Watching My Fate on T.V.

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Was hoping to do some humor blogging, but it just isn’t in me today. Might as well drop the facade – right now I’m in Amarillo, TX, taking refuge at the house of the gracious SarahK. She’s at work, and I’m alone with my thoughts. Anyone who has had thoughts before knows how dangerous that can be.
Charley didn’t even graze where I lived. We got in Melbourne the same amount of rain as we usual get each day during the summer. I didn’t think much about Frances until I got to work Wednesday and talked to other people who had been through hurricanes. They were planning to board up that night and head out, either to the other coast or further. Taking advice from them, I then bought my plane tickets for the next day and later hotel tickets for the Hyatt in the Orlando airport so I could drive in that night to beat the possible traffic the next day in case an evacuation order was issued.
Didn’t get much work done as I was waiting to see if my company would be giving Thursday off (they did by the days end) since I didn’t have any vacation left. I also was fretting over whether I was making the right decision to leave entirely. I was told not to come back until Tuesday because it would be more likely Orlando airport would be open by then. If my house did get hit, though, that means it would be sitting there for a day or so exposed before I got back to it. A number of coworker who were planning on getting back on Monday gave me their number so I could find out what happened to the general area.
When I got home, mission was to put up my metal storm shutter (or whatever you call those sheets), fix up a few things in the house, pack, and then heard for Orlando. First I got some gas, and, at 5:30pm on Wednesday some places were already out and others had lines. Not too bad yet.
When I got home, I started with those heavy metal shields for my windows. Never touched them before or knew how to put them up, but luckily the neighbors next door had put up theirs or I would have never figured it out.
While I started, one panicked neighbor whom I hadn’t met before came asking me questions about how to get the storm shutters. She assumed I had been hired to do it for my house because – let’s face it – I don’t look old enough to own a house. I wish I could help her, but I didn’t know a thing about boarding up. You see, hurricane standards were changed right as my house was being built. This ended up delaying it a couple months, and I lost the vaulted ceiling in the main room and gained the storm shutters for free. A lot of people near me had their houses built months earlier and didn’t have anything to protect their windows. Plus, I had heard at work there were already hours long lines for plywood the day before.
I tried to help my neighbor find someone who knew something more about hurricane preparations. My next door neighbor had been through one before, but wasn’t prepared for this one. Our area had pretty much never been hit by a big hurricane – that’s why the Kennedy Space Center is nearby. My next door neighbor watched a while as I bolted on those heavy metal sheets, becoming quickly exhausted in the sweltering heat and my hands getting cut up. He made a comment like, “That must be lots of fun,” and I laughed. I knew I was the lucky one though for having those metal sheets, and I really wished I could have done something for my neighbors… or at least knew something to give some advice. Many people in my neighborhood are elderly, and their property is about all they have.
It was about 9pm and dark out when I finished getting the shutters up. It appeared the builder had actually given me enough sheets to protect all my windows, but, for the last window, the sheets were about a centimeter or so too short. A little engineering got them on tight. Well, I hope they’re on tight. I was afraid of running out of bolts and washers, so I only put them in every other hole. I had plenty leftover in the end, but you couldn’t just slip them in after the sheets were up.
I went inside and made a quick post to my blog saying I was on my way out. I then covered my widescreen T.V. with a couple garbage bags taped together while transferring my important files from my desktop to my laptop. I put all my guns in the safe, and that was about all I knew to do to protect my belongings. I did a quick packing, activated my alarm, and turned off all the power except to the garage and my refridgerator. Then I left. In a way, it felt a little cowardly.
The road that night was already packed more than usual, and the moon hung low and glowed a bright yellow. Thank you, God, but I already understand things are ominous. There was a big bottleneck at the one toll before I got to where I usually park for Orlando airport (Melbourne has an airport, but tickets were $200 dollars more at this one day’s notice; also, I wanted to avoid having a connection in Atlanta). I parked my brand new car in what was basically an open field, assuming if it gets blown away my isurance will cover that. It was about 11:30pm when I took the shuttle to the airport.
When I came out of the elevator to check in at the Hyatt, some guy rudly shoved me coming in the elevator before I had a chance to get off. Nerves were already frayed. I checked in, got to my room, and called those concerned to say I was at the airport and ready to leave the next afternoon (my flight out was at 12:55pm). I then went to the bar because I really needed a drink. I then also realized I hadn’t ate anything since the one chocolate Entemann’s donut I had that morning. So I got a beer and some chicken wings. I talked to the bartender and asked him what his plans were. Hyatt was offering to shelter all their employees (in one of the ballrooms), but he wasn’t taking the offer because they wouldn’t let him bring his dog.
I went to bed, and at about 1:20am an alarm went off in the hotel. I ignored it until it was declared a false alarm about ten to fifteen minutes later. I then got to sleep; it wasn’t too hard – reality hadn’t quite hit me yet.
The morning I leisurely got up at 9am, watched the news and then showered. I took my bill and my letter apologizing for the alarm down to the lobby and then spotted that the terminal was filled with people, all in line for security. When I went to check in at Delta, the line was huge. I had two and a half hours to catch my flight. That’s when the fear hit me – not just mine, but all those around me. People were panicked – though subduded at this point – about missing a flight out from Orlando. If was pretty much certain the airport was going to be closed sometime tomorrow, so there wasn’t much of a window to find another flight. If I got stuck, I had no idea what I would do. Luckily a man came around asking if anyone had e-tickets. Only I had raised my hand (I guess many people came without having first booked a flight). Ended up there was a electronic check in which only took me a minute to get my tickets and check in my bags.
I now had over two hours to wait through the security, which, though longer a line than I even imagined, moved at a decent pace. Now I felt home free again. There was a lot of nervous joking in the line, and then a couple voices raised. Many were near to missing their flights. Some airline representatives were wandering around the line trying to help those who needed to jump ahead, but I have feeling many didn’t make it.
As I headed to the terminals, I got a glance outside. It was a beautiful day.
When I got to my gate, I had about an hour. I hadn’t eaten yet, but I didn’t want to wait in line. I found a candy shop with no customers which had some juices for sale. I bought one and talked to the clerk for a bit about those metal window shields. She was worried about her daughter’s home. I don’t know how most of those people could be working that day with all that was coming. God bless them for doing it.
Soon I was in the air looking down on Orlando, wondering what it would look like when I got back. Orlando was hit bad by Charley – some places were still waiting for power to be fully fixed. I hope this hurricane misses them; with the hurricane winds extending out 80 miles, there’s little chance of it missing my home.
When I got to Dallas, I called those concerned again to tell them I was now safe, and then got my flight to Amarillo.
And I have to tell you, nothing takes your mind off things like poorly singing “Rocky Racoon” at a Texan biker bar.
Anyway, got tired of watching the news. Even though Frances is now a Category 3, everything about it seems to be bad news. Because it’s slower, it will leave more rain and risk more flooding – which I don’t think I’m insured for. Currently, the hurricane is aimed at Vero Beach which I think is about twenty mile south of me.
Just got a call from a friend who hadn’t heard from me. He and his finance (they’re getting married next month) had just bought a house. They shuttered it up and successfully drove to Tennessee where is family is. I found out from him that some of my other friends are all planning to hold up in one house in Melbourne and ride out the storm. Stupid bastards. I hope they prepared well. Godspeed to them.
Well, no point to this post. Just getting my thoughts out. My house is new and really shouldn’t have any problem weathering the storm. My most valuable stuff are safe in a safe, except for my home theater and furniture – worth a couple thousand together. Then again, I’m young and I could lose everything and still be fine. I really am hoping to make some money off my house (it is some really great investment property), but even if I get back and have to throw rocks to knock my house out of tree, I’ll recover.
Just wonder what things will be like when I get back. Will there be an Orlando airport to honor my return ticket. How will work be affected? Will there be water and power? How will my friends and coworkers fair?
Well, just had to get that off my chest. I really wanted to write some funny thing with Chomps in it to promote the new t-shirt (which I think is awesome), but that will have to wait until whenever I get back to Florida and have power and cable to blog again.
Now I’m going to watch a movie and try not to worry. Everything is in God’s hands now. Later, ronin, and be safe.

