Author: Joseph Sandoval

When I came to visit Austin a few years ago, I loved it so much that I knew I had to find a way to live there. Austin has a very lively art and music scene, and even though I am not an artist or musician, I wanted to be part of a community like that. There are also tons of great restaurants and bars, and that was a draw too. I started looking for a job there, but had no luck for a long time. Right when I thought that there was no hope for me, I got a call for an interview. Three weeks later I had a job offer, and I was on my way to Austin. Since I don’t know the town too well, it was hard for me to pick a neighborhood to live in. I thought the best thing for me to do was search alarm systems Austin and make sure that I had one set up when I got there. Knowing that was set up made me feel calmer abut my new surroundings. Now all I have to do is kill it at work, and things should be great.

Thanks for the post, Bernard Vasquez

When we decided to get satellite tv it ignited a firestorm – we’d never had TV and with finances so tight my husband said he wasn’t sure if we should go crazy and buy one right now. The good news is that I found us some great deals and we got a plasma handed down to us from my brother so it was kind of a no brainer at that point. I love being able to keep the Cooking Channel on in the background during the day (I work from home) and I know my hubby’s loving all the football he gets to watch now.I don’t know why we resisted having a TV for so long because it’s totally worth it at the end of a long day but you know, I think it’s probably good we didn’t get too technologically dependent at young ages. We’ve talked about it and when we have kids we want them to watch minimal TV so they get outside and play as much as possible.

Even though right now I am enjoying blogging for dollars, this Thanksgiving season has been full of family and work pressures that often make blogging nearly impossible. My elevated blood sugar levels have caused me much concern and in reaction to them I have radically changed my diet. Over the holidays, I’ve been slipping up on carbs and even sugars and feeling the result of being too tired to write. I wrote about the “fire” on my personal blog this morning but it’s often easier to write advice than it is to take it. Being married, we get to see two families. This is cool for many reasons and not so cool for others. Like everything in life, there are pros and cons. So far though, it has been a very nice Thanksgiving. I am a very lucky man indeed. Now if I can stay disciplined at the blogging, I’ll have the “sugar free” frosting on the cake.

I started blogging, as some of you know, back in December of 2006. The hardesr thing about personal publishing back then (also called “blogging”) was finding quiet time away from the kids. I have 3 ages 4, 6, and 13 and they are quite loud, even now. When they were little, i had a bunch of little toys that took care of their needs. Now that they are bigger, it’s not so easy. The truth is, a kids game that holds their attention is gold these days. Down in Laguna Beach there is an awesome toy shop where I found some learning toys that really keep them entertained.

Of course, it is imperative that I play with them each day (in my code) so it helps that I like them too. One should never push kids away to ONLY play games. They crave and deserve that one on one attention from their parents. The games from Laguna were awesome for both they and I, but I live 90 miles from that store so I am always looking for a virtual place to shop for these sorts of toys. When the kids are educated and entertained (and loved) my blog wins. That enables me as a blogger to make more part time income for road trips and other stuff they love to do. Need I remind how helpful the same games are on road trips? Know any good kids games you can recommend? Let’s start a beleaguered parent blogger convo what do you say?

Guest post from: Steve Delaney

I am a rising 12th grader in Huntsville, Alabama and I am dealing with a post-surgery summer. I tore my ACL while I was playing football this season, and waited until this summer for them to repair it. I have to say- I thought this was going to be the worst summer of my life. I love being outside with the team, and that’s what every single summer I’ve ever had has revolved around- me playing football. So this summer I was not looking forward to basically sitting around doing nothing while my bum knee heals. My mom got us Satellite through WWW.direc4U..com/ , and that has made it substantially better than what I’m sure it would be without it. Two of my best friends come over after practice to tell me what they did that day, and then we usually watch some of the pre-recorded games or watch ESPN. Although it’s definitely not the best summer of my life, I am healing well and should be able to play this season. Plus- at least I’ve gotten to watch a lot of good football, and should have some good plays to try out when I get back out there!

Ok, now as I enter into the decade mark of blogging on the internet I find myself sounding a lot like a grumpy old man, unwilling to change. I know in my head this is a bad thing but i can’t help wondering if the world needs to eschew change once in a while. I mean for fucking crap’s sake, aren’t Twitter and Facebook and the host of other social media stores enough? Can Google really offer us what Twitter can’t? At this early stage in the game I must answer a resounding no. What we gain in technological tricks we lose in having too many choices.

I will have more to say on this topic in coming posts. For now just know that I am on it but am not sure of where it is all going. Fee free to add me if you are on Google+ like me.

http://gplus.to/rileycentral

To be continued …

Thanks to Erasmo Cortez

We have all seen the commercials for Red Robin, but they are so much more than just good food. They are a professional staff of people who care about customer service and satisfaction. I know when I walk in and place my order it is going to be perfect. I tell them my food allergies and they take special care to make sure I will not have a health issue due to the food I eat in their restaurant. They are kind and quick. I have had fun just going to Red Robin with friends for celebrations or just an evening of company fun. They do serve some of the ! best hamburgers I have had, but I love the one with the fried egg right on top of the meat. In order to relax I set my home security alarm from www.HomeSecurity 101.com before leaving and do not worry about a break in or other problems. Red Robin serves great spinich dips with pieces of good bread and chips, also they make a great onion soup to suit anyone’s taste in good food. I would recommend Red Robin to anyone that wants a good meal in a fun place. They will take care of all your needs with great service, colorful drinks and fun food even the kids will love to order.

Posted by Arden Wallace

Baking shows fill a special place in my heart. They are probably the best things that are available to be watched on television in this day and age.  I have an incredibly stressful job.  I get so worked up that I can be very nervous about coming down with some sort of stress-related ailment.  But when I watch baking shows, all of that stress just melts away and I feel completely relaxed and at ease.  I really have absolutely no idea what I would do without these baking shows.  I do not even want to think about the alternatives.

My favorite baking show is Bizarre Foods.  This is a Travel Channel show that I enjoy watching on my DIRECTV.  It is hosted by the incomparable Andrew Zimmern.  This is an engaging young fellow who delights in disgusting his audience.  Bizarre Foods is styled like a documentary and focuses on both cooking and travel.  Zimmern travels to some of the most remote places on the globe to learn about the local cuisines i. These far off places.  The show has featured things like water crickets, calf brain, and a soup made of frog ovaries.

Bizarre foods is the best show on television.  There is nothing else that is at all similar to it.  I have learned so much just by watching it for the sheer entertainment.