blogging Hurricane Ike (part XV)

One of our hangouts in NoRO is Cyclone Anayas (Mexican food). Good Margaritas and good food can always be had there. So it was a bit sad to drive by the other day and see that the roof had been ripped off by Ike. The surprise was that the restaurant was open on Friday night!

It turns out that the staff (managers, waiters and busboys) worked feverishly over the past few days to reopen the restaurant. Yes, the ceiling needs to be reworked but it was good to see familiar faces on Friday night.

There were five of us who gathered for Friday’s meal. One person evacuated to Austin and was stunned when he drove back into Houston and saw the damage. One person still doesn’t have power at his house. The other three (including me) spent most of the past week spending quite a bit of time drinking expensive wine together in the ‘hood.

It was nice to be able to sit down, enjoy a hot meal and frozen adult beverages and relive the madness of Hurricane Ike. The respite is just what I needed.
I began to get a bit sentimental (adult beverages will do that to me) and last night before I passed out fell into a deep slumber on the couch I started humming Umbrella.



For the second night in a row, I have had a post-hurricane dream; not quite a nightmare. The weirdest thing happened though and it wasn’t part of a dream.

Remember I said that I passed out fell into a deep slumber? I was asleep on the couch and woke up around 3:00a.m. When I woke up, KHOU was doing a recap of some Hurricane Ike footage from last week. They were showing reporters in the storm reporting from various locations around Houston. It took me a minute to realize that this was NOT live. THEN, the cable box went dead and the telly didn’t have anything on it! I looked outside to make sure another hurricane wasn’t approaching. Within a few seconds the cable box reset itself and broadcasting resumed. Those few minutes were from The Twilight Zone.

Are hurricane dreams part of the new normal? I hope not.

blogging Hurricane Ike (part XIV)

I need to get focused. I'm losing things: first the phone; then a set of eye glasses; then the charger to the temporary phone. I ran a red light because I have become so accustomed to stopping at an intersection with a blinking red light (or no working lights), making sure it's clear and then going on. I saw a red light, made sure it was clear and then proceeded forward. Oops! It was a working light.

I’m tired. Tonight I really needed to fold laundry that I did prior to Ike but didn’t get around to it. I have laundry that needs to be done but don’t feel like doing it. I need to clean up the garage sale room guest bedroom because I might have powerless friends come and stay with me. I need to get back into a routine…maybe it will be a new routine. (I actually found a Starbucks that was open this morning!)

I really need to catch up on blogs. I feel so disconnected from people. One that I did check was David Dust and his post almost started a flood of tears. It brings back memories from three years ago. You see…

When New Orleans was slammed by Hurricane Katrina, Houston opened its doors and provided shelter and food to the refugees evacuees. And yes, there were those who feel like they wore out their welcome but I remember a song from Catholic school days and part of the lyrics are, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me…”

A few weeks later, Hurricane Rita looked like it was heading for Houston and what should have been a 4.5 hour drive to Ft. Worth took 27 hours. As it turned out, the storm turned and went for the Texas/Louisiana border and wiped out cities on both sides of the border.

On the way back from Ft. Worth, I saw a sign just outside of Hempstead that said, “God bless Houston.” When Neil Diamond came to the Bayou City for a concert, he greeted the audience by saying, “Houston, the city with a heart.”

And while Houston didn’t suffer the blow from Ike like Galveston Island or Bolivar Peninsula, there are many people in the 4th largest U.S. city who are trying to get by. So when I saw that David Dust said that Houston is hurting, he is correct. We’re getting by and making do and hopefully the bonds that have been established through this time of inconvenience will remain intact.

Texans are a rare breed. One of my favorite sayings is, “There are two types of people: Texans and those who wish they were Texans.” Another favorite is, “I may not have been born in Texas but I got here as soon as I could.”

