Thursday, September 29, 2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
How Prepared Are You?
No, not for a hurricane or anything like that. I'm talking about the announcer Bob Davies at the UT/LSU game. He kept mispronouncing Rick Clausen's name. I know his last name is "Davies" not "Davis", why can't he figure out Clausen's name? I mean, that's his job isn't it? Why didn't someone whisper in his ear the first time he said it wrong? It got very, very irritating by the end of the game. It's "Kla-sun" not "Klow-son".
Almost as irritating was Geraldo covering Rita when he talked about being at the Sabine Pass. He said "Sa-bine'" like it looks but it's pronounced "Suh-been". Surely someone on his staff knows how it's pronounced. Its not a big deal, but it makes you wonder about whether they did their homework on other things too.
That's the end of today's English lesson. Adios.
Almost as irritating was Geraldo covering Rita when he talked about being at the Sabine Pass. He said "Sa-bine'" like it looks but it's pronounced "Suh-been". Surely someone on his staff knows how it's pronounced. Its not a big deal, but it makes you wonder about whether they did their homework on other things too.
That's the end of today's English lesson. Adios.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Best Evacuation Story So Far....
Here's the best story I heard on evacuations so far....
"Let me begin with Noah's Ark leaving NASA Rd. 1. Noah's Ark is what we called our convoy of 4 vehicles. 8 people and 9 pets (3 ferrets, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 chinchilla) set out for a lovely ride into the countryside. But wait….everyone else had the same idea. It took our little convoy from 5pm Wednesday to 3pm Friday to get to Dallas.
Their was yelling and screaming all along the way. We stopped for the night at a gas station in Conroe. Luckily we found a pump free and we parked in it till the gas station opened the next morning. We saw a McDonald's 1/2 a mile away and decided to walk (as to not lose our place in line) to get some food. We arrived only to see that the drive thru line was the only way to get food as it was about 1am. They would not let walk-ups order so we walked back and got the last car in line at the pump to go retrieve food. As you would expect the line was long. We finally got our order after waiting 1 1/2 hours, and oh yeah it was all wrong of course. We asked for our correct order and they told us we would have to go back in line to order again.
We walked back to our Ark and split the food as best we could. Finally we got some sleep at about 3am. At 5am the police had to escort a tanker of gas to fill up the gas station. They yelled for everyone to get up and clear the parking lot to get the tanker in. Yep you guessed it we lost the perfect spot in line. By the time the stationed opened there had to have been at least 500 people waiting to get gas. Most of the people were walk-ups holding anything that would hold gas. As soon as the station opened the walk-ups swarmed the pumps and all went into chaos. The Police broke up fights and arrests were made. Finally some order was found and we received gas and were on our way again.
After 46 hours of driving and (language deleted) on every tree, bush and curb we could find we finally made it to our destination. The smell of all the animals, trash, and ourselves in our vehicles nearly knocked us unconscious for the next 2 days. Then it was the trip home to worry about. Happily the trip home only came out to be 9 hours. I will never complain about traffic again.
"Let me begin with Noah's Ark leaving NASA Rd. 1. Noah's Ark is what we called our convoy of 4 vehicles. 8 people and 9 pets (3 ferrets, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 chinchilla) set out for a lovely ride into the countryside. But wait….everyone else had the same idea. It took our little convoy from 5pm Wednesday to 3pm Friday to get to Dallas.
Their was yelling and screaming all along the way. We stopped for the night at a gas station in Conroe. Luckily we found a pump free and we parked in it till the gas station opened the next morning. We saw a McDonald's 1/2 a mile away and decided to walk (as to not lose our place in line) to get some food. We arrived only to see that the drive thru line was the only way to get food as it was about 1am. They would not let walk-ups order so we walked back and got the last car in line at the pump to go retrieve food. As you would expect the line was long. We finally got our order after waiting 1 1/2 hours, and oh yeah it was all wrong of course. We asked for our correct order and they told us we would have to go back in line to order again.
We walked back to our Ark and split the food as best we could. Finally we got some sleep at about 3am. At 5am the police had to escort a tanker of gas to fill up the gas station. They yelled for everyone to get up and clear the parking lot to get the tanker in. Yep you guessed it we lost the perfect spot in line. By the time the stationed opened there had to have been at least 500 people waiting to get gas. Most of the people were walk-ups holding anything that would hold gas. As soon as the station opened the walk-ups swarmed the pumps and all went into chaos. The Police broke up fights and arrests were made. Finally some order was found and we received gas and were on our way again.
