SAT 8/14
Truthfully, Houstonians never have had much love for our neighbors up north
on I-45. (Just what the hell is a metroplex, anyway?) So in September ’02, when
pasty, droopy-eyed Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones smirked in an interview
at the idea of the first-year Houston Texans beating his team, it was on. Days
later, Houston didn’t become just the first expansion team in 41 years to win
its first game. We beat Dallas’s collective asses 19-10. Governor Rick Perry
handed the Governor’s Cup, which traditionally goes to the winner of the annual
pre-season Houston-Dallas game, to beaming Texans owner Bob McNair. Jones’s
face (which often looks like it’s melting) drooped even more. This year, the
Texans have fresh new draft picks on defense and a stud QB in David Carr. Dallas
is already a much different team, having hooked up with coach Bill “Big Tuna”
Parcells as well as running back Eddie George, a former Tennessee Titan/Houston
Oiler. And there’s another Houston connection: Quarterback Drew Henson, whom
the Texans stole from the New York Yankees, was recently traded to the
‘boys for some draft picks. This weekend’s game is a chance for fans to see
how the teams stack up. And hopefully it also will be a chance to tell folks
in the Big D what they can do with their metroplex. 7 p.m. Saturday, August
14. Reliant Stadium, One Reliant Park. For information, call 713-629-3700 or
visit www.houstontexans.com. $35
to $78. — Steven Devadanam
Hi Ya!
SAT 8/14
Didn’t get enough chopsocky action from Kill Bill Vol. 2? Experience
the real thing at the Intercontinental Martial Arts Festival. You probably won’t
see any severed limbs spouting bright red blood, but there will be demonstrations
and competitions in tae kwon do and hapkido, as well as in sparring, breaking
and weapons. You can watch or enter, and there’s even an interactive family
competition, which may finally give you that chance you’ve always wanted to
kick the living shit out of your brother-in-law. And kids, don’t miss an appearance
by Seung Do Kim, the purported Guinness Book record holder for eating
metal. No word on if he also holds the record for most painful bowel movement.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 14. The George R. Brown Convention Center,
1001 Avenida de las Americas. For information, call 713-853-8000 or visit www.umataekwondo.com.
— Bob Ruggiero
This article appears in Aug 12-18, 2004.