Those of us in Houston, Galveston, Port Arthur, Beaumont and the surrounding areas will get through this. Our cowboy boots may be a bit wet and muddy from dealing with Ike but they’ll get dry and we’ll clean them up. Our big hair may be a bit tussled but we’ll find our teasing combs and Aqua Net Hairspray and get our coiffures back in place. And those whose facial enhancements are a bit askew due to the high winds, well a little nip/tuck can be had in the Texas Medical Center. And I know that in some bar in Montrose, a dj is playing Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive and a choir of bar patrons is singing along...it's just too bad Tina Turner didn't record the song!

I’ve always heard people talk about the new normal after a disaster or tragedy. I now understand.

EPILOGUE: I’m only going to do 1 or 2 more posts about Hurricane Ike. I hope to return to my normal-witty-self and post my str8 up with a twist point of view.

blogging Hurricane Ike (part XIII)

Yesterday morning I received a text message from a neighbor that a utility truck had been spotted in the neighborhood. Please keep in mind that this was the first person from CenterPoint Energy or City of Houston (excluding Houston Police Dept.) that had been spotted in the neighborhood since tropical storm winds stopped on Saturday.

During the afternoon, I received several phone calls from neighbors that the power was on. While I was happy, I also felt sad. You see...

There are six of us in my office. Of the six, four of us now have power and the outlook for the other is not good. It could be next Monday (Sept. 22 or later) before they have power restored...and the storm made landfall on Sept. 13.

I did finish cleaning out the refrigerator and freezer. It was all good for 72 hours but that had passed.

There wasn't much at the grocery store. I was able to supplement my canned goods in the pantry.

I'm dreading Friday or Saturday when I have to start the hunt for gasoline. I'm still fine right now but Friday or Saturday will be the day to fill up. It's really just a matter of finding a place with gasoline and without a long line.

Through all of this I need to tell myself that this has been an inconvenience. There are people (including a guy on our staff) who has lost his home. He has been sleeping in his truck with a gun to protect what is left of his property.

It has been one day at a time for all of us.

I think the one good thing that came out of this is that I was given the opportunity to meet and visit with my neighbors. I don't have any family members in Houston but I am surrounded by a good group of friends and neighbors.

I have not had the opportunity to look at any of the pictures of the destruction that Ike created. I have a feeling it will turn my stomach.

blogging Hurricane Ike (part XII)

Hey folks. I need to make this quick.

Here's what's been going on...

As of right now, I still don't have power at the house. There's probably close to 1.5 million still without power. Up until about 15 minutes ago we had not seen a City of Houston employee, a CenterPoint Energy employee or one of their contractors in the neighborhood. Just got a call that one was spotted not far from the house and they will see what they can do to restore power.

Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, Baytown, League City and other parts of the greater Houston metro area and in bad shape. I feel guilty complaining that I don't have power.

Some friends who have a townhome with windows that open are letting Calvin stay with them during the day. They still don't have power either. I can't keep him in my home because the windows don't open and those that do would give him access to the outside world.

Last night I went for a ride with Calvin and it was interesting to see sections of Shepherd Drive with electricity, some businesses, restaurants and bars that were opened. This is less than 1.5 miles from me and it was like a whole different world.

We did a massive cleanup at work on Tuesday. There are trees that have been uprooted and leaves and branches everywhere. It did make a difference to the appearance of the physical grounds.

Gas lines are long.

Finding a good cup of coffee is difficult.

Grocery lines are long.

I did get a cell phone replacement. Please send me your phone numbers (absolutrunnr77007@yahoo.com) because I lost quite a bit of information.

I feel like I've lost touch with the whole world. Haven't read a paper in days. Haven't watched television in a few days.

As I told my mom, this is one day at a time and yes, things could be worse for me.

Thank you for your well wishes.

-tim "timmy"

blogging Hurricane Ike (part XI)

Hey folks. I need to make this real quick. I'm borrowing a friend's computer at her house.

Storm is worse than we ever thought it be. The house shook for hours and the rain and wind wouldn't stop...this was only a cat. 2.

Power went out at 9:08 a.m. on Friday night and it hasn't been restored YET in my neighborhood.

We're banding together to make the best of it. Neighbors helping neighbors.

