Thursday, July 26, 2007

The Arena's On TV Land

So, I was watching TV Land (cable channel) today, and apparently beginning August 11th they will be airing the reruns of ABC's "Extreme Home Makeover"

In the promo ad (that I saw a couple of times today), they use scenes exclusively from the Arena family (from Somers, NY) episode, prominetly featuring Jim and Gina.

Neat.

http://www.jimmboy.com/

Monday, July 23, 2007

The Photographers Rights

Interesting. And could be useful. It's getting ridiculous trying to get photos nowadays-some people are getting so overzealous, to the point where the terrorists are oppressing some of our rights and freedoms under the guise of "Homeland Security".

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Sunday, July 22, 2007

I HATE Nextel

I HATE Nextel.

Every time I have an issue, I call them and get passed around to several different people and departments, and each time having to explain the story again, and each time having to explain the story again becuase "I" called the wrong department- despite THEM transferring me around.

I recently had an issue where that was the case. They had billed me twice for one month- the exact amount twice, automatically debiting out of my bank account. I was passed around, and finally was so pissed off after 2 hours on the phone with several different departments denying that this occured and that they couldn't help me, that I asked to be transferred to the cancellations department. There, I was called a liar and they wouldn't let me out of my contract without paying them $500, and they could care less about the numerous problems I had with them over the months. I am now disputing the charges with my bank.

I am desperate to switch to Verizon. I just dread having to call Nextel, and spend 2 hours on the phone with them only for them to say "Sorry, we can't help you". The Direct Connect is great, but is not worth the aggrivation.

It shows a lot that they are dumping customers who complain-maybe if they SOLVED the problems they wouldn't have the issues.

I hope Nextel goes out of business for their arrogant, unorganized, and crappy customer service.

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Pre-Wedding Photo

Here's a photo taken a couple of weeks ago before the wedding. When I get some photos of the actual wedding, I will post. My bride was beautiful, and I must say I looked darn good myself, lol.


My Wedding 7-7-07

Well, Kristen and I tied the knot yesterday.

The wedding was AWESOME! I had such a great time, and it all went by so fast. It was great to see my beautiful bride, and all of our family and friends having such a good time. I'm so happy to finally be married to the love of my life.

So I am now a proudly married man, and looking foward to our long, happy future together!

From The Journal News 7-7-07

Then there are those like Kristen Liptak and Seth Granville of Hartsdale,
who are just adding a touch of seven-centric whimsy to their big day.

The pair's "save the date" card was designed to look like a slot
machine, and the 140 guests attending their wedding at Crabtree's Kittle House
in Chappaqua will receive "Lucky 7" lottery tickets as favors.

And no, guests won't have to share any winnings with the happy
couple.

"We'd say the luckiest thing is that we found each other," says
Liptak.

But Liptak does admit to lucking into an opening at the Kittle House
last June. "We were just in time," she says.

Aggressive Bicyclists

I'm sure most in Westchester are familiar with road bicyclists that rides in packs in Westchester on the weekend.

Granted, it is our responsibility to share the road, but some of these groups ride, as "packs", very, very aggresively at high speed, often ignoring traffic rules themselves, and putting themselves in great danger, especially on narrow roads where curves make visibilty dangerous.

I'm curious, is there any regulation to this? Sometimes, the groups number 30 or more, and cut off or cause traffic disruption, and place themselves in great harm.

One of the places I often see these types of cyclists ride is Route 22 between North White Plains and Armonk. Coincidentally, I often hear of bicyclists struck in this area.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Maneros Lives On!!: An x635 Investigation

Well, after acting on some tips from other members on http://www.emtbravo.net , I found out, that although the Manero's building is rubble, that Manero's signature items still live on.

