Sep 3, 2008 | 10:34 AM
Category:
Music
Yes I went to 3 of the 4 nights of this rock fest! I had to leave early on Saturday ... I got a message from work that I had to be in at 2am (instead of 7am) to cover Gustav. I was beginning to think Gustav was going to ruin my Monday RTB with Bret Michaels, Twisted Sister, and Kix.
I did not go on Sunday. I wanted to go, but I knew I had a long day at work with Gustav hitting on Monday.
All weekend, I kept trying NOT to get my hopes up about meeting Bret Michaels ... I'll confess ... he was my teenage crush for years and years. I still like him - probably always will. I had a feeling Gustav coverage was going to ruin my chance of meeting him.
First, let's get to Saturday's shows and rocker run-in's ... I saw the end of Enuff Z'nuff ... Great White ... and a little of Dokken. I missed the Lita Ford and Blacklist Union (an up and coming band out of Hollywood) concerts because I had to go home and get to bed. All the bands I saw sounded great.
I was really excited about seeing Great White ... I love this rock band with a bluesy sound. I took pictures down front for the first 2 songs and then headed up to the side of the stage to take more. Had a blast! The lead singer and keyboardist/guitarist posed for pictures for me. It was cool to see Michael Lardies set list and guitar changes. I watched his roadie tune up the guitars, clean the harmonica, and check the keyboard. I became friends with the professional photographer (Jamie Miller) hired by Rock the Bayou to photograph the entire event. At one point, he said, "Give me your camera and I'll take a picture of you side stage." I said - OK. The guitarist came over and was playing behind me, taking pictures!!! Jamie has those pictures, I can't wait to see them (and the suprise on my face when I figured out what was going on)! When I get them, I'll post them. After the show, I caught up with the guys backstage and took pictures and got them to sign a CD cover. The guitarist said a had a nice smile and the drummer thought I looked like someone they knew (he said it was a good thing)! Really nice, laid back, & down to earth guys!
On to the meet and greet's ... Lita Ford's was lame compared to the other bands. We were disappointed. She walked in, sat down for a minute or two, and didn't allow anybody to come up and take pictures or sign anything. After her minutes were up, she left. She did look good for her age.
We caught up with Blacklist Union in the press tent too. These guys just look like rockstars. All band members were cool. Once I told them I did the weather, they wanted to know about the hurricane and if was going to rain here or not and what I did all day at work. They gave me a CD and we took a quick picture. They asked if I was going to watch their concert, I had to say no because I had to go to bed with Gustav (I felt bad) - maybe I'll catch them in LA. Viper Room/Whiskey ... here I come! The majority of the band members liked "Wicked Love Song" from their CD. I'll try to play it one of these days on the air. And Ambre (from Rock of Love) was there, apparently with the lead singer ... I guess her and Bret Michaels are no more.
After I finised an eleven hour shift working Gustav ... I took an hour nap and got up and got ready to go rock again! This time we were looking to see KIX, Twisted Sister, and Bret Michaels. Again, all bands sounded good and played all their big hits.
I ran into KIX in the press tent ... these guys were funny. They let me take a picture with the band right after they finished up their XM radio interview. One of my friends knocked on their tour bus door (during the madness of Bret Michaels about to take the stage), and the lead singer of KIX opened the door and he got to chat with the band for a little while .. in the tour bus!!! How cool is that?
I almost missed Dee Snider (Twisted Sister lead singer) at the meet and greet. I had an opportunity to interview him, but my photographer wasn't finished working Gustav coverage yet (darn it)! They introduced me as FOX Weather ... he immediately said, "What the he#* is up with this hurricane? He gave me a hard time about it. I told him I was trying to keep it away - I didn't want it ruining my Rock the Bayou weekend! He said, "Spoken like a true rocker." He took a quick picture and then he was off for crazy makeup! They put on the best show!!! And they let the press stay down in the front as long as we wanted! Very cool! I wish I could've interviewed him, but it was on to my next challenge, interviewing Bret Michaels.
