I loved this photo of the Texas delegation at the GOP convention, from NYT photographer Damon Winter (formerly of The Dallas Morning News). I thought some readers might recognize a Texas buddy or to in this photo. Enjoy:

New York Times: Damon Winter

Categories: People and Places | Randomness |
Posted by Elise Hu at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I'm enjoying the tweets from Slate Magazine's John Dickerson. He seems to be near the Texas delegation at the Republican convention. Here's his latest tweet:

"The perfume from the TX delegation in this hotel is so thick that if someone strikes a match in here we're all going to the moon."

Categories: Media | People and Places | Randomness |
Posted by Elise Hu at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our Belo Washington crew is on the ground in Denver, hanging with the Texas delegation. The Texas television stations are not, so that explains my light blogging this week. That said, here are some posts from Denver from the Texans who are there:

John Edwards: Punchline The Texas Observer
Charlie Wilson's Warning Star-Telegram
Meet the Press Texas Monthly
Clinton to Hispanic Caucus Burnt Orange Report (video)
Wentz, Daughtry Stay Loose on Candidates Dallas Morning News
Hell Hath No Fury, But Denver Does Texas Observer

Also, since I had the time, I added my twitter badge to the right rail.

Categories: Randomness |
Posted by Elise Hu at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the Capitol Grill, a.k.a. the cafeteria in the Texas Capitol basement, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat toppings on your frozen yogurt one day a week. I never know which day it is, so it's always a pleasant surprise when "Unlimited Toppings Day" comes along.

Up until recently, I also looked forward to "Chicken Fried Steak Day". And since the Capitol is a place where acronyms run wild, from here on out I will call it "CFS Day".

Chicken Fried Steak at the Capitol. Just $5.95. A better deal than that impostor Chicken Marsala.

I knew that CFS Day was on Tuesdays. So I would often try to wrangle someone to venture up the great walk to down some CFS.

That is, until I learned that Wednesday IS ALSO CFS day. So is Thursday! I bet if you request it, you could also get it on Fridays.

Outrage! How can you look forward to a meal that's so readily available?

Categories: Randomness |
Posted by Elise Hu at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Ubiquitous online celebrity blogger, Perez Hilton, is reporting that Austin's sometimes-political activist Lance Armstrong has a new lady, and they were spotted at various hangouts around town this weekend.

Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong are an item! The pair have been quietly seeing each other (in private) for a few weeks, but now that we "outed" their relationship...

They're going public!

Our spies in Austin, Texas, where Armstrong lives, tell us that Lance and Kate had a romantical date together at Eddie V's restaurant on Friday night.

"The restaurant is a favorite of Lance's," a source tells us. "They had a great time!"

Update: On Saturday, Lance took Kate out to Hula Hut AND...he brought along his kids.

Categories: People and Places | Randomness |
Posted by Elise Hu at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has survived the second round of CQ Politics' VP Madness, in which online voters like you help John McCain select his running mate. Here are the results from Round Two, winners are on the left. (Governor Rick Perry was voted out in Round One.)

* Mike Huckabee (54%) vs. Condoleezza Rice (45%)
* Mark Sanford (53%) vs. Mitt Romney (46%)
* Tim Pawlenty (55%) vs. Colin Powell (44%)
* Kay Bailey Hutchison (52%) vs. Tom Ridge (47%)
* Sarah Palin (62%) vs. Sam Brownback (37%)
* Bobby Jindal (52%) vs. Michael Steele (47%)
* Rob Portman (60%) vs. Joe Lieberman (39%)
* Charlie Crist (60%) vs. John Thune (39%)

Now it looks like KBH will face Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. The winner of that matchup will head to the Final Four.

Make your picks here.

Categories: 2008 Presidential Race | Randomness |
Posted by Elise Hu at 9:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)