Shipley's Donuts

I've discussed my love of iconic Houston centric foods on TransGriot. One of them I got reacquainted with when I went back home for the Christmas holidays was Shipley's Donuts.

Before Krispy Kreme even opened their first store in the Houston area, for 73 years Shipley's has been synonymous with donuts in H-town. They have expanded their reach beyond Houston and have 220 locations in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

Some of the Shipley's locations have drive through windows in addition to being open 24 hours for all us night owls who wanted something to eat after leaving the club, on the way home from a late night at work.

So if I was fiending for a ham and cheese or sausage and cheese kolache at 3 AM or wanted a half dozen glazed donuts to eat when the mood struck me with my hot chocolate, no problem.

One of the Shipley's locations is just four blocks down the street from my grandmother's house on MLK Blvd near Loop 610. I needed some exercise and fresh air, so I decided to bounce from my grandmother's place for a few minutes and take a little stroll to grab a half dozen since I hadn't eaten them since 2000.

Yep, they were still as delicious as I remembered them,

I went back the day I was going to leave Houston to take some with me to eat on the bus ride back to Da Ville, but the moment I picked to purchase them they were out of glazed donuts. I was a little disappointed and didn't consider grabbing a few kolaches instead because I had my heart set on the donuts.

Oh well, they'll be waiting for me on my next visit home.

Houston's Transgender Center

This is old KTRK-TV news video about the transgender center back home, but still worth a look.

And yes, in this case I know one of the peeps profiled in the story.

The 'Class With Class'

I have another reunion coming up the weekend of October 8-10 with the fellow members of my Jesse H. Jones High School Class of 1980, AKA 'The Class With Class'. We received that nickname from Annie Booker, one of our counselors, and it has stuck with us throughout the years and the turn of the century as well.

We were the kids that entered kindergarten in 1967 as the pace of integration of HISD schools was taken out of the 'with all deliberate speed' setting.

We muddled through pairing plans, busing, and the adoption and formation of magnet schools by HISD as we grew up during the 70's. At the same time Houston was annexing territory, well on its way to becoming the fourth largest city in the United States and was in the news on a regular basis thanks to NASA and the space program. Houston's Black community was continuing to make progress economically, politically and socially as the city also became a magnet for people from various nations and ethnic groups as well.

By the time we members of the Jones Falcon Class of 1980 began arriving on campus from our various junior high schools we were this interesting multicultural blend of kids who not only were sophisticated beyond their years, we carried ourselves from the first day on campus as if we owned the school. Whether it was in sports, academics, student government or other extracurricular activities we quickly established ourselves as leaders despite the short time we'd been walking JJ's halls.

Some of my classmates were already driving cars and were fashion plates wearing skirted suits and three piece suits to class. But we also combined that sense of sophistication and single minded purpose with a cocky, fun loving attitude and wicked sense of humor.

During the three years we were there (HISD was on a 6-3-3 system at the time) we'd build on that reputation. The 'Class with Class' would cheer our school's victories, mourn our losses, watch romances blossom and break up and form lasting friendships in the process. I was in the Vanguard gifted and talented magnet program housed on the campus at the time, but as far as I was concerned I was a Falcon and member of the Jones Family first, and King Arthur (our nickname for Mr. Arthur Pace, our principal at the time) was the head of it.

Through all the wild and crazy stuff we did with a late 70's music soundtrack blaring in the background as we matriculated through our high school years, the thing we were most proud of was not only that nickname that had been bestowed upon us that we wore with pride, it was our teachers constantly telling us that we were a special class.

But all good things unfortunately must come to an end. We entered the decade of the 80's for the last five months of our high school days with the dizzying backdrop of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Lake Placid Olympic 'Miracle on Ice', the upcoming Carter-Reagan presidential election and the Iran hostage crisis in the background as we excitedly exchanged senior cards, signed memory books, attended the Astroworld All Night Senior Party, and counted down the days to Senior Week, our graduation and our prom.

On that May 20 night in the Astroarena we noted our diploma covers had 'The Class With Class' printed on them, tossed our caps in the air, took endless pictures and waved goodbye to each other as we counted down to the last day of the school year and prepared to begin the next chapter in our lives.

As we 'Accepted the Challenge of the 80's' (our class motto) we've taken time out of our lives to get together for our 1985, 1990 and 2000 reunions and relive that almost magical time.

