BRING IT ON 2006!

[hicksta]

Guess some of yall have no clue what it is like losing a house. Especially when you live on the water. All your memories gone..

[Scorpion]

Ahh, but has that "safe" house of yours ever had to face a 20-30 foot storm surge? Not all of us have the luxury of being high and dry when these killers hit. If you want them all to hit YOUR area... more power to you... if you want them anywhere else... well Southerngale has said it all!

A2K

I am 3 miles inland, and the waters offshore are very deep so the storm surge would be 10 feet at most. No problems in that department. The house is concrete block so it should be safe.

[Audrey2Katrina]

I am 3 miles inland, and the waters offshore are very deep so the storm surge would be 10 feet at most. No problems in that department. The house is concrete block so it should be safe.

Like I said... then perhaps when you wish for those "landfalls" try wishing 'em ALL your way... because not all of us are that fortunate. Either way... keep safe.

A2K

[Regit]

Well, who really cares if people hope for hurricanes? Let them. It's not going to change one thing. Some people just like disaster. I know that George Carlin has a comedy routine where he says:

When there's a big disaster isn't there a little part of you that just hopes it gets
a little worse? Or is that just me?

So some people like disaster. Why does it have to affect you? I know that if a Cat 5 blows my house away, I'll give no thought to anyone who enjoys it.

And I can completely understand why some people enjoy riding out a hurricane. Isn't this EXACTLY the same mindset that makes one want to skydive? Some people like putting themselves in situations where they could die. I'm not one of them, but I understand that the mindset exists.

Isn't life too short to care what other people think?

[Audrey2Katrina]

Well, who really cares if people hope for hurricanes?

Perhaps people still dealing with their own personal tragedies from a recent storm, and they simply wish to show the dangers (if not stupidity) of having such a wish.

It's not going to change one thing.

On this point you are 100% correct... won't cause it, won't prevent it. I guess it boils down to having reached a level of maturity to where you can empathize with those who have truly experienced the horrors of having their lives turned upside down.

I know that George Carlin has a comedy routine where he says:
When there's a big disaster isn't there a little part of you that just hopes it gets
a little worse? Or is that just me?

Carlin is, as you stated, a comedian. The saddest part, indeed ironic, is that a lot of comedy is rooted in truth. There ARE people who want these things. I've read some of their articles and they are SICK. Anyone who would wish for death and calamity on a massive scale is several cards short of a full deck.

So some people like disaster

I would imagine the 2004 tsunami gave them quite a thrill. Some people are sadistic psychopaths... sick is still sick.

Why does it have to affect you?

For some of us it HAS affected us, and we see it every day we walk out into the streets--or what's left of them. Then again, there are those who simply don't care.

I know that if a Cat 5 blows my house away, I'll give no thought to anyone who enjoys it.

You are truly a better person than I. I would want to "blow" them away.

And I can completely understand why some people enjoy riding out a hurricane.

So can I. A ten, or twelve year old; an early teen, a naive older teen, or perhaps an unfortunate adult with an IQ in the same range, or simply someone who has never experienced first hand dealing with the death of a loved one consequent to these adrenalin rushes.

Isn't this EXACTLY the same mindset that makes one want to skydive? Some people like putting themselves in situations where they could die

Yes, it's called having a death-wish. And if an individual wants to go hang-gliding, more power to them. If a person wants that adrenalin rush of risking life and limb, and amusement park roller coasters don't provide enough; perhaps they can try bungee jumpin from the Sears tower with a rope made of paper towels. Hey, let 'em knock themselves out. This isn't quite the same as wanting to see a major hurricane that you KNOW will kill someone, more than likely many, and potentially thousands, make a landfall--one person's thrill is all too often another's grief.

I'm not one of them, but I understand that the mindset exists.

