Japanese Folk Tale: The Mirror Of Matsuyama

A long time ago in a remote part of Japan lived a man, his wife, and their little girl, who was the pet and idol of her parents. One day, the man was called away to Kyoto for business. Before he left, he told his daughter that if she was good and dutiful to her mother he would bring her back a present that she would prize very highly. Then, the man took his departure, mother and daughter watching him go.

At long last he returned home to his wife and lovely daughter. After his wife and child had taken off his large hat and sandals, he sat down upon the white mats and opened a bamboo basket, watching the eager gaze of his little child. He took out a wonderful doll and a lacquer box of cakes and set them in her outstretched hands. Once more he reached into the basket and handed his wife a metal mirror. Its convex surface shimmered brightly, while upon its back there was a design of pine trees and storks.

The good man's wife had never seen a mirror before, and gazing upon it she was under the impression that another woman looked out upon her as she gazed at the mirror with wonder. Her husband explained the mystery and bade her great care of the mirror.

Not long after this happy homecoming and the distribution of presents, the woman became very ill. Just before she died, she called out to the little girl and said, " Dear child, when I am dead take very good care of your father. You will miss me when I have left you. But take this mirror and when you feel most lonely, look into it and you will see me." Having said these words she passed away.

In due time the man married again, and his wife was not at all kind to her stepdaughter. But the little girl, remembering her mother's words, would retire to a corner and eagerly look into the mirror, where it seemed to her that she saw her dear mother's face, not in pain as she had seen on her deathbed, but young and beautiful.

One day this child's stepmother chanced to see her crouching in a corner over an object she could not quite see, murmuring to herself. This ignorant woman, who detested the child and believed that her stepchild detested her in return, fancied that this little one was performing some strange magical art, perhaps making an image and sticking pins in it. Full of these thoughts, the stepmother went to her husband and told her that his wicked child was doing her best to kill her with witchcraft.

When the master of the house had listened to this extraordinary tale he went straight to his daughter's room. Her took her by surprise, immediately the girl saw him and she slipped the mirror into her sleeve. For the first time her doting father grew angry, and he feared that what his wife had told him was true, and he repeated her tale forthwith.

When his daughter had heard this unjust accusation she was amazed at her father's words. She told him that she loved him far too much to wish to kill his wife, who she knew was close to him. "What do you have up your sleeve?" said her father, only half convinced and still much puzzled.

"The mirror that you gave my mother, and which on her deathbed she gave to me. Every time I look into its shining surface I see the face of my dear mother, young and beautiful. When my heart aches, and oh it has ached so much lately, I take out the mirror and my mother's face with her sweet, kind smile, brings me peace and helps me to bear hard words and cross looks.

Then the man understood and loved his child more for her filial piety. Even the girl's stepmother, when she knew what had really taken place, was ashamed and asked for forgiveness. The child, who believed she had seen her mother's face in the mirror, forgave, and trouble forever departed from the home.

My Trip To Japan: Shinagawa Station Subway Platform

Here are a few photos from the JR Yamanote Line platform. They give a good idea of what to expect at most any train platform in Japan.

There are four train tracks on this platform. Two of these tracks are dedicated to the JR Yamanote line. The other two are dedicated to various other trains, some of which do not stop. Occasionally, you will end up on the wrong side of the tracks. Sometimes you can just face the other way. Other times you will need to go upstairs and cross over to the other set of tracks. I had to do this more often than I'd like to admit.

Sometimes you have a better chance of getting a seat if you head away from the crowds. Most people will continue straight as they come off the escalator.

You will be riding the subway with all sorts of people. Some will be coming home after partying all night. There will be students, office workers, and even someone on their way bak from a fishing trip like the man in blue.

You never know what sort of items will be brought on the train. So, bringing luggage onboard is not a problem except during the peak of rush hour.

Be prepared for people running at full speed as soon as a train door opens. I am very impressed with how fast some women can run in high heels. I did not think it was possible. Most of the time the people are transferring to another train line and need to make a connection as quickly as possible.

