Metro's Back ... minus rail

Metro resumes regular bus service starting tomorrow. I gotta admit that's pretty good recovery time. On the down-side, fares resume. Can't win 'em all.

I owe the homestead another visit tomorrow anyway. I'll be shocked if the power's back, but even if it is, I'm inclined to rough it in the office for an extra day in order to freeze out any mold with the A/C.

I did a little bit of ogling about downtown and the cleanup looks impressive so far. I thought that maybe the rail line would be back soon, but Metro is saying the power's out on it. No telling when that situation resolves.

On a tangent to this, the Chase Tower was in the midst of getting the empty windows boarded up. Looks ugly, but it wasn't exactly a beaut with twisted metal sticking out, either. The Rice Lofts are seemingly an island of yuppie obliviousness. I'm quickly realizing why I am not an ideal target customer for living downtown. There's flyers posted in the lobby about what's open and most of them involve things like $5 margaritas during happy hour at restaurants I don't budget myself for during any hour. I can't even recall the last drink I paid $5 for, ever. I think I've been living on off-brand orange soda and fruit punch since Ike hit. My sense of luxury was piqued today when I actually contemplated buying a two-liter of brand name soda or really splurging by getting a big can of Arizona Iced Tea's Fruit Punch. It would have been a no-brainer if they had the AZIT Grape-ade (I swear, I'm addicted to it). It just really feels like a different planet here. Can ya tell I'm already missing my ghetto/home?