After 46 hours of driving and (language deleted) on every tree, bush and curb we could find we finally made it to our destination. The smell of all the animals, trash, and ourselves in our vehicles nearly knocked us unconscious for the next 2 days. Then it was the trip home to worry about. Happily the trip home only came out to be 9 hours. I will never complain about traffic again.
Wow...
Made it home yetserday in time to see UT vs LSU. Wow. Oh, and by the way, I lost three window screens, some banana trees, and all the leaves off one crepe myrtle. That's it.
And I do think Eric Ainge can be a better quarterback but that was an awful first half he had. Clausen did what needed to be done. He played a ton smarter than Ainge, didn't make big mistakes and led us to an incredible victory. We looked pitiful in the first half but it was really the offense's fault. I though our defense looked pretty good again.
I was ready for us to crumble a number of times but we didn't. By the way, what was Ainge thinking on that sling out of the endzone????
We'll, at least my homecoming worked out ok. That game may have salvaged the season.
And I do think Eric Ainge can be a better quarterback but that was an awful first half he had. Clausen did what needed to be done. He played a ton smarter than Ainge, didn't make big mistakes and led us to an incredible victory. We looked pitiful in the first half but it was really the offense's fault. I though our defense looked pretty good again.
I was ready for us to crumble a number of times but we didn't. By the way, what was Ainge thinking on that sling out of the endzone????
We'll, at least my homecoming worked out ok. That game may have salvaged the season.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Whew....
So the storm went east and we were spared mostly. Now I'm facing the traffic nightmare home. Today seemed ok for the folks that braved it. Tomorrow (Sunday) is figured to be the day to dread. I'm pretty sure I'm going to wait til Monday to head home. That way I can see the Big Orange and LSU on my own TV.
The succesful people from San Antonio today went south to Corpus Christi, then headed north to Houston. That's kinda like going to Knoxville from Chattanooga by going thru Nashville. Not exactly a direct route, but it was moving. Gas is another thing you always assume will be available. Not so in Houston. Yesterday there was none to be found. Today stations are starting to open. Imagine not being able to find a gas station with gas in all of Knoxville, nor anywhere between Knoxville and Chattanooga. Now imagine Knoxville isn't 400,000 people, it's 4 million people and the 4th largest city in the U.S. The 4th largest city in the US and no gas at all. Quite incredible.
The stories from the evacuation are really sad, weird and strange. One fella headed towards Dallas, got stuck in traffic for 24 hours, ran out gas and slept in his car. The next morning folks from the closest town brougght him scrambled eggs and gas. Then his alternator went out. His son then drove down from Dallas and picked him uo and they both went back to Houston. 39 total hours straight in his car.
One friend that arrived at the hotel here with us spoke of having to stop on the interstate and pee in the woods along with thousands more since no stores or gas stations were open. Fun.
It could be worse. The storm could've actually hit us. We're thankful.
The succesful people from San Antonio today went south to Corpus Christi, then headed north to Houston. That's kinda like going to Knoxville from Chattanooga by going thru Nashville. Not exactly a direct route, but it was moving. Gas is another thing you always assume will be available. Not so in Houston. Yesterday there was none to be found. Today stations are starting to open. Imagine not being able to find a gas station with gas in all of Knoxville, nor anywhere between Knoxville and Chattanooga. Now imagine Knoxville isn't 400,000 people, it's 4 million people and the 4th largest city in the U.S. The 4th largest city in the US and no gas at all. Quite incredible.
The stories from the evacuation are really sad, weird and strange. One fella headed towards Dallas, got stuck in traffic for 24 hours, ran out gas and slept in his car. The next morning folks from the closest town brougght him scrambled eggs and gas. Then his alternator went out. His son then drove down from Dallas and picked him uo and they both went back to Houston. 39 total hours straight in his car.
One friend that arrived at the hotel here with us spoke of having to stop on the interstate and pee in the woods along with thousands more since no stores or gas stations were open. Fun.
It could be worse. The storm could've actually hit us. We're thankful.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Feeling Better
Lots and lots of folks are stuck on the freeway. A friend left his house at 8pm last night and he still wasn't out of Houston at noon today. Gas lines are three hours long. Folks are running out of gas and walking.