With the 2010 reunion rapidly approaching, our teachers and counselors were right about us. We have turned out to be a special class. One of my classmates sits on the Texas State Board of Education and ran for city council. Our class president also ran for city council in the mid 80's. Another classmate was VP of the Houston Urban League and had a radio talk show on Majic 102. One was a Harris County DA while others are excelling in various fields.

As for me? I'm just some award winning activist, Kentucky Colonel and trans blogger.

But I am looking forward to once again seeing my classmates later this year.

Hatin' On Houston-Christofool Style

The rest of Texas, especially the conservative sections of it have always had their hate on for my beloved hometown as the largest city in the state.

But one of the questions I asked myself in the wake of Annise becoming mayor is how long would it take before the haters started tripping about her personal life?

About two weeks after her inauguration.

A 'christian' conservafool in Amarillo is taking his hatred of my hometown to another level in the wake of the historic election that elevated Annise Parker to our mayor's chair.

Reverend David Grisham has set up Boycott Houston.com which seeks to bring economic sanctions from other like minded christohaters to the Bayou City.

***

Do you want a Texas version of San Francisco? Neither do we!
Do you want Texas to be the abortion capital of America? Neither do we!
Houston has elected an openly homosexual mayor and built the largest abortion clinic in the United States and you can do something about it!

While you may or may not be a resident of Houston and eligible to vote for mayor, you can vote with your dollar.

This is why we are calling on Christians everywhere to boycott the city of Houston.
We want to impose “economic sanctions” on Houston, Texas!
Please make your voice heard and join our cause. By signing the online petition you send Houston a message; That you are tired of babies being murdered and the radical homosexual agenda being shoved down the throat of normal society.

Texas is a Christian state! Help keep it that way!
Don’t mess with Texas or Texas children.

Pastor,
David H. Grisham
Director, RepentAmarillo.com, RavenAmarillo.com

***

Now that I've had the opportunity to stop rolling on the floor laughing at this fool, time for the smackdown.

Methinks the good reverend needs to tend to his own flock in Amarillo and stop wasting time hatin' on Houston. I also find it amusing that the server that hosts his Hate On Houston website is based in San Francisco, a city he hates so much.

What's wrong Reverend, no 'Christian' high tech companies to host your website? That's what happens when you send your kids to private 'christian' schools and teach them Flintstones science.

When I crossed the Texas-Louisiana border on my long bus ride from Kentucky back home during the holidays, the sign posted at the state line welcoming tourists and highway travelers read 'Drive Friendly-The Texas Way'.

We're also known worldwide as The Lone Star State', not the 'Christian' State.

Your brand of 'Christianity', Reverend Grisham, runs counter to our state motto of 'Friendship' and is the reason our state and our country is so jacked up right now.

Frankly reverend, your wingers staying away from my hometown will actually improve the quality of life for those of us who love living there.

FYI, Planned Parenthood does mammograms, pap smears and other general health related care. If you right wing conservafools would quit fighting universal health care, low income peeps wouldn't need to go to them for basic medical needs.

I'm proud to be from and have grown up in the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States. The population of my hometown in the 2K's grew 13.6% to 2,242,173 because it is a diverse, international city.

And the population of Amarillo is what, 175,000?

I'm proud to be from a city that produced outstanding congressmembers such as Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland.

I'm proud to be from the city that is the hometown of Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, Beyonce Knowles, Jobeth Williams, Jennifer Holliday and Yolanda Adams.

I'm proud to be from a city that recognizes the talents of all its citizens and values their contributions to its civic life and growth no matter what their race, gender, sexual orientation and hopefully soon gender identity.

I'm proud to be from a city that has world class museums, orchestras, ballet, theater, nightlife, professional sports, colleges and universities, and eclectic gayborhoods.

You know, culture.

I'm proud to have our homegirl Annise Parker as our mayor. She has served this city for over a decade, knows it inside out, wants to be in that chair, and hope she gets rewarded by the voters with two more two year terms.

Oh yeah, Revered Grisham one more thing: You need Jesus.

9-7!

On September 8, 2002 the expansion Texans shocked the NFL world and a national television audience by beating the hated Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium 19-10 in their inaugural game. They joined the 1961 Minnesota Vikings as the second NFL expansion teams to win their opening game.