A fence landed on my car. Tree was down in the backyard. Trees blocking the street were removed by about 15 of us on Sunday.

Digging into the wine reserves. 2 bottles of Cakebread gone (1 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday). 2 bottle of Silver Oak that I shared with neighbors who cooked my steaks and let have been sharing their generator with me.

Calvin is fine.

I've been sleeping on the floor by the front door because that is the only way to get ventilation into the house at night.

I'm losing my mind.

Work has power (air conditioning) but no internet.

We're keeping an eye out for each other.

Send positive thoughts our way. There are people in Galveston who are worse off than me. I need to count my blessing but it is hard to keep in perspective.

Take care everyone.

blogging Hurricane Ike (part X) (Today's LOL)

My sister and brother-in-law in Ft. Worth just called to check up on me and Calvin. I was told about this footage. OK. I've had 2 Hurricanes and this is too funny not to share!

I did let Calvin out for about 20 minutes. He thinks he is The Lion King.

blogging Hurricane Ike (part IX)

Latest happenings from The Bayou City. Interspersed through all of this are phone calls to and from friends who stayed.

3:30p CDT - Some lady named Vivian on MSNBC says, "Residents of Houston stare down the storm."

3:31p CDT - Based on what Vivian said, I think of that scene from What's Love Got To Do With It when Tina tells Ike she is sick and can't perform and I think he smacks her...maybe I put that in myself...and makes her go out and perform. She goes out and does a great job and the song is appropriate for the scene. Watch the clip.



4:15p CDT - I'm in the other room and hear an annoying voice on the telly and realize it is Steven Dean on Channel 2: Your Education Station.

4:53p CDT - MSNBC is interviewing the Chief Information Officer for the City of Galveston. She says that 40% of the residents didn't evacuate. I think, "WTF!" Don't they know about the storm in 1900 that killed 6,000 people. It is still the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. She also says the City of Galveston personnel are housed at The San Luis Resort. It is a nice hotel.

5:15p CDT - Receive a phone call that Anderson Cooper is downtown. Speculation arises about where he is staying. Hilton Americas? Four Seasons? Hyatt Regency? Based on the damage from Alicia in 1983, Anderson will have good stories to report if Ike keeps on this path. Calvin and I are less than three miles from downtown. Should we drive downtown and go for his evening walk?

5:25p CDT - Decide to take Calvin for his walk in the neighborhood. Cops are already patrolling the 'hood. Saw 2 cop cars. Wind is picking up and clouds are getting darker. Neighborhood parties have already started or are getting started. Also, it is as if there is a dog parade going on. Everyone is out walking their dogs one last time.

6:20p CDT - First bands of Ike hit Galveston even though flooding has already started on Galveston Island.

6:28p CDT - Frank Billingsley reports that Ike is picking up speed and gaining strength.

6:29p CDT - I'm making Calvin nervous so I pour my first Hurricane.

6:32p CDT - Locate my slicker and Salomon Pro Amphib shoes. Calvin thinks we're going for a walk.

6:55p CDT - Calvin realizes we're not going for a walk and passes out (again).

Comment: Miss Ginger Grant...thank you for the offer of the ice. I have plenty.

Question: Can someone tell me why my bathtub is full of water? Seriously. I'm not going to drink it. I have enough water for me and Calvin to last for a LONG time.

Comment: Yesterday, someone told me that I needed to wear maroon and purple today and put an eggplant in my front yard to ward off the storm. I don't have anything maroon. I don't have an eggplant. Should I have bought some baked eggplant from Luby's and put THAT in the front yard? Just askin'.

Stay safe everyone.

EDIT @ 7:36p: Received a phone call from Boston Greg and he was singing part of the lyrics from Tina Turner's Better Be Good To Me
AND I REALLY DON`T SEE
WHY IT`S SO HARD TO BE
GOOD TO ME
AND I DON`T UNDERSTAND
WHAT`S YOUR PLAN
THAT YOU CAN`T
BE GOOD TO ME

Rather appropriate for Ike's approach on Galveston-Houston!