Movies, Texas style

On a sweltering 97 degree day in Katy, TX we needed something to do with 4 kids that involved being out of the heat. We went to the movies to see Up.

We went to the Alamo Drafthouse, the best movie theater EVER!

First off, they have a bar as soon as you enter the lobby. And on either side, there are lounge chairs and couches.

Inside, each seat has a counter in front with menus ready. Your server takes your order and by the time the movie begins you have your food. Now we're not just talking popcorn and Raisinetts. You have your choice from a beer and wine list, burgers, pizza, salads, sandwiches. I have never seen anything like it!

Texas does not mess around.

The power behind the road trip

I finally have a day off from driving today. I'm spending it in Katy, TX with my sorority big sister, Kristen. While she's home, I'm taking care of my car and getting an oil change before I head off tomorrow morning.

Let me tell you about what equipment is powering this trip.

My ride: 2008 Scion TC
I love my car. I got it last year and decided it was the one when I learned that stick, sunroof, power windows and iPod connection was all standard. That was all I needed.

My navigation: Garmon GPS
My digital friend replaced the road atlas I used to have and its wonderful. No longer do I have to have to try and figure out tiny road names or figure out how to get where I'm going when I take a wrong turn or guess how far the next gas station is before I run out of fuel. I wouldn't think of going anywhere without it.

My music: iPod classic 80GB
Another staple of any road trip, my iPod goes with me anywhere. No longer do I need to fiddle with the radio to scan for stations that I can endure. I can get my fix of Rick Springfield, Kings of Leon or Def Leppard at the click of a button.

My pictures: Nikon & Pentax
I have two cameras with me. My everyday 'clicky' camera is a Nikon Coolpix S6. My digital SLR is a Pentax *isdDL. That will be used for my more artsy pics when I visit Joshua Tree National Park and Arches National Park.

My phone: iPhone 3GS
I've only had it a few days, but I already love it. On the day it was released, I was in Charlotte, NC. I just walked into an AT&T store, there was no line, and I bought the last 8GB phone they had in stock. Within 20 minutes I walked out with a working phone and already I was playing with the GPS. I laugh at everyone who stood in line for hours at Apple stores.

My laptop: 15" MacBook Pro
If loving my MacBook is wrong, then I don't want to be right. This is the workhouse behind all the planning, blogging, communication, video editing and photo recording that I do. (Although the iPhone can handle some of the work now.)


I don't know how my parents got through all the road trips we did without all the modern conveniences that are available now.

Garden District, New Orleans