Let it Snow (3 Viewers)

[hotel3alpha]

Jason, John and Mike,

I hope you guys are all going to be allright. My sister in law Jessica, who lives in Houston, had her pipes freeze and burst, because while she got power back intermittently, her furnace never restarted. It is tragic that what for us in the northeast would be an ordinary snow event is a killer storm in Texas, because your power grid and other infrastructure is just not prepared to deal with it.

Louis,

This was an epic failure. The news of deaths in Houston is devastating. An entire family burned to death inside their home out of desperation to get warm. Don't know the details but the only survivor was the mom. Another family succumb to carbon dioxide in their car. A video was shown (not sure where in Texas) of a man driving through an apartment complex and ALL the parked cars were on with the tenants in them. I feel sick to my stomach for your sister and one of our neighbors pipes burst too. This is not cool and like I said from the beginning...I'm pissed.

Pathetic.

John from Texas

 

[hotel3alpha]

It always makes me laugh when in the aftermath of some disaster the officials in charge indicate they are going to get to the bottom of it. As though their incompetence played no role in the disaster. The officials in Texas are framing this as though the problem was created by someone else. They are going to "investigate" and fix it. LOL. Most of these problems are the result of corruption and incompetence of the local governments. I bet a good number of them receive contributions from the lobbyists who represent the local energy companies. On the upside, maybe some of those Californians who have flooded Texas will return home. Their state government is no better but at least they wouldn't freeze to death.

Combat,

In Japan, when you fail, you jump off a building. It makes the news quite often. Modern day seppuku.

In the US...you point fingers...don't take responsibility and enter "counseling".

In Texas..."we'll get to the bottom of it gosh darnit"..."its the wind turbines fault"...and the best one so far "ummm no one told us about winterIZATION...we're Texas son"

The above in a Texas twang.

John from Texas

PS: This is just **** embarrassing man. I'm a proud Texan, but this chit is for the birds and I can't wait until the next city meeting.

 

[Combat]

Combat,

In Japan, when you fail, you jump off a building. It makes the news quite often. Modern day seppuku.

In the US...you point fingers...don't take responsibility and enter "counseling".

In Texas..."we'll get to the bottom of it gosh darnit"..."its the wind turbines fault"...and the best one so far "ummm no one told us about winterIZATION...we're Texas son"

The above in a Texas twang.

John from Texas

PS: This is just **** embarrassing man. I'm a proud Texan, but this chit is for the birds and I can't wait until the next city meeting.

Here is my prediction. The state government will conduct an "investigation" in response to public anger. They will use this investigation as a means to avoid holding anyone responsible in the near term until the public moves on to the next news cycle. In fact, the energy companies will use this disaster to their own advantage by getting the government to bankroll whatever changes they want to make under the guise of addressing any issues. They then end up all the richer. It's quite a system. My parents are in TN without any power for the second day. Their streets are iced over and there is no way to get to a store or gas station. Fortunately, they have a neighbor who volunteered to get some gas for their generator. And another storm is coming later today. But it is too expensive to bury the power lines!

 

[hotel3alpha]

Okay y'all....

I have hit rock bottom now...the water has been shut off.

I took my first shower out of Home Depot bucket. Cold water of course.

All of the girls in my house are in the game room playing ROCK BAND with the door open.

The upside? I have power...for now.

Tonight down to 18 degrees and the next cold front is bringing snow again.

I want a double Whataburger with cheese combo and WHATA size it. Spicy ketchup and two slices of cheese on eat patty.

John from Texas

 

[Terp152]

Okay y'all....

I want a double Whataburger with cheese combo and WHATA size it. Spicy ketchup and two slices of cheese on eat patty.

John from Texas

Man, I miss Whataburger. Haven't had one since my Florida days. Wish they would add some restaurants in Kentucky. Chris

 

[jazzeum]

Okay y'all....

I have hit rock bottom now...the water has been shut off.

