Some good news for you Skydriller. The FAA has started to "reopen" some of the Class B airspace to us (though not in my area). Houston was one of the first. Check out the following info:
NOTAM:
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...010915tfr.html
Plain English interpretation:
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...1015plain.html
Happy flying!