Oh, I vote for Narrator's version (depending on her fee; there's always a fee).

Never charge a fee to the press or to someone who is being published.

I forgot to mention, I had a gimlet last night. It was the classic Rose's version. Very tasty, but it reminded me of the Aviation (which Alberta first pushed on me), which I find superior. Maraschino Liqueur incidentally is not some scary maraschino cherry runoff. It's made from the cherry pits and is a very useful cocktail enabler, adding complexity to the drink. You can get it at BevMo. It's worth getting a bottle because it encourages a lot of experimentation.

Aviation Cocktail
By Rob Chirico from Field Guide to Cocktails

The Aviation Cocktail is a gin-based cocktail whose special appeal comes from the addition of maraschino liqueur. Previously headed for the endangered species list, the Aviation Cocktail seems to be having a revival thanks to the Internet. The Aviation was once regarded as the prince of cocktails, but the scarcity of maraschino liqueur nearly sent the drink into tippler’s oblivion. The name of this feisty Depression-era cocktail is supposedly linked to air travel of the time —a risky venture not for the faint of heart.

Only the most traditional or serious bars still make the Aviation. This is one drink that home-bartending aficionados are dabbling in.

Shake the Aviation hard enough that tiny flecks of ice float in the drink as soon as it is poured. Stay clear of the gooey syrup in maraschino cherry jars. It’s no substitute for the liqueur.

Ingredients
11/2 ounces gin
3/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

Instructions
Shake the gin, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice well with ice; then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with either a brandied cherry, lemon twist, or a cucumber slice. (I think Alberta adds a bit of her own cucumber spa mix.)

More on the Aviation

I don't know if any Natter-ites posess this knowledge, but I'm researching hotels in Houston reasonably close to the downtown area. If a downtown area exists. Doing some research for my boss, and we don't know what's a good central location. She'll have a car.

Any thoughts?

Ohh. Lemme ask my friend. He lives downtown.

There's definitely a downtown. You want downtown, right, and not the Galleria area? Because those are not the same thing.

Isn't Dana in Houston?

Also, for very sprawly cities, I've often found it's better to work from the specific place the person is going to visit -- "downtown" might mean one thing, while "near the university/convention center/whatsis" could be someplace else entirely.

There's definitely a downtown. You want downtown, right, and not the Galleria area? Because those are not the same thing.

I don't think she knows what either of those are. Possibly near office buildings? She'll be driving and doing alum visits. And those vary. I think "centrally located" is the key. Also, probably near good restaurants and stuff.

Her exact request:

I don't really know Houston at all, so I'm open to suggestions. I don't mind Marriot b.c. I get miles. I'd like to be a reasonably close to the downtown area (whatever that means).

It didn't take me an hour to conquer the scanner. Damn it. I need to be less efficient.

I don't think she knows what either of those are. Possibly near office buildings?

Heh. Okay. We have office buildings, definitely.

I think "centrally located" is the key. Also, probably near good restaurants and stuff.

Luckily, there are several areas that are centrally located and near good restaurants. The Galleria area (where the giant shopping mall is located) will be better in terms of nighttime activity than downtown. Though downtown has undergone quite a bit of revitalization, and has a bunch of excellent restaurants, there are still parts of it that are dead after working hours.

Let me take a look at the various Marriott locations (I'm going to assume other Marriott properties apply, like Courtyard Inn).

This is where my friend lives [link] I just got a text message back, but I don't think he's understanding that I don't want the info for me.