Butterflies in Hurricanes - Diary of a Madman p*ssed off at Idiots pt 1

[thurmansevolution]

Hello!

Where do I begin this story without wanting to strangle some people - mainly the dips@#ts that are taking the upcoming hurricane (Isaac) waaaaaaaaaayyyy too seriously. I'm not going to mention any names, but damn....lol.

First off, I live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi - which is located about 90 or so miles (around 145 km) north of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I understand that when a hurricane forms, and its starts heading in your general direction, some degree of preparation is necessary depending on the strength of the storm...but post Katrina, people here have been close to going into a panic mode over tropical storms or weak hurricanes (less than cat 3).

On August 29, 2005, I lived in a community called "House". When Katrina came through, the center of the storm was around 5 - 10 miles (8 - 16 km) from my house - and it was still a Cat 1 hurricane. Though it was bad, the amount of damage in my community was extensive because of the building codes in our part of mississippi was not to standard with dealing with hurricane force winds.

With that being said, I think people here are still shaken up when it comes to hurricanes post-Katrina. They fail to realize (expecially that here) has stronger building codes - and that now, an average building along the Mississippi Gulf Cost post Katrina can withstand up to Cat 4 hurricane winds.

I drink a lot of bottled water, and have been running low. I went to 4 different stores last night looking for some water to kinda replenish my stock, and 3 of them were sold out of bottled water - really??? The track at the time (and is now) is still uncertian, and people are already acting like it's going to be an apocalypse - I noticed that Home Depot and Lowe's were packed this morning as well.

My girlfriend's dad has also been "on the fritz" when it comes to Isaac. First, he is a good man, and I know he means well - but he has been bugging us to go out and get supplied up. Then at work - same deal...people are acting crazy....

Kinda make me wanna pull the rest of my hair out of my HEAD!!! lol

I've been through plenty of bad weather...most recent is a tornado that passed through Philadelphia, Mississippi (that passed within 10 blocks from my house at the time), and was the same storm cell that later became the major tornado to hit Tuscaloosa, AL:

[media=]

I am still alive and kicking - I just wish most people could calm down a little and realize that everything will be ok in the long run!

If it becomes a major hurricane (Cat 3 or higher), then I will understand to panic a little lol.

Thanks for hearing my rant .

LC

[Draco1962]

I can understand. The company for which I contract is a property insurer of "last resort" for the state of Florida. They have activated their EOC for which my department (IT) has to be available for support. Starting Tuesday, I will be working 12 hr (7-7) shifts each day for up to a potential 3 weeks. This is due to any support loads for phones or floor tech availability as several of the full timers will be out on the road supporting the EOC trailer uplinks to our offices to initiate the claims process in areas affected by the storm.

Latest storm tracks have Isaac coming your way as a strong 1 or even a 2. I think what has everyone wiggy is that the tropical storm strength winds (below 70 MPH) will extend up to several hundred miles in either direction from the eye. It is a big storm.

[thurmansevolution]

I agree - it is a big storm. They are now calling for it to dump more rain than Katrina, but luckily, it's expected only to strengthen to a weak hurricane. They also moved the path a little more westward, but Hattiesburg is still included - on the upper east side of the storm.

I still don't think that it's gonna be the end of the world like everyone around here thinks lol. I finished prepping up a little - flipped the trampoline upside down, and brought everything that I think might blow around inside.

Gonna be an interesting next few days lol. Luckily though, I have my cab and GameEx to keep me occupied through the rain as long as we have power and if I'm not at work .

[KRC]

Worst thing I've been a part of is an earthquake back in about 2007, it was only light but my Mrs thought it was the end of the world. Lying in my arms sobbing her little heart out

[nullPointer]

Stay safe and stay prepared thurmansevolution! Sounds like there’s not a huge reason for concern, but all the same we hate to hear about fellow GameEx-ers in uncertain circumstances. Here’s hoping you get some quality time with your cab, and that’s the extent of your hurricane/tropical storm experience!

Keep us posted on the outcome.

[thurmansevolution]

@KRC - Awww! lol, my gf is the same way...she's been worried a little about it...all we can do is do our best to help them stay and feel safe .

@nullPointer - Thanks!! I'll keep y'all informed of the activities here lol . I don't think that it's gonna be as bad "wind wise" as they first said it was going to be...I think the biggest threat we have here is the amount of water coming from it. I packed some sandbags down yesterday and spent most of the day prepping up a little. Now all there is left to do is wait it out and stay on top of things.

One thing I found that was a bit...overdramatic...from a lot of people here in the "landmass" (once known as "Mississippi" according to The Weather Channel lol), is that people are freaking out most about gas. I went by store today on my way to work, and a friend of mine who works as a clerk there told me that they were out of gas for awhile and just got a new shipment in. She further said that one of the causes of their gas shortages were because of people filling up multiple 55 gallon drums...which of course, will make the price of gas here spike up...ughhh...

[Adultery]

Ours here is already about $4/gal! I hope we don't see the whiplash effect up here.... I really can't afford it as is!