The proper way to enter the train car is to wait to the side while everyone exits. Then, you can go on and try to find a seat. While everyone is exiting, it is time to move to an empty seat. I must say that Japanese people are a little more courteous than the South Koreans.

For tourists it is better to exit the train, stay out of the way for awhile, and then move towards the exits when the crowds have left. It will be better for you and the locals too.

My Trip To Japan: Inside Shinagawa Station

I stayed at the Shinagawa when I was in Tokyo last year. Shinagawa Station was a 3 or 4 minute walk from the hotel. At Shinagawa Station there are multiple train lines that connect there. The main trains that I used were the Yamanote Line that circles Tokyo, the NEX that travels to Narita Airport, and the JR Shinkansen that took me to the Kyoto and Osaka area.

After entering the station you have to go up one level to catch most of the trains. This photo was taken around 5:30 am. In about an hour there will be thousands of people running (REALLY) in every direction. It will take you a little while to get used to this. It can be very intimidating. The general rule for riding the escalator in Tokyo is to stand to the left and walk to the right. There is some allowance if you have luggage, so don't worry about that. Sometimes the line for the escalator standing will be long. You can either wait or just walk up the escalator. That is what I usually did. Usually the stairs are marked on which side is up and which side is down. For the most part, the people in Tokyo obey the signs. If you are unsure, just wait for someone follow them.

NOTE: For some reason the people in Osaka like to do the exact opposite of the people in Tokyo. In Osaka people stand on the right and walk on the left when they take an escalator.

 

If you continue straight, you will find the platforms for the JR Shinkansen trains that travel all over Japan. You will also find the NEX train platform. If you go to the right, you will find the local trains. The JR Yamanote train platform is through the ticket gates and then immediately to the right and downstairs. Also, to the left in the photo you will find the JR Shinkansen ticket office. You can buy tickets for the Shinkansen trains and get your tickets with your JR Tourist Pass there. Just past the gates on the right is the ticket office where you can exchange your JR Tourist Pass. Also, there is a foreign exchange booth on the right just past the gates. I found Shinagawa Station one of the easiest large train stations to navigate around.

Here are the ticket gates to get to the local trains. To the right there is a place to buy day or trip tickets. If you buy a SUICA card (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), there will be a pad on the gate to touch and debit money from your card. If you buy tickets there is a place to insert the ticket and a place to retrieve it after it has been debited. I think it is a must to get a SUICA card. I got mine at the airport and put 10,000 yen on it. That is about $100. That will last a long time. You can also use your card at some stores and vending machines. I also used mine at Narita Airport at the gift stores closed to my gate. I think I had less that $0.40 left on the card when I left Japan. If you have more, there is a place at the airport to get a refund on the unused portion of your Suica card.

To the left of the gates is a booth manned by train personel. If you need help that is a good place to go. Also, if you have a special pass, like the JR Tourist Pass, you show it to them to gain entry to the train platforms. I have more photos of train stations scattered around my computer. I can provide more detail later on some of the other others of the train stations.

My Trip To Japan: Shibuya Sushi Go Round Restaurant

The sushi go round restaurants are another budget friendly place for foreigners to eat at. This restaurant is advertising 2 pieces of various sushi for 100 yen or about $0.80. You could eat 20 pieces of sushi for about a little over $8. I found the sushi at these places as good as most in the US. The sushi at Tsukiji Market is of much higher quality though.

You don't need to speak Japanese to eat at the sushi go round places. You go in and the waitress will ask how many in your party. Then, at your seat you grab a cup and make a glass of hot green tea. There will a small container with green powder. Add one dip with the supplied small scoop. Fill with the hot water spout near your seat. There is soy sauce and wasabi at each seat. Then, pick out your favorite pieces of sushi as they come by and enjoy. At some of the sushi go round places you can get fresher sushi if you order it through the waitress. There was always someone who understood a little English at all of the sushi places I went to. You mostly have to point at a picture anyway.

