Woo-hoo! I have power! I have hot water! I have the news!
So much to write, so much to write. I'll do it day-by-day.
Friday night - the storm was fierce. The wind whipped around, trees were bending. My windows and doors didn't vibrate like some of my neighbors did. The storm itself wasn't bad. I didn't see a lot of lightening, but oh it was there. I fell asleep around 1am, woke up at 4:30 am and had no power. So I went back to bed. (On a side note, the Cop's 13 year-old son sent me an e-mail that night saying hi. Put in an awkward position of not wanting to be rude to a 13-year old yet not wanting to be accused of sneaking back in to his family, I e-mailed the Cop that the kid sent me an e-mail. The Cop actually said, "Good to hear from you!" I wasn't happy.) Sometime during the night I heard a harsh crash right outside my living room door.
Saturday - I woke up around 7am, probably. After a few minutes of watching the wind still whip around, I walked out onto my patio to see what the crash was. Oh, lookee there. That's part of my chimney! After another hour or so, I went downstairs to the Neighbor's apartment and we drank coffee and watched the weather. It had toned down by 10, so we walked to fetch our cars, taking lots of time to take pictures of the destruction in our apartment complex. That wasn't part of my chimney -that was my entire chimney that fell. And mine wasn't the only one. About 20 chimneys didn't make it, the fences didn't make it, all but 2 of the carports were down, some brick siding gone, lots of trees. When we arrived at the garage, we noticed that many cars had smashed windows. Mine was lucky, and the Neighbor just had a crack in his windshield. After we dropped his car back at the apartment, we ventured out around Clear Lake. I can't write all of the destruction that we saw. There's not enough space. Kemah under water, NASA Road 1 with water, trees and power lines snapped, bricks scattered, boats where boats shouldn't be. Streets filled with mud. We checked up on Yvonne's house (fine), Kelly's (couldn't get to it) and then we tried to get to his parent's house... but because of a gas leak, we couldn't get near it. So we came home, walked to school (lots of tree damage), and then walked around Clear Lake's UH campus. Lots of trees down. Came home, showered, and spent the evening with Doc and the Neighbor sitting in chairs in the parking lot, drinking beer and wine.
Sunday - Still no power. Woke up, went to the Neighbor's for coffee (he is a camper, so has a camping cooker) and stayed with him most of the day. Drove around, found a grocery store open. Waiting in line for 30 minutes. Saw one of my students. Came home. Read, chatted. Then the Neighbor and I went to his parent's house - we got in this time. And found a WWII era- Russian plane that was remodeled - and torn in half. Went home, read, chatted. And then the three of us had elk - seriously. We were now cooking the meat we had in our freezer that might go bad. We ate really well that night.
Monday - Still no power. Woke up, went to the Neighbor's for coffee and stayed there the entire day. Worked on editing my script. Read. Doc came over with MRE's - he collects them. He was trying to convince us yesterday that they are actually quite good. He was in the Marines for 24 years, so he's eaten many a MRE, and he buys them whenever he can for instances like that. So we each ate an MRE. It was interesting. I had cheese tortellini. Not too bad, but I still have real food so I won't have another. Walked to school, discovered that the main building was fine. Came home. The three of us took apart my fallen chimney - the Neighbor is going to help me make a table out of the wood - so I'll always have my chimney. :) Cooked elk hamburgers and boudin. Met another neighbor. We were having our own block party.
Tuesday - Still no power. Woke up, went to the Neighbor's for coffee. Then we drove to his parent's house again to clean up. Move the fence pieces, moved tree debris. It took us about 2-3 hours. Then found an open Panera bread (yum) and Cold Stone Creamery (double yum). Ate, went to Target, drove around. The Neighbor's theory was that the longer we stayed out, the better chance we had of having power when we came back. Kelly called - her classroom is destroyed, but mine is rumored to be fine. Argh. I'm going in today at 11:30 to actually see if it is. Came home, and greeted with power! Air! Hot water! The news! For the first time, we were able to see pictures of what was going on in the world around us.
Basically, the Neighbor and I made lemonaide out of lemons. True, the hurricane sucked. I have a hole in my roof, water damage in my storage area, ceiling, hallway and bedroom and mold is forming, but I am very fortunate. There's destruction all around me. We didn't have power for 4 days. But I had fun with my neighbors and made do with what I have.
For pictures, check out www.chron.com. I did take pictures, but haven't uploaded them yet.
Bye for now.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Probably last update for a while...
Lost power at 4am.
All carports in my apartment down.
Pieces of my chimney and roof came crashing down. Tree limbs down.
