V4N1B

Not too SHARP

This year we are trying out a new system for our e-mail. We've gone from no mail, to laptop to the Sharp Pocketmail. In the past we were having trouble locating a telephone jack with which to connect our computer, and then having to finagle a way to check it for free without having to pay the usual $1 per pop. About 50% of the places would allow you the access for free, but not all. And lugging a laptop around just for e-mail was cumbersome.

We had heard from, and saw several people using the Pocketmail last year at the many pay phones that we used during the winter. While waiting for the phone, we asked questions about the device, and got very favorable replies. We had decided last year that we would try one out this year. And try we did. This little device has been such a joy to use. There is no equipment requirement except a working telephone. You hold it up to the receiver and it sends and receives e-mail at the push of a button. The only regret that we have, if there is one, is that our friends from home bought theirs for $69.95 and the best price I could find was $82.95. And they even offered to buy 2 when they got theirs. Rats.......foiled again!

Spaceships Anyone?

The Houston Space Center is located southwest of Houston, Texas approximately 60 miles from the City. Although there are no rockets or shuttles launched from this facility, it is Mission Control for all flights originated at Cape Canaveral in Florida. The Center is very easy to get to and well worth the effort to spend a day there. While the tram ride takes you to Mission Control, The Astronaut's Training Facility and the building where they house the X38, (the astronaut rescue vehicle) the tram ride is not impressive, but certainly a way to see the entire facility. There are, the token space vehicles like a Saturn Rocket on the outside.

The meat and potatoes of the center, in my opinion, is the fabulously appointed Main building itself. From the Imax and the other peripheral theaters, to the interactive electronic games for young and old, this is a place where people of all ages can have an excellent time being entertained. There are also spacesuits of every conceivable dimension and configuration which were immensely interesting to observe behind they're glass enclosures. The many Space Station Modules were also of unique interest.

KONRICO

Konrico. Or the Conrad Rice Company. Phillip Conrad built the Conrad Rice Mill in 1912. The location of the mill is in the South Louisiana town of New Iberia. The mill has since been designated a National Historic Place on the list of historic places, as the oldest mill in the US. Having an afternoon with nary a thing to do, we decided on a tour through the mill. We started in the company store watching the historically correct story of the "Cajun culture."

An interesting tidbit of knowledge is that aside from the Chinese, the Cajuns eat more rice per capita than any other culture in the US. After the movie in the store, we started the tour through the mill. With the floors creaking and groaning from the weight of the 8 people on the tour, I wondered if the construction techniques of the 1900's would still be sound enough for the next half hour. As it turned out, the 5 story building was still there when we left. The remainder of the tour was conducted on only the first floor. Obviously automation has downsized the operation considerably. The only portion running on the day we were there, was the automatic bagging machine.

Galveston

The last time we were on Galveston Island in Southeast Texas was 1993 and the 2nd week of June. There were boats sailing and speeding around on the Gulf and there were scores of people on the beach. Not many swimming even at that time, but at east they were there. There were dozens of folks just riding the bikes of all sizes, and most interestingly the 4 seaters with the parasols overhead.

This time we arrived PRE "Spring Break" and there were hardly any people to speak of anywhere. We were told that the tram was not running because it was "off season." The rail trolley, however, was another story. We boarded that baby and after about 45-60 minutes we were checking each other's teeth to see if they were all still there. The rattling was deafening and we have the video to prove it.

We did, however, see two movies at the Pier 1 Theater entitled The Great Storm and The Pirate Jean Lafitte. One concerning the Galveston hurricane that killed 6000 people in the early 1900's. The other depicted the life of Lafitte while he and his cronies occupied Galveston Island. It was appropriate considering the 2 sites about Lafitte we had just visited.