Bret Michaels did not do a meet and greet. I ran into his bodyguard (Big John, who you might know from the Rock of Love Show) and his said he was fighting laryngitis and was sleeping and would not do the meet and greet or an interview. I was so bummed. My attitude changed quickly just before he took the stage. My photographer, Raymond, and I were waiting for him to make his way to the stage. I had a moment where I thought, 'I don't know what to say to him ... and ... don't say anything stupid.' But as soon as I saw him, I was fine - I had a goal. I yelled to Bret (we were far away) to see if we could ask a few questions. He said yes and motioned us over!!! I asked him a couple of questions, took a quick picture and off he went to take the stage. I happened so fast, I didn't have time to get nervous ... until afterward! I took a few pictures up front and then hung out with my friends/hubby who were 3rd row for the rest of the concert.
For pictures from the concert, visit my
'Rock the Bayou' photo gallery.
Aug 30, 2008 | 8:57 AM
Category:
Music
This post has been edited by an administrator
I was one of the thousands who flocked to the grounds that was "Astroworld" Friday night. This quiet, open field is now thrilling it's visitors again, but in a different way. Dozens of rock bands have decended on this sacred ground for 4 days of Rock n Roll madness ... they've cranked up the volume levels and the energy - things that used to go hand-in-hand with amusement park fun.
I had a pass that got me pretty much anywhere I wanted to go. It was cool to stand up front during the first 2 songs of each band and snap pictures like the professionals that lined the stage waiting for their "money" shot. I visited a couple of meet n greets ... and got to see Queensryche there. Also ran into some local bands that were playing on the smaller stages around the grounds. One band recognized me as the weather girl - thought that was funny - and cool! We found out in the meet n greet room that Faster Pussycat had missed their plane (due to bad weather) and was going to play on one of the smaller stage venues!!! We ran over there to catch them up close and personal. Got pics of them performing and got to walk up on stage to take a few shots! Then it was back to the main stage to see RATT. I ran into one of the guys putting on the concert and he took right up to the side of the stage where I watched the last couple of songs. Now I know what being a rockstar's girlfriend feels like ... sitting on the side, watching the show. I did get my picture with Stephen Pearcy. Last up, Queensryche. I love the lead singers voice - and it still sound incredible. In fact, Faster Pussycat, RATT, and Queensryche all ROCKED!!! They sounded great and put on a good show! They did not dissappoint.
I'm working this weekend (because of Hurricane Gustav) ... so I can't see as much of the 4-day concert fest as I wanted to ... but I'm going to try to catch Great White and maybe Lita Ford today. I'm hoping to see Bret Michaels and Twisted Sister ... it just depends on Gustav!!! If I go again I'll post pictures in my Rock the Bayou album!!!
Stay tuned!!!
For pictures from the concert, visit my 'Rock the Bayou' photo gallery.
Aug 14, 2008 | 8:26 AM
Category:
Sports
I was reading this NPR article on the Beijing Olympic Pool and was fascinated by the technology & science that went in to designing this "speedy" pool. Turns out - the pool could be the reason so many world records are being broken! Yes, this is one fast pool!!! Here's a piece of that article explaining how the pool at the Water Cube is redefining fast!
"It's by far the fastest pool in the world," says Rowdy Gaines, Olympic swimming commentator in Beijing. The design of the of the pool discourages turbulence and encourages speed.
"I'm talking about deep water," Gaines explains. "It's a perfect depth because if it's too deep, you lose your sense of vision and where you're at in the pool. But it's just deep enough to where the waves dissipate (and) the turbulence dissipates down to the bottom."
The Water Cube pool also has 10 lanes instead of eight. Waves churned up during races don't bounce back into the swimming lanes. Waves that reach the sides are siphoned off by perforated gutters.
The Water Cube pool is close to 10 feet deep. That's 3 feet deeper than the pools of the past. The lane lines that separate swimmers are called wave eaters because they dissipate turbulent water. The goal is to make the water as flat and clear as possible, despite the churning that swimmers create.
An indoor setting also helps, along with temperature, humidity and lighting control. Wide decks with seats sharply cascading back give swimmers an uncrowded sense of space. That can energize athletes, like American Dara Torres, who calls the pool "awesome."
Gaines believes the pools have reached their technological limits.
All that's left, Gaines suggests, is making the water faster, perhaps by changing its chemical composition.
Pretty cool, huh? Just in case you're wondering ... the technology used in the Water Cube pool is standard now for competitive pools.
