LAFD's New Rescue's

Wow, Los Angeles City FD has made a drastic change in their rescue fleet. Apparently, they have dumped both Ford and Wheeled Coach, and are now using Type I's with a Dodge Ram chasis and Braun Northwest-Northstar modules.

See here for photos:
http://www.braunnw.com/popup.php?id=492

Mike Holmes Magazine

I really like Mike Holmes, and his TV show. He comes across as a knowledgable, modest, caring and genuine guy. Now, he's come out with a magazine, which was a nice suprise at the newstand.It's very well laid out, with some really good advice and informative articles.

http://www.holmesmagazine.com/

They've been publishing in Canada for a year, and this is their premiere US edition. I highly reccomend it.

"Snow Men" Pulled Suddenly From Discovery Lineup

Tonight, I was looking foward to the show, "Snow Men". I even made sure the DVR was set this morning. (see prior blog post)

And all of a sudden, Discovery pulls it completly from it's line up, only hours before it's set to air it's second episode. No explanation or notice to the fans.

Instead, they are airing "Wreck Chasers", the show that highlights the skells of the towing industry, and damaged the reputation of the towing industry that the show "Wrecked" built.

Well, then again, that freak family on Discovery Channel's sister network TLC with 19 kids who are now having a secons grandchild or the show that the guy has four wivees, or the little people who make chocolate, are more important priorities to them.

Ir seems Discovery is all about exploiting people for ratings, with the exception of a couple of shows.

They better bring it back! I feel bad for all the people who worked on that show.

Wendy's new fries keep skins, add sea salt

Real ingridients? The last time I was at a Wendy's, after not having been in a while, I was very dissapointed. The 99 cent menu used to net you a good deal. Now, the portions are miniscule. And the regular menu items have also shrunk in size.

I'm sorry, you can't use "real ingridients" at that price....maybe at one time, before they were super processed into the "fry" they are now.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40113678/ns/business-consumer_news/

Wendy's new fries keep skins, add sea salt
Part of ongoing menu revamping that focuses on 'real' ingredients
This is the first major overhaul of the 41-year-old company's fries.

By EMILY FREDRIX
The Associated Press
updated 57 minutes ago 2010-11-10

-NEW YORK — With an eye toward appealing to foodies, Wendy's is remaking its fries with Russett potatoes, leaving the skin on and sprinkling sea salt on top.

The fast-food chain has been changing its menu to focus on "real" ingredients to win more fans.

New Series On Discovery: "Snow Men"

So, out of no where this show about snow plow drivers on a brutal winter road in Utah comes on the Discovery channel after "Swamp Loggers",  apprently it's going to follow the Utah DOT plow drivers as they try to keep the roads clean and sander, while the avalance crews try to track and prevent avalanches.

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/snow-men/

Awesome show for my tastes! I love all these vocational shows that are coming out!

Bush calls Kanye West’s criticism over Hurricane Katrina the lowest moment of his presidency

THAT is your lowest moment of your presidency? An insult by an outspoken rapper? Not seeing the footage of the devasatation and destruction going in in New Orleans? AND HE OPENLY SAYS HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THAT, BUT THE KANYE STATEMENT MORE!!  Not all the men and women who were killed fighting a war he started? Not destroying the economy and then handing over to Obama, amongst all the other problems he started that Obama is trying to deal with? I can't believe this moron was President of the United State Of America and how obtuse the American people were to it last night. They quickly forget they wanted Obama to change what George Bush had done. I can only imaging what he has written in his book, and I look foward to the interview this Monday night on NBC.

ARTICLE: Bush calls Kanye West’s criticism over Hurricane Katrina the lowest moment of his presidency

jetBlue to fly to Alaska from Long Beach

jetBlue announced it will be flying seasonally from Long Beach, CA to Anchorage, Alaska.


http://blog.hellojetblue.com/blog/index.php/2010/10/27/announcing-our-65th-bluecity-anchorage/

Hopefully, the TV's will work and the ones that do will have a decent picture (the main selling point of jetBlue), the plane won't be filthy, the fares will be reasonable, and the crew actually will be nice and helpful. As you can see my love of jetBlue has faded as they've become just like every other airline in my experiences last time I flew them two years ago. It's not the affordable and fun airline like it was a few years ago.