So do I. and before someone "assumes" this was said to flame, let me make the following afterword: Nothing herein written was penned with malice aforethought. I have experienced no less than 3 major hits in my area, and as Paul once said (not trying to wax religious here--just that the point fits) "When I was a child, I acted as a child).. I was only too anxious to see Betsy come my way. Then it did. I felt the walls shaking and saw my mother quivering and wondering if they would collapse upon us. I saw flooding that lasted for more than a week, and bodies tied to utility poles. I saw hapless animals dead and dying, and I saw destruction on a scale I firmly decided I would never wish to see again. This is not to bash the effervesence of youth--but an attempt to temper it with a little rational perspective of something they truly know little about. It's not their fault--I was there. I won't presume to speak for anyone else here; but I have experienced total loss, and death in my family from these monsters, and however unintended, a comment about wanting to see a major slam into an area makes me cringe. There are beyond any doubt others on these boards who have had similar, and sadly worse experiences than I. It is for no other reason than simple compassion and sensitivity for what others have gone through that I would ask those "enthusiasts" to temper their comments before wishing something they should know will bring death and destruction. Yes I know their "wish" will not change a thing, one way or the other, and for those who would point this out I might add: It's not the end result of an uninformed or ignorant wish (not a pejorative--look it up) that's my issue--it's the lack of sensitivity and naivete exhibited by said wisher.

My only wish is that the "enthusiasts" get a lot of excitement from a safe distance, and that the cause of their excitement equally stays a safe distance from anyone else in harm's way. We are all weather "enthusiasts" or we wouldn't be on this board; but that doesn't preclude a little common sense in thinking and weighing our words a little carefully before saying something that could open some very sore wounds.

A safe 2006 season to all.

A2K

[Audrey2Katrina]

Isn't life too short to care what other people think?

Perhaps it is; but human nature being what it is, this doesn't make some comments any less hurtful to those who've suffered immeasurably. Is that asking for too much? And if the point is to not care what others think, why care about what those of us who do care think?

Think about it.

A2K

[HurryKane]

Hey, where is that guy from a couple years ago who forecast/wishcast every blasted storm to go to North Carolina? Now that was funny! Is he still around? Did he ever get banned for that?

I don't know if he's still around, but I always throw in North Carolina as a possible hit whenever something forms in the Gulf in his memory

[Extremeweatherguy]

Quote:

And I can completely understand why some people enjoy riding out a hurricane.



So can I. A ten, or twelve year old; an early teen, a naive older teen, or perhaps an unfortunate adult with an IQ in the same range, or simply someone who has never experienced first hand dealing with the death of a loved one consequent to these adrenalin rushes.

I don't know about that. There are plenty of good hurricane chasers out there that I don't think have an IQ of a child. Without these guys we would not get the video, wind and pressure reports that we can get today. Now days, the average American can get online and experience a hurricane before they actually have to do so first hand, which is good because it can lead them to actually want to evacuate when called for. I think that the actions of these chasers are actually saving lives in the long run.

[Ivanhater]

You know, it all comes down to RESPECT. (starts humming Aretha Franklin song) If you are one who wants to experience a major hurricane, fine. No one on this board is going to change your mind, but have respect for those on here that have lost everything or knows people who have lost everything. Many of us on the northern gulf coast have lost to much over the past 2 years and we are not asking for sympathy or a pity party, just respect. I could go on for a long time but I think this will be suffice.

[Lindaloo]

I have been through Irene,Frances,Jeanne,and Wilma and been without power for 3 weeks combined with those storms. Additionally I have almost been killed several times in those 4 way stops that stem from the no power. But I still think a hurricane hitting is worth it. I love the excitement and panic before the storm. I love the wind and rain from the storm; and being outside in it. Being outside in hurricane-force winds is one of the greatest experiences one can have. I was almost hit several times by flying debris. But it was worth it. I continue to want hurricanes to hit. My family and I keep our belongings safe and have a safe house that will weather almost any hurricane.

I smell a RAT!