My Trip To Japan: Yaro Ramen Near Shibuya Crossing

Yaro Ramen is one of thousands of ramen shops spread across Japan. While I didn't eat at this particular restaurant, most of them are similar. These are great places for tourists to grab a quick bite to eat. The meal is great for those on a budget. A bowl of ramen is almost always under $10. One of the best things about these types of restaurants is that you don't need to speak a word of Japanese.

Sometimes, just outside of the restaurant will be a few plastic food examples of what each type of ramen looks like. Then, there will be a sign with photos of the ramen. After you decide on which one that you want, you will go to the ticket machine. Insert your change and then push the button. After you go inside the waitress will motion you over to a seat, you hand her your ticket, and then wait on your steaming hot bowl of noodles. This will take just a few minutes. Other than a greeting in Japanese, no words have to be spoken.

If it is your first time in a ramen shop you can observe the noodles being made. You can also watch some of the other patrons eating their noodles. It took me a little while to get my slurping technique down. But don't worry, no one cares how you eat your noodles. The waitress will pour you a glass of water and leave the pitcher for you to pour your own refills. A ramen shop is not a place to sit around and have a long talk with your friends. Simply eat the meal at your own pace and then get up and leave.

If you don't like ramen, most noodle shops have other things to eat like chicken, dumplings (mandu), and pork. This shop even has beer and ice cream. If you go to Japan you must put eating in a ramen shop on your must do list. I think you will enjoy it a lot. After eating hundreds of ramen packets in college (they were 10 for a dollar back then) I was pleased that they tasted MUCH better.

My Trip To Japan: Shibuya Tourist Information Center

Near the Hachiko exit at Shibuya Station you will a tourist information center for the Shibuya area. The tourist center is in an old subway car. I did not go into the center but I have seen it on NHK television. They have many brochures and maps available. There are people there who speak several different languages who can make recommendations on places to eat at and visit in the area. I had spent a lot of time gathering information on the internet and had it stored on my Ipad. Plus, I just like to walk around and explore.

There is usually a large crowd of people in the area. It is a good place to people watch. It is also a good place to learn how to do street photography.

The Shibuya area is one of the fashion centers of Tokyo. Some of the most well known clothing stores can be found a short walk away.

My Trip To Japan: Shibuya Crossing Small Children Sculpture

Near the Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Crossing there is a sculpture of several children at play. Like the Hachiko sculpture, it is a good place to meet up with friends. You might notice that the kids have several shiny areas on them. I think this is due to the Japanese rubbing the statue for good luck or healing powers. I saw this a lot in Japan. It was really noticeable when you came across a statue of an ox, which I think is supposed to symbolize wealth.

The most prominent rubbed area appeared to be the head, maybe for intelligence or to cure hangovers. Knowing the area I suspect it is to cure hangovers. I think the foot is the next most rubbed area. Close behind would have to be one of the little boys' penis. I don't really have a comment on that one.

As both an experiment and an experience, I rubbed the foot of one of the statues. My right foot gives me problems sometimes. Three months later, I do not detect any appreciable benefit. Maybe it takes longer to work. I'll wait and see.

You can see a small amount of trash around the sculpture. This will be picked up shortly. It is extremely rare to see trash on the streets of Tokyo. The men and women who keep the city streets clean do an amazing job. The same can be said for the ones who keep up with the insides of the train stations. Many people stay out all night drinking in the Shibuya area. This is an area where they sit and wait for the first train to come in the morning. So, some need to get some coffee or food in their system before they start a new work or school day.

My Trip To Japan: Burger King Breakfast Sandwiches

I don't recall ever eating a breakfast sandwich at Burger King. I had to laugh a little when I saw the morning menu from Burger King in the Shibuya Station area of Tokyo. There are definitely some unique items available.

1. Classic burger with tomato and pickles
2. Classic hot dog with optional chili
3. Fish sandwich with cheese
4. Spam, egg, and cheese
5. Sliced beef, sliced ham, tomato, and egg
6. Classic burger with avocado and tomato
7. Bacon, lettuce, tomato, and egg

My wife is Korean as well as a lot of our friends. I wonder if the Japanese consume as much Spam as the Koreans. If they do, then number 4 is probably very popular. For the most part, these offerings aren't too different from what you can find in America. Most fast food places will cook up a burger or fish sandwich while they are serving breakfast. I see people buying hot dogs for breakfast at the gas stations in the mornings. One thing they could use is a good breakfast taco. That is the number one selling breakfast item here in Texas.

