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Post by docone31 on Sept 7, 2004 13:54:29 GMT -5
I got a chance to make the waitress smile at Waffle House. WHen we were leaving, people were coming in, grouchy and impatient. It shall pass. Jenne had never been through an hurricane before. I told her about them and she tried to compare them to earthquakes. An earthquake, I suppose gives some physiological warning. An hurricane does indeed give warning. As the storm approaches, there are pressure changes. Our cats quieted down, birds took deep shelter, insects went to their nests. As the storm approaches, the pressure increases. When the first rain bands hit, the body seems to produce adrenilin. All the while the broadcasting stations are giving dire warnings. During the storm, it is fascinating to watch. The water gets higher, the vegetation really moves in the wind. Then the wind really hits. The rain goes sideways and penetrates buildings. The real panic seemed to hit when the eye wall was near. It got quiet and people started yelling, banging doors. The other side of the eye wall hit, the wind changed direction, and people started panicing. During the event, sleep is not easy. The pressure, the wind, the sounds, the concern. The aftermath, it seems like all that energy has no place to go. No power, no phone, food is damp, sheets are damp, heat, humidity. I was in Andrew. After the storm was over and it looked like Hiroshima, every body was your soul mate. As soon as the folks got over the initial shock it seemed like everybody needed someone to blame. Perhaps people feel so angry because they have given so much control to people they do not know who really have no control. Perhaps events like this make it known how vulnerable life is to begin with and they have become dependant on things that can be lost or fail. It could have been so much worse. I am grateful it was not as bad as it could have been. I will make my house secure and now my wife knows why. I cannot even imagine what an horror an earthquake must be.
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Sept 7, 2004 16:46:26 GMT -5
Hi Doc , I am grateful you made it safely through this storm . I know what it feels like , Had one myself , called cyclone BOLA , 1986 or 87 . Was horrendous, still fresh in my memory asif it was yesterday. Just like you described it in your letter , the changing pressures and winddirection. Was living on a farm up north island of NZ. We don't get this type of storm further south. One of my sons was 17 and working on a farm near the west coast and the winds were so strong that the firebrigade blocked the road to prevent people getting blown off. I had a Toyota Hi-ace van at the time and had to take my son back to his work after his week-end off. A journey I will never forget . The farm he worked on was a few miles past that roadblock. We were lucky that the winds were abating as we went. But the number of trees down and barns blown apart ...truly amazing. The whole area had an abortion storm under the cows due to the type of trees blown down. The cows munched on all that green litter , Trees are called Macrocarpa. Beautiful timber , but no good for the pregnant cows.
I know your life will get back to normal. Take care
Jack
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Sept 7, 2004 17:09:49 GMT -5
Doc...was thinking about you two while watching those bands nail Tampa. *was spreading positive thoughts your way* I see the kind of behavior you mention in the winter here in Atlanta...where an ice storm (or a dusting of snow) totally shuts down the entire city! Grocery stores have their shelves emptied, people buying up generators, steal firewood, fight over milk and bread. Sheesh! When the bad weather hits...you will always find someone who thinks they can drive in it and manages to be the first in the ditch. So very glad you are both safe. Take care...
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Post by cookie3rocks on Sept 7, 2004 21:07:26 GMT -5
So true, Emerald. Doc, Blessed Be, You and Jenne are safe!
cookie
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Post by rockyraccoon on Sept 8, 2004 22:55:37 GMT -5
doc my sister who use to live in florida and desparately wants to move back there e-mailed me this so i thought i'd share it with you:
Subject: Important Hurricane Info
Hey you forgot to tell me about this part!!! for those..... Living in Florida..
We're about to enter the peak of the hurricane season. Any day now, you're going to turn on the TV and see a weather person pointing to some radar blob out in the Atlantic Ocean and making two basic meteorological points: (1) There is no need to panic. (2) We could all be killed.
Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Florida. If you're new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by "the big one." Based on our experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan:
STEP 1: Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at least three days STEP 2: Put these supplies into your car. STEP 3: Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Halloween.
Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in Florida. We'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness items:
HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE:
If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance. Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements: (1) It is reasonably well-built, and (2) It is located in Nebraska.
Unfortunately, if your home is located in Florida, or any other area that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place. So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental floss. Since Hurricane George, I have had an estimated 27 different home-insurance companies. This week, I'm covered by the Bob and Big Stan Insurance Company, under a policy which states that, in addition to my premium, Bob and Big Stan are entitled, on demand, to my kidneys.
SHUTTERS:
Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors, and -- if it's a major hurricane -- all the toilets. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages:
Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap. The disadvantage is that, because you make them yourself, they will fall off.
Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.
Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them.
Hurricane-proof windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska.
Hurricane Proofing your property: As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc... You should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles.
EVACUATION ROUTE:
If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says "Florida," you live in a low-lying area). The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely.
