blogging Hurricane Ike

I dropped off Calvin at the groomer. He really needs to be groomed and I really need a haircut and well you know who comes first.

Prior to taking him to the groomer I stopped at the other office for my daily fix. There was a weird vibe in the air. I think it is because people realize we could get hit hard by Ike. Damn him! First he beats up Tina because he says she deserves it and now he is coming to punch us. Add to that the fact that today is the 7th anniversary of 9/11

After I dropped off Calvin, I found a gas station that didn't have a line (the stations near the house were crowded this morning) and I topped off the tank. I only needed 1/4 of a tank to fill up.

The eye is still heading toward Freeport. They will do a mandatory evacuation for some of the zip codes in Harris County starting at noon. They're doing this because of the storm surge along the coast. Galveston, Brazoria, Chambers and Wharton counties had already started an evacuation and they asked the residents of Houston to stay off of the freeways so that people from those counties can get through town.

I have no idea if the office is going to be open tomorrow. I'm sure HISD will be closed. The mayor has suggested that offices close tomorrow so that people can get things in order to ride out the storm. They're also telling us that if power goes out evacuate after the storm. Not sure I understand that logic.

I'm going to talk to Jim later and find out what he is going to do. I did stock up on canned food in case the power goes out. Calvin has plenty of food. I also have plenty of water. I also have plenty of batteries, vodka, mixers, tortilla chips and magazines and books. Will charge up the iPod nano later.

If I had vacation time accrued, I'd use it and leave but since I don't I'll have to play it by ear. By the end of the work day it is going to be too late to leave and I really don't want to be stuck in the car for 24 hours and get caught in the car in the remnants of the storm. The voluntary evaucation of Hurricane Rita in 2005 is something that I never want to do again.

If Jim stays put, Calvin and I may go to his house since it is more sturdy although he has a bunch of glass. I'll also ask if I can put the car in his garage. Right now there is room in the garage.

You may not know this but my birthday September 10 is the peak of hurricane season. The last time a storm like this hit the Texas coast around September 10 was in 1961. Hmmmm.

If we end up getting interviewed by Anderson Cooper on CNN, at least Calvin will look handsome and I'll look like a lush.
Will keep you posted.

9/11

I previously posted about two events that occurred that have had an impact on me. The second one happened on September 11, 2001.

Last year, I posted some of the sequence of events that were going on in my life leading up to what has become known as 9/11.

Today my thoughts are with everyone who lost a friend or family member on that day.

Caption This

September 10, 1997

Hello! Let me introduce myself to you.

Bois and gurrls. I am so sorry. I feel like I have been neglecting and well, I have but it wasn't intentional.

It's been whirlwind of activity since I started my new job and I REALLY meant to post something over the weekend but a pool party and a party for Legacy got in the way. Plus my other weekend stuff of running (on a bum knee), working out, checking in at the office and making new friends have just kept me being a busy boi.

I really meant to write a longer post this evening but I swear Apple is out to drive me crazy! And yes, it has to do with the iPod nano.

I haven't even had a chance to pay attention to Ike. Everytime I hear that name I start humming Proud Mary. I didn't even like Ike Turner. And once again, I must ask, who comes up with these names?

Well in case you haven't been paying attention, the cone of uncertainty changes everytime a Houston weatherman sneezes. OY! Maybe I won't have to spend my birthday Wednesday night in line at Kroger replenishing supplies. I really need to stop buying food that I normally wouldn't eat. I'm beginning to wonder if Kroger, HEB, Randalls, Piggly Wiggly and Fiesta have something to do with all of these hurricanes. I'm just sayin'.

One other thing to report...Calvin tried to mawl me while I was in bed. He's been reading a book or something because he went for my wrist and right for the vein! They don't call him The Calvinator for no reason.

I think he is a bit p!ssed that I haven't been spending more time with him and I did return a bit late after making new friends. I think he was trying to tell me something. Just a minute ago I walked up to him to pet him and he growled. LOL Well, turns out he had just started munching on a rawhide and I didn't know it. I think I'm gonna be like Korto on Project Runway and sleep with one eye open.

Catch up with y'all later, I promise!

Get Into The Groove

I'm trying to get my groove going. Trying to figure out what time to get to Memorial Park to get in a run, make my daily pilgrimage to the office, get Calvin walked and get to the office.

Somewhere in there I need to check FaceBook, post to the blog, go the gym and read other blogs. OY!

Once I get into my groove, I'll get back to being my wittyself and post on a regular basis.

If you're a Project Runway fan, be sure to check in with David Dust and LoneStar Steve for their recaps.

Dryer Fire

This is a Public Service Announcement from Str8 Up With A Twist



Up until about 3 years ago I never thought twice about leaving the dryer running when I left the house or when I went to bed. I'm not sure what incited my fear of the dryer catching on fire. This video confirms my fears.

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 16.0

Hurricane Gustav
Gustav came onshore and didn't pack as much of a punch as expected...and I don't know of anyone who is complaining. As expected, the eye went west of New Orleans and made landfall at Cocodrie, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.

There has been flooding, high winds and power outages in south Louisiana. Brettcajun posted a few items from Baton Rouge.

I will say that I was holding my breath today watching the water lap over the Industrial Canal. I wondered if the levees had been reinforced and could they really withstand a Category 2 storm? There was quite a bit television coverage here in the Houston area and I was beginning to wonder when it would stop. And then I thought, "If had left Louisiana, I'd want as much information as possible to know when I could return home."

source: Reuters

I know there are naysayers who will say, "What was the big deal?" With hurricanes you never know if they pick up strength or dissipate. I subscribe to the theory of better safe than sorry.

However, the people in Houma, Lafayette, New Iberia and Lake Charles, Louisiana bore the brunt of the storm.

For those who evacuated, it was a good drill. From what I have heard, this is how an evacuation should occur. As someone who openly criticized, Mayor Ray Nagin, FEMA, former Governor Blanco and George Bush during Katrina I will say job well done this time around to the team in place for Gustav.

Overheard yesterday
He looks good from the neck up.

Overheard this morning (no. 1)
Customer: I'm dehydrated. I need something to drink.
Barista: Party too much last night?
Customer: I don't party and get drunk.
Barista: Oh that's right. You go and have a nice dinner and get overserved on wine and liquor.
St8 Up With A Twist: LOL

Overheard this morning (no. 2)
Person at a table next to Str8 Up With A Twist: I think they should just pack up the city and relocate it (referring to New Orleans). There's nothing left but a bunch of shacks.
Str8 Up With A Twist thought: When was the last time you were in New Orleans? And why don't you suggest that they do the same thing to San Francisco that is build on a fault. Or better yet, how about Cedar Rapids that flooded earlier this year? DUH!

John McCain
I'm NOT even going to comment on his pick for his running mate (Sarah Palin). There is just TOO much to say. Is it just me or is there some correlation between Juno and Juneau? Just askin'.

And So It Goes
I'm still trying to get the computer back to normal. Today's chore was getting it to recognize the printer. This was followed by loading more software for other programs. Good thing I'm a patient person. UGH!

Warning
I start a new job on tomorrow. So...not sure how often I'll be posting. I haven't told the people at the office that my hours will be changing. They'll figure it out when I show up early and not in shorts and sandals. Will also have to make some adjustments to my time spent at LeFittes.