No flooding.
I'm hot and in the dark.
Blech.
All carports in my apartment down.
Pieces of my chimney and roof came crashing down. Tree limbs down.
No flooding.
I'm hot and in the dark.
Blech.
Friday, September 12, 2008
I'm still here!
The wind is picking up now; trees are starting to sway. My electricity just flickered, but not enough to turn anything off. My area is under a curfew now - tonight and tomorrow night I have to stay indoors after 7pm, which is a-ok with me. I'm surprised to see people on the street, driving. Hopefully they are going home.
Still no rain. My windows and glass doors aren't rattling, and it might be because they're in an alcove, protected on either side by storage closets that jut. My bedroom window, however, is protected by nothing.
Neighbor, mom and Andrea are taking naps. I can't sleep. I'll probably be awake all evening.
Cheers!
Still no rain. My windows and glass doors aren't rattling, and it might be because they're in an alcove, protected on either side by storage closets that jut. My bedroom window, however, is protected by nothing.
Neighbor, mom and Andrea are taking naps. I can't sleep. I'll probably be awake all evening.
Cheers!
Update
Nothing new. My car is safely in a garage a block away (up high). The wind is picking up, but nothing scary, and the clouds are starting to fill the sky. My neighbor was hemming and hawing about staying, and he finally decided to stay so he is off relocating his car. I'm very relieved he's staying - that means I won't be completely alone. My next-door neighbor, Doc, is here, but my downstairs neighbor is also a co-worker and great fun (and I know him better than Doc).
Oh, and for the annonymous comment-poster --> that quote you posted is about Galveston. My area is an evacuation area, yes, but I'm at the furthest point. Besides, I don't live in a house. I'm safer than those in houses.
I've been watching lots of ABC, CNN and the Weather Channel. Their pictures do look quite frightening, but I'm not worried anymore. Or maybe I'm not worried because I just ate a bunch of sugar cookies. I decided about 30 minutes ago that I needed chocolate. I did not, however, buy any and the stores are closed. Luckily I had eggs, butter, flour, sugar and vanilla. I therefore baked sugar cookies, which are just as good as chocolate. I don't have baking powder nor baking soda, but I decided to make them anyway (I'm not a baker, by the way). The end product is actually quite tasty. They're not cookie-ish because of the lack of baking powder and soda; they're more like madelines. But they're sweet and cake-y and will be dunked in coffee, so it's all good!
I'll post later. My last post will be right after my electricty goes off. I'll keep my laptop on enough to send that word, but then won't have my laptop on for a while. If you have my cell number, you can send me text messages.
Cheers!
Oh, and for the annonymous comment-poster --> that quote you posted is about Galveston. My area is an evacuation area, yes, but I'm at the furthest point. Besides, I don't live in a house. I'm safer than those in houses.
I've been watching lots of ABC, CNN and the Weather Channel. Their pictures do look quite frightening, but I'm not worried anymore. Or maybe I'm not worried because I just ate a bunch of sugar cookies. I decided about 30 minutes ago that I needed chocolate. I did not, however, buy any and the stores are closed. Luckily I had eggs, butter, flour, sugar and vanilla. I therefore baked sugar cookies, which are just as good as chocolate. I don't have baking powder nor baking soda, but I decided to make them anyway (I'm not a baker, by the way). The end product is actually quite tasty. They're not cookie-ish because of the lack of baking powder and soda; they're more like madelines. But they're sweet and cake-y and will be dunked in coffee, so it's all good!
I'll post later. My last post will be right after my electricty goes off. I'll keep my laptop on enough to send that word, but then won't have my laptop on for a while. If you have my cell number, you can send me text messages.
Cheers!
Hurricane Update #2
It's supposed to be here tonight.
I went around Clear Lake and Kemah today to take "before" pictures. The police station down the street from my apartment had boarded windows (something I didn't expect to see). All down Kemah and Seabrook were boarded windows and very full marinas. One thing that I did see and take pictures of that disturbed me is that the water in Kemah is already rising - and there's been no rain. The water is almost over the Seawall in Galveston and Surfside is getting flooded, which isn't surprising, but I wasn't expecting to see the low areas of Kemah already getting extra water. I took pictures of the streets right up against the water - the water is spilling over into the streets.
My neighbors and I are taking our cars two blocks away to a parking garage to keep them safe, which means my method of charging my phone after my power goes out is far away. I'm going to program my blackberry to not accept e-mails so that the battery won't die as quickly.
My next door neighbor is staying, and my neighbor below is wavering. I think he might actually stay, and I'm giving him a key to my apartment so that if he floods during the night he can come up here with his cats and computer and be safe.