HURRICANE SUPPLIES:
If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy them now! Florida tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of SPAM. In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies:
23 flashlights. At least $167 worth of batteries that turn out, when the power goes off, to be the wrong size for the flashlights. Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for, but it's traditional, so GET some!) 55 gallon drum of underarm deodorant. A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.) A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask anybody who went through Andrew; after the hurricane , there WILL be irate alligators.) $35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth.
Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the ocean. Good luck, and remember: It's great living in Paradise.
thought you'd enjoy this, kim
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Post by docone31 on Sept 9, 2004 8:02:48 GMT -5
Kim, was never a better ditty told. I remember Andrew with the alligators foraging in the homes, the mosquitos, the fleas, Floriduh is mostly sand, the rattlesnakes. Then there was bubba. Everybody evacuated, except for the few that had been in a previous hurricane, and bubba wouldn't let people drive through his county. Didn't care where you went, just can't go through his county. Autos behind overheated the engines and nobody could turn around. Then there was the fanatic bubba, who put down an homeowner who wouldn't evacuate, for his safety. That one actually made the news. I do not evacuate. I know better. I, when I live in Floriduh, hurricane proof my house. People use vinyl siding. I use 5/4 deck lumber for siding. I put this at a 35 degree angle. I anchor my home to the piers. I anchor the piers. I use knee wall siding in the rooms of 5/4, I back my walls with 1/4 BC plywood. I re angle my roof to 1-12 and use a ridge vent the full length, this I anchor with deck scews to the rafters at least 2". I build into my water system a 300 gallon water tank. I try to put this 8' above the water demand point, anchored with piers to footings. The tank I modify to accept bleach. Three drops per gallon for purification during crisis. The windows I block out 12" and make shutters for. A big issue when the A/C goes off is humidity and heat in an home. It immediately feels like a wet sponge everywhere. I build into the roof an active ridge vent that can pull air out of the home without using electricity. THis is an issue, the nosee-ums will drive you nuts!, the house becomes heavy with moist air. I also keep on hand chlorimotrazole. Skin fungus becoms a reality very quickly. I use propane for cooking, soldering, water heating. I also use methane. In a pinch I can tap into a methane generator which I use which I build, that uses garbage, vegetation, etc. I seal and weigh down food resource. I do not rely on the "three days" as reliable. There is a new prediction from the weather service. With global warming, and the usual 20yr cycle of events, hurricane activity, resulting tornado activity, the predictions are dire. I do not know if I believe the predictions but I believe it is reasonable. Floriduh is a sandbar. Oh, yeah, my roof, I double sheet the roof and anchor his down to the headers, joists, and 1/2 lap the sheeting. I use 5/4 for the flooring. I did that in Punta Gorda. That house had 36" roof overhang. Todays code only allows 12". The double sheeting, with 2X6 facia kept the roof undamaged during the direct hit of Charlie. I was not done with that house, and my wife is reconciled that I know what I am doing with severe weather. She thought I had lost my mind when we were there and now she has not spoken of it. Best supplies to keep on hand, Jerky, dry beans, bleach, gallons of water tied together, a filter to filter standing water for non-potable, a porta-poti. Men can stand, women need to be thought of also. Sterno is great untill the methane generator is active. Soap. You get really sticky. The human body after 30 days of non-hygene related activity will self clean and replenish. It is the getting there part that is miserable. Iodine. Heavy clothes. LIght clothes are a no-no. Sandals are a no-no. You also need something to sit on. Wet cushions, are miserable. Hurricanes are a life chaning event. Also, never strap a knife on your calf. It hooks on everything. Either strap it to a belt and tie down the tag end, or strap it inside the thigh. Snakes go into the trees during and after the hurricane. Always look up. My wife loves trees. Now she wants the trees out of reach of the house.