What do you think of the "fast" pool? Should technology play into athletes going faster? Or should it be the same as the pools of the past Olympic greats ... that way the world record that's broken ... gets broken in the same conditions? What do you think? Of course, I haven't even touched on the "special" shark-like swimsuits!!! I'll let you guys debate this one!
Aug 11, 2008 | 6:55 AM
Category:
Entertainment
One word ... ROCKED!!!!!!
I have been at Nail Salon, a Sports Bar, at lunch with friends & even here in the newsroom in the past couple of days & that's what EVERYONE is talking about!!!
I don't think London (who has the next summer Olympics in 2012) will even come close to that amazing Opening Ceremony!
I loved the 2008 drummers and their "dead on" synchronization. Especially when the field went dark and they lit up their drumsticks!!! Incredible!
I thought the boxes were cool ... neat suprise when it turned out to be people in those boxes!! They creators said they practiced that portion for 4 months (8 hours a day) and never got it right - until Friday night!
The story of the little boy walking with Yao Ming was as inspiring as the spirit of the Olympics.
The way they lit the flame with the torch runner on a wire and running the full length of the stadium up top before lighting the cauldron was unexpected. I'm sure that wire lift took a lot of training !!!
Did you watch the opening ceremony? What did you think? What were your favorite parts of the spectacle?
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:05 AM
Category:
Weather
After seeing/hearing about the LA quake last night ... I thought ... has Texas ever had an earthquake? The answer - YES!
There was a historic earthquake in Valentine, TX (that's in west Texas). Certainly, no love there!!! It happened on August 16, 1931 and the magnitude of the quake was 6.4 (larger than the 5.4 magnitude quake that happened yesterday in LA).
One other historic earthquake I should mention is the New Madrid quake. It's just north of Memphis, TN (in Missouri). I lived in Memphis and learned a lot about this earthquake prone area. I know it sounds weird, but this area does have frequent seimic activity. The New Madrid quakes happened WAY back in 1811-1812 with magnitudes between 7.5-8.0!!!
Have you ever been in an earthquake? Share you story with us! Was it scary? Did you feel it?
I've never been in an earthquake ... I don't know what I would do (other than freak out) if I found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time. What would you do?
Jul 21, 2008 | 6:36 AM
Category:
Weather
We continue to watch Dolly closely ... it sits right over the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula (which is where Cancun is located). While the Tropical Storm sits over land, it tends to produce friction and help tear the storm apart. Dolly will stay intact enough to maintain Tropical characteristics. In fact, Dolly is excpected to decrease in forward speed (right now it's moving NW at 15mph, with 50mph winds). Usually a decrease in forward speed leads to an increase in wind speed. Dolly could become a hurricane by Tuesday.
Right now models are in good agreement (keeping it south of us ... between Corpus Christi and northern Mexico). This set up puts us on the rainy side of the system (the right, front quadrant) ... so look for better rain chances on Wed. & Thurs.
Dolly should be inland by Thursday afternoon. We'll get back to normal by the weekend.
You'll want to stay up to date on this storm since it's so close to southeast Texas. Check out our Weather Section on this website. We have a hurricane toolbox, my tropical tracker, and live hurricane briefings at 11am and 4pm to help you stay safe!
Jul 21, 2008 | 5:49 AM
Category:
Entertainment
If you watched FOX 26 last week, you know I just got back from Vegas! I've finally caught up on sleep (and am making complete sentences)! It's hard NOT to have a good time in this city. I love the food, the sites, the nightlife, and the people watching! Oh yeah, the gambling's OK too. I'm not a huge gambler, but it is fun to play a few hands.
Erin Anthony asked me what the best and worst part of my trip was ...
The best part - going out there for a friends birthday (there were 12 of us that went) ... while there, we went to see KA (the Cirque Du Soliel show at MGM Grand). It was so cool!
The worst part - trying to round up those 12 friends to go do something "together"!!! Everyone was on different time schedules! One friend we h\never saw the entire trip ... he was up 12am - 12pm! Totally different for our schedule.
What do you like best about Vegas? What are your best and worst parts of your last trip?
Blog it here!
Jul 8, 2008 | 6:07 AM
Category:
Entertainment
OK ... I've been packing, moving and unpacking (and I'm not done yet) here to Texas for the past couple of months ... and I've missed all the latest summer movies!
