2005: What it Meant for Houston

What a year! Who could have imagined what the year 2005 would mean to the city of Houston? The ups and downs we experienced together were unbelievable; the latter part of the year more so than the former. Along with the rest of the country, we watched gas prices soar to prices that we never could have imagined. We watched in horror wondering how we were going to make it to work, whether or not we could take a road trip, and we had to figure out where else we would have to cut down to be able to operate. We’re still dealing with this, but we’ve adapted.

To start the year off, Mayor White introduced the Safe Clear Plan which was designed to keep the city’s highways cleared of stalled cars by automatically towing them away. I thought it was a wonderful idea. However, many of my fellow Houstonians did not. It turned into a huge local controversy and remains so.

The Rockets made a return to the post season. It was an exciting series with the Dallas Mavericks. It looked like they had a legitimate chance at winning the series to advance in the playoffs, but they fell apart at the end.

In the last days of August, and through September, our neighbors to the east lost lives, homes, and hope as Hurricane Katrina tore the Gulf Coast apart focusing on eastern Louisiana and western Mississippi. While we cried and feared for our fellow Americans, and in some cases, friends and family, we temporarily lost hope. But then we rose to the challenge. The city of Houston welcomed everyone affected by the storm. We gave them shelter, clothes, food, money, hope, and in many cases, a new lease on life. A lot of our neighbors have become our fellow Houstonians. Houston gained a great deal of national attention and admiration for our hospitality. It was nothing new to us, though. We’ve always known ourselves to be friendly and accommodating.

Several weeks later, we found out that a new threat was setting its sights on the Gulf Coast, and this time, it was directed our way. Her name was Rita. According the forecasts, this storm would be about as strong as Katrina. The city of Houston evacuated while stores across the city ran out of essential items such as batteries, water, food, and anything else that we thought we may need. The streets of Houston came to an unprecedented stand still causing many cars to overheat, break down, or run out of gas, which at the time topped the three dollar mark. Reports of twenty hour trips to Austin became commonplace. It was surreal to see the city that I love being evacuated. Reporters annoyed us by constantly saying that parts of the city were, “virtually a ghost town” or saying that people were trying to “get out of harm’s way”. They also fueled the fire when it came to motorists’ anger and frustration with trying to get out of the city. In the end, the hurricane weakened and headed east of the city. I can’t remember when I was ever happier to show up to work on a Monday that following Monday. While our immediate area did have some damage and power outages, we were okay. Once again, it was up to us to aid our fellow Texans and Louisiana neighbors. Once again, we answered the call.

2005 saw a Houston landmark close its gates and shut down for good. Of course, I am speaking of Astroworld. Six Flags decided that it was no longer profitable and sold the property to be used for office space, parking lots, and other real estate. This closing brought about a sense of nostalgia and sadness as a park that was open for over 30 years, providing kids, teenagers, and adults years of fun and an oasis for adventure through the spring and summer months. Although I haven’t visited very often, Astroworld will hold a special place in my heart as I recount memories of the rides with my parents, and summers spent with my sister since we both had season passes growing up.

As life goes on, I know that when I think about 2005, and what it meant to Houston, the first thing that will come to mind will be the National League Championship season of my beloved Houston Astros and their first trip to the World Series. What a season to remember! We started the year off in terrible fashion. Forty five games into the season, we were 15-30. In fact, the Chronicle posted an article with a picture of a tombstone for the Astros’ 2005 season. The Astros picked it up from there, and never looked back. They fought tooth and nail to win one of the most tightly contested Wild Card races in years. That brought about the Atlanta Braves. On a Sunday afternoon, the Astros seemed to have handed the Braves a win by giving up run after run. But, thanks to a Grand Slam from Lance Berkman, they were back in the game. Then, late in the game, Brad Ausmus hit a controversial home run to tie the game up. The game continued on eighteen innings in which we saw a flawless relief pitching appearance by Roger Clemens. In the bottom of the eighteenth, Chris Burke hit a homerun that will forever be considered legend in Houston. Chris Burke, a rookie, who no one expected a clutch homer from, won the game with that home run clinching the Astros’ chance of a National League Championship. The Astros played NL Central rival St. Louis for the National League Championship. The Cardinals had a lot to play for that year as they were going to close their long time home, Busch Stadium. It was an exciting series in which the Astros clinched their league championship on a gem pitched by Roy Oswalt. The city never seemed so alive. We were all celebrating together. The trip to the World Series meant the world to me. I have always been a huge Astros fan, and I’ve wanted this more than anything in sports my entire life. The Astros went on to be swept by the Chicago White Sox. However, it is important to note that every game was very close. Although we lost, it is a moment that will never be taken away from me. The only negative thing about the playoffs was having to endure fans from other cities holding up signs stating, “Houston, YOU have a problem.” Wow! I didn’t think it was possible to be less original than Gwen Stefani ripping off Fiddler on the Roof, Talk Talk, and Oh Mickey (Hollaback Girl). Theyproved me wrong.

Those were the major events that shaped 2005 for the city of Houston. As I mentioned earlier, it will remain as one of my most memorable years ever for both good reasons and bad. So many important things took place. I’m excited to see what 2006 and the following years will bring. In the meantime, thanks to Houston and 2005 for a wonderful ride.



"Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you"
Bookends Theme by Simon & Garfunkel

Stay Tuned

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I also hope everyone has a great New Year! Stay tuned to my blog. I'll be posting a blog about the crazy year the city of Houston had in 2005. I'm really excited about it. So, check in regularly. I should have that posted in the next day or so.

Roscoe, Roscoe, Roscoe

Tuesday night, Roscoe got a hold of one of Stephanie's foot socks. In my hot pursuit of said sock, Roscoe swallowed it. So, we had to take him to the emergency vet. They gave him hydrogen peroxide and induced vomiting. He threw it up along with some food. He was just fine after that. The invoice stated the reason for the visit was a "Dietary Indescretion - Sock". Boy, were we proud.


"Snots! You roll over and let Uncle Clark scratch your belly!" Randy Quaid in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation