Hi. My name's Paul. I'm an Odessa native, a graduate of Odessa High School, Odessa College, and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and I have a camera.
Smile!
Welcome to Odessa (in pictures)
I hope you'll enjoy your visit to this website and return often to catch a glimpse into Odessa as seen through my camera lens.
Odessa High vs Permian
The Odessa High vs. Permian High football game is a pretty big deal in Odessa. Not as big as it used to be - seems people have diversified their entertainment choices a bit - but the crowds still fill Ratliff Stadium to capacity. This years game was no different as thousands of cheering fans braved the traffic, the concession lines, and the seemingly irrational funneling of cars by the ECISD police force. As to the game itself, let's just say the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Going to the Soccer Games
My extended family has, for the last dozen or so years, enjoyed going to soccer games. It started when the kids were in elementary school and continued through their careers in junior high and high school athletics. Now it's time for a new generation of kids to begin playing but this time they've started in preschool. The games are a lot of fun, relatively short, and played in the summer and fall months. Though the players skills aren't yet perfected, they put their best foot forward so to speak and we're proud of each and every one.
Finally, Odessa Gets Some Rain
This month's electric bill contained some interesting information. It said the average high temperature in Odessa for this year's June billing period was 99 degrees while the average high temperature for the same billing period last year was 88 degrees. The higher than normal temperatures and extreme windy and dry conditions this year have parched the land and created some dangerous fire conditions in the area. These conditions made this weekend's rain all the more welcome. It rained most of the evening on Saturday and throughout the night and it continues to rain as I write these words Sunday morning.
Four Dollar Gasoline Comes to Odessa
In all my years living in the oil field, I never thought I'd see gasoline and diesel prices hit the levels they have. Is the oil boom good for the local economy? Sure, in the short term and for certain segments of the population, but it isn't necessarily good in the long term or for all sectors of the local population or for the environment. Maybe it's time we shift our local economy to one more focused on wind or solar power. Both seem to be in great abundance, are clean and renewable, and an industry based on harvesting the power of the sun or the wind could employ those now employed in the oil field.
Odessa's Own Winery
Odessa has many types of businesses and now it has another - a winery. That's right, a winery and it's located in the shopping center at JBS Parkway and E. University behind Harrigan's. The name of the business is Homemade Wines and they feature a variety of wines, some types you're most likely familar with and some you might not be. They're open Monday through Saturday so if you think of yourself as a wine connoisseur or simply want to welcome them to the neighborhood, drop in and say hello. It's always nice to see new businesses in town.