Kris and I decided to try Greenwich Prime Meats, and their steak sandwich, for lunch. We also got the Gorgonzola Salad to take home, and both were delicous! All the favorites from Manero's are on their menu, as you can see below. I definetly reccomend it, it's two minutes off I-95 Exit 2 on Bruce Park Road, just up the hill from Greenwich Ave, in Greenwich, CT.

Ah, the favorites.......

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Maneros Resturant In Greenwich,CT

Does anyone know what happened to Manero's Resturant in Greenwich on Steamboat Rd.?I used to eat there all the time as a kid...it was my favorite resturant. It was a great, family oriented old school steakhouse.

Some of my favorite menu items were the gorgonzola salad, the garlic bread, the chicken parm, the ribeye, the steak fries, and the ice cream roll desert ....all had their distinct Manero's delicious flavors. Also, the staff was always the same, familiar and friendly. The service and food always great and consistent.

In fact, their gorgonzola is so popular, that they are now bottling it and selling it on the web.
http://www.manerosgorgonzola.com/

My last memory of Maneros was eating there sometime several years ago. Apparently, they had just sold the place, and the new owners were trying to fancy it up. The staff was new, the food sucked, and so did the service.

I presume Manero's closed....what has the building become? I had so many good memories of birthdays there, and many great meals. It's hard to din

Also, I remember my parents and grandparents telling me that their used to be one is Hartsdale, at the building on Central Ave built onto a slope with a distinct top floor, now housing Westchester Cardiac Rehab and Sports Medicine.

Their Florida location still exists at least
http://www.maneros.com/

If you know anything, please add to the comments of this post.

Monday, July 02, 2007

Tappan Zee Bridge Needs A Dedicated,Improved Bridge Patrol

With all the serious incidents on the Tappan Zee Bridge over the past years, and with the bridge being obsolete for current traffic load, should the Thruway Authority increase the manpower, equipment, and training of the Bridge Patrol?

For instance, the Port Authority George Washington Bridge Division just took delivery of a do-it-all 2007 Pierce Lance Engine (as featured in Fire Apparatus Journal July-August '07 Page 25) that has a 1250GPM pump, 2500 gallon water tank, 300 gallons foam tank, 6 ground sweep nozzles, extrication equpment, hazardous materials supplies and references, light tower, plenty of hose, EMS Equipment, and a multi-agency command cab. This is to supplement their quick response patrol wreckers that also have some fire suppresion and extrication capabilities. All of these trucks can be seen on http://www.fdnytrucks.com/

In my opinion, I feel the TZ Bridge does need an improved emergency response squad. Given traffic conditions and the unique nature of the bridge, this would mitigate incidents much more quickly, and possibly limit the need for multiple agencies to abandon their districts to cover an incident....instead, they could be supplemental.

The bridge used to be much better covered by "Wrecker 1", with them having their own fire engine, better staffing, and training at the Rockland Fire Training Center, but it seems budget cuts have resulted in cutbacks.

These positions should be trained to a career firefighter level, rescue technician, and master wrecker operator, and it should be a civil service position. Two men should patrol the bridge in a better equipped wrecker then they have now, and a third crew member should man the fire apparatus at the Tarrytown Barracks. Add an additonal patrol wrecker for peak travel times. Tarrytown, Central Nyack, and the EMS agencies should still respond, as directed by the Thruway Authority Crew Chief.

In fact, the Thruway Authority TZ Bridge might benefit from an airport-style crash rescue vehice with snozzle.

Anyways, that's just my thoughts.

Bennet School For Girls And A Sad Fate.


Bennet School For Girl
Millbrook, NY

Built in the late 1800's and abandoned in 1977, this 4 year college is an arcehticural gem, that has fallen victim to the years of neglect. This beautiful building has suffered so much since being abandoned and not maintained, I don't think it can be restored although I hope it can be. I'm shocked that no one else wanted this building after Bennet School closed, it would have made a beautful hotel or other type of facilty.

Right now, it just looks like the setting from a horror film.

Can anyone shed some more light on this? If so, leave a comment to this post.