[bvigal]

I think every year I make the same post and have the same reaction.
I hate these bring it on threads.
I know storm watching is exciting but some of us storm watch for other reasons. Some of us storm watch because we have been through horrible experiences and are terrified that it might happen again.
Once that happens, the excitement has worn off and the dread sets in.
for me hurricane season is wait and watch and worry season.
it's not exciting any more.
I have seen the destruction.
I want no more of it for myself or for anyone here.
I agree with the previous posters.
For God sakes be sensitive to those who have suffered through terrible storms.
Please curb your enthusiam just a little for us.

Excellent post!!!! Barbara, I'm praying we don't have to deal with this in 2006!!

[bvigal]

I have been through Irene,Frances,Jeanne,and Wilma and been without power for 3 weeks combined with those storms. Additionally I have almost been killed several times in those 4 way stops that stem from the no power. But I still think a hurricane hitting is worth it. I love the excitement and panic before the storm. I love the wind and rain from the storm; and being outside in it. Being outside in hurricane-force winds is one of the greatest experiences one can have. I was almost hit several times by flying debris. But it was worth it. I continue to want hurricanes to hit. My family and I keep our belongings safe and have a safe house that will weather almost any hurricane.

Oh ok, well this explains everything. You're simply insane.

truly, truly rolling on the floor lauging my ass off!!!!

Scorpion, you are invited any time to come sit one out on an island, where you can't drive away, or get on a plane and fly away... where there's no plywood, batteries, water, etc, 3 days before it hits, and it's MONTHS before it's available, and months before power, water come back. If you pay for the plane ticket, I'll furnish you an air matress to sleep on.

I'm happy your home there is secure. I have to admit that I'm sorry you would wish misery on others to satisfy your thirst for adventure, because I truly believe what goes around, comes around. You haven't even experienced what it's like to be old, to have worked your ass off all your life for what you have, and to lose it all with no hope of ever attaining it again. You are young, and with age, your feelings will change. So for now, I'm glad you can enjoy yourself with no burdens on your back. Learn as much as you can, so someday you can help others with your knowledge.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Extremeweatherguy wrote: I don't know about that. There are plenty of good hurricane chasers out there that I don't think have an IQ of a child. Without these guys we would not get the video, wind and pressure reports that we can get today. Now days, the average American can get online and experience a hurricane before they actually have to do so first hand, which is good because it can lead them to actually want to evacuate when called for. I think that the actions of these chasers are actually saving lives in the long run.

Hey: EWG, do me and others on this board a BIIIG Favor, and have the intellectual honesty to either give the full context of what I said, INCLUDING what I had said about "chasers" just 12 posts previous to this one, or spare me the hubris of your pontificating which I really neither want or need at this time. Perhaps some don't mind their words being twisted into something they are not; but I, for one, do. I noticed that when one of our well respected mods wrote this comment (which you seemed to have missed, and one with which I completely empathize) :

well this explains everything. You're simply insane.

you WISELY chose not to launch into a lecture about how "good chasers" were not insane. And for good reason--contextually we were in NEITHER case talking about chasers, good or otherwise; but about people who with callous disregard for what calamity or tragedy might have befallen some people in the wake of these monsters post their unbridled enthusiasm for the "thrill" they get just "being in one." It was NOT a statement about professionals, or even amateurs, who do this for a living--and had you the objectivity to read the entire context of my message(s) you well would have known it. Did you not see this quote by ME between your last two on this very thread?

...most chasers come in for the excitement, film their shoot, then leave the debris and destruction behind them. Not knocking those who do a public service by providing data;

Please NOTE the bold/underscored from MY post before the one you chose to take out of context. I will only reiterate what I'd thought I made patently clear. It is one thing to excuse the wild desire to have a hurricane strike an area to that of youth, lack of maturity, or just plain ignorance--it is another thing altogether to with utter disregard for what millions are still trying to cope with express your "wish" that a major make a landfall--any landfall--just so you can get cheap--no! strike that! VERY EXPENSIVE thrills.