The Texans followed that piece of NFL history up by knocking off the Miami Dolphins to begin the 2003 season, thus becoming the only expansion team to win back to back season openers.

After consecutive 8-8 seasons, the Texans started the 2009 season with expectations of making the NFL playoffs for the first time ever. At midseason they looked like they were on track to do so with a 5-3 record.

But after another frustrating loss to their AFC South nemesis the Indianapolis Colts jumpstarted an ill timed four game losing streak, it put them in the position of needing to win their remaining four games and get help in order to make the playoffs.

They opened the 2010's with a critical must win home game against the NFL team of the 2K's, the New England Patriots. After falling behind 27-13, a 21 point fourth quarter comeback for the ages secured the 34-27 win for the Texans in front a a delirious sellout crowd and secured the first winning season in franchise history.

But to make the playoffs, thanks to their midseason swoon, they needed to have two out of three teams, the NY Jets, the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens lose.

The Broncos obliged, but the Ravens and Jets won their games, thus eliminating the Texans from playoff contention.

Despite being disappointed the Texans fell just short of making the playoffs this year, I'm still happy for my hometown team.

They posted a winning record and have some positive momentum going into the 2010 season. Maybe next year I'll finally get the chance to see my boys beat the Indianapolis Colts and play in the NFL playoffs.

Mayor Parker's Inaugural Speech

The public swearing in ceremony for new Houston Mayor Annise Parker took place today at the Wortham Theater Center with five of our previous mayors, Fred Hofheinz, Kathy Whitmire, Lee Brown, Bob Lanier and Bill White (the one she's succeeding) on the stage with her.

Due to regulations in the city charter, she was sworn in Saturday in a private ceremony to become our 61st mayor and only the second woman to hold the office.

Here's the link to Mayor Parker's inaugural speech

It figures that Phred Phelps and 4 members of his Westboro Baptist Hate Church KKKlan would show up to picket today. They were countered by an even larger group picketing them. I hope the city disinfected and scrubbed down the sidewalk where the Phelps family was standing.

Congrats Madame Mayor. May you have much success and two more terms in the mayor's chair.

It's Officially Mayor Annise Parker!

The arrival of the New Year meant that the day Houston's new mayor would take office was fast approaching.

In a Saturday private ceremony witnessed by her partner Kathy and a small group of her family and friends, Annise D. Parker was officially sworn in as my hometown's 61st mayor.

Longtime friend and former campaign manager State District Judge Steven Kirkland had the honor of administering the oath of office.

Mayor Parker used her grandparents’ Bible for that ceremony, and plans to do so again when she takes part in the public ceremony on Monday at the Wortham Theater Center.

According to a statement issued by the city, Parker kept Saturday’s swearing-in private to avoid overtime costs that would have incurred if police and other city employees were needed for a weekend inauguration.

“At a time when the city is facing budget shortfalls, we will be continually looking for ways to cut expenses,” Parker said in a statement.

During the Monday inaugural festivities, she will take the oath again at 9:30 AM CST along with City Controller-elect Ronald Green and members of the Houston City Council.

As the Houston Chronicle noted and many of us who have watched her rise to the mayor's chair already know, the incoming mayor knows her way around City Hall.

She spent six years as an at-large council member and six more as city controller, years in which she was immersed in city finances and department audits,

“We have someone with institutional knowledge in charge, someone who can recite 12 years of city policy-making off the top of her head,” said local political observer Nancy Sims. “This is truly unique since we adopted term limits.”

And it's that unique aspect which will serve her and the citizens of Houston well.

She also is a straight shooter, and plans to remind Houstonians during her inaugural speech that our city faces difficult choices.

“I'm not going to paint a rosy picture when that's not the truth,” she said. “I am by nature an optimist, but I believe that optimism has to go with hard work and commitment — you have to do the preparation — but Houstonians know how to do that. We'll get by, and things will be fine, but it's not going to be easy.”

But judging by your past work, Houston will be in good hands as you make the tough decisions that will help us get by.

Live From Houston-It's Moni!

Hey TransGriot readers!
I'm sitting in the den of my childhood home at my sister's computer. Immediately to my left is the family Christmas tree and the sun is shining brightly.

