Hurricane Ike: The Aftermath - Downtown Houston

I don't know what that gray thing is, but I'm certain it is not supposed to be there.

Debris along Pease St.

Well...

A broken street sign and debris



The old Enron Bldg. with broken windows.

Here is the street sign for this street, except it is at the bus stop.

This is supposed to be on the pole above the street.

Looking down the main street (Smith).

Broken awning.

Broken glass on the Chevron Building.


Only one broken window on the Continental Center.

This sign used to be on the street.

Look at how high this one is broken.





Broken glass on the ground.

Hurricane Ike: The Aftermath - some pictures

Look at the massive root!

This tree fell on the playground.



This fence got blown down.

All the cars looked like this one.

Huricane Ike: The Aftermath - Downed powerlines and trees

Hurricane Ike: The Aftermath

Well, I lost power at 3:32a with a bang!  So I just went to bed as there was nothing more to see.  I did look outside and I think my neighbor across the way had power so I could see the rain coming across the way; incredible!

I had never seen wind and water move so fast!

I awoke this morning after the storm had passed and it was jsut raining pretty badly.  I later went out to take a look like everyone else.  WOW!  Trees and leaves everywhere; massive trees are laying on their sides on houses and/or power anc telephone lines.  People are really cool.  Houstonians don't walk anywhere so it was odd to see so many people on the street.  Helping each other to clear the trees from the blocked streets as well as the leaves from the drainages.

I have a ton of pictures of course and will load them as time allows.  I do have water, but with low pressure and it may take a while for us to get power back as there are two downed trees on my street that have busted the major power lines.

Hurricane Ike: The Eyewall is here

Hurricane Ike: The Eyewall is here

So I opened my door and looked out. The door is wet so it means that rain is blowing in on it. It was then that a gust blew across my door and out to the street! The intensity is nothing like I've seen before. Then the wind and rain made its way down my street like a 100m sprinter. It is fantastic to see. i took a video and some pics.

I've had many flickers of power and Internet going out, but thankfully it is still holding. I did notice a power line a lot lower than it should be almost touching one of the cars in the parking lot.

The TV is saying that we should have another 8-9 more hours of rain as the storm is so slow moving. my power just blipped.

1,250 calls in the last 24 hours so things are happening. 311 is shut down, so only 911 can be called. Two of my friend have texted me to say they are out of power.

Hurricane Ike: Another power blip

Just had a power blip; a big one followed by two winks...
It is raining like crazy and very windy...I mean it sounds like the wind wants to come inside and the

According to the TV, the wall should come by at 3:11, in 33 minutes. It is weird as there is lightening as well as winds gusting and just rain.

I looked outside my bathroom window and the rain is blowing directing at the window, hence the constant noise I hear there...

Hurricane Ike: Gusting winds and rain continues

It is raining like crazy now...It feels like it wants to come inside; I hope the window holds. I've placed a piece of plastic there just in case it does not...

The power keeps taking a hit; you can hear the refrigerator's motor dips each time the power fluctuates.

Landfall was 2:10a, at Galveston. The eye is over Galveston now, so about 50 miles away from me.

Hurricane Ike: Another video

It is dark, but you can hear the rain and wind.

Hurricane Ike: Lots of rain and wind

Internet back up and power is good and TV works again...
Lots of rain and wind gusting...It is hitting my window pretty hard.
Just heard a report of a fire downtown at one of the big restaurants in Houston (Brennan's).
Just heard an explosion which usually means a transformer blowing!

Hurricane Ike: Internet is down

I think my Internet connection is down; using my neighbor's now... I still have a green light, but I don't think it is working...

Hurricane Ike: 3rd. Big Power flicker

Had a major flicker and lost the Internet for a bit...
I think the next one will take out the power...So far I still have power.
Gusting wind, rain and lightening is happening outside...

Hurricane Ike: Sound is back

Sound is back; just turned off the cable and my TV. HBO and Showtime still out.

Hurricane Ike: 2nd Big Power flicker

I just had a big power flicker and it took the cable with it, it seems...I can see the channels, but there is no sound. Before all this HBO and Showtime was out; no picture, no sound.

I also lost my Internet connection for a bit too...The winds continue to gust and there is now rain hitting against my window.

I keep hearing something creaking from my neighbors; I am sure it will be dislodged later tonight.

Hurricane Ike: Gusting winds

Here is a video of the winds kicking up...

Hurricane Ike: Light flickering...

gusting winds now...and the power flickered for the second or third time; thought I lost it!

Hurricane Ike: Preparations and the wait

Well, this weekend is being spent in Houston as we wait for Hurricane Ike. This massive storm should create havoc overnight as it passes through our fair city.