Thank you!

A2K

[Audrey2Katrina]

From the SAME post you cited I made this comment:

let me make the following afterword: Nothing herein written was penned with malice aforethought. I have experienced no less than 3 major hits in my area, and as Paul once said (not trying to wax religious here--just that the point fits) "When I was a child, I acted as a child).. I was only too anxious to see Betsy come my way. Then it did. I felt the walls shaking and saw my mother quivering and wondering if they would collapse upon us. I saw flooding that lasted for more than a week, and bodies tied to utility poles. I saw hapless animals dead and dying, and I saw destruction on a scale I firmly decided I would never wish to see again. This is not to bash the effervesence of youth--but an attempt to temper it with a little rational perspective of something they truly know little about. It's not their fault--I was there. I won't presume to speak for anyone else here; but I have experienced total loss, and death in my family from these monsters, and however unintended, a comment about wanting to see a major slam into an area makes me cringe. There are beyond any doubt others on these boards who have had similar, and sadly worse experiences than I. It is for no other reason than simple compassion and sensitivity for what others have gone through that I would ask those "enthusiasts" to temper their comments before wishing something they should know will bring death and destruction. Yes I know their "wish" will not change a thing, one way or the other, and for those who would point this out I might add: It's not the end result of an uninformed or ignorant wish (not a pejorative--look it up) that's my issue--it's the lack of sensitivity and naivete exhibited by said wisher.

For anyone incapable of understanding that context. There was nothing in there meant to denigrate a living soul.

A2K

[bvigal]

A2K, your comments were well-thought and context quite easily grasped. Please know that most of us understood you completely, and we also empathize with what you and many others here have experienced. The "cringe" part hits home and raises the hairs on the back of my neck...
<<<<<hugs>>>>>>

[benny]

That's exactly my point. No one would care. Yet there are plenty of people who like the science of hurricanes. It is a tough balance for sure. As a former Big Easy resident and now current resident of Florida, you live with the danger... hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
I am pretty sure one day where I live will be totally wiped out...as should all residents that are vulnerable to a significant storm surge.

Point well taken, Benny; but there's a HUGE difference in respecting the "awe" of a hurricane, and acknowledging the reality of the situation-- and actually "enjoying" them making landfall when you KNOW it's going to KILL, and destroy! JMHO FWIW

A2K

I can say I enjoy it when hurricanes make landfall however I don't enjoy the aftermath personally or wish suffering on people... that's just a consequence of us getting in the way. It really is a huge event (maybe a little too huge). You can't separate the two but in some way you can. I'm sure there are people on this board that felt a little bit of a letdown when a strong hurricane approaches the coast and falls apart (say Lili 2002). Even after Wilma came off the coast of Florida and make a bee-line this way... it was a strange mix of "oh crap" feelings when it intensified and "darn" when it stopped. I think everyone sees this through a different lens.. if I had been at ground zero of a Cat 4-5 I would probably have a different perspective. I can understand both young and old revelling in the power of mother nature and still being terrified when it comes to the coast.. but having this one little bit inside that wants it to get worse. Just a part of human nature I suppose..

[Extremeweatherguy]

Extremeweatherguy wrote: I don't know about that. There are plenty of good hurricane chasers out there that I don't think have an IQ of a child. Without these guys we would not get the video, wind and pressure reports that we can get today. Now days, the average American can get online and experience a hurricane before they actually have to do so first hand, which is good because it can lead them to actually want to evacuate when called for. I think that the actions of these chasers are actually saving lives in the long run.