I took my first shower out of Home Depot bucket. Cold water of course.

All of the girls in my house are in the game room playing ROCK BAND with the door open.

The upside? I have power...for now.

Tonight down to 18 degrees and the next cold front is bringing snow again.

I want a double Whataburger with cheese combo and WHATA size it. Spicy ketchup and two slices of cheese on eat patty.

John from Texas

Good luck man. Hope the power stays on.

 

[hotel3alpha]

Just watched the news for the first time in 3 days. I know it sounds crazy, but between power outages, my fire pit chore, heating water for the HVAC units, and no sleep I finally got to watch the local and national news.

Locally its all about closures, the electrical grid problems, the next storm and how to boil water.

Nationally, its all about Texas's failure and the magnitude of this storm did not hit until about 5 minutes ago. GOOD! I new it was a storm, but had no idea it the same storm that is going all the way up towards Boston. Yes, I knew some of all were with out power and what not, but I did not know the wide swath that this is impacting across our nation. THIS IS FREAKING INSANE. Plus, the images and stories across the state and nation make my Home Depot shower a luxury. Holy cow, the lines to get propane tanks is incredible and I have yet to leave the house since Saturday to witness this madness.

So, I feel a little guilty whining about my woes here on the thread while a family of six are living in their church van in Houston. Speaking of Houston, there have been 300 cases reported by the hospitals for carbon monoxide poisoning. The desperation to stay warm is making folks take risks that are deadly. I wish I could do more and so far all I have done is reach out to my neighbors to offer fire wood and pool full of water. Man, I feel ashamed of myself and I apologize to all of you for being such a cry baby.

Y'all know I loathe the cold. It is seriously a deep seeded psychological issue I have and the wife was making good fun of me yesterday and I had a laugh. But, some of the worst conditions I have ever been in were in the cold and there was nothing I could do about it. I may have mentioned this before, but I was so cold one time in foxhole that I cried for my mommy. Yes, I cried like a baby...tears and all. I wept...wept. That was one of the lowest, most miserable moments in my life and sadly I had a few more after that rated just as high in Japan and elsewhere. They were the most episodic memories that are triggered by the first brisk breeze that I have never been able to shake.

So, I sadly get a little neurotic during the cold because I can't handle it. Thank God I have a house full of kids that keep me busy and I have taught them all how to build a fire, work it and enjoy it.

John from Texas

 

[mikemiller1955]

John...Jason...Martyn...

in Galveston...

water has been off for a while...maybe 1 full day...
neighbor has let me take buckets of water from his swimming pool so I could at least flush my commodes...

about 7PM tonight I started getting a small trickle of water from my spigots...
very little pressure so far...
but no burst pipes I see so far...unlike like so many of my neighbors...
a lot of their attic/wall pipes burst causing their ceilings to collapse...
at least I can get a little water...
what a mess...

after 2 1/2 days ...my power just now came on this morning at 1AM..
when the house lit up I almost peed on myself...^&grin
can't describe how good that was...
don't know how long it will stay on...
but everything seems to be working again...
no burst pipes I know of yet...thank God!!!

my power company is telling us they are giving me a huge $5.00 refund this month for the inconvenience...
I would like to slap the guy that thought up this generous offer...
what an insult...really...what a lousy gesture on their part...
for real...no electricity for that long and you offer me $5.00 freaking dollars...

I feel like somebody gave me a major beatdown...
absolutely miserable...sore...achy...grouchy...tired...just whipped physically and mentally...
sleeping with 4 blankets...
my dog and me have gotten very close lately...^&grin
he has been struggling big time...
shaking like a leaf for a couple of days while I hold him and we try to sleep...

when they shut off my water...
it was like the knockout punch...
I was reeling and that floored me...
absolutely devastating to lose that small convenience after no power for 2 1/2 days...
freaking barbaric...

I figured out how to boil my water in a pot over my small gas fireplace...
which did little to nothing to heat my house...
then pour it slowly over coffee grinds to get my precious caffeine...