I went out this morning and took some preparation pictures, so enjoy...As I type this the wind is gusting pretty good. it is weird, it is first loud, then silence, then loud then silence. No rain just yet. One good thing is that it gives me a chance to clean up my apartment...

Oh, the Internet access is extremely slow...

A view out my window; I somehow don't think this dead tree will make it. Or at least it will have no leaves left on it.

A look down the street; seems normal.

In the other direction.

The local hardware store is quite busy and they are out of D batteries. Since most flashlights use D batteries, you would think they would stock up on more of those, no they have countless AAA and C sizes.

A local apartment gears up.

A few sand bags to keep the water out.

Removing the awning just in case the wind decides to have it for dinner.

My shopping neighbors; not as bad as I expected at all. Except that I could not get any quarters as the Customer Service counter was closed; due to the Hurricane the girl said. Does that make any sense to you? The supermarket closed at 12:30p which does make sense. I eventually got my quarters from the Kolachie Factory after buying breakfast. Alls, I needed was just $2.

Not much bread left on the shelf. This picture is mis-leading as there was a cart off to the right with brown whole wheat bread.

This is not misleading though, this is the paper products aisle.

A closer look.

The parking lot.

I like the design, do you?

Churascos getting the awnings down


More bags of sand.


Looking kind of normal...

The birds are chilling trying to balance on the wires.



I hope this house is O.K.

Plywood to go.

Look at those clouds.

Orange County September 2008: Arriving in Houtston-Intercontinental, Houston, TX (IAH) from Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

10SEP08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

We touched down at 10:00a and when I took my phone out of my pocket, I realized that it was still on, oops...

I went back to sleep and awoke again when we blocked in the gate at 10:06p. I gathered my stuff and disembarked and headed for Baggage Claim in Terminal C where I picked up the parking lot but.

Before I did though, I did ask the Welcome to Houston folks about getting a Metro Card. They said they did not sell a card and that if I needed change I should go by the SuperShuttle counter and they should be able to help there. Interesting...now why can't we just have a machine that sells the Metro Q cards as well as a change machine?

Orange County September 2008: Departing Los Angeles International, Los Angeles, CA (LAX) for Houtston-Intercontinental, Houston, TX (IAH)

10SEP08 Los Angeles International, Los Angeles CA (LAX)

It was 4:03p, when we pulled into LAX. In about two minutes, we made it to the Tom Bradley International Terminal and dropped off the guys who were going to Delhi.

At 4:13p, I arrived at Terminal 6 for Continental and Delta and disembarked. Great, I can make the 4:50p after all. I re-printed my boarding pass and headed to the TSA, showed my ID and went upstairs. The TSA agents up there gave me a hard time and had myself and another guy waiting to be searched. It was just stupid. The guy kept calling someone on the radio who eventually came over and told him to let us clear as we had no issues.

I then made my way to the gate and asked the agent to change me to the earlier flight which she did without any issues; I even got a window seat with the middle empty.

I looked out the window and saw aircraft N17105, a Boeing 757-200 with winglets pushing back from the gate. I also noticed someone’s name on the nose; “Jay Putsell,” I wonder who is that?


Boarding soon started, but was halted soon after as the jetway was backed up. In about three minutes it restarted and I made my way in.

Orange County September 2008: Arriving in John Wayne International, Orange County CA (SNA) from Houtston-Intercontinental, Houston, TX (IAH)

08SEP08 John Wayne International, Orange County CA (SNA)

We touched down with a thud and taxied into the gate. It's been a while since I'd flown in this airport and not too much had changed.

It was fantastic to see all the private airplanes including a few G3s. Not sure I'd see that many private airplanes in a long while.

The flight attendant made an announcement to close the windows and open the vents so the airplane would keep cool and almost immediately almost everyone closed their blinds making the airplane dark and hiding my view of the outside world.

It was 5:25p when we made it to the gate, 0:44 late. I disembarked and made my way to the arrivals where our ride was waiting.

Orange County September 2008: Houtston-Intercontinental, Houston, TX (IAH) to John Wayne International, Orange County CA (SNA)

CO1821 8SEP08 Houston-Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH) to John Wayne International, Orange County CA (SNA) 3:05p 4:41p 73G N??775

Flight Time: 3:01
Seat Map

It was slow going as we all got onboard. All the 12 First class leather seats were already occupied on this single aisle Boeing 737-700 with winglets.

I continued to my aisle seat in the 3-3 configured Economy class. I did not have any issues finding a place for my bag, but it was filling up fast. I opened the window shades as the cabin was quite dark and dreary and also a bit warm. Soon, the other two passengers in the window and aisle arrived so I made way for them to get settled in.

