I – Interstates in Dallas

a-to-z-letters-iI have never notice this in any other place I’ve lived, you tell me if it’s common, but each interstate in Dallas has more then one name. So, let me give you some directions. 

Ok, take 121 west to 114 south. 114 south will take you to Loop 12. Get on Loop 12 south to 30 east. 30 east will take you to 75 north. 75 north to 635 west. 635 west to Dallas North Tollway north and Dallas North Tollway north to 121.
 
Or, you can take Sam Rayburn Tollway south to John Carpenter Freeway south to Northwest Highway.  Get on Northwest Highway south to Tom Landry Highway east. Tom Landry Highway east will take you to Central Express North.  Central Expressway North to Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway West.  Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway to Dallas Parkway North and Dallas Parkway to Sam Rayburn Tollway.
 
Let’s try this again . . .
 
I prefer to take 121 north to Dallas North Tollway south to Spur 366 east to 75 north to 190 east to 121.
 
Or, Sam Rayburn Tollway north to Dallas Parkway south to Woodall Rodgers Highway east to North Central Expressway north to George Bush Turnpike to Sam Rayburn Tollway.
 
Or we can just stay home.
 
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Before you attempt to navigate the roads in Dallas, make sure you know where your going or get a really good GPS system.  How are the roads in your part of the world? 

H – Homes in Dallas

a-to-z-letters-hAs I was roaming around the city, I found myself having all of these deja vu moments. You know that feel you get when you have been here before.  Then it hit me, I have been hear before.   I’ve lived in 5 different places in the Dallas Metroplex.  Two with my family and three on my own.

 

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12 to 18 years old, formative years, got my own phone line, snuck out, had my first boy/girl party, had my first parents out of town party, had surgery on my hands, got my first car, boyfriend, and job all while living in this house.

 

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Coming home after my first attempt at college wasn’t to miserable, but this place motivation me to get my act together and go back to school as quickly as possible.    Cockroaches do not make good roommates.

 

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First real job after college afforded me this lovely place. On the first floor, I felt safety was an issue. Had more then one nightmare about someone sneaking in and killing me. Felt a little better when looking after my 2 year old nephew who accidentally dialed 911, the cops showed up in a matter of minutes.

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This apartment was on the second floor and much bigger than my previous place. The complex was fun, too.

I can’t remember anything else of significance happening in this place. Probably explains why the next year I moved to Washington DC and started law school. Needed a new adventure.

 

DSC02305This is where I live now, temporarily. My parents who are in their golden ages decided to purchase their dream home 5 years ago. A two story, 5 bedroom home with a study, game room and theater. Now, you tell me, why do they need all this house? I am grateful, there is still room for me, temporarily.

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This is my dream home in Dallas. Some day.

 What’s your dream house look like? 

G – Grand Lux Cafe

a-to-z-letters-gIs there a dish you dream about? A dish that if you close your eyes and concentrate real hard, you can still taste, hours, day, weeks, months and years after having it? If I was forced to eat one meal for the rest of my life it would be the cream of chicken soup from the  Grand Lux Cafe.  It is that good.

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She’s already here. I was hoping to beat her to the restaurant. Give me a chance to gather my thoughts.
Look at her, sitting there. She has no clue what’s about to happen. I’ve been told this is the best place to break up with a women.  The foods amazing and softens the blow.  
“Hey baby.” Jillian gets up and kisses me on the cheek.
“Hi Jill.” I have to break up with her. I can’t handle the pressure. I know she is waiting for a ring. I’m not ready for that.  
“How was your day?” she asks. 
“Great.” The waiter comes by to take our drink order. She orders a pomegranate margarita. I order a beer. That’s exactly what I’m talking about.  Why does she have to order a 9 dollar drink?  Why can’t she just order a beer?
“How was your day?” I ask because I can’t think of anything else to say. 
“Great.” The waiter comes back and takes our order. 
“I’ll just have the cream of chicken soup.” Jill says. Perfect. That’s the soup everyone says is better then sex.  I’ll let her finish her soup and then I’ll do it because I can’t spend another night with this woman.  
She tastes the soup and her eyes roll back into her head.
“Oh my god, this is so good.” She takes another bite and savors it.
Enjoy it women, it will be the last bowl of soup I buy for you. 
“You want a bite.” She asks and hands me her spoon. I take a bit. 
“That’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
“It’s good isn’t it.” Jillian said. 
“Here, have the rest.” She pushed the bowl over to me. Ok, maybe she’s not that bad. It’s not like she’s even mentioned marriage. She really is a beautiful women. And, this soup is good.  
“Brian.”
“Yeah, babe.” as I put another spoonful in my life. 
“I don’t think this is going to work.” 
 