Rockstar Uproar Tour Houston

Catching up on many blog posts I'm behind on.

A few weeks ago, I attended the Rockstar Uproar Tour at the Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion in Houston, TX. Headlining were Halestorm, Stone Sour, Avenged Sevenfold, and Disturbed.

This festival was very well put together, and the venue was in a very beautiful setting. It was an outdoor ampitheater. I sat two rows behind mid-left stage, under a cover. There was no mosh pit, only the "lawn" in the back.

First up was Halestorm. Pretty good band live.

Stone Sour was next, and only given a half hour to perform. Corey Taylor and Stone Sour are awesome, always tour with Disturbed, and wish they had gotten more time. Hope they headline a tour that comes this way.

Avenged Sevenfold took the stage next. I never really liked or listened to Avenged Sevenfold before. In fact, I kind of ignored their performance, anxious to see the next act, Disturbed. However, A7X has grown on me, and now I love their album. I really wish I had enjoyed their live performance more. There set was AMAZING, and the pyrotechnics unreal. I felt like my eyebrows were going to singe off. "Welcome To The Family"

And finally my favorite band, Disturbed. What was Disturbing was how disapointed I was with them. I love Disturbed, they always put on a great show and David always engages the audience. However, this time was different. I had hoped it wouldn't be like the show in Belton, TX a few years back. It wasn't. It was worse. David's voice is shot, and you can tell. He also seems to hate touring, and it is taking it's toll on him. They played a lot of medeleys, blending several songs into one. I really wanted to hear a few complete songs, and some more from the new album. Between each song there is a 30 second pause. David did nothing to engage the crowd, and didn't give any inspiring speeches like he usually does. I must say though, the lyrics to their new album are amazing and poweful. I've heard he's moving here to Austin, so maybe I'll see him in a better setting with songs that are better for his vocal cords. And they are still my favorite band, I just hope the record companies don't force Disturbed into touring until they fall apart.

2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

My dream truck, one of the coolest trucks Ford has ever produced. The 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. I hope one day one will be mine.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/f150raptor/

A Sad End To A "Rookies" Episode-Officer Josh Norris

On the Crime And Investigation Network (used to be on A&E), there is this show called "The Rookies". It follows rookie police officers from the time the graduate the police academy, and their first few weeks on the job with their FTO until they get cut loose to patrol on their own.

This episode followed Officer Josh Norris, of the Jefferson County Sherriffs Office in Louisianna. He was 22 years old, and had struggled with his FTO, Officer Danny Bostic who was not impressed at first with Josh. He seemed at the end to improve on all the issues and earn the respect of his FTO, and was cut loose on his own to patrol. At the end of the episode, the screen gave a little background on Officer Josh Norris, including that he proposed to his high school sweetheart on July 4th.

After that, his FTO comes on, looking visibly shaken. While responding to a domestic disturbance call a few weeks after being cut loose on the night shift, Josh was fatally shot when a perp opened fire on him upon arrival at the scene. His backup was his FTO, Officer Bostic, who found Josh face down in a pool of blood and unconcious. He stated he heard the shot and then dead silence. It was said that one bullet killed Josh. It was the first time in 11 years a Deputy in Jefferson Parish had died in the line of duty.

Quite a shocking and sad end to that espisode that showed a promising young man who would have grown to become a great police officer.

http://www.aetv.com/rookies/episodes/index.jsp

The Roku Box

Possibly the simplest entertainment device I've ever owned, the "Roku" box, was delivered from Amazon.com yesterday. Extremly easy to set up, it connects to my wireless-n network,and it streams fast downloading a 2 hour movie in less then 45 seconds., This is the TV of the future.The Roku cost $69.00, and there is no reccuring fee for the box.

Through digital media streaming, you can view unlimited movies and TV shows through Netflix and Amazon On Demand. Netflix has an unlimited option which allows you to rent unlimited movies and TV shows for only $8.99 a month.