I drug a twin mattress down from a guest room upstairs...
placed it close to my fireplace...
that really helped a lot...

would not wish this on my worst enemy...
felt like a cave man that the city forgot about...

hope my power stays on...
that was a brutal couple of days...

 

[mikemiller1955]

John...Jason...Martyn...

and anyone else in this region...
I wish you my best...
not as bad as a hurricane in damages...not even close...
but a phenomenon we are not used to...or built to endure down here...
our homes are not built for freezes like this...

John...I feel your pain brother...hope you are safe and restored in full power soon...
Jason...good luck on your insulin...what a quirky drug...seems like in this day and age...they could do better...
hope you're safe...hope your power comes back asap...
Martyn...hope your sister gets through this safely...as a rule...Houston is usually both way colder and hotter than Galveston (5-10 degrees)...
what a booger!!!

I have a whole new respect for my friends up North that deal with these types of conditions on a yearly bases!

News claimed 20 fatalities on one station and up to 50 on another station due to freezing weather...
it may be over exaggerated I'm hoping...as the funeral homes were lagging in recovering corpses due to the weather...
which may have been from natural causes as opposed to inclimate weather...

 

[mikemiller1955]

powers been on for about 1 1/2 hours now...
turned my heater on as soon as my house lit up...
the thermostat said 43 degrees...
it up to 55 now...
not quite like a sauna in here...^&grin...
but getting better by the minute...
hope the power stays on...
I'm tired of freezing!

 

[Panzer ace]

Brad and Chris:

With the return of some power my insulin seems ok, unfortunately I won’t know it’s true effectiveness until I take it.

John, Mike and Martyn:

We finally have power and water in Shavano Park (Northwest of San Antonio).

With the exception of my insulin, most importantly the kids finally got to got out and poop.

Best,
Jason

 

[hotel3alpha]

Jason,

When this is over lets get together. Tacos and drinks on me.

Mike,

I soooooooooooo glad to hear from you. I was worried, really, really worried about you.

Martyn,

Where are you in Texas?

All,

This has been one miserable trip. Like Mike said I have a new found respect for my Northern Brethren who deal with this on an annual basis. But, for the love of God, why are we dealing with this? Phone technology and other tech changes by the minute. Yet, simple energy tech remains OBVIOUSLY out of date.

When it comes to energy we are definitely not a city on a hill. This has to change...NOW. There is no excuse for this and now that my cold arse got a cold bath (literally) in energy faux pas I feel if we don't address this now, we are doomed in the future. Especially if this type of weather is going to become the norm due to climate change. Yes climate change...cause its a changing. Never have I seen anything like this here in Texas and its frequency is becoming unusually-frequent.

Next, the temps will rise and the thaw will commence. I'll be happy, but in the back of mind I can't help thinking that this summer will be epically hot. These extreme weather patterns are a language the we need to start to understand. If we don't see the writing on the wall, lives will be lost for our lack of unpreparedness. In my opinion, this is the first salvo warning us of what is to come.

Today, in the 20's bitterly dry and cold with snow latter today. Then the thaw. I shoveled snow yesterday the first time since I was a kid when we lived in Colorado for a spell. Burned cedars and showered out of bucket. The boss lady mad burgers and hot dogs, the poof the power went out right after dinner. Still no water.

John from Texas

PS: Finally got a full night rest.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Michael,

Glad to hear you are alive and well and have power, heat and water, and that things are going in the right direction.

John,

It sucks when a region has to deal with issues it never expected to, or prepared to, need to address. I guess the equivalent would be New York having to deal with earthquakes and wildfires like California. Up here, we live with, and are prepared for, winter weather, and it is tough for us sometimes. Today we are getting another 5-10 inches of snow, and for most of us, it will be no big deal. There undoubtedly will be some power outages, but the local power companies are equipped to deal with winter weather, and power will be restored in most cases very quickly. I hope that you are dealing with a once in a lifetime event, and a week from now your weather will be back to normal. If that is not the case, the state and local governments in Texas, as well as the power companies, need to do a quick study in how to address winter weather, so they will be prepared to deal with the next winter storm.

