When Russ is Late...

When their husband is late coming home from work, some women wonder why.

I just turn on the TV, and I know why! 

Fire by our house! Burned 5 acres!

Thanks TV! 

YNN Launch

Last night was the launch party changing News 8 Austin to Your News Now (YNN). It was a lot of fun, here's some highlights:

We drove up to the event with the Gomez's.
Mark is a weather reporter at Russ's station.
We've driven together to quite a few of these events.
So now when we drive together it's like reuniting with family!
They're such a lovely couple!

This is Russ's boss thanking everyone. I really love Russ's boss.
He is one of those people that are just good through ang through.

This is the band they had play, The Run Tides. The lead singer is also one of Russ's co-workers.

Eddie,  a co-worker of Russ's. The music was pretty awesome.

Because two singers are better than one.

Especially when one is from the audience.

At some point in the night I started taking these pictures.

Us & an air vent

Now our faces are more weird looking.

Then we turned pink (I think it was the lights).

This is the sign outside of the party at the Long Center in Austin.
It looked pretty cool from the road.

Russ taking a picture.

Sad News

After spending a lot of time this past week studying the judicial progression of our country over the past 200+ years, I begin to feel like the US has become a champion of individual rights. Not perfect, but somewhere where civility and respect are engrained into our laws and society. The news of the shooter on Saturday in Arizona brought me to reality.

Our laws can change and be just as they may. But if we do not have civility and respect engrained in our attitudes and behaviors, then what good does it do to have just and civil laws?

I read recently a quote from Ben Franklin. It may be American folklore, but pointed nonetheless.

A aged man asked Ben Franklin after the Constituional Convention of 1787 what kind of government had been created for the people. Ben Franklin responded, "A Republic, if you can keep it."


Please, let us keep it...

Why is TV so weird?

I started my morning at 6 am and did a series of infomercial like live
shots from this big National Geographic sale. After checking on some
Hurricane Ike evacuees I went to YMCA Childrens Christmas party. Then
a miracle happened, just up the street from our house. Our Lady
Guadalupe started weeping. Well actually one blood drop like tear.
Does that mean I don't have to go to church tomorrow?

Memorial

I think that Texas is probably the only state where you would see a
casket draped with it's flag. Covering funerals is never fun but it's
always interesting. Jim Mattox was a state rep, a congressman, and the
AG. He died in his sleep at 65.

Snake Farm

It was one of my favorite stories (you'll have to google it) and a
song I can't get out of my head (google that too). Friday night the
Snake Farm caught fire. My all time favorite quote from a fireman,
"we're being hampered by monkeys."

Buckets

The things I do for work... I never thought I'd find myself in the
bucket of a cherry picker but there I was. A Jr. High was having a
Veteran's Day thing and for some reason the football bleachers weren't high
enough. Needless to say the video was pretty shakey.

Election night

It was long. I covered 5 races and watched history on tv.

Fall back

Setting the clocks back is always much better than what happens in the
spring. This year I thought it would be a good idea to watch them set
the Caldwell County Courthouse tower clock back, I was right. It was
way too fun climbing up to the little room that holds the clock. If
you get the chance go to news8austin.com and check it out.

Sick stories

I went on a road trip today. The hill country loop if you will. Two
stories in Burnet the first, two cooks were arrested for spitting (and
worse) in the police chief's food. The second, nothing says Texas like
"Get Stuffed". A combo BBQ taxidermy shop. That's why the picture is
of cheap gas. I never thought I'd see the day...

What won't baking soda do?

San Marcos has a fancy new tool that cleans off graffiti with baking
soda. Well baking soda and a lot of pressure. I think I'm going to do
some tagging at the local vinegar factory.

Bush's boy

So Scott McClellen came to town to chat about his book. It was kind of
interesting, I wished I could have stayed the whole time but I had
other stories to do. I think working at the White House would be
interesting.

Zero 2 sixty

In 4 seconds. That's what this car can do. Did I mention it run on
batteries? Plug it in and you can go 100 mph. I also rode the little
blue bike, you plug it in too. The batteries power a motor that helps
you go, it was pretty sweet. I also covered a group of troops going to
Iraq, a new statue at TxSt, and a referendum on keeping bars open till
2. What a day.

Totally wasted

Gilchrist, Texas is gone. We saw the worst of the storm today. It's
been a long 4 days. Get your 72 hour kits.

Flood of cows

Saw some dead cows today, but a lot more that survived. I wonder what
cows think of a hurricane?

Ice ice baby

Ice is hard to come by in Houston so it surprised me when I found this
gas station putting it to such good use.

It was windy

More damage. Ike thought it would be funny to put boats where cars go.

Welcome to the hotel...

Hotel Ike. No a/c, no shower. What a night.

Ike's due some bad luck

Do mirrored windows work the same as regular mirrors? If some Ike's
going to have some bad luck. Hope I can find a place to sleep morning
lives are going to come early.

It's a mess

There is glass every where downtown.