My Trip To Japan: Hachiko Statue

Just outside the entrance to Shibuya Station is a statue honoring a dog named Hachiko. It is a favored meeting spot in the very crowded area near Shibuya Crossing. Thousands of people congregate near the intersection and it can be quite difficult to meet up with friends. Many people choose to meet at the Hachiko Statue before going shopping, eating, or clubbing in the Shibuya area. Unfortunately, it can still be too crowded to find anyone near the statue.

In 1924, a college professor named Hidesamuro Ueno, brought Hachiko to Tokyo. Every morning Hachiko would watch his owner leave for work. Every afternoon, Hachiko would greet his owner at Shibuya Station. Unfortunately, after one year professor Ueno passed away. Hachiko continued to visit Shibuya Station every afternoon waiting on his owner to return. He continued this daily routine for 10 years. The citizens were so impressed with Hachiko's loyalty that they erected a statue honoring him near the station where he waited all those years.

My Trip To Japan: Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Outside photos

I found a couple more photos of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. They show the outside of the hotel on the way to the subway station. You can see that this is a very modern hotel even for the price of $70 a night in Tokyo. Of course, that is for the basic single room. There are much better rooms available although at a much higher price.

Around the taxi stand there are some boutique gift stores. Between them and the street that fronts Shinagawa Station there is a convenience store and a McDonalds. Inside the hotel there are additional stores, restaurants, a bowling alley, and a water park. The walk to Shinagawa Station takes less than 5 minutes. This is convenient when you have lots of luggage. There are plenty of restaurants, a couple grocery stores, and other places to shop and eat at the subway station.

My Trip To Japan: New Osaka Hotel, Photos

Here are a few photos from my stay at the New Osaka Hotel. It is located near the Shin- Osaka Station. It is on the Shinkansen train line between Tokyo and Kyoto. I chose to stay in Osaka due to more food choices and a better night life. I would choose to stay in Osaka again but I would definitely stay in another hotel. I did not find any major problems with this hotel but there were many small problems that just added up.

This would be the view. The view isn't really important, but it could be a little better.

If I leaned out the window I could get a little glimpse of a street.

The bed was a typical Japanese budget hotel bed. It was nice and the pillow was a little bigger than the one that I used in Tokyo. I would have preferred a different comforter though.

The window opened, which was a big plus. It allowed me to get the room a little cooler to my liking. I could also hang my shirts and jacket up to dry with the light breeze that came through the open window. There was some type of high pitched electronic noise nearby that was difficult to overcome.

This is the rest of the bedroom furniture. Fortunately, it had small refrigerator. The television worked but there were hardly any channels. The main thing missing was a closet. So, I had to leave my suitcase open on the floor to store everything. I did hang up a couple things on the shower curtain rod and window.

This is the basic bathroom setup. It does have a fancy electronic toilet but I just used it American style. The bath tub was bigger than the one in Tokyo but the water wasn't very hot. The shampoo and soaps were a little weak.

Overall, I have nothing bad to say about the hotel. Then again, I don't have a lot of positive things to say either. I would stay here if it was the only hotel available. Most likely, that won't be the case, ever.

My Trip To Japan: New Osaka Hotel, Reason For Choosing And Prices

On my trip to Japan, I spent 6 days and 5 nights in Osaka. It was a good base to use to travel to Kyoto and Nara as well. I stayed at the New Osaka Hotel near the Shin- Osaka Station. The Shinkansen train stops here on the way between Tokyo and Kyoto. That is the main reason that I chose this hotel, the location. Also, the hotel was within a short walk of the station and in my price range.

It was difficult to book this hotel direct, so I used Travelocity. I was not charged anything until I checked out. This hotel was a little more expensive than the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo. Here is a breakdown of the costs.