I hope you guys stay safe and get warm!

Louis

 

[mestell]

Glad to hear from you Michael and that you are ok. I tried to call you several times yesterday to check on you but either got nothing at all or a recording that your service was not available. I was going to extend an invitation to you to come up here . . .
Mike

 

[mikemiller1955]

Man, I miss Whataburger. Haven't had one since my Florida days. Wish they would add some restaurants in Kentucky. Chris

I hear you Chris...

#2 with cheese and jalapenos...
that's the ticket...
ooooooh yea...
and "Whatasize it" please...

they are making an expansion North...for real...

 

[mikemiller1955]

most importantly the kids finally got to got out and poop.

Jason

Jesus Jason...

they been holding it 3 days!!!

 

[mikemiller1955]

Brad and Chris:

With the return of some power my insulin seems ok, unfortunately I won’t know it’s true effectiveness until I take it.

John, Mike and Martyn:

We finally have power and water in Shavano Park (Northwest of San Antonio).

With the exception of my insulin, most importantly the kids finally got to got out and poop.

Best,
Jason

Louis...I'm sorry...I was so giddy last night when I posted...I gave my condolences to Martyn's sister in Houston...
who does not exist...:redface2:
my apologies...let me start over...

Louis...I hope "your sister" in Houston gets through this nightmare okay!!!!!

 

[mikemiller1955]

Jason,

When this is over lets get together. Tacos and drinks on me.

Mike,

I soooooooooooo glad to hear from you. I was worried, really, really worried about you.

Martyn,

Where are you in Texas?

All,

This has been one miserable trip. Like Mike said I have a new found respect for my Northern Brethren who deal with this on an annual basis. But, for the love of God, why are we dealing with this? Phone technology and other tech changes by the minute. Yet, simple energy tech remains OBVIOUSLY out of date.

When it comes to energy we are definitely not a city on a hill. This has to change...NOW. There is no excuse for this and now that my cold arse got a cold bath (literally) in energy faux pas I feel if we don't address this now, we are doomed in the future. Especially if this type of weather is going to become the norm due to climate change. Yes climate change...cause its a changing. Never have I seen anything like this here in Texas and its frequency is becoming unusually-frequent.

Next, the temps will rise and the thaw will commence. I'll be happy, but in the back of mind I can't help thinking that this summer will be epically hot. These extreme weather patterns are a language the we need to start to understand. If we don't see the writing on the wall, lives will be lost for our lack of unpreparedness. In my opinion, this is the first salvo warning us of what is to come.

Today, in the 20's bitterly dry and cold with snow latter today. Then the thaw. I shoveled snow yesterday the first time since I was a kid when we lived in Colorado for a spell. Burned cedars and showered out of bucket. The boss lady mad burgers and hot dogs, the poof the power went out right after dinner. Still no water.

John from Texas

PS: Finally got a full night rest.

John...

it has been a booger for sure...
I would love some tacos right now...
that would be a good breakfast!
hope you get some relief soon...
best wishes...

 

[mikemiller1955]

just got an automated message from the city...

water levels are low...
lots being wasted currently from unfixed broken pipes...
still a lot of outages...
use sparingly...
boil before consumption...
I'm drinking bottled...
may have some interruptions if it gets lower...
I'm gonna grab a quick hot shower right now before it runs out...

 

[Combat]

We got about 3-4 inches of snow overnight into this morning. It seems to be tapering off. Not exactly the storm of the century but it adds to several inches still on the ground from the last storm. Good luck to Big Mike and all those folks in Texas. I saw the long lines and empty grocery stores waiting for those that get to them. Hopefully the weather starts breaking. My parents are on day 3 without power in TN.