Well, not all ... I did break away from the boxes to catch the latest Indiana Jones movie. I love the old 80s trilogy. This film is what I expected, it was entertaining (not spectacular). I hated the swinging like Tarzan with the monkeys scene and the going over 4 waterfalls without a scratch. Cmon! Other than that ... I had fun and liked my popcorn! Loved the opening sequence ... it was shot so cleverly! Go back and watch how they move from scene to scene.
What movies have you seen this summer? Were they good or bad?
Do you have an all-time favorite summer movie? Share it here!
Jul 3, 2008 | 7:20 AM
Category:
Weather
Here we go this year!
T.D. #2 sits waaaaaaaayyyyyy out in the Atlantic (about 230 miles from the Cape Verde islands off the coast of Africa). This is rather unusual for this time of the year. You don't typicvally see storms form off the coast of Africa until AUgust and September.
T.D. #2 is weak - 35mph (that makes it a Tropical Depression - barely). It's moving W/NW at 9mph.
It will get stronger ... conditions ahead of T.D. #2 look favorable. When it becomes a Tropical Storm, it gets named. The next name on the list is "Bertha".
It's expected to curve back out into the Atlantic and not be a huge threat to us here in the Lone Star State, but we'll continue to monitor it ... and you shouold do the same! We'll keep you posted on the air and online here at myfoxhouston.com. Click on the "Weather Tab" and you'll find a "Tropical Weather Tab" on the left side of the page. It's a very cool, interactive website. If you click on the "US View" (above the map) it'll zoom out and you can drag the map over into the Atlantic and see the latest track for T.D. #2.
Are you ready for hurricane season? Blog it here.
Jul 2, 2008 | 7:40 AM
Category:
Entertainment
Drum roll ... please...........................
...... is Denmark!!!
With its democracy, social equality and peaceful atmosphere, is the happiest country in the world, researchers said on Monday.
Zimbabwe, torn by political and social strife, is the least happy, while the world's richest nation, the United States, ranks 16th.
The Top 5 Happiest Countries are :
5) Northern Ireland
4) Iceland
3) Columbia
2) Puerto Rico
1) Denmark
Overall, the world is getting happier, according to the U.S. government-funded World Values Survey, done regularly by a global network of social scientists.
It found increased happiness from 1981 to 2007 in 45 of 52 countries analyzed.
"I strongly suspect that there is a strong correlation between peace and happiness," said Ronald Inglehart, a political scientist at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, who directed the study.
And, said Ingelhart, there is a strong correlation between happiness and democracy.
"Denmark is the happiest country in the world in our ratings," Inglehart said in an audio statement released by the National Science Foundation, which paid for the analysis.
"Denmark is prosperous -- not the richest country in the world but it is prosperous."
Puerto Rico and Colombia also rank highly, along with Northern Ireland, Iceland, Switzerland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada and Sweden.
The Top 5 Least Happy Countries are:
5) Ukraine
4) Belarus
3) Moldova
2) Armenia
1) Zimbabwe
"Though by no means the happiest country in the world, from a global perspective the United States looks pretty good," Inglehart said. "The country is not only prosperous; it ranks relatively high in gender equality, tolerance of ethnic and social diversity and has high levels of political freedom."
All things consdiered ... are you happy or not? How satisfied are you with your life?
Any of these happy (or unhappy) countries you would like to visit? Why? Blog it here!!!
Jun 27, 2008 | 5:10 AM
Category:
Entertainment
One of my Orlando friends (who I managed to "hook" on Guitar Hero ... and him and his little boy now play together) said his son has been bugging him about buying the "Guitar Hero Aerosmith" set to go on sale this weekend.
I want this one for the Wii! I love love love Aerosmith! Had the chance to interview them about 5 years ago. What a cool, witty, business-minded bunch! They definitely understand "working the media" for publicity - that's probably why they've lasted in such a tough biz for so long.
Do you love Guitar Hero? Will you get the Aerosmith version? What about Rock Band? What other bands would you like to see them collarborate with?
Jun 17, 2008 | 8:16 AM
Category:
Sports
With a throbbing knee, Tiger Woods made one last improbable escape Monday and won the U.S. Open in a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate.
This was his 14th career major and maybe the most amazing of them all.
One shot behind, Woods birdied the 18th hole to force sudden death at Torrey Pines.
But that one extra hole was enough to doom Mediate, trying to become the oldest U.S. Open champion at 45 years.