The storm jogged a little north which means a lot better situation for me. Instead of a category 5 it appears I will get more like a 1 or 2 at the house.
Our riedout team at work abandoned ship. Another local fireman I talked to yesterday said that the Astrodome was their Alamo. Which meant as the storm grew bigger and they decided to abandon ship they were supposed to make their way to the Dome.
Glad I'm in San Antonio.
The storm jogged a little north which means a lot better situation for me. Instead of a category 5 it appears I will get more like a 1 or 2 at the house.
Our riedout team at work abandoned ship. Another local fireman I talked to yesterday said that the Astrodome was their Alamo. Which meant as the storm grew bigger and they decided to abandon ship they were supposed to make their way to the Dome.
Glad I'm in San Antonio.
Evacuated
I'm in San Antonio in a hotel with family and doing fine. The storm has taken a bad turn and is headed for Galveston. Hopefully it moves again before it hits. It doesn't look real good right now but lots can change before tomorrow night. We did our best with closing up the house but it wont be pretty if it stays a category 5 and keeps the same track.
Wait and see.
Wait and see.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Full Panic Mode
Even though it's not forecast to hit land til Friday, everyone is already in full panic mode over Hurricane Rita. All of the water has been bought, batteries are gone, and gas tanks are full. The forecast calls for a direct hit on Galveston. That's actually good news right now. Why?
The very long range forecast always changes. You just never want to be a little east or west of the long range target. There's always a little jog north, or left, or across or up, that catches everyone by surprise. So if you are in the crosshairs early you're pretty safe late.
At least that's what I'm banking on.
The very long range forecast always changes. You just never want to be a little east or west of the long range target. There's always a little jog north, or left, or across or up, that catches everyone by surprise. So if you are in the crosshairs early you're pretty safe late.
At least that's what I'm banking on.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Big News in Knoxville
Yep, you heard it here first. Momma won a big TV in a drawing held at a new mortuary. Now let's examine that a little...
First, when have you ever heard of a new mortuary holdng an open house and giving away prizes? Is it normal to have a party at a mortuary? "Come on in and stay awhile????" Do they serve food? What were some of the other prizes? Season passes?
Secondly, who would go to one of these events? I've never been invited to one, but not real sure I'd go if asked. How bored do you have to be to go to an open house at a new mortuary? Was the local paint drying competition too expensive a ticket?
Third, don't look a gift horse. Momma's old TV was not black and white, but was what they call First Generation Color. It only had two colors...yellow and blue. Boise States home field looked fine, but everybody else looked like they were playing in Idaho too. So I don't know why she attended the mortuary party but I'm glad she went, and made it back out.
New TV. WooHoo! Anybody know of any other new funeral homes opening???
First, when have you ever heard of a new mortuary holdng an open house and giving away prizes? Is it normal to have a party at a mortuary? "Come on in and stay awhile????" Do they serve food? What were some of the other prizes? Season passes?
Secondly, who would go to one of these events? I've never been invited to one, but not real sure I'd go if asked. How bored do you have to be to go to an open house at a new mortuary? Was the local paint drying competition too expensive a ticket?
Third, don't look a gift horse. Momma's old TV was not black and white, but was what they call First Generation Color. It only had two colors...yellow and blue. Boise States home field looked fine, but everybody else looked like they were playing in Idaho too. So I don't know why she attended the mortuary party but I'm glad she went, and made it back out.
New TV. WooHoo! Anybody know of any other new funeral homes opening???
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Look for me on TV!
I never knew I could obligate myself so much just by walking down the sidewalk. Hopefully it'll be my big break.
Analyzing the Sagarin Ratings
Just checking on the Jeff Sagarin feetball ratings for our favorite teams. The Big Orange comes in at number 7 (out of 240). Texas is nine. That's weird, but no weirder than Georgia Tech being 5. MTSU comes in a respectable 132, and Chattanooga is 2-0 and resides at number 167. My favorite Houston is 97th. And poor, poor Morehead State comes in at 224.
Oddly, Penn State is 64th. That might not sound too out of whack since they haven't been particularly good lately. But it puts them behind football powerhouses Toledo (47th) and Bowling Green (57th). It also sinks them behind Baylor (50th). Baylor for goodness sakes.