The Roku has a "Channel Store", where you can add channels to your box. Most of this is streaming internet TV and music, which is really developing and there's tons of interesting content. On top of this, there are many "apps", for photos, etc. My favorite is the one for digital streaming of radio scanners.

This is why I think DVD's are going to die, and unfortunetly Blu-Ray too. Streaming media is the way of the future, and some TV's (Samsung) already have these features built in.

It's still got some things that I would like to see, like the addition of Hulu.com, but this concept is really starting to become popular and I think that is going to drive more available streaming content.

Click below to learn more from Amazon's site:

David Draiman Of "Disturbed" now lives in Austin!

My favorite vocalist from my favorite band, David Draiman from Disturbed, has moved here to Austin, TX, according to several sources. The Chicago native, who was born in Brooklyn NY,  has said in interviews that he is tired of touring, tired of the Chicago winters, and loves many things about Austin. He cited many reasons for moving here, besides it being the "Live Music Capitol Of The World", the city's friendly, laid back, and unique culture, the nice climate, numerous outdoor activities and scenic beauty, etc.

I'm sure I will see him around, it's a small city. I've heard that he's been seen enjoying the city but also enjoying the respect Austin residents give the many celebrities who call Austin home. Hopefully, he will consider performing in Austin or pop up and do a suprise show like many other famous musicians and bands do. I know he will love life in Austin.

.I'm going to see him in Houston at the Rockstar Uproar Music Festival in October. Can't wait!

Disturbed's Newest Album "Asylum" Available For Pre-Order

Asylum (Limited Edition)(CD/DVD)


www.amazon.com

Limited Edition CD+DVD: -DVD includes 60+ minute 'Decade of Disturbed' documentary + 'Dissected' (band showing/teaching fans to play tracks) -CD includes 2 bonus live tracks: 'Liberate' & 'Stricken'

Bats get later start in early summer

The first annual "Batfest" sounds awesome! But doesn't look like the bats are ready yet.

Bats get later start in early summer

Pepsi Truck Crash on Dallas Tollway

Check out this article from DailyFinance

In-N-Out is coming to Texas! As many of you know from my previous blog posts and trips to California, I love this place! It's one of a kind, and I am excited, until one come to Austin, that it will only be a 3 hour drive north on IH35! In-N-Out has a fanatical following, click on the link below to read more.

Check out this article from DailyFinance

A street name to commemorate a path cut short

A street name to commemorate a path cut short

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Cut In Half: Fire Truck

Cool new show on Nat Geo....

We see fire trucks every day, but do we really understand how they work and what's inside? Eric Stromer and his team create a giant band saw using a motorcycle and 100 feet of diamond rope to cut a fire truck in half lengthwise. The systems include a 50-ft hydraulic ladder, a 600-gallon water tank and a high-powered water pump. With CGI and practical field tests, we see these systems in action and find out how they work in a unique look at the fire truck - from the inside out!

Read more: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/cut-it-in-half/4637/Overview#ixzz0nTnqRQSX

Thank you Time Warner!

Was I suprised this morning to see that, when I turned on TV, Time Warner FINALLY updated their DVR interface and guide screen to something more modern and that looks a lot cleaner with a more fluid interface, plus some more new features.  I guess they are starting to wake up to features found in competitots DVR boxes.....

What's Happened To jetBlue?

Anyone who's followed this blog knew what I loyal fan of jetBlue I used to be.

Now, living in Austin, the only reason I like them is because they fly to JFK direct.

The rest of the airline has gone down the tubes. And everyone I know agrees. I miss the old terminal, the new one is just too big. The flight attendants and staff have become totally apathetc. The TV's don't work half the time or work poorly when they do-one of the main reason I fly them, and all they give you is a $15 credit if they don't work. A credit mind you, not a refund.. The planes are dirty from lack of basic janitorial care and starting to show their age inside. They are constantly delayed. And the worst thing their prices are ridiculous. More then American or Continental.

I guess the freindly staff and crew who care, clean planes, low fares, working TVs, and all they were at the begining is now just memories.

Hiatus

I know this blog has been on an unofficial "hiatus" for several months, but I really hope to get it going again soon. I've been procrastinating doing it, but I hope to get it going again soon.