He put his tee shot in the bunker at No. 7, knocked his approach off a cart path and against the bleachers, chipped some 18 feet past the hole and missed the par putt.
On the verge of one of golf's greatest upsets, Mediate instead became another victim.
I felt so sorry for Rocco! I sat up all afternoon watching this faceoff - rooting for the underdog. Yes, I know Tiger is great. He is a freak of nature. He also whines and cusses and throws his clubs ... A LOT. Not exactly what I want young kids to emulate. Did you see NBC apologize for a close up camera shot of Tiger cussing?
Did you watch this great golf spectacle? Who were you rooting for? Did you see the audience that showed up for this event? Massive!!! Do you think Tiger deserved to win ... he didn't look so hot yesterday. Rocco had a few really bad shots, but seemed consistent. If he have ONLY putted better!!! That was frustrating ... he needed a better short game. What do you think?
Jun 16, 2008 | 10:43 AM
Category:
Weather
Hellllllooooooooo Houston! My first day is finally here! I'm so excited to be here forecasting the weather in this vibrant, friendly city (which has really good food - by the way)!!!
My day started at midnight ... shower, hair, makeup, breakfast ... I got to the station just after 2am to start working on your forecast. I wanted to give myself plenty of time (in case computers crashes, or I just couldn't remeber how to run them after my memory overload of computer training last week)!
Showtime ... 5am to 9am ... went smoothly ... thanks to my floor crew for holding my hand and telling me where to stand, how much time I had, and who to toss to.
It's now time to eat lunch and take a nap!
I'll be back in tomorrow to do it all over again!
I know many of you have blogged in "well wishes", "welcomes" and "good lucks" ... thank you so much! I hope this is the start of a lengthy friendship with all of you who watch on televisoin and on the web!
What questions do you have for me? Anything you're dying to know? Get to know me better ... blog it here!
Sunny Skies!
Jun 1, 2008 | 5:04 PM
Category:
Weather
NO MATTER HOW YOU SAY IT ... THIS IS GOODBYE FOR ME HERE AT FOX 35. IT TRULY IS BITTERSWEET!
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 3 1/2 YEARS AND SEEN SO MANY CHANGES ... A BRAND NEW STUDIO SET, THE ADDITION OF THIS WEBSITE I'M BLOGGING ON, AND THE ADDITION OF THE 5PM, 6PM AND 11PM NEWSCASTS. THESE TOOLS ARE ALL AIMED AT YOU, THE VIEWER, AND SERVING YOU TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES.
I'VE ENJOYED MY TIME HERE AT FOX 35. THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS NEWSROOM - A FRIENDLY, FUN, AND HARD WORKING STAFF.
AS FAR AS MY NEW WEATHER GIG GOES ... I WILL BE STAYING IN THE FOX FAMILY. I'M JUST HOPPING OVER THE POND (A.K.A. THE GULF OF MEXICO) TO HOUSTON, TEXAS. I WILL BE DOING THEIR MORNING SHOW FROM 5AM-9AM (M-F) ... BASICALLY, I'LL BE JIM VAN FLEET IN HOUSTON (MINUS THE SINGING) ! :)
IT'S TRULY BEEN A PLEASURE TO BRING YOU THE WEATHER EVERYDAY ... I HOPE YOU FOUND IT FUN AND INFORMATIVE.
NO MATTER WHERE LIFE TAKES YOU ... MAY SUNNY SKIES STAY WITH YOU ALONG THE WAY!
HOUSTON, HERE I COME!!!
KRISTI :)
May 21, 2008 | 10:32 AM
Category:
Entertainment
This post has been edited by an administrator
Apparently one lost parrot did!!! He told one stranger (a vet) his address!!! Incredible!
Here's the funny, smart story below ... and it has a happy ending! :)
My questions ... how does a bird know when it's lost? how do you teach a bird when it's lost to start reciting their address?
If anyone can answer these, I'd love to know!!!
Do you have any funny bird (or animal) stories like this to share with everyone? Blog it here!
Enjoy the story!
TOKYO (AP) -- When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught - recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help. Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said. He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet. "I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs. "We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said. The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years. But Yosuke apparently wasn't keen on opening up to police officials. "I tried to be friendly and talked to him, but he completely ignored me," Uemura said.
