Reluctant Martyr

Littering should be punishable by the death penalty.

Case of the Mondays

Let me assure you there is nothing magical about the food at Magic Wok on McGowen.

I like coming to work on Monday with a bit of sunburn and/or windburn and listening to everybody at the office tell me, "Hey, you got some sun this weekend."

Memo to Chase Tower Worker Bees

Just because the escalator moves on its own does not mean you can't keep walking.

King's Ransom

Indian actor Raj Kumar died Wednesday in Bangalore, prompting his fans to riot and set cars on fire. I hope everyone reading my blog would do the same for me.

Underrated

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez hasn't received nearly the press on this blog that he deserves. No, Hugo, it's not a conspiracy perpetrated by the U.S. government; it's simply an oversight. In the future, luridtransom will provide updates on the capers of Caracas's favorite crazy chief executive.

Jumpin' Little Juke Joint

There is a large ad for Oklahoma State University in Hobby's new terminal. It features the OSU logo on a field of orange and reads: "A brighter shade of orange." I can only surmise that this cryptic message is a reference to the Okie State girl we met in Stillwater who couldn't get into Kansas State, so her dad pulled some strings to get her a spot at OSU. I hope she's currently living her dream as a soap opera actress.

Persian Ingenuity

TEHRAN, Iran - A top Iranian military official said Tuesday the country can now defend itself against any invasion originating from outside the region — a clear reference to the United States — as it tested a second new radar-avoiding missile.

Iranian state-run television said the elite Revolutionary Guards had tested what it called a "super-modern flying boat" capable of evading radar. TV showed a brief clip of the boat's launch.

"Due to its advanced design, no radar at sea or in the air can detect it. It can lift out of the water," the television said. It said the boat was "all Iranian-made and can launch missiles with precise targeting while moving."

Harris Co. Media Awards

Hats off to Charlie Pallilo. He's as good a sports talk radio personality as you'll find anywhere in the country.

Thumbs down to the Houston Chronicle for having an airline seatbelt extension-wearing travel editor who writes about cruises every week. But I suppose you satisfy your readers, and that's why they make the New York Times.

luridtransom's Response in Opposition

Mr. Kickerillo, I read your Q&A profile in the April edition of 002Houston magazine. I notice you made it a point to mention you have an airplane, numerous mink coats and celebrities' cell phone numbers. I thought I didn't like you before, but then I only knew you as an urban sprawl-monger, paving the prairie and levelling trees to make way for still more soulless, cookie-cutter tract homes on Houston's westside.