Sunday, December 28, 2008

SPEED Gives ‘Wrecked’ a Second Season

This show, by far, is my favorite show on televison right now. I'm psyched that it will be back for a second season. I think O'Hare is an AWESOME operation and sees some pretty cool incidents.

SPEED Gives ‘Wrecked’ a Second Season
Written by: Erik Arneson 12/15/2008 - 04:43 PM

For a tow operator there is no "clock out and go home" time, it is always
on, 24-7.

After a strong first season, culminating with a Thanksgiving Day marathon,
Bill, Joey and Marci Gratzianna and the rest of the gang from Chicago’s O’Hare
Towing & Recovery will be back on SPEED in 2009, as the network announced it
is picking up the popular prime time series Wrecked for a second season.

FULL STORY:http://www.speedtv.com/article/speed-gives-popular-prime-time-series-wrecked-a-second-season/

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

NYPD Pizza

I vaguely remember reading about this establishment in the NY Daily News a while ago, at the time it was only one resturant in Florida, I believe and battaling NYPD over the name.

My suprise when I was going downtown to check out the new Metro Rail station in Austin that I noticed this, kind of tucked away behind the convention center and large hotel. I'm not sure if it was in business or closed, or opening soon. Tints too dark to see through.

I know some Police Officer's have family who make awesome pies, but I can't see the connection between people who have never even been to NYC and pizza?


Wednesday, December 17, 2008

3 Years Ago Today, I Was A Firefighter

How life can change so quickly.

Three years ago today, I graduated from the Westchester Career Firefighters Academy Class 03-05, my certificate of completion was presented to me by the Commisioner Of The Department Of Emergency Services, Anthony Sutton. I was proud and humbled to recieve the "Instructors Award" for my enthusiasm and spirit. Most importantly, I had finally acheived the dream of becoming a Hartsdale Firefighter. My goal was to become a firefighter, learn, and slowly work my way up the ranks, like most new probies do.

For the first year, things were exciting. I was learning a ton, salary was great for someone my age, I was going to be getting married, had our first apartment that we owned. I remember my first time driving Engine 170, my first time operating TL-15. Everything was going great until January 27, 2007, when everything changed forever when I was severly injured on department property due to construction negligence.

Although I physically and emotionally suffered tremendously during the time, I fought to recover as quickly as possible to get back on the job.But no matter what I did, obstacles were purposely thrown in my way. Many of you know the story, and I have it well documented for further publication, so I won't get into it here. After all the stuff my family and I were put through, I put it in perspective now.

While the same old Hartsdale dictator, politics and people continue to rule the department with greed and corupption because that's all they have in their lives, I look at my "new" life here in Texas. I have a wife whom I love, two new puppies, a new house, a great job, and I live in an awesome city. My lifestyle down here I definetly wouldn't be able to afford up north. I wouldn't go back to Hartsdale FD if someone was to pay me a million dollars. I feel sorry for the younger guys who have to work in that retirment home. I pray each day for their safety and well being, and hope their climbing the ranks will actually change Hartsdale. Time shall tell wheter they are corrupted and beaten down by the "elders" when they reach that point.

Unlike working at Hartsdale, I actually EARN my living, and make an impact in peoples lives each day. I don't sit around all day, months sometimes, waiting for "the next big one", if there is even one. Because, for me, "the next one" is always there after you clear the ED. I can go home and say that person is alive because of my partner and I. Not once did I say that while working for Hartsdale.

Maybe Hartsdale wasn't the place for me in the grand scheme of things. But I deserved and earned that job, and it was taken unfairly from me, and no one is held accountable for it. They even made it so I could not transfer to another department. They lost a TON of talent when they lost me. That still, and always will, irk me.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

30 Degrees

When I left my house this morning, it was 30 degrees out.

When we moved down here, I was hoping to escape the cold!! It was actually warmer in NY today then here in Round Rock!

Still, I don't have to worry about clearing my driveway and car of snow....all I've got to worry about is the already crazy Texas drivers with ice thrown into the equasion!!!! I'm hoping for no precip!

Friday, December 12, 2008

8 Years

Bruce Granville, 55, of Hartsdale, died tragically on Tuesday, December 12, 2000. He was born on January 31, 1945 in Brooklyn to Harold and Doris Granville. He was raised and educated in Rye. Mr. Granville was a retired police officer with the Village of Ardsley. During and after his retirement he owned and operated Granville Police Products in Hartsdale, a business he ran for over 30 years. On October 22, 1977 Bruce married Susan Cabot in Scarsdale. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and had a great affinity for Harley Davidson Motor Cycles. Most of all, he took care of his family. He was an exceptional father who had a gentle spirit and was very kind. Survivors including his beloved wife Susan are two loving children Seth and Danielle. Bruce is the beloved son-in-law of Rosalind Cabot. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 AM at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Revolutionary Rd., Ardsley. Visiting will be Thursday and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 pm, Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home. Memorials to the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry & Homeless, 48 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601 or The Rosebud Sioux Indian Tribe, PO Box 430, Rosebud, SD 57570, att: Jim Wike. EDWARDS-DOWDLE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 64 Ashford Ave. (Saw Mill Exit 17) Dobbs Ferry (914)693-3330

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Williams County EMS New Paint Scheme

My hometown EMS agency has changed their paint scheme....right after I started liking their old paint scheme after thinking it was outdated! However, the new design is awesome.

(All photos by me)

New Williamson County, TX EMS Medic Unit
2009 Ford F-350/MedTec Type I (Refurbished/remounted box)



Williamson County EMS Medic Unit in old paint scheme

2008 Ford F-350/Wheeled Coach




Extreme Trains

As many know, I'm a big fan of trains, mostly commuter.

I discovered this new show, "Extreme Trains", on the History Channel that goes behind the scenes of railroads.

The episodes I've seen are the one that profiles the Amtrak Acela train and route, and a Union Pacific freight train as it travels from Los Angeles to Fort Worth, TX.

For any train fans out there, this show is a MUST!