I've been sitting here with the MT editor open for about a half hour now trying to blog something worthwhile, something important. I've started writing on Kerry's flip-flop over Helmes-Burton. I started writing on the RNC. I've started writing about the dumbass protesters in NYC. I've started writing about the Olympics. About the Miami Dolphins. About the damn freaken hurricane that seems to be coming my freaken way.
Nothing has stuck. I'm in a pissy mood. So consider this my malaise speech ala Jimmy Carter.
Fact of the matter is that it seems pretty obvious to me that John Kerry isnt fit to be the CiC. And noone can prove otherwise. Fact of the matter is that I dont really give a shit about Kerry's stance on Cuba. Kerry is like a freaken hemorrhoid that I know wont go away til November. And there aint no Preparation H that I can swab liberally on it to make the pain go away.
And about the convention. I've been wanting to write something about the convention and NYC and all the loony protesters and such, but it's been done. It's being done. And by much better bloggers than me. Truth be told, how much can one say about the anti-establishment types causing a ruckus? Who gives a shit about what they fucking want anyway? Wanna protest? Fine. Wanna burn cars on the streets of NYC? Fine. Wanna throw rocks and sticks and whatever to voice your displeasure with your own life? More power to you. Doesn't make you less of an asshole.
And I dont even want to get started on the Dolphins and their piece of shit team. Usually this time of year Im ready for the Superbowl. But, from this weekend's preseason game, my football season is going to feel like one long third and long.
Of course, adding to this malaise is the fact that there's another freaken hurricane heading pretty much STRAIGHT FOR ME. This week is preparation week. Buy water. Buy canned goods. Fill coolers with ice. Make sure I have batteries. Make sure flashlights work. Trim trees. Tie down the freaken shed. Fill the boat with water. Make sure I have plenty of gas for the lawn tools which I will need post-hurricane. Make sure the propane tanks are filled for the grilles. Get charcoal just in case. Get lighter fluid. Get candles. Make sure I have plenty of dog food. Fill the cars' tanks up. Remove all lawn furniture and shit from yard. Put up damn storm shutters. Make sure I have photographs and records of all the stuff in the freaken house. Make sure all documents are in waterproof container and in safe location. Then repeat all of the above at my parent's house.
I just ain't in a good mood today. Not in a good mood at all.
Posted by Val Prieto at August 30, 2004 09:42 AM |
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» Lighten Up Frances from Somewhere on A1A...
My guess is Myrtle Beach is in trouble, even though we're about right in the middle of the projected path. I hope it just turns back out to sea... Like Val I'm replenishing the Hurricane Box, and praying this one... [Read More]
Tracked on August 30, 2004 01:28 PM
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Tracked on August 30, 2004 01:47 PM
Hang in there my friend! If you need a hand, I might be able to spare a day or two to come down and help out you and Tammi (and any others I can).
Posted by: Laughing Wolf at August 30, 2004 09:45 AM
Can't say that I'm in complete denial, but I WANT to be...! I keep thinking that I can't go through another Andrew; I can't do it. No.
But I'm glad you mentioned the propane tank; forgot all about it; thanks.
Posted by: pam at August 30, 2004 10:34 AM
Hey Val, when you finish all that and are waiting for the storm, don't forget the Mojitos and Bebo!
Posted by: Kathleen at August 30, 2004 10:35 AM
Hey, come on Val...look at the bright side.
Hmmmm...ah, well....
Actually, I guess there isn't a bright side. Guess you should be pissed.
Can't help ya with the Dolphins...as I told you before, I'm a Redskin fan. Sorry, but no help there. I still remember the 16-0 season Superbowl of the 1970's against the 'Skins.
Posted by: WB at August 30, 2004 10:42 AM
Take it from a Charley survivor...
Get lots and lots of small bottles of water and put them in the freezer. Frozen water bottles will help keep food cold longer and you can drink them when the ice melts. A few one gallon jugs wouldn't hurt either, you can put them around the food and pile the small bottles on top.
If it looks like it will hit, turn your fridge and freezer up as high as it will go. Try to put stuff you think you will use first in the coolers and try to open the fridge as rarely as possible. We managed to keep our stuff pretty cold for almost 3 days (also ate as much as we could from the fridges), by which time we could get ice for coolers again.
