Comicpalooza 2014's celebrity lineup

 

Comicpalooza 2014's celebrity lineup

It's that time of year again: Comicpalooza.

Now is your chance to meet some of your favorite industry greats from both on-screen and behind-the-scenes. Comic stars will be taking over the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston May 23-26. Check out the gallery above for the full lineup.

This year will feature a Science Faction series, including lectures from the brightest minds in the space industry. NASA astronaut Stan Love, NASA scientist Sue Lederer and other brainiacs will discuss everything from asteroids to pioneering space colonies.

The George R. Brown Convention Center is located at 1001 Avenida de las Americas. The convention will be open Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.-2 a.m.; Monday's hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Single-day passes range $20-$35 for adults and $10-12 for children 6-12. Four-day passes range $55-$300 for adults and $12-18 for children 6-12.

For more information, visit comicpalooza.com.

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Dracula's castle could be yours

The imposing property known as "Dracula's Castle" is for sale in Romania, but the undisclosed price tag will surely bleed your bank account dry.

The impressive stone structure, officially named Bran Castle, was completed in 1388 and is said to have been Bram Stoker's inspiration for Dracula's castle in his famed book.

Stoker loosely based his vampire character on Vlad Draul, or "Vlad the Impaler," who is also thought to have been imprisoned in Bran castle for nearly two months.

Bloody historical ties aside, the castle would be quite the lucrative investment since more than 500,000 paying tourists visit the iconic structure each year.

The legendary manor boasts 57 rooms and sits on 22 tree-covered acres, though the castle has no plumbing to speak of. It has been listed for sale multiple times in the past decade with some estimates hitting the $135 million price point.

If you have more than $100 million to throw down and don't mind throngs of camera-toting fang enthusiasts, this could be a great opportunity to sink your teeth into.


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The dos and don’ts of working from home

The dos and don’ts of working from home

 It’s unclear where it started, but there’s no doubt the working from home movement is thriving. Many local employers have some type of telecommuting policy and some employees have the benefit of splitting their time evenly between home and the office. Yet, the setup can create challenges for people who are new to working from home or don’t feel as productive as they do in the office. Here are some dos and don’ts of working from home.

Build routine
As beings of habit, it’s easy to fall into a pattern at the office. We subconsciously build a regimen with the aid of weekly meetings or by establishing a list of coffee buddies. In your cozy home though, it will take more effort.
When working from home, decide on an activity that will start your work day and stick to it. It may be powering your computer as you make coffee, walking into your home office and closing the door behind you, or creating a mental to do list after walking the dog. Ensure the activity is something that has to be done daily and only by you.

Take breaksPeople who work from home typically have more control of their environment, which could yield longer, more productive hours. Be sure to take breaks. If possible, take your morning, lunch and afternoon breaks at the same time you would at the office. Doing so will not just help with building a routine, but it will help keep the mind fresh. And since the brain runs on glucose, keeping yourself nourished will help you avoid an afternoon burn out.
For those who are parents and have small children at the house, use break times to socialize with them. It may be tougher to keep to a strict break schedule with kids around; though, you may find that adding more breaks will keep you alert to the needs of your children and maintain productivity.

Let others know of your schedule
If you have roommates, a significant other, children, or teens at the house, tell them about your telecommuting schedule. Point out the times that you are free to chat or even invite them to share a meal during the carved-out lunch time. Informing others of the times you are free to chat or hang will reduce distractions. Distractions will always occur as they do at the office, but you can minimize them by enforcing your agenda.

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The long-awaited Julep bar to open soon

The long-awaited Julep bar to open soon

The Kentucky Derby has run but we haven’t stopped thinking of a good julep. And we’re especially hankering for Julep.

After all, we’ve waited a long time for bartender extraordinaire Alba Huerta’s cocktail bar at 1919 Washington.

But the waiting is almost over. In about “three to four weeks,” according to a press release, the bartender from Anvil Bar & Refuge and the Pastry War will finally start pouring at her own place.

Julep will feature cocktails with roots from the American South. Southern cultures and traditions will influence the menu which will rotate three juleps including the house julep Embers of paradise (with burnt spiced dunked in rum, applejack, mint and cane sugar), as well as sazeracs, and large drink formats such as Texas cider milk punch. The bar will also feature riffs on crustas, a New Orleans-born drink that was the precursor to the Sidecar.
 
According to the Clumsy Butcher bar/restaurant group, Julep’s design will feature a center copper-top bar with Southern cabinetry behind it. There will be a large porch in back for proper julep sipping, and servers and bartenders will be wearing shirts designed by Houston’s Hamilton Shirts. Food? The bar will serve raw bar options as well as caviar service. Adam Garcia, formerly of Revival market, will run the kitchen.
When it’s finally up and running Julep will be open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.


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Natural disasters from space

Natural disasters from space

 Various NASA satellites in orbit have taken "lofty" pictures of some of the worst natural disasters in recent memory.


Wildfires in CA



Landslide near Oso, Wash


2014 NA Cold Wave


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