Kitchen Cabinet

No, I’m not talking politics…  I really do mean cabinets in the kitchen.  As you can see, things are moving along quickly now.  I’m still shooting for completion by Thanksgiving.  That would make this a six-month project!

Finally!

I know, I know…  You’re probably thinking, “Finally Brian updated his blog!”

No.  Finally the kitchen cabinets have arrived.  Progress should clip along now on the renovation from you-know-where.

Take a look.  And I promise to post more pics soon!

Kitchen full o

My New Boots…Live!

My new boots, flashlight, and delicious storm snacks.

We’re in full “Ike mode” here at the station.  All of us will be working this weekend to keep you informed as the storm passes through North Texas.  (Yes, it’s one of those times when we go outside and tell you to stay inside.)

As you can see, I’m ready — equipped with a new flashlight, trail mix, beef jerky, protein bars and a snazzy new pair of rubber boots.  Look for them… LIVE!

All kidding aside, this is an extremely serious situation, especially down south.  It might also get rough here in the Metroplex. 

Please be smart.  Prepare.  You probably won’t need the boots, but do things like dig out the flashlight and gas up the car.

Don’t go out in the storm.  That’s our job.  We’ll bring it right into your living room (as long as you have power).  Look for us all day tomorrow.  Then we’ll see you on the other side.

Preparing for Ike

I just ran into Diane Walker at The Home Depot store in east Forth Worth.  Diane is from Katy, Texas (near Houston), and she’s been visiting family here.  But when it became clear that Ike was heading for her hometown, she sprang into action.

 

Diane was buying supplies for the Breath of Life Clinic in Katy, which provides health care services to children with no insurance.  Diane explained that the clinic has more than $150,000 worth of vaccines and medications that must be kept refrigerated at all times.  Losing power during Ike simply can’t happen.

 

Diane says it was not easy to find that generator.  She says she searched all over North Texas, before finding this one in Fort Worth.  The clerk at Home Depot told me that most of the generators in this area have been shipped into the storm zone, where they’ll be needed most.  The clerk also told me that many local customers have been coming into the store today buying batteries and supplies in anticipation of the rough weather expected here.

 

After stopping at Home Depot, Diane was on her way to Wal-Mart.  She was planning to buy bottled water and non-perishable food items, which she says friends in Katy tell her are getting to be precious commodities.  Diane part of an organization called www.compassionkaty.org.  The group knows what to do.  It was formed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  

 

By the time you read this, Diane will be rolling south — while most people are rolling north.  We wish her the best as she prepares to meet Ike.    

The Kitchen Chronicles

Tile, paint and dog.

Upon my return from Beijing, many of you have inquired about the kitchen renovation.  As you can see, there’s some progress.  There’s now a floor and walls.  It’s getting there…  Check back with me around Thanksgiving!

Back from Beijing

I’m finally back from Beijing (and then vacation).  It feels like I’ve been gone a year. 

The question everyone has been asking is:  “How was it?”  The short answer is terrific.  It was the Olympics in China.  A truly once-in-a-lifetime two-fer.

Honestly, it will take a long time to process my latest Olympic adventure.  China is so complex…  But here are a few of my lasting impressions:

- Overall, it was a spectacular Games.  The venues were jaw-dropping.  The organization was flawless.   

- The Chinese people were gracious and helpful beyond description.

- Comparing Beijing to Athens:  Beijing was the greatest show on earth.  Athens was the greatest party on earth.  No one can top the Chinese for sheer spectacle.  No one can top the Greeks for a good time.  Bravo to both. 

If you have any specific questions, shoot them my way.  I’ll be happy to share more of my thoughts.

The final one for today:  It’s very good to be home.

See Brian in a swimsuit!

Click here to see video of Brian Curtis trying on the LZR Racer swimsuit.

This is the same suit Michael Phelps and other Olympic swimmers wear in competition.

I’m In Beijing

There’s a reason you won’t find anything new on my blog… I’m in Beijing covering the Olympics.

You can keep up with me through my Photo Diary.

Check it out here: Brian Curtis: A Photo Diary

I’ll be back to blogging when I return from the Olympics!

It’s Coming Right Along…

Insert kitchen here.

Some of you have asked about the kitchen renovation.

Well, as you can see, it’s “coming right along.”  (At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.)  I took this picture this morning.

Six weeks into the project and it’s still a gaping hole in the house.  Only now it’s a hole without a floor.  Those guys are standing on bare earth.

Thinking about renovating?

Here’s a suggestion:  Do your patriotic duty and help us out of the economic slump.

Go buy a new house.

The Cats Are Winning

By now you’ve probably concluded that the Factory is closed.  I can’t blame you.

In the not-too-distant past, I blogged about how getting ready to cover the Olympics is like herding cats.  The cats are winning.

All this week we’ve been chasing after the Luis Yanez story.  He’s the Duncanville boxer who’s now been reinstated to the U.S. Olympic team.

As I write this, Randy McIlwain is at DFW Airport, taking part in a media scrum trying to catch Luis as he boards the plane to Colorado Springs.

You’ve seen Randy.  He’s a big dude.  We coudn’t have anyone better jockeying for position.  Tune in tonight to see what he gets.

I need to run.  I think I just saw another cat run under my desk.