The weather was sunny and a balmy 70 degrees when I got here, but the cold front is coming.

So yeah, it's all good right now.

Bus trip was interesting and calls out for its own blog post. The Shreveport-Houston leg was an hour late getting me here after doing the tour of East Texas. I did get to knock off one of the things on the Moni H-town To Do List, which was ride the METRORail. I did it in order to make it easier on Mom who picked me up at the Fannin South terminus of the line and it was surprisingly inexpensive at $1.25 (for now). Parking around the bus station was always problematic, and now that the Red Line runs down the middle of Main Street it's even worse.

Seems like I'm not the only person in the family that came back to Houston for the holiday. My cousin Trey is in the Navy and decided to do so with his family. My Aunt Gwen and cousin Zoya who is in the Army got here Monday. Cuz looks good after going through Uncle Sam's Health Club, AKA basic training.

They all hit the house last night along with my cousin Ebonie, who lives in Fort Bend County.

So I chilled at the house with my sis Latoya, Mom and my niece Chanty, who is going to be tall like her aunt Monica. She'll be 10 in a few weeks and is already standing a little over 4 feet. Will pop over to see my dad sometime during the Moni Returns To H-town Holiday Tour.

Of course, getting spoiled by Mom already and started the process of catching up with my H-town peeps and relatives.

On that note, Merry Christmas 'errbody'. Getting ready visit some peeps and I'm counting down until I can start tearing into my mom's legendary German Chocolate pound cake.

I'm Finally Home

Well, after 23 hours, several bus transfers and 9 plus years, I'm finally standing inside the Houston city limits during the Christmas holidays.

My bus just pulled into the Greyhound station here in H-town, and I'm getting a first hand look at how much things have changed since my last trip here.

The METRORail light rail line that runs from UH Downtown through Hermann Park and the Med Center to Reliant Stadium runs right past it.

I'm going to probably take an up and down trip on the line just to give me something to do on one of my days here I'm waiting to hook up with Crys, Ness, the gang at IAH and my family.

Hoping my first time home for Christmas since 2000 will be drama free, but only time will tell.

Rolling Towards Houston

At this moment my Greyhound bus is pulling out of the Louisville station and heading south on I-65 to start the first leg of my long journey back home to Houston.

It's nonstop to Nashville, TN from Louisville, then I change buses and depart Nashville at 4:25 PM EST to continue south on I-65 to Birmingham, AL.

I change buses again and depart Birmingham at 9:50 PM EST enroute to Shreveport, LA where I make my final bus change and arrive in beautiful downtown Houston at 12:30 PM on December 23.

The best part about it is I'm not doing the driving.

As you TransGriot readers probably guessed I'll be keeping a diary during my journey back to the Lone Star State. If I get access to a computer I'll post as often as I can.

But on Christmas Day, I will definitely be taking the day off ;)

Revealing The Houston 'Gay Agenda'

Was this the mysterious 'gay agenda' the sellout negro ministers were babbling about in the closing weeks of the campaign?

Yeah, I called them negroes. They don't deserve to be called Black or African American until they come to their senses and stop palling around with white fundamentalists who do not have the African American community's best interests at heart.

Anyhoo, I'm going to get off the electronic soapbox and let you enjoy the cartoon from the editorial pages of the Houston Chronicle.

Oh yeah, congratulations Madame Mayor-elect

A Trans Houstonian Reflects On Annise's Win

TransGriot Note: My latest post for the Bilerico Project;

As many of you Projectors already know, Annise Parker handily won her runoff election race against city attorney Gene Locke Saturday night to become only the second woman elected as mayor of my hometown.

It was a watershed moment in GLBT history and GLBT politics as well as Houston became the largest city in the United States and the first in the Lone Star State to elect an openly gay mayor.

And best of all for me as a proud Houstonian and Texan, we beat Dallas to that distinction.

Hey, the rivalry between Houston and Dallas never dies.

Even though I was a thousand miles away at the time and bummed about it, I was still proud to see someone from our GLBT community rise to the highest office in our city.

In addition to her impressive political resume and compelling story, Annise has been a friend to the Houston trans community and had our back on our issues. She's a straight shooter who talks the talk and walks the walk. The Houston trans community enthusiastically supported her and volunteered in her successful city council runs in 1997 and 1999. Many of those vets were back for this nearly year long campaign.

