OK, so that's not a very original name, but really, what a bastard Ivan was.
I've been thinking about this entry for a while, trying to figure out what I can and cannot say for legal, personal, and just pure consideration for you, reasons. I still don't know the answer, so I"m going to write and figure it out from there. I think it will be short and sweet.
OK, so I went to the mountains when Ivan was coming through with the REDS team to help out as we could.
We went up there prepared for swift water rescue. We take zodiac style boats and wave runners to help people trapped by or caught in the flood waters. The western part of NC was already saturated by previous hurricanes, and we were anticipating a lot of flooding.
There was also some mention of mudslides. As it was to turn out, I'd much prefer the flooding.
Without going into too much detail, we spent a lot of time running around from potential scene to potential scene without anything to do. Then we got a call that ended up being a 9 hour extrication, a far cry from swiftwater rescue. We did some good for those we could. Always wish we could have done more.
So... Stop right now and go hug someone you love. Really, go ahead. You won't miss anything, I'm going to go do the same thing. If I get back before you do, I'll wait, OK?
Really... Go.
OK, everyone back? Just remember that there are no givens in this world. The most unexpected thing can happen and take away all the chances to do the things you thought you had plenty of time to accomplish. Take the time to do the things you need to with the ones you love while you can.
I've heard the stories before, and I'm sure you have as well, illustrating why you have to live your life for today and do what you can while you can. This is probably abstract for you, as the stories have been for me in the past. It's one way we all stay sane. I guess I'm (un?)-fortunate to have been much more closely involved in this one, if only for a few hours. So, one more time, do today what you can, tomorrow may not bring what you expect.
So... Go enjoy the day. I promise not to preach again for a while.
Pray for the emergency workers that go out and deal with this all the time, and for their families who forgo the company and protection of their loved one so those in danger can be protected. Sometimes that sacrifice is more than we expected to make.
OK, I've given up figuring out how I ever actually accomplish anything when I sit down at a computer. I've got 6 browser windows open, and there's probably another 12 pages I've visited that I just navigated away from instead of opening new windows.
So, anyway, I'm looking at IP phone stuff, which reminds me I wanted to look at Amazon for some tech books. When I get to Amazon, my welcome page mentions a book by one of my favorite authors, Spider Robinson. Who's got a new book coming out in 2004. Which I'll put on my wish list But there are no details about it on Amazon.
So, I go to Barnes and Noble. And still nothing. So, I go to google, and find Spider's site. I still haven't seen what the book is about. But, I found out about a really, really cool thing to go along with the X-Prize. It's the Heinlein Prize. Basically $500,000 for sigificant advancements in space travel by individuals.
OK, changing subjects (something else I saw on a page made me think of somthing that made me make a phone call that I'm still on). Anyway, I never wished I had a phone cam until the other day when we were riding down the road and saw a limo. Not suprising, we see them often enough around Raleigh. It looked like an SUV limo. Again, not a big suprise. Until it pulled past, and I determined it was a actually an LIMO PICKUP TRUCK. With a topper.
Ya might be a redneck....