try to shame those that have no roots in our home. Those that are not born in Houston are the ones that will deceive us and are only there for the good jobs in most cases. They most likely will leave there one day and go back to their own roots. Unfortunately it is these people as well as the younger people that do not share any of our values of our history and city. One person replied “why should I fund your fond memories of an old past!”, this of course could almost be used as an argument for any subject they are asked to participate in. They are not the same as us and even raised differently, sadly this entire country is in the same state as these people. They have no values we share what so ever and the only thing that they want is money, it seems to be the first thing that comes from their thoughts or mouth. They talk about all the money someone made at the taxpayers expense and silly things, it’s like we have a bunch of dummies out there, only dummies with a vote, let’s hope all the worthless lifeless ones don’t find it important enough to actually vote. I truly hope it is saved, personally I don’t care who makes money , all I want is for it to be there 50 years from now long after I’m gone. Some things cannot be replaced, these silly people that have no roots have lived an empty life. If it’s not saved then at least all of us that did have a wonderful life and enjoyed it while we were living , we’re so much more complete than this new America, they will one day sit in despair.
August 31, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Then I suggest answering them on the economic merits. As I mention above, the cost is miniscule. Less than they spend on parking for one game or one beer.
But that aside, the repurposed Astrodome is not about memories. It will enable Houston and Harris County to attract more of the very large conventions that bring millions of dollars into a local economy. The floor space of the New Astrodome will compliment Reliant Center to greatly increase capacity.
The New Astrodome will also be a key component in the Super Bowl, NCA Final Four and other large sporting events that we wish to bid on. All of those, much like the OTC are huge plusses for Houston business.
We can get something viable and vibrant or we can spend $100 million on a few more parking spaces to make the Texans more money. Anyone who cares about Houston, whether they’ve been here a long time or not, should support something that makes us a better city.
August 31, 2013 at 6:42 pm |
Mike I did mention the cost and it makes no difference to people that have their minds made up. If it were 5 dollars per year the argument would be the same. It is less the cost and more the mindset. If I were able to change these people’s minds I could be Mayor Of Houston ;0)
August 31, 2013 at 10:12 pm |
Unfortunately we are not Europe. Few care about history. In Europe after WWII old buildings that were bombed out were rebuilt to look exactly like they did before. What are the chances that would EVER be done here? Hope I’m wrong (and the cost of demolition plus building parking garages is not free.)
August 31, 2013 at 10:51 pm |
Greg, Some understand the case for history, and where the Astrodome is concerned it is a history that far exceeds sports. The building was world famous and contains a litany of architectural firsts. More importantly, it is the very soul and embodiment of Houston’s can-do, bigger than life modern image.
But for those who see dollars and cents, the case can easily be made that a facility that keeps the OTC happy and in town, that provides a state of the art space to lure large conventions and special events and one that can provide a revenue stream TO THE COUNTY as opposed to spending close to $100 million to get more surface parking that provides revenue for the Texans is the more solid idea.
It is up to all of us believers to make this case and make sure everyone goes to vote. I know you are on board. Now we need lots more folks.