Goodbye Ice House

So, I know that I am not alone on feeling sad that there will be no more Ice House. I can remember just moving here last September...and finding out in October about an outdoor ice skating rink. I couldn't believe in West Texas that they'd have such a thing. I was ecstatic to check it out. And luckily, I ended up getting to do the LIVE shot on the opening night of the Ice House this past season. I did the LIVE shot in ice skates on the ice (almost fell on LIVE television; but luckily didn't quite make a fool of myself). After the LIVE shot you can bet that I hung around for awhile after and skated with friends.

I loved that you could get away with just jeans and a light jacket, and how for most of the time it was warm while you were skating on ice. I have been ice skating indoors and outdoors, but any time outdoors, it was in the Northeast and it was very cold. I thought it was so neat for a community like Abilene to be able to have something like the Ice House available.

I went several times after that LIVE shot with friends, and co-workers. I have included some pictures of the KRBC and KTAB crew on ice skates.

Next winter definitely won't be the same without the Ice House. It's unfortunate that Habitat for Humanity and the Dyess We Care team weren't able to raise much money for projects...both groups work extremely hard to help others in the community.

While, I know that the electricity bill alone was ridiculous to put on the Ice House (somewhere near $15,000)...I have to wonder, that maybe if the Ice House rink was not open for so many months, that it could cut the costs and even get more skaters to visit in a shorter amount of time. With the Ice House being open from October all the way through February...that's a long time to keep the place up and running. Maybe if the Ice House were to only be open for a month, more people would come...knowing that the opportunity to ice skate was limited to a certain amount of time...and they could maybe raise money and cover the costs of the rink. Of course, this is me living in a "perfect world" mentality...

Nevertheless, I am glad that I was able to lace up some ice skates a few times at the Ice House and to have that unique outdoor ice skating experience in a West Texas City.

Parting Ways

Some people name their cars and others use it as a storage place. I admit, I've done both. Up until a week ago, I had a little, cute, convertible...that got me all the way to Abilene from Miami. While it was the perfect car to tote around in to the beach, I don't think it was meant to drive across country. But, nevertheless Cabiria (as she was sometimes known) made it all the way and for the most part in one piece to my new home, here in Abilene. But, as I got into Tyler, TX...my AC did die...and luckily, it wasn't too hot, so it was survivable. The AC was put on the to-do list when I saved up some money to pay for it. But, then it seemed like it was one thing after another for good 'ole, Cabiria. The torkenconverter needed to be replaced, among some other parts. $$$$$$

Then of course the weather started to heat up, and not only did I not have AC but my convertible roof top was out-of-commission. Apparently, because of humidity (likely from FL wear-n-tear) made it shrink up, causing the back, glass window to fall out of the car. It didn't shatter or anything but clearly their was a wide-open hole in my roof...

And then came the rain...of course, we'd go months without any rain drops and then when I had a hole in my roof...it decided to pour. Luckily, my BFF, Timothy (who you know as Tim Johnston) temporarily donated an old tarp for me to cover up my car every time it rained. Now while the tarp was relatively effective, if it was raining...I couldn't really drive the car, or if I did...it would get wet because I couldn't keep the tarp on a drive.

Then the worst of the worst happened. My seat somehow popped out of the bolts...and it got to the point that the seat would not stay locked in any position, but instead slide back and forth. I had to hold onto the steering wheel to keep myself secure. Talk about dangerous.

So...I knew it was time to say goodbye. I started car shopping all over town. I'm sure many of you can relate how stressful that is. What I had the hardest time dealing with was the trade-in value car dealers were willing, or I should say not willing to give me. It was hard for me to hear numbers thrown out, that didn't even amount to half of what I paid for it...and just to think it could be worth so little.

Finally, I found the perfect replacement for me...a newer car, with low miles, mint condition, and at a reasonable price. Plus, they offered the most for Cabiria. Problem was, I didn't actually plan on selling my baby to the dealership that day...but that's what happened...which brings me to even write this blog.

Saying goodbye to a car is an emotional experience. Many of times, I took my car for granted. And while it failed me on many occasions, I was so sad to hand over the keys. It was like losing an old friend...driving off the lot in the shiny new ride and seeing my old convertible missing it's window. It's amazing how so many memories pop into your head, when looking at your car.

But now that I've gotten comfortable in my new set of wheels, I am excited for all the adventures I'll have with it. She/He hasn't been named just yet. Any suggestions? P.S. anybody else name their cars? Or have similar separation anxiety from a car?

When Bad Weather Strikes

Talk about an adrenaline rush...covering severe weather. My day started out with two stories, one having to do with the recent school break-in's and another having to do with Cooper High School's Recycling team, that is being recognized by not only Keep Abilene Beautiful, but by Keep Texas beautiful as well. Then it got to be around 4 o'clock and the severe weather threat's started to come in. So, I quickly got my things finished and headed out to chase the storms. On my way out, heading into Clyde I ran into that 18-wheeler that had rolled over along I-20. The driver of the truck was very lucky. He walked away from the accident with no injuries. On my way back, things started to get bad in Abilene and I helped out by being just outside of the station, telling viewers about the weather conditions.

After all of the hard work and team effort put on by our sister stations, KRBC and KTAB and or course, after the weather had cleared up. KTAB's Priscilla Luong and I decided to have a little fun after being soaked from the rain. Here's a video of our puddle fun. This video really gives you a little glimpse of Priscilla and I's personality's. While we are both pretty "girlie" in nature, she by far takes the cake on this one. She might've even been fixing her hair right before this video take...and while I am also a girlie-girl, I am pretty competitive in nature...and you can see that even before we start the little race, I tried to get a head start. Hope you enjoy. Good times, Priscilla! ; )