8th Wonder of the World

When the Houston Astrodome opened in 1965, it was heralded as the 8th Wonder of the World being the first domed stadium for any sport.  We're talking the Astrodome.  I remember going to my first baseball game there, I must have been about five or six.  It was truly a sight to behold.  Air conditioned and heated for baseball, American Football, concerts, rodeos, circuses, and even the famous tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billy Jean King.  Over the years of growing up in Houston, I attended many events there.   During my high school years, me and my buddies were constantly at the dome watching the Houston Astros play.  $2 parking, $2 cheap seats, and $2 beer - affectionately known as  "Dome Foam" and of course $2 cardboard pizza slices.  About the 3rd inning we would sneak down to the coveted red seats at playing field level.  Even got to sit behind the dugout on more than one occassion.

I was in Houston this doing some shopping with the girlfriend and we attended the RV show at the Reliant Arena, next door to the Houston Astrodome.  The Astrodome has fallen into serious disrepair and is rusting on the outside.  I fear that it will not survive much longer - it will go under by implosion or the wrecking ball.  It's really a shame as it is a landmark in Houston.  When it first opened, it was all the rage - the NASA Astronauts were there and a lot of muckty-mucks.  Now, it sits idly by.  I understand the roof leaks and the inside is a disaster.

I really don't understand why Houston and the taxpayers foot the bill for two new stadiums when the Astrodome could have been revived.  I was told that it didn't have enough luxury boxes for the top dogs.  It cost me $10 just to park yesterday.  If you go to Houston and stay in a hotel or rent a car, you will be paying a huge local tax which is amongst the highest in the nation - all to cover the costs of new sports arenas.

A little brash here, but I guess Synchro ERP will just have to be known as the next 8th Wonder of the World.  Until next time, see you on down the road in Milwaukee.

Shane Allen
Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations

Oh, I forgot to mention I did do my good civic duty of giving back to the community... A little bloodletting of platelets and plasma..