An announcement was made that we should close the shades and open our air vents so the cabin could cool down. Almost everyone complied, so the cabin got even darker.

At about 3:42p, the Captain came on the pa and announced our flying time of 3:01 and advised that it would be bumpy on the takeoff.

At 3:48p, an announcement was made that those without seats should take any open seat to avoid any further delay of the flight. Those standing quickly took their seats. At 3:50p, the door closed and four minutes later the safety video started as we pushed back and then headed out to the runway.

I had no idea which one we took as all the windows were still closed. It was not until 4:12p, that we were finally airborne. I actually took a cat nap just as we started down the runway.

When I awoke, the movie had already started and there was a drink cart next to me. We were served two packs of peanuts followed by beverages of choice. Beer, wine, alcoholic drinks or margaritas were 5 USD or a continental currency worth the same.

I did not recognize the movie, so I looked up the move and it was “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” with Amy Adams and Frances McDormand. There were also 12 music channels, but I had no headset to listen to any of them and did not feel like paying $1 for one. The music channels were:

1. Movie Sound Track
2. Now & Then
3. Ambient Groove
4. Latin Fiesta
5. Continental Lounge
6. The Classics
7. The Hit Factory
8. Jazz Beat
9. Movie Sound Track
10. 
    
11. Country Roads
12. Live Broadway

The handset actually went to channel 22.

A second drink service passed me heading forward at about 5:59p local time in Houston. By now the movie was over and a Behind the Scenes program was on about the making of “Horton hears a who!. By this time at 6:17p, the drink cart arrived.

At 6:31p local (4:31p West coast time), the Captain said that there was some weather ahead and we would get to it in about 10 minutes, as it will be bumpy, he advised us to use the restroom if we needed to at this point. We would land at 5:18p he said.

By now there were music videos being shown on the overhead monitors. Soon the promised turbulence started and by now there was some CNN Sports on the monitor. We still had about 34 minutes to go before we made it to John Wayne.

At 4:49p we started our descent and the captain came on the PA and said that in about 27 minutes at 5:17p, we would be on the ground at SNA. The winds were 17knots with clouds at 1,600’ and a temperature of 76F. it was his pleasure to have us on board hope we have a great day come back and fly with us again. The flight attendant then said that this concludes our beverage service.

Some CNN video played on about a place called La Haine and then one continued called Global Trends about Berlin. This was followed by the sitcom, “My Wife and Kids” with Damian Wayans and Tisha Campbell-Martin.

We then cleared 10,000' and prepared for our descent.

Orange County September 2008: Arriving at Houtston-Intercontinental, Houston, TX (IAH) from downtown Houston, TX

Houston-Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

It was 2:01p when the parking lot bus pulled into Terminal C. I noticed the new 500 bus service waiting to my left. This is the new Metro bus service that costs $15 each way. I went over to the driver and asked him where would I pay for the service. He motioned me to go inside and look by the Super Shuttle sign.

Sure enough, inside there was a Metro Direct sign right under the Super Shuttle sign. The place was devoid of people, so I said hello into the open door. A lady came out with food over her hands, apparently it was lunch time as I noticed some others within the room eating as well.

I asked how do I get a Metro card and how much was the bus and she said that it was $15 and I would get a Metro card. I said, well I really just wanted a Metro card for the cheaper $1.00 bus and she said hold on. She then went in the back and came back with another lady who was whispering that they are not supposed to sell a Metro card if the traveler Is not taking the #500. The first lady then said to me that she can issue a Metro card, but the minimum she would put on it is $15. I said thank you and left.

This is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard as there is no other place in the airport where you can buy a Metro card so you can use the #102. It is ridiculous that they are doing this just so they can promote the #500. I think I’ll have a talk with the Metro CEO about my experience. Only two weeks ago, I had to give two visitors $1 each as they had no change to get on the bus and no place at the airport to bus a Q card. The Q card allows you get a free transfer otherwise you have to pay $1 each time you board the bus or rail.

Annoyed, I went upstairs, cleared security and made my way to my gate. I stopped in the presidents club briefly, picked up a copy of the Financial Times, some crackers, checked e-mail, then headed for the gate at about 2:45p; boarding should have started at 2:30p.

When I got there, I noticed that there was no airplane and heard the tail end of the announcement mentioning that the airplane was in another location and a tug had gone to retrieve it. The departure time still showed at 3:05p, which was laughable at best.

I started to head back towards the Club, where if I sat close enough to it, I could use the WiFi, then I saw my boss with whom I’m traveling sitting at the gate so I joined him.

The airplane showed up at about 3:00p and at that point, we were showing a departure time of 3:10p. boarding of First Class customers started at about 3:15p and at that point we were posting a 3:40p departure.