Check-in Check-in time starts at 3 PM If a late check-in is planned, contact this hotel directly for their late check-in policy. Important Hotel Information Although Travelocity does not charge a fee to change or cancel your booking, New Osaka Hotel may still charge a fee in accordance with its own rules & regulations. Cancellations or changes made after 11:59 PM (Tokyo Daylight Time) on November 01, 2015 or no-shows are subject to a hotel fee equal to the first night's rate plus taxes and fees. View your online itinerary for additional rules and restrictions. Room   Semi Double Room Non-Smoking     Includes: Free High-Speed Internet

Price Summary Total $414.53 ¥51,340 Collected by the hotel Sale! Prices shown after -¥9,060 savings Room Price   ¥51,340 5 nights   ¥10,268 avg./night 11/2/15   ¥9,350 11/3/15   ¥9,350 11/4/15   ¥10,880 11/5/15   ¥10,880 11/6/15   ¥10,880 Taxes   included Rate quotes in USD are based on current exchange rates, which may vary at time of travel. Final payment will be settled in local currency directly with the hotel. Additional Hotel Services The below fees and deposits only apply if they are not included in your selected room rate. The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out. Breakfast fee: between JPY 1000 and JPY 1500 per person (approximately) The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

The exchange rate between the Japanese yen and US dollar was between 122 and 126 yen per dollar. So, at 122 yen per dollar, the average price per night would be $84.16. That is about $15 more per night than I spent in Tokyo.

I was not very happy with this choice of hotel. It is more than adequate but there are better hotels available. I would not recommend it to anyone or stay there again. I actually do not have any major gripes, just a lot of small ones. I would have liked to be able to set my own room temperature. At least there was a window. However, there was a high pitched noise that was almost unbearable. I was only able to sleep with my headphones on while playing music. I thought the room could have been a little cleaner. I wish that it had a closet or some place to store my clothes instead of just in the suitcase. The walk to the train station was farther than advertised and there was a lack of places to eat and buy groceries. I have other small concerns but nothing major.

My Trip To Japan: Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Photos

I stayed at the East Tower of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. The rooms are singles only, I think. They are basic rooms but comfortable. The room was always clean and everything in the room worked. The room cleaning team came in around 2:00 pm every day and did a great job. You need to plan your mid day nap around them. You can opt out of the room cleaning and get a 500 yen discount. That is about $4. During the first 8 days I stayed on the 17th floor and at the end of my trip I stayed on the 9th floor.

I did experience my first earthquake while I was sleeping one night on the 9th floor. It was a 5.3 that was centered about 20 kilometers away. The bed shook fairly hard for about 15 or 20 seconds but that was all. I will admit that I was a little excited and could not sleep the rest of the night. I just used it as an excuse to go eat an early sushi breakfast at Tsukiji Market.

This is Shinagawa Station from the 17th floor of my hotel room. There was no street or train noise up here. The room was quiet overall with the exception of one night. There was a tourist group of mature Korean women and they had definitely been into some soju or something. I understood some of what they were saying but not much. I thought it was funny the way they were giggling and running from room to room gossiping.

Here is the bed. It is small but comfortable. I do wish that there had been 2 pillows or at least a bigger pillow. The television had around 20 channels but I never saw anything on it that was the least bit interesting with the exception of the 2 Korean channels. Unfortunately, the Korean shows were subtitled with Japanese! I was really looking forward to watching some of those crazy Japanese game shows that you see on Youtube. I guess they were on the pay on demand channels that were available for purchase. Anyway, the sights outside the room were infinitely better than anything that would be on that screen. The area underneath the television was the perfect size for my large suitcase.

The closet was plenty big enough for all of my clothes and gear. The door has a combination lock to store your valuables. Myself, I carry my valuables with me  at all times. I do not trust any locks in any hotels. You are supplied with new bedroom slippers and a clean Japanese bath robe daily. The shoes are about the same size that I found in South Korea, way too small for me.