I'll update more later. I don't know much more right now. My mom is worried, and I'm trying not to...
Cheers!
I went around Clear Lake and Kemah today to take "before" pictures. The police station down the street from my apartment had boarded windows (something I didn't expect to see). All down Kemah and Seabrook were boarded windows and very full marinas. One thing that I did see and take pictures of that disturbed me is that the water in Kemah is already rising - and there's been no rain. The water is almost over the Seawall in Galveston and Surfside is getting flooded, which isn't surprising, but I wasn't expecting to see the low areas of Kemah already getting extra water. I took pictures of the streets right up against the water - the water is spilling over into the streets.
My neighbors and I are taking our cars two blocks away to a parking garage to keep them safe, which means my method of charging my phone after my power goes out is far away. I'm going to program my blackberry to not accept e-mails so that the battery won't die as quickly.
My next door neighbor is staying, and my neighbor below is wavering. I think he might actually stay, and I'm giving him a key to my apartment so that if he floods during the night he can come up here with his cats and computer and be safe.
I'll update more later. I don't know much more right now. My mom is worried, and I'm trying not to...
Cheers!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Hurricane Update #1
So, there've been some developments...
I woke up at 6am this morning to do laundry and top off my gas tank. Laundry is done, so I have clean clothes for at least two weeks. The gas, however, almost caused a problem. I had a flashback to Rita. I left my apartment at 6:15 to get gas, thinking I was early enough. Nope. The gas station across the street was dark (sold out), so I went to the one across the intersection, where I was greeted with a line. Dejavu - this reminded me very much of the Rita scare. I was in my car with Matt M., trying to find gas because I actually needed some, even though I wasn't leaving. Gas stations sold out quickly, LONG lines formed. This morning I waited about 30 minutes - and I'm sure the gas station is sold out now because only the unleaded regular was left in all 8 pumps. But I only needed 4 gallons, and my car is full and good for a while.
The newspaper didn't mention my zip code as a scary one, but they did list nearby ones so I figured mine was left out. At 7am, Mayor White and Judge Emmet held a press conference - my zip code is under mandatory evacuation. The storm surge is supposed to be the problem - 10-15 feet. And I'm 6 miles away from water (the water that flows into Kemah). But my apartment is on the second floor, so I'll be fine from the storm surge - my car is the only thing that slightly worries me, but my parking lot is elevated so I might be fine. I've been invited to Louisiana and my mom's, but I don't want to drive to Louisiana (to drive back), and my mom will be experiencing the bad things I will - no electricity (I'll be ok with the storm surge, remember).
I don't know. I'm not as confident as I was yesterday.
I'll keep you guys posted....
I woke up at 6am this morning to do laundry and top off my gas tank. Laundry is done, so I have clean clothes for at least two weeks. The gas, however, almost caused a problem. I had a flashback to Rita. I left my apartment at 6:15 to get gas, thinking I was early enough. Nope. The gas station across the street was dark (sold out), so I went to the one across the intersection, where I was greeted with a line. Dejavu - this reminded me very much of the Rita scare. I was in my car with Matt M., trying to find gas because I actually needed some, even though I wasn't leaving. Gas stations sold out quickly, LONG lines formed. This morning I waited about 30 minutes - and I'm sure the gas station is sold out now because only the unleaded regular was left in all 8 pumps. But I only needed 4 gallons, and my car is full and good for a while.
The newspaper didn't mention my zip code as a scary one, but they did list nearby ones so I figured mine was left out. At 7am, Mayor White and Judge Emmet held a press conference - my zip code is under mandatory evacuation. The storm surge is supposed to be the problem - 10-15 feet. And I'm 6 miles away from water (the water that flows into Kemah). But my apartment is on the second floor, so I'll be fine from the storm surge - my car is the only thing that slightly worries me, but my parking lot is elevated so I might be fine. I've been invited to Louisiana and my mom's, but I don't want to drive to Louisiana (to drive back), and my mom will be experiencing the bad things I will - no electricity (I'll be ok with the storm surge, remember).
I don't know. I'm not as confident as I was yesterday.
I'll keep you guys posted....
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!
Rage, blow,
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout
Till you have drenched out steeples, drowned the cocks!
You sulph'rous and thought-executing fires,
Vaunt-couriers of oak-cleaving thunderbolts,
Singe my white head; and thou all-shaking thunder,
Strike flat the thick rotundity o'th'world,
Crack nature's moulds, all germens spill at once
That makes ingrateful man.
