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From Dirty to Dirt
Feb. 23rd, 2006 11:51 pmSo there's a game, one that I believe I was introduced to me by Randy (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lostncove) a few years back. It's called "Hot or Homeless." Given that Randy himself can apply for both positions at various times (though always in the name of art), it kind of gives the game a starting point. So, as you might guess, when your out and about, and you see someone on the side of the road, most often with a beard, you get to play. Most times the Homeless are not hot, of course, but every once in a while there's a bearish chap that almost makes you forget that he's probably a little bit off somewhere.
There's also the effect of finding someone cuter as you go by at 35 miles per hour, than they would be if you were actually face-to-face with them.
I only tell you about this to help set the stage for a little story. Over the past weekend I was in Houston, and I was trying to think of a couple of uniquely Houston things to do before I came back to Dallas. Given the cold and wet weather, going out on another photography tour was out, and it was too early to head to the Ripcord, so it all involved food. On Saturday I went to Beck's Prime for some of the best burgers you'll get in town, and on Sunday I went to a traditional guilty pleasure, James Coney Island.
James Coney Island is not only the best hot dog place in Houston, but also in the state, as I know Weinerschnitzel and other's don't hold a candle to the 80 plus years JCI has been around. Sure, the chili is more of a sauce than actual chili, but it's good and flavorful, and they have the one kitchen accessory I've always wanted, the hot cheese gun. When cheese is needed on any dish, the "hot dog artist" pulls out the gun that's connected by a long, flexible tube, and blasts hot cheese. I've always thought that it would be great to have hot cheese at your fingertips at all times.
Of course it's a good place to play "Hot or Homeless" since there seems to be a steady presence of down on their luck folks who hang around the bus stop at the Sheperd Dr. location. I'm not sure why, because it's not that bad of an area, but yet there they are, asking for change.
So I got the number one combo and sat down to enjoy the two coneys and tater tots with cheese (and a medium drink) and was prepared to read more on my current book, Empire Falls, by Richard Russo when in walked a rather handsome guy. He seemed to be about 5' 10", good build, dark hair with a beard with a small amount of grey showing, and glasses that were a little bit behind the times in style. He was followed by an older lady.
What was interesting is that he was looking straight at me. Most people don't do that anymore, so when it happens, you often wonder if you are being cruised. As he goes by, he says "Boo-yah". I'm guessing this may have something to do with the NBA all-star game in town, and such phrases were heard everywhere. He didn't seem to be saying it to me, though. After he went by, he said it another time or two. Still, it makes me think I might have been cruised by an interesting fellow.
I went back to reading my book, and I can hear the older lady talking to someone a bit, and they go about sitting down at a table a little ways away from me. Another man comes over to sit with them, about the same age as the woman. As they are getting the table set, the bear sits down and seems to be waiting. He's waiting for the older lady to start cutting his hot dogs.
I also hear a little bit more of the conversation as she's talking to one of the servers about the man, saying that he's getting older and his beard is starting to grey. Once again i hear the man say "Boo-yah!" and it hits me. Then I feel a little bit bad about thinking how attractive he was.
I had just been sucked into a game of "Hot or Retarded" and learned the answer.
lostncove) a few years back. It's called "Hot or Homeless." Given that Randy himself can apply for both positions at various times (though always in the name of art), it kind of gives the game a starting point. So, as you might guess, when your out and about, and you see someone on the side of the road, most often with a beard, you get to play. Most times the Homeless are not hot, of course, but every once in a while there's a bearish chap that almost makes you forget that he's probably a little bit off somewhere.There's also the effect of finding someone cuter as you go by at 35 miles per hour, than they would be if you were actually face-to-face with them.
I only tell you about this to help set the stage for a little story. Over the past weekend I was in Houston, and I was trying to think of a couple of uniquely Houston things to do before I came back to Dallas. Given the cold and wet weather, going out on another photography tour was out, and it was too early to head to the Ripcord, so it all involved food. On Saturday I went to Beck's Prime for some of the best burgers you'll get in town, and on Sunday I went to a traditional guilty pleasure, James Coney Island.
James Coney Island is not only the best hot dog place in Houston, but also in the state, as I know Weinerschnitzel and other's don't hold a candle to the 80 plus years JCI has been around. Sure, the chili is more of a sauce than actual chili, but it's good and flavorful, and they have the one kitchen accessory I've always wanted, the hot cheese gun. When cheese is needed on any dish, the "hot dog artist" pulls out the gun that's connected by a long, flexible tube, and blasts hot cheese. I've always thought that it would be great to have hot cheese at your fingertips at all times.
Of course it's a good place to play "Hot or Homeless" since there seems to be a steady presence of down on their luck folks who hang around the bus stop at the Sheperd Dr. location. I'm not sure why, because it's not that bad of an area, but yet there they are, asking for change.
So I got the number one combo and sat down to enjoy the two coneys and tater tots with cheese (and a medium drink) and was prepared to read more on my current book, Empire Falls, by Richard Russo when in walked a rather handsome guy. He seemed to be about 5' 10", good build, dark hair with a beard with a small amount of grey showing, and glasses that were a little bit behind the times in style. He was followed by an older lady.
What was interesting is that he was looking straight at me. Most people don't do that anymore, so when it happens, you often wonder if you are being cruised. As he goes by, he says "Boo-yah". I'm guessing this may have something to do with the NBA all-star game in town, and such phrases were heard everywhere. He didn't seem to be saying it to me, though. After he went by, he said it another time or two. Still, it makes me think I might have been cruised by an interesting fellow.
I went back to reading my book, and I can hear the older lady talking to someone a bit, and they go about sitting down at a table a little ways away from me. Another man comes over to sit with them, about the same age as the woman. As they are getting the table set, the bear sits down and seems to be waiting. He's waiting for the older lady to start cutting his hot dogs.
I also hear a little bit more of the conversation as she's talking to one of the servers about the man, saying that he's getting older and his beard is starting to grey. Once again i hear the man say "Boo-yah!" and it hits me. Then I feel a little bit bad about thinking how attractive he was.
I had just been sucked into a game of "Hot or Retarded" and learned the answer.