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Sept 9, 2004 21:50:19 GMT -5
Doc, I wonder just how many people that live in hurricane prone areas are as capable as you of protecting their homes in the face of a hurricane? Probably very few. I bet your wife really appreciates the fact that she married a guy with survival skills rather than some girly-man that doesn't even know how to turn off the water if the toilet overflows! Yep, society is cracking up little by little. There are few folks today that are capable of surviving without the TV, microwave, running water, etc. They just go beserk when their lives are turned upside down by some horrific event. I can't believe the audacity of people threatening lawsuits against a hotel or restaurant for some stupid reason. A limited menu? For heaven's sake, what the hell do they expect, an 8 course meal with all the trimmings! I sure would hate to be a waitress at the Waffle House. I probably wouldn't have my job long because I would probably tell those whining, arrogant a**holes to just go eat dirt and die! I am sure those servers are working their tails off, doing the best they can with what they've got and for people to be hateful to them for something totally out of control is just BS. I am glad you made one smile. I am sure she appreciated any kind word she got. (I used to wait tables, so I know how hateful people can't can't have exactly what they want when they want it.) Looks like it is not over for ya'll yet with Ivan the Terrible heading that way. Hopefully, it will turn eastward and head out to sea. If the folks down there are already freaked out and on the verge, I hate to even think of what it will be like when Ivan roars in. Ya'll take care and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that I will worry about ya' til I know Ivan ain't headed your way or hear from you after he has passed through. llana
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Post by docone31 on Sept 9, 2004 22:21:11 GMT -5
Llana. your words mean a great deal to me. When I was in elementary, and high school, I had teachers that were in guadalcanal, the battle of the bulge, Arnheim. They taught me a certain honour. People today, seem like empowered dilitantes without a kingdom, or base of solvency. I used to be extremely wealthy. I went to all Ivy League colleges. Today, my friends are people I have met on the tumbling hobby site. These people around me here..... Natural disasters show us the vulnerability that surrounds us on a daily basis. They won't do my job. They won't console my wife if I am stupid and die and step in it. They won't provide my wife with her Kalifornia special wacko diet. If I am my brothers keeper, then how do I provide dignity with helping without making him feel inadequate? How do I teach a man to fish without being the target of his lamentations? You know how I learned to build houses? I had a contractor once. I was showing how much I knew and he handed me a tool and said show me. I knew in my head, and couldn't hold an hammer. Today their laughter feels shared but it was fuel to put my money where my mouth was. I no longer live that life, or run with those people. Today, if I cannot make it, fix it, or redesign it, I use something else. Llana, and the others who expressed their concern over my wife and I, I and my wife thank you all. It means a lot. It looks like another is headed this way. With the high water we now have standing, it might be catastrophic. As I write, there is a down pour. These usually run off, but now there is no where to go. People have made too many pretty things across natural channels. The water has no where to go. After all the storm water has passed and the land dries out, the sink holes appear. Floriduh is built on limestone. Thank you all.
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Sept 10, 2004 10:08:04 GMT -5
Hey ... Good Morning Doc I am so glad to see that you and your wife have survived the storm. I sure put in my share of prayers for you and your family. It's good to see you back! Now it sounds like you'll have another one coming through if "IVAN" keeps it's course ... Have a great day! John
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Post by hermatite on Sept 10, 2004 12:37:17 GMT -5
Dear Doc and Mrs. Doc, I just wanted to add my two cents (Cdn) worth and say good luck and keep the hatches battened.
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Post by docone31 on Sept 10, 2004 16:23:43 GMT -5
Thanks to all who wish us well if Ivan hits. My wife is absolutely beside herself. The fact that I am not concerned seems to be irritating to her. People are panicking around us here, even though Ivan is only supposed to brush us at this time, gas lines are forming and people are fighting at the fuel pumps. They are pushing and shoving in the grocery stores. People have come over to our van and looked to see if it is locked! Right in broad daylight! I am not worried about the potential storm as much as I am worried about what the yuppies are thinking. They are all acting like scared women and having hissey fits if there is not enough butter on their toast. Their voices have gone from just being slightly less than a woman's to high pitched outraged drag queen. Their and-ums are being used like a projectile in expression of their favourite soap opera not being on. I think they watch too much TV., and forgot men do not wear dresses in the office and talk in an high voice. Ooh, ooooh, icky oooo, I got dirt on my shoe. My latte' is too strong, it is not body temperature, I want to sue. Ooooh, where are they to protect me? A little sarcasm there. I feel a little out of place around these folks. If it needs doing, I do it myself. My dad was like these people. I avoided being around him. My wife's brother and nephew, are concert violinists nobody wants to hear, hire, or have contact with. They freak out when their fingernail polish is not perfect, or their do's are not just so. Life ends. This could be real, big stuff. Get over it, maybe your neighbor has no water and needs a shower, or their food is lacking and their car was flooded out and they are stuck. Stop hissy fitting and see if your neighbor is ok. Thanks all for you genuine concern and care. I will be outside meeting Ivan head on. I need some Wagner playing in the background, lightning, blinding sheets of rain, massive wind and an empire to vanquish. I need to get back to my jewelery, and let the jewelery help me forget about yuppies. Blech!
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Post by hermatite on Sept 10, 2004 16:36:43 GMT -5
Wagner eh? Good on ya doc...give Ivan a good dose of "Kiww de WAAAAAABIT!" for me!
