| Author | Message | ||
     Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 320 Registered: 05-2005 |
I know it's a big place, and you're all probably miles from the danger zone, but hey, I'm a worrier... Hope everything's is ok with all our California based posters? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1407 Registered: 03-2005 |
I'm still standing Catherine. I live on the proletarian flats so there's no danger for me. I think I'm about 25 miles from the fire nearest me. But the smoke? Yie! It travels for many miles. Even when the sky looks pretty clear the smell permeates everything. And it screws up your voice and clogs your nose. This morning when I look outside, it's nice and clear in the northern direction (where the closest fires occurred--go figure!) but there is a yellow/gray pall to the west, south and east. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 996 Registered: 08-2006 |
Glad to hear it, Randy. And I'm sure LK's fine, too. In situations like this he just piles his CDs into a massive fire break and hunkers down behind 'em. His Loudon Wainwright collection alone is voluminous enough to protect two good-size residences. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 777 Registered: 10-2004 |
An ex-girlfriend of mine lives in San Diego. All her family lives down there as well. I spoke with her last night and she said that while all her family and friends are out of harm's way for the moment, things are thoroughly insane down there, and she confirms that the crazy things we've been reading in the news are all true, ie - it's like Mordor down there. She said, "yeah, the news, in this case, is accurate--it's fucking crazy here! People are evacuating down south and up north, huddling in the stadiums, etc. houses are burning down left and right, gas mains are exploding, air quality is hideous, schools are closed, work is closed [she teaches at UCSD], the roads are empty, it's VERY bizarre..." I don't know if things are as intense in Orange County or LA, but let's hope Randy and LK remain well out of the range of the fire. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1585 Registered: 04-2005 |
LK, please phone home! We want to know you're OK. Randy, I'm glad to hear you're well out of harm's way. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 321 Registered: 05-2005 |
Glad to hear you're safe Randy. LK, when you've finished building that fire wall, check in, ok? | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2413 Registered: 03-2006 |
I am well out of range, too, thanks everybody, and of course hope to stay that way. The nearest big fire to me is the Santiago Canyon one (probably started by an arsonist), up in Irvine, probably 10 to 15 miles from where I live. My lady friend and I were out having dinner in Newport Beach, one town over, when it started and, not knowing what it was at that point it was pretty unsettling. We'd been walking around on the beach and pier for a few hours and hadn't seen any news. When we walked out of the restaurant, there were some black clouds off to the east. By the time we walked to my car, the whole eastern part of the sky, for 180 degrees, was completely filled with inky, jet black smoke. A definite wtf moment. Things are calm enough in my little town, Costa Mesa, but it appears that people are wisely staying in - the smoke, as Randy says, really permeates everything, kind of a rancid barbeque smell, and though the sun is shining, it's through a sickly, orange haze. I had to run my a/c nonstop to get the smell out of my house. And, in the late afternoons it's been so dark, that to my Baton Rouge bred senses it seems like it's going to rain. But, of course it isn't - far from. But it's nothing even close to what those poor people in Irvine, San Diego and Malibu are going through. My heart goes out to 'em - even those rich MF's in Malibu. Nobody should have to lose their home. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 322 Registered: 05-2005 |
Good to hear from you LK! I can only imagine how troubling it must have been for you and your lady, not knowing what in hell had happened. Glad to hear all are out of danger. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 323 Registered: 05-2005 |
Oh God! Y'know what two songs are alternating round my head right now? A certain song by Grant, and another GoBes one - Ah crap, a third has joined in now! Lighting Fires, Was there anything I could do? (Obvious which line!) and Core of a Flame. On behalf of my sick subconcious, I apologise... | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2415 Registered: 03-2006 |
Thanks, CV. I may have made that sound a little too dramatic - it was mainly weird, something I'd never seen before. Okay, I may have had a thought or two of "hmmm, the ocean's about a 100 yards over that way, maybe we could make a run for it if we have to!".... I just checked out some stories on it - all the fires are still raging, I think the most progress that has been made on any of them has been 30% containment - most have only been 5 or 10% contained, despite the tireless efforts of the firefighters. 346,000 homes in San Diego have been ordered evacuated - I can only imagine the bedlam - and the Witch Fire has been 0%, that's zero, nada, zilch, contained... Those firefighters - I know it's a commonplace in this day and age that they're heroes, but the truth is, they really are. Those guys - have worked nonstop with a grace we usually only associate with angels. Four of them were hurt in the fire in Irvine that was started by some psychotic nutball arsonist... Tomorrow the Santa Anas are supposed to let up, so maybe things'll start to turn around then... | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2416 Registered: 03-2006 |
That's alright, Catherine. Your subconscious, if it's like mine, has a mind of its own... That reminds me of something. A friend of mine has a daughter who, how to put it nicely, isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. She had some friends in from out of town and, because they were looking for something to do, thought they'd go someplace and "have a bonfire". Don't worry, she got a thorough tongue-lashing: "are you high?They'll throw you UNDER the jail!"...how's that for "shit for brains"? | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 324 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've been reading bits and pieces on the net about it all. Seems time was lost in persuading people to evacuate their homes. Hope the winds die down soon. Sending some cloudy rainy vibes your way. Maybe your Baton Rouge bones can conjure up some of the rain they think is coming.... | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2418 Registered: 03-2006 |
That's a good thought, CV. I'm willing to devote my bones to the cause, long as they stay in my body.  Maybe if I play "Spring Rain" non-stop. I mean, I do that anyway... | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 325 Registered: 05-2005 |
Definitely keep your bones in your body!! In order to send those rainy vibes your way, I've been humming Spring Rain since I posted earlier, don't worry. As regards the slightly inappropriate songs in my head - I've got a tendency to think in song lyrics. There's almost constantly something playing in my head. I think I've listened to so much music, I've broken my brain... Most of the time it's ok, but as with this evening, even I get a bit freaked out at what comes into my head and why.... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1853 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yeah take care guys n gals. |