And no matter how many batteries you get, you won't have enough. Stock up!
Most of all, just hope it doesn't hit you.
Posted by: Kathy K at August 30, 2004 10:45 AM
I don't recommend this to those that don't know how, but I usually wire the generator strait to the switch panel and run my refrigerator and a few lights like if nothing had happened, except for a constant winning noise outside.
Madtom hoping not to do any electrical work at all
Posted by: tom at August 30, 2004 11:20 AM
We have a small Honda generator, 2000 UI, which we used last year for an outage from a tropical storm here. We kept our refrigerator, freezer and satellite TV service going. Remember, only the TV needs to be on constantly, freezer and fridge can alternate but you need those weather reports, and Fox news. Actually, local news was all that was needed, and truth to tell if you have a big storm or thunderhead over you satellite signals don't come through. Good luck, and I have to admit I'm hoping it doesn't come to the western gulf.
Posted by: Ruth H at August 30, 2004 11:30 AM
Don't lose heart, Val. It'll get better, you just have to have faith that God will see you through.
And I can totally sympathize on the blog malaise. I haven't been able to come up with a decent entry that someone else hasn't already done better in more than a week. :o/
Posted by: AWG at August 30, 2004 11:44 AM
In addition to all the other fine Hurricane Tips I've seen here, I can only add this:
Fill up the bathtub with water. If you have power/water outages, you'd be surprised at how much water it takes to flush a toilet. (!!)
Just take a break, hon. No one is going to think any less of you for it, ya silly. Write at least a short note to let us know you're doing okay. Other than that, Real Life has asserted herself and you must tend to those duites. We all understand.
Be safe. . .we'll be thinking of you and your family.
Love,
Em
Posted by: Emma at August 30, 2004 01:14 PM
I'm not evacuating unless it's going to hit within 50 miles of here. We're preparing to put up a bunch of south florida relatives at my house and my parents house if it hits down there.
Biggest concern, besides that loss of life thing that happens sometimes, is the Miami-Florida State game Monday night. That hurricane better not f*** up the start of my football season. Go 'Noles!--s
Posted by: j.scott barnard at August 30, 2004 01:57 PM
"And I dont even want to get started on the Dolphins and their piece of shit team"
The offseason moves(Feeley notwithstanding) had me in a good mood. Potentially championship caliber defense, great running back, top notch receivers. The team looked good enough to succeed in spite of Wannstedt. Then Ricky says sayonara AFTER the premier free agent running backs are taken. Then Boston blows out his knee. And finally, the Dolphins trade their best pass rusher for a #2 receiver. I've made a bet on the over/under for the Dolphins' win total this year with a Patriots' fan. He thinks 6 wins; I'm betting on 5. The good news is that the coach will likely be gone at season's end. The bad news is that the defense might finally have aged itself out of Superbowl contention. Time to start the rebuilding process.
Posted by: physics geek at August 30, 2004 04:18 PM
One thing that's handy and doesn't eat batteries much is a radio that can tune the sound from TV stations. For whatever reason Orlando TV stations had much better coverage the night of Charley than our news/talk radio stations (even without being able to see the pictures).
Posted by: Ian S. at August 30, 2004 05:09 PM
It looks like it might go a bit more to the north, not that I want Vero Beach to get hit, either. I agree with you - what a pain in the ass these stupid storms are!! Here's to the storm taking a turn back out to sea (not likely, but one can hope!!)
Posted by: suzeisnotfooledbyislam at August 30, 2004 05:26 PM
Congratulations: not only did I laugh my ass off, but completely agree with you on the Kerry thing. The guy is worse than a hemorrhoid. Fortunately, this isnt really what I commented, but, since I lack the courage to post my real name and email address so that the proprietor of this blog - a super nice guy, and good looking to boot - could respond to me, said proprietor of this blog made this comment more mature and coherent. I thank him deeply from the bottom of my heart.
The hurricane is going to miss us. Good luck, central and north Florida.
Posted by: Crawdad at August 31, 2004 07:19 AM