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What do you think is the perfect break up meal? 

F – Flag Pole Hill

a-to-z-letters-fFlag Pole Hill is a cool little park my friends and I hung out at when we couldn’t think of anything better to do.  I never knew until I got older the history behind the area. The park was built in the 1930’s and is still the highest point in Dallas. Kind of cool to think people were hanging out with friends and having picnics in the same my friends and I hung out 80 years before.

 

“Mich, did you hear?”
“Hear what?” 
“Stop eating and listen to me.” 
“Ok, what?” 
“You’re never going to believe it.” 
“You’re probably right. Hey, give me that back.”  
“I will, after you hear the good news.” 
“Ok, what’s the good news.” 
“We got a gig.”
“Oh my god, that’s awesome. You deserve a hug.” 
“Thank  you very much.” 
“Where’s the gig?” 
“I can’t believe it, it’s finally happening. I knew it was only a matter of time.” 
“I’m so proud of you.” 
“Me, too.” 
“Where’s the gig?” 
“You know, you’ve always believed in me.”
“Aw, I love you. Of course I believe in you.” 
“I love you, too.” 
“Where’s the gig?” 
“I can’t wait to see you on the front row. Wear something sexy.” 
“I will, but where’s the gig?”
“And, after the gig, we’ll go out and celebrity.” 
“Definitely, but Jeff, where’s the gig?” 
“Flag Poll Hill.” 
“Flag Poll Hill.” 
“Yeah, Flag Poll Hill.” 
“The park, where we hang out all the time and where you’ve played countless times. That’s your gig?” 
“Yeah.” 
“Who hired you?” 
“Mike.” 
“Mike?” 
“Yes, Mike. Stop repeating everything I say.” 
“Your best friend, Mike?” 
“Yes, what happen to supportive?” 
“What did he hire you to play for?” 
“His birthday party.” 
“The birthday party we planned?”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” 
“Well, is he paying you?” 
“Paying me, he’s my best friend. I can’t charge him.” 
“So, let me get this straight.  Your first gig is playing at a park we hang out at all the time for a party  that we planned for your best friend for free.” 
“Yeah, ain’t it great.” 
“You’re so pretty.”

It’s still one of my favorite places in Dallas.  Do you have any hangouts that have lasted since high school? 

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E – Events in Dallas

a-to-z-letters-eHeads up everyone, I am allowing myself one lazy post a week and this is it.  I am a little worn out because of the topic – Events.  I have been attending to many events lately.

One of the greatest things about living in Dallas is there are events every week. I’ll let the events tell the story for me, today.

April Events in Dallas:
April 4, 2013 – DFW International Film Festival
April 4, 2013 – Donna Karan Spring Collection Fashion Show to benefit Treasure You
 
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April 5, 2013 – Opening Night at The Ballpark in ArlingtonGo Rangers
April 5-7, 2013 – Deep Ellum Art Festival
April 6, 2013 – Big Texas Beerfest
April 6-May 27, 2013 – Scarborough Renaissance Festival
 April 7, 2013 – Dallas Blooms!
April 12-14, 2013 – Nascar at the Texas Motor Speedway
April 18, 2013 – Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival
April 20, 2013 – North Texas Taco Festival in Deep Ellum
 
And, those are only the event I am interested in. There are many more.  My goal is to take advantage of all Dallas – Ft. Worth has to offer.  Does your city have a lot of events? Do you take participate in them?