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.
UTPB Graduation
I went to the UTPB auditorium to watch my friend Phil receive his Masters of Business Administration degree a few weeks ago. His wife and his mother were there along with a standing room only crowd of well wishers there to congratulate their friends and family members on a job well done. UTPB has become a terrific place to go to school with an excellent faculty and an ever growing curriculum.
The Fountain Returns
It took the city a while and it cost (a lot) more than some citizens might have wanted to spend but the fountain at Buffalo Wallow is once again proudly proclaiming its presence. Now that it's back we realize that it's a nice addition to the view for those who exercise on the walking path or feed the birds that line the shore. If it warms up a little today, I may go take another look.
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.