[thurmansevolution]

Wow!! Damn...Our's here is around $3.60 or so a gallen. From what I heard this morning, the spike is mainly going to affect the south east part of the U.S. due to the amount of refineries that were shut down. I hope it doesn't effect y'all any...I can't imagine paying more than $4 a gallon.

If it does though, I think and hope that it will only be temporary...once they get caught up with production, and election is coming up....hopefully we will all see somewhat of a good relief at the pump soon.

Crazy things happen because of people who panic - one thing I definitely learned in times like these lol.

[Adultery]

The crap thing is that it never goes down as fast as it goes up.

Our wholesale price traded down today, but refinery closings will most definitely affect us. I suppose we'll see... it really depends on the volume sitting at the Chicago terminal.

[Draco1962]

Prices were already on an upswing here before Isaac. Will Obama release some crude from the Strategic Oil Reserves to help moderate the prices? If he does, he will do it not out of concern for the average Joe (he and his proponents think that gas prices are too low if they aren't pushing $6.00 a barrel) but out of concern for votes.

[Adultery]

Lets get real though. That product is reserve for when we really need it. $4/gal hardly constitutes an emergency. I'll just take the bus.

We're a lazy country and we rely way too much on that sh*t as it stands. Shut down over the road transport for a week or we're never gonna see any change.

[nullPointer]

Ah screw it; let’s just put this guy in office.

Now there’s a guy who actually understands the economics of fossil fuels. (... I’m hoping someone actually gets this reference and doesn't think that I’m just posting bondage pictures ... again). Just walk away ...

[Draco1962]

There are many things that we could and should do that would lessen the cost of petrol that are not being done. I agree about the SPR not being touched.

[Draco1962]

LOL, I like your work attire, null! Now tell me, is there a "safe word?"

[Adultery]

If you just posted a Mad Max picture without Tina in it, or a reference to an overabundance of "heroes", I'm greatly disappointed in you null.

If that was something else, I'll fuel up the ROFLcopter straight away.

[nullPointer]

LOL, I like your work attire, null! Now tell me, is there a "safe word?"

Thanks! Yeah in my office it goes like this

• Monday: Business Casual
  
• Tuesday: Hardcore Bondage
  
• Wednesday: Business Casual
  
• Thursday: Casual Business (it’s a world of difference)
  
• Friday: Favorite Sanford & Son Character (Excluding Fred)
  

I never thought about it, but I guess it’s kind of an effed up office. I’ll tow that company line though.

For the record it’s ‘Fillibuster’

If you just posted a Mad Max picture without Tina in it, or a reference to an overabundance of "heroes", I'm greatly disappointed in you null.

If that was something else, I'll fuel up the ROFLcopter straight away.

Word up on Tina! Although it would have been the best scene of all time if she had faced off against Ike in the Thunderdome. Missed opportunity that …

Any hoo … yep ... gas panics are just the worst.

[Adultery]

Ohhhh @ Friday's attire! Can I be Willis? Oh wait, wrong show... I'll settle for Esther. Woo hoo! I'll grab my bible! When can I start?

BTW, isn't it filibuster, or are you gerrymandering again?

[KRC]

Ohhhh @ Friday's attire! Can I be Willis? Oh wait, wrong show... I'll settle for Esther. Woo hoo! I'll grab my bible! When can I start?

BTW, isn't it filibuster, or are you gerrymandering again?

I have no idea what all this means, but it made me chuckle

[thurmansevolution]

Thanks! Yeah in my office it goes like this

• Monday: Business Casual
  
• Tuesday: Hardcore Bondage
  
• Wednesday: Business Casual
  
• Thursday: Casual Business (it’s a world of difference)
  
• Friday: Favorite Sanford & Son Character (Excluding Fred)
  

I never thought about it, but I guess it’s kind of an effed up office. I’ll tow that company line though.

For the record it’s ‘Fillibuster’

Word up on Tina! Although it would have been the best scene of all time if she had faced off against Ike in the Thunderdome. Missed opportunity that …

Any hoo … yep ... gas panics are just the worst.

LMAO!!!! I'll be Grady! ....and just as long as ya'll don't mix Tuesdays and Fridays together on the same day as a "wild card" - that would be a little weird (or considered normal to the world of German internet porn lol)

Gas prices are...well...ughhh. Some places here jumped to about $3.70 per gallon range, which quickly went back down to it's normal price. Speaking of - I think that the economy and oil prices are in a "teeter-totter" effect. When the price of oil rises, the economy slumps....and when the economy gets better, the price of oil rises, which in turn will bring the economy back down. In the long run, I believe that the way to stabilize the economy will have to be stablizing that teeter-totter effect between oil and the markets.

As far as Isaac goes - even though people here have been a little extreme in prepping up (emptying shelves and stocking up on gas far north of the coast), I did underestimate the storm. So far, I have several big limbs down in the backyard, but what I'm most worried about is the amount of water - we live in a flood zone. Luckily though, the rain broke for a little while last night, letting the water that accumulated in the back yard to drain a bit before all the rain today . I was stuck at work for about a day and a half, in which I finally got to go home last night. I live about a 45 minute drive, and the rain and wind was unreal on the drive home...was almost moving sideways across the hood of my car.