If the Big Orange ever falls below Baylor, I'll convert to Catholicism and cheer for Notre Dame. Honest. And I'll learn the real way to spell Catholicism too.
Oddly, Penn State is 64th. That might not sound too out of whack since they haven't been particularly good lately. But it puts them behind football powerhouses Toledo (47th) and Bowling Green (57th). It also sinks them behind Baylor (50th). Baylor for goodness sakes.
If the Big Orange ever falls below Baylor, I'll convert to Catholicism and cheer for Notre Dame. Honest. And I'll learn the real way to spell Catholicism too.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Post from afar
I'm in Utah this week and its cold. That's right, its cold. Its a strange
feeling to be in the upper 90's one day and awake in the 50's the next. Its
not bad mind you, just strange.
This weekend is a big one for the big orange. Win and you are on your way,
lose and you fall back into the pack of almosts. One game sets the stage for
the rest of the season. But, that's what makes colllege feetball unique and
great. Each week is do or die in the race to be champions. Its awesome. Now
if we can just beat Florida.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Go Horns
Most of the state of Texas is happy this morning. The part that cares whether Texas beats Ohio State is real happy. The part (and it is small) that cared whether TCU beat SMU is not happy. TCU beats Oklahoma in Norman one week then loses to SMU? Odd.
But the Longhorns looked real good.
My home high school alma tomater is 3-0 and really hot. If we can get the Vols psyched up to beat the Gators this weekend, life will be real good.
I'll be posting remotely this week so posts may be spotty. Just warning you in case you count on this info to brighten up your mornings....
But the Longhorns looked real good.
My home high school alma tomater is 3-0 and really hot. If we can get the Vols psyched up to beat the Gators this weekend, life will be real good.
I'll be posting remotely this week so posts may be spotty. Just warning you in case you count on this info to brighten up your mornings....
Friday, September 09, 2005
Burnt Orange Weekend
The Real Orange Team rests this weekend while the Burnt Orange folks down here in Texasland are very nervous. They travel to Ohio State for the premier Saturday night game. They believe this is the big year for them and it should be. This weekend is their Florida, since Oklahoma looks to be down a little.
So please cheer for Texas cause life will be miserable if they lose.
So please cheer for Texas cause life will be miserable if they lose.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Big Weekend Upcoming
This weekend is opening day for the local soccer season. With all of my high school (none) and college experience (none) I find myself the coach of an 8 year old girls team. We've had a pretty good team the last couple of years, notwithstanding the coaching. My coaching philosophy is to try and influence the play on the field (excuse me, the pitch) through extrememly loud constant yelling.
Occasionally this works. Occasionally it makes the girls cry. Frequently it makes me hoarse. I haven't found any other theories yet that work better. Of course we practice stuff, but that never seems to make it to the actual game.
I am trying one new innovation this year. Since most of the good soccer is played by teams that speak Spanish, I now communicate my shouted instructions in Spanish. I told the girls it sounds more like real soccer, and maybe it would intimidate other teams that didn't speak Spanish. So now I scream "UNDULAY UNDULAY, CRUSA CRUSA!" from the sidelines and they ignore me in two languages.
Occasionally this works. Occasionally it makes the girls cry. Frequently it makes me hoarse. I haven't found any other theories yet that work better. Of course we practice stuff, but that never seems to make it to the actual game.
I am trying one new innovation this year. Since most of the good soccer is played by teams that speak Spanish, I now communicate my shouted instructions in Spanish. I told the girls it sounds more like real soccer, and maybe it would intimidate other teams that didn't speak Spanish. So now I scream "UNDULAY UNDULAY, CRUSA CRUSA!" from the sidelines and they ignore me in two languages.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
The Real Orange Team Impressive?
I heard from my scouts saturday that the game with UAB was an exciting game. That's not necessarily good. It should have been a blowout. At least the ROT has a week off before Florida. Also heard Clausen has been tapped to be the starter. I suppose Ainge needs a little more seasoning and isn't going to be another immediate Peyton Manning.
Morehead State won, but I haven't checked yet on Chattanooga or CN. Let's assume they won and we're all undefeated so far. Better dumb and happy than informed and miserable.
And I was succesful enough on the virus or spyware to be able to post again. I will attack it again tonight with other programs. Wish me luck.
