Tear Down or Keeper?

I always wonder and predict how the inside of people’s houses look especially when I walk around the neighborhood and try and peak in their windows. This is a house on our street recently listed on HAR and OMG the photos were worse than I expected.

I think it’s great to stay fit and watch our weight but seeing the “healthometer” scale facing you might not be the ideal way to wake up every morning- and if you are trying to sell your house I think this bedroom photo of the healthometer scale, along with the prescription medication on the nightstand are the kinds of things we could move out of the frame- it sort of takes away from the ambiance and charm of the house.

Location is everything and this is a great one but really, it might sell better without the photos for lot value. I do love the portrait of the sweet couple at the headboard I wish them all the best in their next move. If I lived in this house I would certainly keep that portrait and I hope they do too, but when I look at all the photos and consider the location it’s hard to call this house “a keeper”. So many of us end up finding ourselves in this same predicament, even when we keep it updated. We simply outlive our houses.

A family friend told me last night that the people of the “old south” would tear down their house before they sold the land to keep their memories. I think this is what these owners should do- keep the portrait, ditch the scale, have a couple of margaritas and move on- yes?

Link to HAR listing

Dorman David

Charles Dorman David- October 27, 1937- September 30 2013

Dorman was a brilliant and talented self taught artist and collector who attracted, acquired and expected beautiful things; objects, friendships, food, and of course women. He was my friend for the past ten years but I was a new friend because held on to friendships for decades. His oldest friend goes back to kindergarten at Poe Elementary.

Dorman was a collector who was ahead of his time with great vision and aesthetic. He loved to buy/ trade and make deals- big deals with the big boys. He loved to make the news too and he did it well.

My favorite thing about Dorman was his humor; I think this was his best attribute. Once, Dorman literally made me laugh so hard I cried. I am happy to say I could make him laugh too, even in the end. When those handsome firemen were doting on him on our way to the hospital I said “Dorman look at all this male attention you are getting- I’m jealous!” He smiled and chuckled pretty well for us that that day.

As Dorman approached the end of his life, he liked to share lots of stories about his past. He constantly reminded me how much good he did- all good things and nothing bad. Dorman wasn't  much of a religious man but I think this was his way of buying his ticket to heaven and by far his biggest deal ever. Rest in Peace Dorman, You will be missed. 

"When Americans Hide Behind a Mask, Anything can Happen.

When Americans hide behind a mask, anything can happen

I attended and graduated from a small private K-12 school in Houston called Awty International back in the 80’s. I graduated with eight other people and in this case graduating top of your class isn't a big deal which was sort of good for me. My school was so small I was able to take part in any activity I wanted to; cheerleading, every musical and every play, soccer, and my favorite, photographer and editor of our yearbook. 

Halloween is my favorite time of year and NPR is my favorite radio station. I love Halloween. Everyone has a chance to be creative and reinvent themselves. This year, NPR called out for submissions of vintage  Halloween photos, so I searched my archive for the oldest photos I could find from my days at Awty. I found some and submitted my series to their site. To my delight, NPR chose a photo from my series and posted it on their website (#3 of 13) title
boys in costume

Of my series, the photo I liked most was the boy dressed as Pac Man, but that might be because I was totally hooked on Pac Man. NPR chose to post another one of the series which may be the best of the bunch. I thought I would share them all together here, maybe you can tell me your favorites?

Happy Halloween.

Agora Fire

News of the Agora coffeeshop fire was over the Halloween weekend was so sad to hear. We were just there with our good friend Costa Kaldis on Saturday. We all shared about how great the place was to hang out in, it's Costa's favorite place. The upstairs seating area was especially cool. The broken cheap Greek sculptures fit right into the scene behind the palm tree- it felt like we were on a European vacation.
I remember when they first built the place, I used to get my hair done across the street. We watched the owners and workers plug away on the fixing up the coffee shop just the way they wanted it. It seemed like it took months maybe a year or more for them to finish the place, and in one day it's gone.
I sure hope those charming Greek owners had insurance because we just can't lose another cool independent business like The Agora. Houston has lost Cactus Records, The Angelica, so many video stores are gone for good and now The Agora. Are we all now forced to drive through Starbucks as we contemplate what movie we have in our queue on Netflix? I sure hope not...

after fire photos