Urinals as Far as the Eye can See!

Off on another busy day, we headed out about 9:30 this morning with the first stop at the Chinese Consulate near downtown Houston. Based on my experience last Wednesday when I dropped off the applications, I was expecting another “Lost in Translation” situation today, but it actually went very smoothly. I waited in line for about 10 minutes, handed the young lady my claim slip and my credit card, and about two minutes later, was heading out the door. All told, I was only in there about 20 minutes.

Like last Wednesday, we couldn’t pass up another chance to have lunch at Katz’s Deli today. I had my usual Rueben, but Jan went with a Chunky Chicken Salad Sandwich this time, which she said was delicious. And this was all topped off with a delicious cupcake.

Then it was off to another client about 35 miles south. They were having trouble coordinating their email between their laptop, their iPhones, and their iPad. I of course blame the Apple stuff.

We’ve known Tom & Lyn since 1979 just a short time after we moved to Houston, and always enjoy getting together.

As we were coming down the Interstate before turning off on FM517 on our way to Tom & Lyn’s, we noticed that a big Buc-ee’s billboard that previously just said 2014, now said “NOW OPEN”.

So after leaving their house we went a few miles further south on I-45 to check out the new Buc-ee’s.

Buc-ee's Giant Beaver

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Buc-ee’s are the world’s largest convenience stores, and this new one is no different. It’s the new ‘largest’. But it’s a split victory.

Previously, the largest Buc-ee’s was the one that opened on I-35 in New Braunfels, TX in 2012. With 68,000 square feet of store and 120, yes, 120 gas pumps, it’s a small city.

But this new one is a little larger, at 69,000 square feet, but a little smaller, with only 56 pumps.

And as it turned out, the new place just opened at 6am this morning. There were TV remote trucks all over.

Buc-ee's Texas City 1

Buc-ee's Texas City 2

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You walk into one end of the place, and you literally can not see the other end.

Buc-ee's Texas City 3

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And what other convenience store has a big fresh produce section.

Buc-ee's Texas City 4

When you go in the Men’s Restroom, it’s urinals as far as the eye can see. There are more than 30 of them. Buc-ee’s is known for their large, clean restrooms.

And of course we can’t visit a Buc-ee’s without stocking up on their Cranberry muffins.

Leaving Buc-ee’s and heading back up to Clear Lake to make two more client stops. The second one was to convert two Canon printers from wired USB connections to wireless connections.

I had set these up like that previously, but they had recently changed Internet providers from Comcast to Verizon, and that necessitated a new Wi-Fi router. And that meant setting up a new connection.

Finishing up there, it was time to head over to Ichibon in Kemah. This is a place that does the hibachi grill cooking, like Benihana.

It’s been a number of years since we’ve been to one, but we always enjoy the show . . . and the food. We were getting together her to celebrate Chris’ birthday, which is not for a couple of weeks, but we thought we’d do it early since we’re still here.

Here the chef tries to teach our granddaughter Piper how to flip a spatula around a large meat fork.

Ichibon 1

Ichibon 2

Ichibon 3

All she managed to do was send the spatula flying my way. You can see it bouncing off the grill and heading for my head in the above photo.

I told Piper she needs to stick with medicine.

And here’s a shot of the every-popular onion volcano.

Ichibon 4
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And how better to finish up with three pretty women.

Ichibon 5

After a great meal, a good time, and a lot of hugs, we headed back to Lake Conroe, finally getting home about 8pm.

Hopefully tomorrow will be less busy.

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Thought for the Day:

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking. – H. L. Mencken

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