There is a desk with plenty of outlets available. There is also a small refrigerator in the room. Every day I would stop at one of the many stores in the train station and pick up some food and drinks. This is a big money saver for those on a budget. It is a must have as far as I am concerned.

Just like in South Korea, the rooms have the fancy toilets. Also, just like in South Korea, I am still too afraid to use the electronics. The toilet seat on this one was always heated though. The toilet worked like all Western toilets if you are also a little leery of them. The toilet paper was average.

The sink area is adequate and the bathroom has excellent lighting. I liked the shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and hand soap. The quality in South Korea was higher though. The hair dryer was a big disappointment. The fan was very weak on both hair dryers that I used. If you have long hair, this might be a problem. The bath tub is tiny. So, you are basically limited to a shower. The water can get very hot. It was also a little difficult for me to set the exact temperature.

The air conditioner did work well. However, there was a limit on how low you can go. I brought a small fan from home. I need it for the noise to sleep. I also use it to help dry my clothes after I wash them in the sink daily.

Overall, I recommend this hotel for anyone on a budget. For some this will be completely inadequate. If the location works for you, there are other Shinagawa Prince Hotels connected to this one. I stayed in the East Tower, but they also have a West, North, and an Annex tower. They all differ in quality. The hotel also has a fast food court and multiple restaurants. There are sports facilities as well as a bowling alley and water park.

My Trip To Japan: Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Reason For Choosing And Prices

After extensive research, I chose the Shinagawa Station area to stay at while I was in Tokyo. It was on the NEX train line from Narita Airport. It was a direct route to Osaka and Kyoto on Shinkansen train. It was also a direct route to Yokohama and Kamakura. Another plus was that it was near Tsukiji Market. It is about halfway between Tokyo Station and the Shibuya/ Shinjuku areas on the Yamanote Line. Basically, it was the perfect location for my itinerary.

After looking on sites like Travelocity and Agoda, I chose the Shinagawa Prince to stay at. I found that booking directly with the hotel gave the best price. The hotel did not charge anything on my credit card until I was in Tokyo. If I was unable to make it to my reservation, then I was only charged one night's stay. This was waived if you cancelled at least 24 hours in advance.

I got the single room, which is only big enough for one person (REALLY)). I also opted not to include the breakfast. There are much better and less expensive places to eat within a short walk. When you book your room, the price will be in Japanese yen. The final conversion price to US dollars will occur whenever you pay at the hotel. The US dollar stayed strong from my booking until I left Japan. The conversion rate stayed between 122 and 126 yen to the dollar. The room total was 94,561 yen. When converted at 122 yen per dollar it gives an average stay of $70.46 per night. That's a good price for a basic hotel room in Tokyo that is a short walk from a major train station.

I spent my first 8 days in Japan in the Tokyo area. I then went to Osaka and Kyoto for a week. My last three days I returned to Tokyo. All of my nights in Tokyo were spent at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. I would stay there again and would recommend it to everyone.

Here is what I paid for the first 8 days.

Room 1 1 adult	East-Tower-Single-Room-Non Smoking 3-Nights-Stay	¥70,327
	Night 1 : Sunday, 25 October 2015	¥7,365
	Night 2 : Monday, 26 October 2015	¥6,890
	Night 3 : Tuesday, 27 October 2015	¥8,910
	Night 4 : Wednesday, 28 October 2015	¥9,979
	Night 5 : Thursday, 29 October 2015	¥9,979
	Night 6 : Friday, 30 October 2015	¥8,910
	Night 7 : Saturday, 31 October 2015	¥10,929
	Night 8 : Sunday, 1 November 2015	¥7,365
Total		¥70,327
	Included: VAT	¥5,209
	Included: Service Charge	¥5,920

Cancellation Policy This offer can be canceled or modified free of charge until 2015-10-23, 00:00 (UTC+09:00). In case of no-show, a penalty of 1 night will apply.

Here is what I paid for the last 3 night stay.