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 10, 2004 16:50:13 GMT -5
Riders on the storm Into this house we’re born Into this world we’re thrown.........
good luck Doc, keep safe........ KD
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Post by docone31 on Sept 10, 2004 17:20:21 GMT -5
I went into the desert, got lost. Days later I saw a man, I approached. He looked at me and asked if I wanted to know what LIFE is made of. I was sunburned, hungry, excited. The opportunity of a lifetime. I said yeah! He took down a face from the ancient gallery and we walked on down the hall. We came to a room, opened the door, walked in, (wow, what happened to the desert?) he reached into the desk and took out a piece of paper. It was the back of a cerial box. He read to me the ingredients of LIFE CERIAL. I got lost in the desert, met a throwback GURU, ended up in an antique store, and read the ingredient list of LIFE CERIAL. Just like Randy of the Redwoods, just say "Whoah"..... It is either that or go out of Cracker Box Palace and see yuppies trying on the new mini skirt from the new men's line at Macy's. I guess stockings and garters are next. Wow, we have crossed the line. Boundarys have been broken down. They are comin out, guns blazing! Instead of Fooze ball they are going to landscape design using Lupins! Maybe I can be sucked into the eye, return to OZ! There they listen to big hair heavy metal! Ozzy Fudd is the MC. Lita Ford is a bad girl again! Motley Crue(cannot do the doo-dad over the e) is going strong. Yuppies stay where they belong. Their children are being made to go without body lotion and play with toy trucks, bulldozers, they are being taught to never say um in a sentance. They are even allowed to fight and draw some blood! Where am I? Is this my wife? Is this my life? How did I get here? Why do men wear dresses? What the heck happened? Hey, thanks guys. Hermy, KD, John, we gonna do some air rebuilding of society.
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 10, 2004 18:33:24 GMT -5
a long time ago, Doc, Abbie Hoffman said that "Freedom was a Dress"..........and if you have ever tried one on, (sans pantyhose, of course) you will know that he was right. ok, so call it a dijiki, or a yukata if you need to distance the girlie-man-within but, men have found robes (dresses) more comfortable for a very considerable span of history. hey, women twigged a long time ago too and we stuck with it.........easier to pee.
maybe stressed out people should be made to wear non-restictive clothing to free up needed blood to the brain........just a thought,
KD
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Sept 11, 2004 10:12:18 GMT -5
Doc, You're truly an inspiration...and both of you will be in my thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks.
I wish this bloody hurricane season would end soon....
*waves* Helen
<---*points* Ohh...I'm officially a "Junior Member" *snickers* (I talk too much!)
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Post by docone31 on Sept 11, 2004 13:04:58 GMT -5
Helen, the only thing I inspire is a direct desire to run with fear. I am sitting here, in an hotel, my tools in my van, watching the next hurricane, wondering if the house we are purchasing will still be there, or what changes the aftermath will produce in bubba. I have too much time on my hands, the voices in my head are bothering everybody, and I am typing without thinking things through. I did entertain myself yesterday, trying to catch a fly with chopsticks. Ralph finally ate the fly and he clawed me out of the way. My mouth has been painting pictures. I am waiting for when I can paint pictures with my hands. I have always wanted my work to describe me. I am a prisoner in the great process of transition. I am a recluse to not increase the random factors that could short forward movement. I am a couch potato and am awaiting to plant roots. I should not recluse and write.
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MoonStone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 202
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Post by MoonStone on Sept 12, 2004 7:25:21 GMT -5
Hello Doc I am happy that you and your wife are safe, that's the most important thing. It was very impressive to read all of your experiences. I do believe that both of you will come through all of these fine and a lot wiser. There are always positive things to learn, even from the most devastating experiences, you just have to search for them, and you will eventually realize your growth. Just hang on and have faith in the great work you did on your house and during all of these difficult experiences. Soon these things will pass too and life will return little by little back to normality. Just Hang on, it's not over yet, but it will be soon, you certainly have what it takes!
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Post by cookie3rocks on Sept 12, 2004 18:07:46 GMT -5
Hi Doc, Just got back and wanted to make sure you and Jenne were ok. So far so good.Batten down the hatches, buddy. If anyone can ride this thing out it's you two. P.S. "Gloria" left for a while, I'm assuming she had more important things to tend to. If your typing, your ok, so keep typing,ok? (See what I did there...heehee)
cookie
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Post by docone31 on Sept 12, 2004 19:18:33 GMT -5
Cookie, you have a good heart. My wife and I are going stir crazy. The Bengals are doing ok however. Ralph is singing, Muffy is chirping. Last night, there was a group of folks who were returning from the last evacuation. They were extremely angry they were evacuated, outraged the hurricane is not going on the path originally estimated. The elder of the group had been drinking for three days straight. He punched the windshield on his car and smashed it. His female companion started yelling, the other male occupants picked up a plastic garbage can and started bashing surrounding cars. When they bashed my van with it, I went out of the room, picked up the can and put it where it came from. This morning they were screaming at the hotel, demanding their money back because the evacuation was lifted. Our closing has been moved up, and we cannot wait untill we are in the house. My wife is getting an handle that life is not like the sideshow we saw in LA. We look forward to going to school, really taking time to design our shop, and really providing competency like we never had before. That which does not kill you, makes you strong.
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