Goodbye, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu...

[Ulrich]

[Cross-post from 'the other website']

Well, not quite, but at least I got your attention!

I got a new job the other day. Still the same company (differernt business unit, though), still the same general function -- but it's in Houston. Well. I've never been down there, but I hear it's beautiful down there <cough>. At least I can drive the S2000 all year round, right?

So in the tradition of the great "Greg's Farewell Get-togethers" I hereby declare the weekend of the 5th "Say Good-bye to Ulrich" weekend. I was thinking of driving down to Texas on the 5th or 6th, so how about getting together for a drink and whatnot on Friday night, April 4? Venue TBD; we could do the Alumni Club as usual, or return to The Foundry in Naperville, or something completely different.

Anyone who's lived in that area and who can give me a few pointers for places to go, people to meet and things to do will not have to buy me a beer.

Pencil it into your diaries!

[Greg Stevens]

Ulrich, sorry to see you go...! I am a NATIVE Houstonian, actually, and I lived there for 20 years before moving to Austin for school where I lived for 10 years and then came to Chicago when I was 30.

A little about Houston: Over the past 10+ years, the city has really improved and become much more cosmopolitan. Not that it was ever bad, but it has become much more upscale and even swanky. The Galleria area was always nice, but now that area has become a great place to live and there is truly world-class shopping and fantastic restaurants. Also, there are lots of areas outside of the Loop (the main freeway that circles the city), like the Woodlands and other nice areas, as well. What part of the city will you be in?

One of the best things about Texas, and is the reason I want to get back there, is the women. I have been all over the country and lots of other countries and there is NOTHING like women from Texas. This is one thing that I hate about Chicago...FAT CHICKS! lol But not just how they look, but Texas women have a charm and grace that is a just not found in too many other places. Man, makes me want to sell everything just to get back there...!

On the downside, it's hot as balls and humid as a steambath. And when it rains in the middle of August, the city makes its own gravy...!

Traffic isn't nearly as bad as Chicago. There is now another 'beltway' that encicles the entire city called Beltway 8, which has helped the traffic situation.

When I lived there, I lived near the Medical Center (just outside of West University) and in the shadow of the Shamrock Hotel (which isn't there any longer, but any Houstonian knows what a landmark it was). But there are some great places to live there...

Overall, in my current project search, I look for projects in Houston and Dallas in an effort to get back to where I feel I really belong...so I'm sure you will be happy there. Great city, great people, lots of things to do...and it may be hot in the summer, but the winters are much MUCH less severe than here, which is a winner in my book.

As for the going away party...anytime is fine with me - especially the Alumni Club, so long as we get out of there before it turns into that silly nightclub scene.

I may be joining you in Houston one day...!

[Urmil]

Oooohhh, noooo. One of the fun one's is leaving the upper-midwest....it's going to be a real loss.

Maybe we need to get together before then, in fact I will have to. I won't be able to feed you beers that weekend. It happens to be my one year wedding anniversary that weekend (actual day is April 6th), but already have plans to go away that weekend.

Happy for you, but upset that you'll be leaving.

Good luck.

[Ulrich]

Well, I am not truly gone... I'll take the S2000 down, but at least for the foreseeable future I will be "commuting" to Houston. Basically, the company is paying for an apartment down there and the occasional flight to Chicago, so I am not selling the house (yet) and still will be around on some weekends. A long story...

So you won't get rid of me *that* easily.

Oh, and my weekends are free between now and then, so if we want to get together this weekend or next, I believe I could fit you into my oh-so-busy (not!) schedule.

[Ulrich]

Oh, and Greg -- if you still know some people down there in the area and feel comfortable making some initial introductions, I'd appreciate it.

[Urmil]

Ulrich,

all of Greg's friends down in Houston are male prostitutes, he tried to franchise up here, but didn't fare too well...so he turned to consulting.

[Rowland]

Urmil,
I can see it coming! Greg is going to be changing your title again too something not so nice. <Rowland thinking - S2KCA Pimp in Training> :biglaugh:

[Greg Stevens]

Bwaahahaha....!

Don't forget, kids, that I have admin access here...I can add all kinds of fun things to your profiles, signatures and titles!

[hecash]

Hey,

Ulrich, the fifth is not good for me. I'm going up to Road America that day to run in the Midwest F-Body time trials over the weekend.

Even if you must make it the fifth for the rest of the "Clan", maybe we can just meet at a local pub down your way for a beer or two on the fourth?

[Ulrich]

Harry -- of course I knew that the 5th was not working for you, that's why I suggested getting together on Friday the 4th.

Anyway, I'll make an executive decision. We could either (a) do the after-work thing at the Alumni Club or (b) hang out at The Foundry in Aurora/Naperville (where we went after the tour of the BP Research Center; just by the Fox Valley Mall). Or, for something completely different, we could drive out to DeKalb and cruise along Lincoln Highway trying to pick up some sorority chicks. Well, at least we could cruise and have a beer at Otto's or at Molly's (ah, memories...).

Comments/suggestions? Who's going to be around?

[Ulrich]

Slight change of plans/timing. Looks like everything will be pushed back by a week, so how about we get together on Saturday, April 12? Who's going to be around?

[Greg Stevens]

Well, Keith is going to be in Chicago on Monday the 14th...perhaps we can combine all of this then?

[racezx9]

sorry to see you go Ulrich, the 12th works fo rme let us knkow.

[Ulrich]

I realize, of course, that the 12th is the "Wake The Dragon" weekend, but I guess not too many people from chicago are planning to attend...???

Well, WSB doesn't count. Technically he's not from Chicago.

[WestSideBilly]

I wouldn't count for much, even if I was from chicago. I'd be in Tennessee any way

[WestSideBilly]

And really, I'm just from EastEastEast Chicago. or maybe WestSouthWest Detroit.

[Ulrich]

Okay, time to make a decision. Saturday, April 12 at 3:00pm at the Alumni Club?

Too early/too late? Who's going to come?

[Urmil]

I'm in for April 12th....let me check with the wife, may have to bring her though.

[Greg Stevens]

Hey guys, isn't the F-Body Challenge thing at Road America that weekend? I know that Keith and Harry are going to that and then Keith will be in Chicago on the Monday afterward, which is April 14. I may be going up to RA that weekend, too. I haven't decided yet.

Harry, isn't this the same weekend?

[hecash]

Greg,

You're right. My post above was wrong on the date.

I'm going up on Friday night but I do not expect to see Keith until Saturday. On the other hand, Scott A and Steven V will be up there on Friday like me.