My row was called at about 3:25p so I boarded.

Orange County September 2008: Leaving downtown Houston

Downtown Houston

It was 1:25p when I left my house and headed for the highway. Traffic was light so getting onto I-45 from downtown then to I-10 and finally to US59 was not an issue. It was 1:51p when I pulled into the airport parking lot

Orange County September 2008: A work trip

I'm off to Orange County for work...

Berlin September 2008: Departing Berlin-Tegel, Germany (TXL) for London-Heathrow (LHR)

07SEP08 Berlin-Tegel, Berlin Germany (TXL)

As we entered the airport, the driver asked me which gate was my flight. Well I had no idea and so he pulled into an area with a list of all the flights and their departure times and gates. This was cool as I always saw this gigantic flight Information Display there and wondered how it was used and now I know. We checked our check-in area as A04 and he used that information to drop me directly outside of the door.

As I usually take the airport bus (109 or X9) back to the airport, I did not realize that this was the case, although I had taken a cab once before now that I think about it. The guy never stopped and checked this board though.

I arrived at the terminal at 6:30a, paid the drive the 19.80 EUR fare plus a tip and entered the terminal.

There was no one at the normal check-in, but the line for Fast Bag Drop was about 6 people long. I checked in and was told to hang on a bit for a boarding pass. At about 6:45p, one was issued to me, an apology being made for a middle seat, but that was all that was left on the plane. I thanked the agent and made my way to security line which was really long. I think everyone had waited until this time to get on the security line.

Soon, an agent came out and directed some of us to another area which had no line. In no time, I was cleared through security after the agent re-checked my back as she saw something, but when she checked it was fine. I then cleared Immigration and made my way to the gate. The area we used was actually that for Continental’s flight to Newark which was departing at 9:35a.

As they were boarding, I boarded right away and the same agent who checked me in was took my boarding pass.

Berlin September 2008: Arriving in Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

7SEP08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

We touched down quietly and made out way to the gate. It is always weird when you sit in the middle of the plane as you can never tell what is going on outside. All I could see is the flaps on the left wing.

We blocked in five minutes later E4, so we could not have been that far away from the gate.

I got my stuff together and headed out towards the Immigration Hall. As I walked out I could see that they were using the Lee Road runway as I saw the Lufthansa (LH) Boeing 747-400 behind a few Continental (CO) planes and a United Airlines (UA) Airbus A319.

It was quite the wait there as they were having computer trouble so they could not process the Visitors which was really annoying. I could just imagine if that was the case when I arrived in the U.K. on Saturday, I would not have made that connection at all.

Eventually after about 15 minutes waiting I saw an Officer, cleared and then head to the Baggage Claim area. I did stop by Global Entry and was told that I do have to make the appt. online and then come in. I will see if I can get an appt. this week. I then made my way out.

Berlin September 2008: Arriving in London-Heathrow (LHR) from Berlin-Tegel, Germany (TXL)

07SEP08 London-Heathrow International, London England (LHR)

I was jolted awake by the touch down on the right runway. I continued to sleep until we blocked in at the gate. I did hear the pilot say that we had blocked into the Satellite terminal so we would have to take the train into the main terminal.

It was quite a long way to get from the plane to the train. It is a series of walkways, escalators, signs and elevators. They do have a board with a few flights that have to take a shortcut, which is cool. There were about 6 flights on that list including flights to Miami and Los Angeles.

I cleared Immigration quickly after waiting a bit for a train to show up. I then cleared Customs and looked for the signs to the in terminal train. I could have also taken a bus, but decided against that this time as I had done that once from T4 to T5 which was an O.K. experience.

Once I made it to the platform, I noticed that the next train was in 10 minutes. Bummer. I waited and sure enough in 10 minutes, we were out of there. Sadly, there is no direct way to get from T5 to T4, so the train first went to T1,2,3 and then I had to wait another 10 minutes for a train to T4 that takes 4 minutes. Come on Heathrow, I think I know why you did this, just so you did not have to have special trains just go between the terminals, but you do have one that goes from the satellite to the main terminal? It should not take a customer 28 minutes to get from T5 to T4 by train!

Once in T4, I re-printed my boarding pass, got my security checks and then headed for the security area. I cleared without any issues and headed for the Club. Once there, i showed my credentials and entered. I had a little trouble connecting to the Internet, but eventually it worked.

I also headed up to the "tower" and watched planes depart. It was great to see Virgin's B744, Air India's B777-300ER as well as Jet Airways' plus a few BA's Airbus A319s.

It was soon time to go, so I headed to the gate where I got a seat at the aisle in the first Economy class cabin of the Boeing 777.

Leaving from gate 9 always gets me as it is farther than it seems from the HoliDeck.