Asking for what you want

Yesterday was rodeo day. Couldn't have been a nicer day. Sunny, warm and perfect. As a result, over 100,000 Houstonians joined us for the event. Just a tad bit crowded, but we adapted, like the survivors we are.

In preparation for the day, we brought along two cameras. Photo opportunities abounded. As an added bonus, some rodeo attendees added a layer of green to their already colorful cowboy attire, in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

I spotted one particular rodeo visitor among a group of her friends, purchasing a souvenir coin. She was wearing shamrock eyeglasses. I deparately wanted a photo and tried to conceal myself next to a nearby glass cabinet housing some artwork to cleverly capture to candid image. But to my dismay, she kept her face turned away from my lens.

The two guys next to me caught wind of my quest and they pulled out a camera too, with no better luck than my own. Finally, as they gave up and walked off, one of them suggested to me that I just ask her to pose for a photo.

Such a brilliant idea, and so much easier than my futile method. So I did. And she said yes. One of her friends joined in the fun and these two lovely ladies gave me one of the best photos of the day.

Why didn't I think of that?

Observing Go Texan Day

On the eve of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the collective residents of greater Houston collaborate to celebrate the spirit of the rodeo by participating in Go Texan Day. Essentially, it’s an excuse to wear jeans, boots, hats and big belt buckles to work. Or for the ladies, western romance. My quickly pulled together Go Texan ensemble for the day includes boots, long knit skirt, crisp white cotton blouse with boning (for that touch of romance) tortoiseshell (faux, of course) earrings, soft scarf tied kerchief style, and casual updo. Tada! Instantly transported to a gracious ranch dripping with old-style Texas charm.

The HLSR is the largest rodeo in the world. The festivities will begin with a parade, celebrating the arrival of the trail riders that hailed from destinations near and far beyond the Houston borders. Other notable highlights, besides the drama and excitement of the livestock events and rodeo competition itself, include the carnival, barbeque cookoff, art contests, and a spectacular wine tasting event.

So, everybody wang-chung, I mean, Go Texan!

HLSR bling-bling

Publicity for the 2010 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has begun. The music entertainment lineup has been announced, ticket sales are poised to launch promptly at 10am this coming Saturday morning, and as I was browsing the website yesterday evening, I stumbled upon the official HLSR paraphernalia online store. Yes, my friends, I am on a quest to update my “look” while attending HLSR this year in order to appear, shall we say, somewhat more official. And one item from the online store caught my attention. It is a Committee Badge. An official committee badge that resembles a sheriff’s badge from an old western movie. But instead of a star, the badge is emblazoned with a spur. I am coveting this badge!

Now I am not quite certain whether to pursue it or not, since in all honesty, I have never served on a committee. But I may make an attempt. Apparently if you served on a committee at some time in the past, you may request and purchase a badge for that prior service. All you have to do is send an email to make this request, specifying the committee and the particular position in which you served.

I do not know how accurate HLSR’s records are back 10 years, or if they really care much about the authenticity of selling a badge to some scammer, like me, who just wants to amp up her rodeo garb with a little official-looking bling.

Worth a try?