Big Bang Theory

If Big Bangs make for a Big Holiday, then this Fourth of July was it. We were visiting out "kids" in Houston. Charlie just moved into a new pad and we enjoyed the day splashing in his pool and then sitting out on the street in front and watching a giant fireworks display -- they actually did twin fireworks displays -- they must have been a several blocks from each other because the other one looked far away.

We're back in New Orleans now and Big Tired. It was quite a fun weekend.

By the way, someone needs to come up with a better word that "kids" -- when they're on their own, taller than you, smarter that you and better looking that you, "kids" just doesn't seem like the right word.

--steve buser

Racing in Space City

We were in Houston this past weekend to watch my son, Charlie, run his first marathon. I didn't realize how one of these events takes over your life with all the preparation and training.
Just trying to figure out a route for us fans to see him in several places along the run took us an few hours.

To the right, with a gigantic boom, the racers were off just as the sun started to peak into downtown Houston.

There were 17,000 runners, so the whole was congested -- that became painfully obvious when we tried to catch the light rail to the next vantage point only to find out it wasn't running. We had to scramble for taxis to get there.



At the 10 mile marker (lrft), Charlie sees us and shows us he's got plenty of steam and stamina. He would need it. At that point, he had 16.213 miles left to go. ( a marathon is actually 26.213 -- but it's the first 26.2 miles that are the hardest)

At the top. with less than a mile to go, Charlie's friend, Matthew, runs along beside him to egg him on to the finish line.

We are now back safe in New Orleans and ready to keep posting from here. By the way it was my daughter Vicky's XX birthday -- you know, not over the hill, but you can see the other side. And my son, Shawn, announced this week end he is going back to school this semester to get his teaching certificate.

A lot going on for 48 hours. Hope you had a relaxing weekend.

--steve buser