CAUTION: graphic imagry

Even if you have never been inside, you may recall a mural that once graced the east side of the legendary Mary's.  Located at the corner of Westheimer and Waugh, Mary's used to be a gay bar abundant with history.  If only those walls could speak...earmuffs!

original

 The legendary mural illustrated a bar scene that portrayed actual regulars from the bar.  Although stereotypical and exaggerated, it became an icon.  Seeing that the city of Houston does not have many notable public art spaces, this mural was unique and instantly became synonymous with the community of Montrose 

after original was painted over
before resurrection of duplicate

In 2006 the mural was painted over...all that was left behind was the cat, Mr. Balls, intact and still on his barstool. Recently, a group of local artists were commissioned with the objective to resurrect the iconic mural.  With the cat as their guide, these artists reapplied the mural this week...attempting to recreate it exactly the same as the original, in all its glory. This process started Sunday night and its completion was celebrated Thursday evening with bottles of champagne.

Mr. Balls

The reappearance of this mural is all in time for the Houston Pride Parade.  Although it is anticipated that the Montrose community will enjoy the resurgence of this nostalgic imagery, this tribute is not meant to be permanent.  The new owners of the Mary's building envision this wall as a revolving art piece.

I can't imagine what'll be next...

Yacht

Yachts intrigue me...this yacht fascinates me!

Italian designer Pietro Russomano is the designer of this elegant 77 foot, 40 ton, 8 bedroom Speedline yacht.

Sinuous curves, elegant details, and minimal style

Although it does not exist in reality at this point, one can still dream...

Workman

Somewhere in Sommerville, Texas is a stunning oasis...

This paradise exists on the ranch of an oil man (said like Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood). This executive of a large oil company hired Custom Design Pool and Landscaping to design, develop, and bring this retreat to life.

The pool has 2400 square feet of water surface that can be heated.  Inside there is a swim-up bar for year-round use...and outside, a lazy river!  More fun amenities include a 16-foot long tube slide and a 10-foot tall four-sided waterfall with tunnel for lazy river.  There is a large tanning area with umbrella holders and area for playing volleyball.  And the pièce de résistance; a replica oil derrick with (spewing) fountain.

This retreat is not only comfortable and spectacular, it is modern and efficient with its Pentair Intelliflo energy efficient pumps, infloor cleaning system, and LED color lights.


Good work, man.

Urban going suburban

City Centre in Houston is getting an Urban Outfitters.

Check it out under construction:



Located below RA Sushi, Next to Flora & Muse



A bit industrial, but that's nothing new for UO



Using reclaimed wood...



Exterior steelwork detail





Purse?

I am constantly exposed to the construction world...and all of its glory (NOT).  In the past I came across this line of tool bags that I thought could be a really great alternative to a purse.
(hint hint...I want one)

The brand is Klein, and they can be purchased at a hardware/supply store near you.

They also have bags in canvas (alternative to a diaper bag?)

Hooked on Photography

Corey Arnold is a photographer and commercial fisherman.
He is a Southern California native who now lives in Portland...in between he has spent some time in Norway and Alaska. Specifically, the Bering Sea is where he spent six winters working aboard a commercial crab boat, and fished wild Salmon in Alaska.  Aboard these fishing vessels he developed a unique viewpoint for his photography, talent, and passion. Corey sought out the humor and humanity of his subjects, embracing a rebellious, playful, and quirky side. 

He has shot men lying on top of a room FULL of crab and hugging huge fish.  Arnold says he’s not a documentarian in the pure sense.  That said; he wants his images to tell stories...he’s not above a bit of staging.

His works can be purchased individually or you can purchase a book.  The 1000 copy print run of his first  book sold out in 4 and a half months!  Nazraeli Press will be doing a second printing which is now available for pre-order at fish-work.com.

Frying Pan

I was recently shown an article in the June issue of Men’s Journal. It was about a place called the Frying Pan Tower.  Apparently (according to the current owner) they noted several details about the tower that insinuated that it was previously an oil rig when in fact it is just designed like one.  With a few other incorrect tidbits in the article, the MJ article sparked my curiosity...so I discovered more...

The Frying Pan Tower is 90 feet off the water with wide open nearly 360 degree views of the ocean.  It is located 25 miles southeast of Southport.  To get there involves an hour and a half boat ride and a 30 minute helicopter ride, weather permitting.  This former Coast Guard lighthouse was built in 1966, automated in 1979 and deactivated in 2003, when GPS technology and buoys rendered the tower obsolete.  Richard Neal bid on this tower and gained possession of it for $85,000.  Neal envisions its future use being a sort of seagoing bed-and-breakfast establishment where guests can be adventurous.

More recently, Neal has involved a structural steel expert and an electrician to asses the modified oil drilling platform, which is anchored to the ocean floor by four massive steel legs.  As well, a Charleston engineering firm was commissioned by the Coast Guard to inspect the light station found it in satisfactory condition.

Currently, the tower platform includes a 5,000-square-foot living space with five bedrooms, a kitchen, office, storage space, recreation area and bathroom facilities.  According to Neal's blog, he will renovate the light tower in phases. Phase 1, is projected to be completed with the help of volunteers* and will include the replacement of stairs, general cleaning, electrical and HVAC work in the living quarters, and shoring up the water capture system

The second phase of work, to be completed in 2012, involves a more thorough cleanup, room reconfiguration, new lighting and holding tanks. Small wind turbines will be installed under the platform and provide most of the tower's electricity needs.

*If you’re interested, you can step up and help/participate too...