Room 1 1 adult	East-Tower-Single-Room-Non Smoking 3-Nights-Stay	¥24,234
	Night 1 : Saturday, 7 November 2015	¥9,979
	Night 2 : Sunday, 8 November 2015	¥6,890
	Night 3 : Monday, 9 November 2015	¥7,365
Total		¥24,234
	Included: VAT	¥1,795
	Included: Service Charge	¥2,040

Cancellation Policy This offer can be canceled or modified free of charge until 2015-11-05, 00:00 (UTC+09:00). In case of no-show, a penalty of 1 night will apply.

Houston: 2017 Houston Chevron Marathon And Aramco Half Marathon Open Registration Period Is Open

Starting on January 17, 2016 until January 21, 2016 is open registration for next year's Houston marathon. For the second year in a row, there will not be a lottery. The first 10,000 people who apply will receive a guaranteed entry. If you ever wanted to be part of a large event like, now is the time to act. You can go to www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com to find out all of the details.

The entry fee is $135 and after seeing the infrastructure needed to pull this event off, that is a fair price. The event will be held on January 15th in 2017. You do not need a previous time in order to compete. There will be 13,500 entries for the marathon and 13,500 entries for the half.

I registered yesterday. I am really excited to start training. If you decide to enter, good luck and hope you have a safe training year.

Houston: 2016 Houston Chevron Marathon Thoughts

I was registered to run this past weekend's marathon in Houston. Unfortunately, I hurt my foot about 6 weeks ago and was unable to run. The marathon course runs about 200 yards from my home. So, I walked about a mile away and watched the runners pass the 5 mile mark. After about an hour or so, I walked another mile and watched the runners pass the 23 mile mark. These 2 spots were at turns and runners were passing within just a few feet. I was able to get some great photos.

It was a beautiful morning, although a little cool, to be outdoors. I was really inspired by the 30,000 plus runners in the marathon and half marathon. People of every shape, age, and personality were in the field. The runners were having a good time at the 5 mile mark and some were still having fun at the 23 mile mark. Others, were in quite a painful condition. I saw some runners who had to be attended to by medical personel. There were many people who were not going to finish the last 3 miles. Just entering the race, much less getting close to the end, is a major accomplishment and something to be proud of.

Here are a few things that I took from the event.

1. Being in great shape is no guarantee that you will finish ahead of a heavier or older person.

2. Try not to take it so serious. It's alright to just be there and have a great experience.

3. Dressing up as a super hero does not make you fast. But, it is still fun.

4. There are some amazing volunteers helping with an event this size.

5. There are also some amazing spectators and performers who are there to offer their support.

6. No handicap can prevent a determined person from completing a goal.

This list could go on forever. I want to think everyone for an enjoyable day. Hopefully, I'll stay healthy enough and run my first marathon next year!

Houston: 1/16/16 Midtown Photos

Early this morning I took a few photos around Midtown in Houston. I have been trying to take some photos of the outside of the Continental Club for a couple weeks. Unfortunately, every time that I went by, there was no parking I was there shortly after sun up today. After shooting a few more photos in the area, I drove over to the abandoned MHMRA building. It is in a very bad area of Houston. I drove around the building several time and I did not feel safe. I think I'll just pass on taking photos of the street art on that building.

The Continental Club is a great location to hear some authentic southern blues music.

Carmen Miranda greets you above the door at the Continental Club.

Continental Club door stickers

 hipster Big Kat's Barber Shop

hipster Kat's Meow Beauty Parlour

hipster Double Trouble Coffee Shop

hipster My Flaming Heart Clothing Store

Leon's Lounge

Street Art

Street Art

Street Art Stickers

Street Art Stickers

Street Art Dumpster

Houston: 1/15/16 Houston Marathon Expo

Today was the first day to pick up the runner's packets for the Houston marathon and half marathon. There will be over 30,000 runners hitting the road early Sunday morning. I picked up my packet but unfortunately I will not be able to run on race day. I hurt my heal about 6 weeks ago and I haven't been able to run since. I definitely intend to register and run next year. At least I got my race t-shirt. it only cost me $130!

While I was at the convention center I took a few photos. Security was high inside the convention center so I decided against taking any photos inside the expo.