Annise's election emphatically makes the case for something that I continually point out to people who live in blue states and have the misguided impression that relocation to GLBT meccas is the way to advance our cause.

We shouldn't be abandoning 'red states' to right wingers and never should have in the first place simply because they aren't San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York.. In some cases the advances in TBLG rights, LGBT history, BTLG culture, and GLBT politics have come out of red states.

GLBT people live all over this country, including 'red states'. Many of us grew up in locales like Houston and Texas and have mad love for them. It gives us the impetus and the incentive to want to stay, fight and do the work to make them better, more progressive places to live.

And in many cases, because we 'red staters' have organized Christohaters in our midst that hate all of us GLBT peeps equally, we're better organized politically and as a community than you 'blue staters' to work in an intersectional manner.

We red staters have to have all hands on deck efforts in many cases just to keep our passed civil rights from being rolled back in referenda or restricted in the first place.

We don't have time to engage in the internecine warfare that roils some GLBT communities in blue states, and as we painfully found out in Houston in the early 80's, the only people we hurt when we do engage in it is ourselves.

Annise's election also sends the message that just because you are a GLBT red state resident, it doesn't disqualify you from serving in your city council, your county commission, your city's mayor's chair, your school board or your state house as long as you are open and honest about your life.

It's time for qualified GLBT peeps in red and blue states to dream big and aim higher politically.

Ray Hill, the dean of the Houston GLBT activist community, said this in the Houston Chronicle about Annise's win. “For me, it means 43 years of hard work has finally paid off. “For Houston, it means we have finally reached the point where being gay cannot be used as a wedge issue to divide the community and prevent us from reaching our aspirations. Annise Parker is not our mayor — she is the city's mayor.”

Damned right she is. She represents 2.2 million people, not just Montrose.

But I can't help still seeing at times the person I met at the Houston trans community's Unity Dinner and smiling about it.

It is going to be so cool to see Annise on January 1 standing in the Wortham Center once again standing next to Kathy, holding up her right hand, but this time taking the oath as the 61st mayor of Houston.

Congrats Jo!

Annise's race wasn't the only one I was watching from 1000 miles away last night. I was also keeping an eye on the City Council reelection campaign of my UH classmate Jolanda Jones.

Some Hateraid got thrown at her at the last minute in this one by the city council conservafools. Five of her colleagues waited until late in the race to declare their support for conservative Jack Christie.

Councilmember Jones, as someone who grew up in public housing, has been vocal in standing up for the rights of people living in Houston's public housing and rooting out waste and fraud in the department. She's also calling out the racism and sexism at the Houston Fire Department, and the conservafools tried to paint her as 'racist' for doing so.

As usual, any Black woman who doesn't take any crap from the powers that be, stands tall and stands up for herself and the little guy and looks good doing it is problematic and 'racist' in their minds.

Despite their last minute politricks, Councilwoman Jones won by 1700 votes in her runoff to retain her at-large city council seat.

“The voters spoke,” Jones said Saturday night. “I won. All that's really required is to win by one vote.”

And they'll have to deal with Jo on the city council for another two years.

Congratulations my Cougar sister. Eat 'em up!

Mayor-Elect Annise Parker!

On January 1, 2010 Annise Danette Parker will be raising her right hand to take the oath of office as she's done several times since 1997.

This time it will be as the mayor of Houston.

Annise became the first graduate of Rice University and the second woman to win the office by beating city attorney Gene Locke in yesterday runoff election 53%-47%.

And yes, she also becomes the first open lesbian to become mayor of a large US city. I just wish I could have been there to cast a ballot for her like I did in the 1997-1999 election cycles.

"Tonight the voters of Houston have opened the doors to history,” Parker said. “I acknowledge that. I embrace that. I know what this win means to many of us who thought we could never achieve high office. I know what it means. I understand, because I feel it, too. But now, from this moment, let us join as one community. We are united in one goal in making this city the city that it can be, should be, might be, will be.”

I am so proud of my hometown right now. Once again we made history and blew away another stereotype about H-Town.

Annise has been doing the job as an at-large city council member and the city controller. Her endorsements from labor, police, women's groups, gay rights and other groups reflected that and were echoed by the Houston Chronicle endorsement she received.

