Making Houston Cool.

There's a mural in Houston that simply says, "BE SOMEONE." (We call it a mural now, but I wonder if it was originally seen as "grafitti" before reaching its icon status.)

I happen to like Houston, Texas.

There's a great song Bobby Short sings at the Carlyle Cafe called "I Happen to Like New York." I subscribe to this school of thought of Happening to Like Places, Despite What Other People Might Say. Galveston, New Jersey, even Times Square. I happen to have certain fondness for these things.

Sometime when I have more time, I'll rewrite the lyrics to be about Houston. I had to leave this city to really appreciate it, and now that I'm back, I really like it. Maybe even love it. Maybe.

I also subscribe to Messy Nessy Chic's school of thought, Be A Tourist in Your Own City. I grew up in Houston and never did some of the "big" things you'd expect every Houstonian to do. For example, the Johnson Space Center. Never had a field trip there.

But with age I realize it's up to you to make things happen. So, I'm treating Houston the way I might treat New York City where every restaurant opening is a capital M Moment and every weekend should have a capital E Event because there is always something worth doing and worth seeing.

I made this map called "Houston Cool" that I have been using to keep track of places I love (in blue), places I want to visit (in yellow), and places I've been to and don't need to go to again (in brown). Not dissing the places in brown, but this is a big town. Lots to do, lots to see. No need to visit the same place twice.

So, to recap:

BLUE = I've been, and I'm a fan!

YELLOW = I haven't gone yet, but I'd like to!

BROWN = I've been. Let's go somewhere else.

PURPLE = This is a historic Houston place that is over 100 years old (or just about!)

This has been extrememly helpful for picking where to meet friends and where to go on date nights. Give it a whirl and let me know where you go!

While you look at the map, here's my playlist with songs that sound like Houston, Texas, or at least remind me of Bayou City/Space City/Clutch City/Screwston/H-Town.