Morehead State won, but I haven't checked yet on Chattanooga or CN. Let's assume they won and we're all undefeated so far. Better dumb and happy than informed and miserable.
And I was succesful enough on the virus or spyware to be able to post again. I will attack it again tonight with other programs. Wish me luck.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
2 Things...
Looks like people who want to sell things to other people find my site informative and interesting. Check out the 5 comments a couple of days ago. Interesting twist.
And, last Friday I did a one day trip to Mississippi. Lots and lots of trees down, telephone poles, water everywhere, shingles everywhere, trash everywhere etc. And that was in an area that wasn't damaged that much.
And you know how poor the people of Mississippi were?....they're a lot poorer now.
And, last Friday I did a one day trip to Mississippi. Lots and lots of trees down, telephone poles, water everywhere, shingles everywhere, trash everywhere etc. And that was in an area that wasn't damaged that much.
And you know how poor the people of Mississippi were?....they're a lot poorer now.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Weekly Activity Report
Katrina stirred up a mess,
refugees galore.
Cleanup efforts begin now.
Tennessee over UAB
Is how I see us starting.
P.S. Good news. We got eyeballs on her townhome yesterday and it is still standing, albeit in unknown condition. Standing is good. No trees exist. Girl got enrolled in our school. Just takes time now.
refugees galore.
Cleanup efforts begin now.
Tennessee over UAB
Is how I see us starting.
P.S. Good news. We got eyeballs on her townhome yesterday and it is still standing, albeit in unknown condition. Standing is good. No trees exist. Girl got enrolled in our school. Just takes time now.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
On a serious note..
As many of you have heard, we have a couple of New Orleaners staying at our house. One of my other half's college buddies and her daughter are here. They arrived the Friday before the storm after much indecision. We convinced them to come on over (6 hour trip) just so they wouldn't have to worry about the storm. They live in a townhome on the shore of Lake Ponchatrain at the mouth of the Tchefuncte River. It's on the North side of Ponchatrain in Madisonville, Louisiana. It was an excellent decision to leave on Friday.
So far, she's been able to contact friends in Lafayette sporadically, but hasn't been able to hear squat about how her neighborhood fared. From the internet we've ascertained that perhaps the flooding wasn't as bad on the north side of the lake. We're hoping friends from Lafayette will be able to sneak in and take a glance at her townhome just to get an idea of how it looks.
I contemplated making a run with her this weekend, but still the roads are iffy. There's no gas, no electricity, no food or water. You'd have to gas up somewhere like Baton Rouge (after a 5 hour trip), go into Madisonville (if you can), look around, sleep in the truck most likely (no hotels) depending on how the townhouse looked, and then head back the next day. A tough long trip with iffy possibilities. Officially, her Parish is closed, so I don't know even if you'd be allowed to drive in.
Here in Houston, the refugees are arriving in droves. Hotels are all full, shelters are packed, new shelters open constantly (like the Astrodome), and lots of people have houseguests. We are working with our two other work locations and are only able to contact them through satellite phones.
Our guests are fine, except for livng with the constant worry of how things are or might be. And her two cats are a source of constant entertainment.
It's an immense tragedy. Immense.
So far, she's been able to contact friends in Lafayette sporadically, but hasn't been able to hear squat about how her neighborhood fared. From the internet we've ascertained that perhaps the flooding wasn't as bad on the north side of the lake. We're hoping friends from Lafayette will be able to sneak in and take a glance at her townhome just to get an idea of how it looks.
I contemplated making a run with her this weekend, but still the roads are iffy. There's no gas, no electricity, no food or water. You'd have to gas up somewhere like Baton Rouge (after a 5 hour trip), go into Madisonville (if you can), look around, sleep in the truck most likely (no hotels) depending on how the townhouse looked, and then head back the next day. A tough long trip with iffy possibilities. Officially, her Parish is closed, so I don't know even if you'd be allowed to drive in.
Here in Houston, the refugees are arriving in droves. Hotels are all full, shelters are packed, new shelters open constantly (like the Astrodome), and lots of people have houseguests. We are working with our two other work locations and are only able to contact them through satellite phones.
Our guests are fine, except for livng with the constant worry of how things are or might be. And her two cats are a source of constant entertainment.
It's an immense tragedy. Immense.
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