Thanks to her campaign's superior get-out-the-vote effort, my fellow Houstonians said no to Hotze's Nazis and the Black conservafool ministers that wanted to make her sexual orientation an issue.

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which endorsed Parker, said her victory holds tremendous significance for the gay community.

"This is a watershed moment in American politics. Annise was elected by fair-minded people from across the city because of her experience and competence, and we're glad Houston soundly rejected the politics of division. This victory sends a clear signal that gays and lesbians are an integral part of American civic life, that we're willing to lead, and that voters will respond to candidates who are open and honest about their lives," Wolfe said.

My old friend Ray Hill, the dean of Houston's GLBT activist community, had this to say about last night's historic win for Annise.

“For me, it means 43 years of hard work has finally paid off,” Hill said. “For Houston, it means we have finally reached the point where being gay cannot be used as a wedge issue to divide the community and prevent us from reaching our aspirations. Annise Parker is not our mayor — she is the city's mayor.”

She won, haters! Read the election results and weep!

Congratulations Madame Mayor elect. Can't wait to see you take the oath of office at the Wortham Center.

Historic Runoff Election In H-town

I'm still anxiously keeping watch on an election transpiring today in my hometown that will result in us either having our second African American mayor or our second female mayor. I'm also anxiously watching the race between my UH classmate Jolanda Jones and her GOP opponent.

As I've been mentioning ever since she filed to run for mayor, I'm well aware of Annise Parker's activism on behalf of the community and her service to it as an at large councilmember and city controller.

I'm hoping that she gets elevated to the mayor's chair today. It's in the hands of the voters now and has been since 7 AM CST.

There have been a lot of dedicated people who have worked hard to make it happen, and I hope the voters will see through the right wing smears and make her our next mayor.

She had this to say in a recent Bilerico Project interview about my hometown, but it's something I already knew.

I think people misunderstand Texas, and I think people misunderstand Houston as well. Houston is an amazing, international city. We are ethnically and racially the most diverse city in the United States, closely paired to New York City. If you look at what drives the economy, we are the world's largest medical center, largest port in the United States, huge high-tech NASA and aerospace presence, all four sectors are tied into the world.

If you go anywhere in the world and say Houston, people have an image of a modern, progressive, bustling city. If you go to the east or west coast, somehow the image is very different. The fact that I am the front-running candidate for Mayor of Houston, and view myself as an activist, Houston is a place where you look at what you can do and bring to the table more than who you are.

I've been successful with a direct style of speaking to the voters of dealing with issues. Houston would surprise people. We are not a redneck wasteland. We are a modern progressive city with a very independent streak. I love my hometown and I absolutely believe in the people of Houston and their willingness to embrace change and tackle problems together.

We'll find out after the polls close at 7 PM CST if Annise not only becomes our second female mayor, but the first open lesbian to helm a major US city.

Going Home For The Holidays

You TransGriot readers know that over the last three months I've been to Philadelphia and Long Island with another trip coming in March to upstate New York.

But this next trip is one I'm really looking forward to.

Thanks to my early Christmas gift from Polar and Dawn, I'm going home for Christmas.

For the first time since 2005 I'll be back in the Houston city limits, and for the first time since 2000 I'll be eating Christmas dinner with my blood family.

This time Greyhound will be doing the 1000 miles of driving down there and back. There's nonstop air service out of Da Vile to Houston but as you probably guessed, the fares were too high.

Either way, it's been a while since I've been back home. The July 2005 trip was for my brother's wedding. I took a few days off from work, rented a car and drove 2000 miles solo round trip through Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi before hooking up with I-10 in Louisiana to what turned out to be a less than pleasant three day weekend for me.

There was drama that transpired a few hours after I arrived in H-town that I had to call people out on up to and including my brother, my new sister-in-law and the parental units. That trip also took place a few weeks before Katrina whacked New Orleans as well

But just like my 2005 trip, it's coming at a time when I've been homesick and really needed a change of scenery. I'm hoping the weather is relatively nice during the week I'm there and running around town.

It's also coming at a crossroads time in my life as well.

I'll have 23 hours to do some hard solid thinking about that. I'm just ready to go home, visit my family and friends and see what's transpired in the Bayou City since I left.

And there's some Creole seasoned chicken on Scott Street calling my name as well.