Hey: EWG, do me and others on this board a BIIIG Favor, and have the intellectual honesty to either give the full context of what I said, INCLUDING what I had said about "chasers" just 12 posts previous to this one, or spare me the hubris of your pontificating which I really neither want or need at this time. Perhaps some don't mind their words being twisted into something they are not; but I, for one, do. I noticed that when one of our well respected mods wrote this comment (which you seemed to have missed, and one with which I completely empathize) :

well this explains everything. You're simply insane.

you WISELY chose not to launch into a lecture about how "good chasers" were not insane. And for good reason--contextually we were in NEITHER case talking about chasers, good or otherwise; but about people who with callous disregard for what calamity or tragedy might have befallen some people in the wake of these monsters post their unbridled enthusiasm for the "thrill" they get just "being in one." It was NOT a statement about professionals, or even amateurs, who do this for a living--and had you the objectivity to read the entire context of my message(s) you well would have known it. Did you not see this quote by ME between your last two on this very thread?

...most chasers come in for the excitement, film their shoot, then leave the debris and destruction behind them. Not knocking those who do a public service by providing data;

Please NOTE the bold/underscored from MY post before the one you chose to take out of context. I will only reiterate what I'd thought I made patently clear. It is one thing to excuse the wild desire to have a hurricane strike an area to that of youth, lack of maturity, or just plain ignorance--it is another thing altogether to with utter disregard for what millions are still trying to cope with express your "wish" that a major make a landfall--any landfall--just so you can get cheap--no! strike that! VERY EXPENSIVE thrills.

Thank you!

A2K

Do you seriously expect me to go back and look at every post you have ever written to try and pick out that one little quote of yours??? You make it sound like I deliberately am attacking you, but in reality ALL I said was that I disagreed because chasers were not idiots. If I had known that you agreed with that (which I didn't, because it was not in your recent post), then may be I would not have responded to your comment.

Perhaps some don't mind their words being twisted into something they are not; but I, for one, do. I noticed that when one of our well respected mods wrote this comment (which you seemed to have missed, and one with which I completely empathize) :

Quote:
well this explains everything. You're simply insane.

Yes, a well respected mod did write this, but I do not think this has to do with the current situation. For one, this was aimed at Scorpion for him saying he wanted to go through a Cat. 5. For two, I never twisted your words. All I did was simply respond to your comment (without seeing your previous comment). There was no harm intended, but obviously you took it the wrong way.

[SouthFloridawx]

One thing is correct though, 95% understand what you all went through on the Gulf Coast and would never wish for that to happen to anyone. As for the other 5% well they probably will find out someday what you are talking about. Heck I live in South Florida and with all the storms combined in the last 2 years still have not seen what you have. I wish that none of us have to go through that.

As far as this thread goes, I agree that it was posted to say that, the person was ready for hurricane season and to bring it on. They were probably excited that hurricane season was upon us as most of us get cause, it's time for us to track storms.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Do you seriously expect me to go back and look at every post you have ever written to try and pick out that one little quote of yours???

Did you even read the post you quoted??? It said only TWELVE POSTS ON THIS THREAD EARLIER... and BETWEEN ---YOUR-- POSTS... I don't think that's too much to ask before you take someone out of context. Strawman Argument!

which I didn't, because it was not in your recent post),

It most certainly was in my recent post. See above

Yes, a well respected mod did write this, but I do not think this has to do with the current situation

HUH? They were BOTH contextually speaking about exactly the same thing: thrill seekers, or did you bother to actually read the post to which I was responding? I mean its entirety was within the very post you cited.

obviously you took it the wrong way

I took it for the context in which it was stated. But before we get into thread hijacking or raising shackles any further, let's just let it go at that. Perhaps neither of us fully understood the other. Nerves are a little frayed here in the Katrina Krater, and doubtless the same could be said for the Rita Reckage, or Wilma Woebegone. Nothing was meant to add insult to injury; but right now is not a good time to pour salt in those wounds--and I'm not implying you or anyone else did, only that the affect is palpable when someone reads "some" of the naivete that others indulge in betimes.

A2K

[Ivanhater]

whew, not having a good day today A2K? lol, we all have days like that