--King Lear, Act 3, scene 2
This passage seemed appropriate. Ike's a-comin'!
So school is cancelled tomorrow and Friday. I'm not under evacuation yet, but if it gets above a 3, it's recommended for where I am. But I'm still not leaving. Here's my hurricane preparations...
1) Water. I have 2 cases of water - one for drinking and one that I've frozen in case my electricity goes out. Hell, who am I kidding. It's frozen for WHEN my electricity goes out. That way maybe my frozen raw chicken can last a bit longer.
2) Batteries. Check. And luckily my cell phone and iPod can charge in my car without the car being on.
3) Electronics - Radio is good, laptop will be charged and so will my camera. I plan on taking lots of pictures.
4) Food. I went to the store specifically for canned goods this weekend just in case. Now I don't have to fight the people buying stuff now.
5) Work. I have grading to finish, exams to make.
6) Pets. They're at Mom's.
7) Candles. Check. They're vanilla scented, so they'll also keep my apartment smelling good.
I haven't been through a hurricane since 1983's Elisha. Allison was just a tropical storm. This storm oughtta be a good one!
I'll keep you posted as long as my laptop will work.
Cheers!
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout
Till you have drenched out steeples, drowned the cocks!
You sulph'rous and thought-executing fires,
Vaunt-couriers of oak-cleaving thunderbolts,
Singe my white head; and thou all-shaking thunder,
Strike flat the thick rotundity o'th'world,
Crack nature's moulds, all germens spill at once
That makes ingrateful man.
--King Lear, Act 3, scene 2
This passage seemed appropriate. Ike's a-comin'!
So school is cancelled tomorrow and Friday. I'm not under evacuation yet, but if it gets above a 3, it's recommended for where I am. But I'm still not leaving. Here's my hurricane preparations...
1) Water. I have 2 cases of water - one for drinking and one that I've frozen in case my electricity goes out. Hell, who am I kidding. It's frozen for WHEN my electricity goes out. That way maybe my frozen raw chicken can last a bit longer.
2) Batteries. Check. And luckily my cell phone and iPod can charge in my car without the car being on.
3) Electronics - Radio is good, laptop will be charged and so will my camera. I plan on taking lots of pictures.
4) Food. I went to the store specifically for canned goods this weekend just in case. Now I don't have to fight the people buying stuff now.
5) Work. I have grading to finish, exams to make.
6) Pets. They're at Mom's.
7) Candles. Check. They're vanilla scented, so they'll also keep my apartment smelling good.
I haven't been through a hurricane since 1983's Elisha. Allison was just a tropical storm. This storm oughtta be a good one!
I'll keep you posted as long as my laptop will work.
Cheers!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Thanks Gustav!
Luckily Gustav never came close, but he brought some great weather to us! No humidity for two days - which made this morning's run go quite smoothly.
So I haven't run AT ALL in two weeks, since the 7 mile run. I haven't wanted to run in the evenings (adjusting to school makes me tired) and I didn't go to last week's long run (due to a Friday night social, which won't happen again because I want to run Surfside). So I was a bit apprehensive about this morning's 7 miler. I got really tired at mile 5 last time and walked most of the last 2 miles, so I figured I'd try to go 6 miles before giving up jogging. Nope! I went all 7 quite easily - actually 7.5 (their measurements were off). I was tired, but never felt like giving up! My calves started to tighten and my paced slowed, but I kept with my regular intervals and I feel fine.
Now I'm off to soak in the tub before going out for a day of grading at various coffee shops....
Oh! And I'm back on stage! I was cast in Neil Simon's "Rumors" at the Clear Creek Country Theatre. Rehearsals start next Sunday and I'm sure I'll have lots to say.
Cheers!
So I haven't run AT ALL in two weeks, since the 7 mile run. I haven't wanted to run in the evenings (adjusting to school makes me tired) and I didn't go to last week's long run (due to a Friday night social, which won't happen again because I want to run Surfside). So I was a bit apprehensive about this morning's 7 miler. I got really tired at mile 5 last time and walked most of the last 2 miles, so I figured I'd try to go 6 miles before giving up jogging. Nope! I went all 7 quite easily - actually 7.5 (their measurements were off). I was tired, but never felt like giving up! My calves started to tighten and my paced slowed, but I kept with my regular intervals and I feel fine.
Now I'm off to soak in the tub before going out for a day of grading at various coffee shops....
Oh! And I'm back on stage! I was cast in Neil Simon's "Rumors" at the Clear Creek Country Theatre. Rehearsals start next Sunday and I'm sure I'll have lots to say.
Cheers!
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