Rudd Transgender Scholarship Deadline Set For March 1, 2010

TransGriot Note: Announcements from the Houston Transgender Unity Committee. Been a long time (2001) since I attended a Unity Banquet.

The Houston Transgender Unity Committee has set Monday, March 1, 2010, as the postmark deadline for applications for the Peggy Rudd Transgender Scholarships. The nonprofit organization will award two scholarships for $1,000 each at the annual Houston Transgender Unity Banquet on Saturday, May 1.

Transgender individuals who are attending or will attend accredited institutions of higher learning are eligible. The application is available at www.htuc.org.

The year 2010 will mark the fifth anniversary for the Peggy Rudd Transgender Scholarship Fund, established by educator and author Dr. Peggy Rudd and her spouse, Melanie Rudd.

The Houston Transgender Unity Committee formed in 1990 to bridge the gap between the groups and organizations representing transgender persons in the Houston area, to promote unity among the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, and to educate and advocate with open and honest advocacy. Representatives from Houston-area transgender groups serve on the Unity Committee.

Tickets will soon be available for the Unity Banquet, which is one of the premiere single-night transgender events in the nation. Proceeds from the ticket sales support the Rudd Transgender Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $50 in advance ($60 at the door) and can be purchased on line through the Unity Committee website (www.htuc.org). The banquet will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Brookhollow.


Unity Banquet sponsorships are available at a range of levels, from $75 to $2,000 to underwrite the Brenda Thomas Education Table, named in honor of Thomas (1943-2006), the transgender and HIV activist and educator and longtime Unity Committee executive director. Interested individuals and companies may contact the committee at www.htuc.org.

A silent auction held during the banquet will raise additional funds to support Unity Committee programs.

In addition to the Unity Banquet and the Rudd Scholarship Fund, Unity Committee programs include the Brenda Thomas Memorial New Year's Day Social, Unity Month, Pride month activities in June, and Transgender Day of Remembrance in November. Unity Committee representatives frequently speak to schools, businesses, and organizations.

Back To Back Houston Snow?- Get Outta Here!

Wow, what's going on weather wise back home? Last year I posted about Houston getting early snow in December.

In 2004 they got whacked with a Christmas Eve snowstorm that dropped significant amounts of snow all along the Gulf Coast from northeastern Mexico to as far east as New Orleans. It gave my hometown its first White Christmas in its history.

Today H-Town is expecting 1-3 inches, and the ironic thing is that Hobby Airport, which is on the south side of town near where I grew up may get more accumulated snow than IAH, which is on the far north side of town.

It is not only the earliest date we've ever had snow in Houston history, it's the first time ever its occurred in back to back years.

They are already releasing the kids out of school in the area according to reports on The Weather Channel.

I know my niece is loving it ;)

UH Coogs Climb to Number 18 in Football Rankings

The Coogs climbed up the college football ranking ladders this week in the wake of their 73-14 demolition of the Rice Owls.

They moved up to Number 18 in both the AP and USA Today College Football polls. They jumped two spots on the AP one and seven spots on the USA Today poll.

They also gained ground in the BCS poll, moving up two spots from Number 23 to Number 21.

And best of all, the Bayou Bucket is back where it belongs.

The Coogs play for the C-USA Championship Saturday against the C-USA East Division Champion East Carolina Pirates. Should be a fun game with Case Keenum only needing 50 yards to pass the 5000 yard barrier for the season.

Eat 'em up!

Number 20 Coogs Win The West-Barbecue Rice

The C-USA West Division that is.

My number 20 ranked fave college football team walked into the game with our crosstown rivals at the Rob with a lot at stake.

Win and they not only gained revenge for last year's 52-45 loss to Rice and reclaim the Bayou Bucket, they clinch a share of the C-USA West title with a 6-2 record and play in next week's C-USA title game.

Tyron Carrier got the game off to a rousing start by taking the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown as the Cougars raced to a 59-0 halftime lead enroute to a 73-14 victory over the Owls.

Case Keenum was 25 of 31 for 323 yards and two touchdowns. He added a first half rushing touchdown as the dark horse Heisman candidate led the 10-2 Cougars to their first 10 win season since 2006.

The Coogs will travel to Greenville, NC to play for their first C-USA championship since 2006 when they take on the East Carolina Pirates at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.