41 Comments

  8. Well I’m one of the stupid people riding it out. I grew up in ‘cane country. If you have shutters, your place will be fine other than flooding. I don’t have flood insurance either.
    I am worried it will get stronger. I’m just praying real hard.

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  11. I advised my best friend on Wednesday to get her butt up here to Maryland where I can keep her and her kids safe. She hedged until nightfall and was unable to get a flight. I was in the process of tracking down a former employee of mine who has his own plane when she called me and said she had decided to ride the storm out at her mom’s house….in Del Ray! Does this make any sense? She was at least in Coral Springs! Now she’s right on the friggin’ ocean!
    She’s been my best friend for 18 years. I’ll kill her if something happens to her.
    Frank, I’m glad you were smart and got out. It doesn’t make you a coward at all. It shows your mature enough to put yourself and the people who love you above some irrelevant material possesions.

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  12. for the record, Frank sang Rocky Raccoon in excellent form, and Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash was even better. and the bikers heart Frank.
    don’t worry about Mr. J, i’m taking great care of him. 🙂 and Minerva’s been snuggling him all day long.
    prayers for all those still in Florida, God bless, and take care of yourselves.

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  13. Well, if you have to be anywhere but at home. Texas is a great place to be. Take care be safe. Hope you come through this in good shape. And to all the rest of you in the path of this monster. May you all be watched over by your guardian angels coming through this in great shape.

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  22. Yup, the people are what counts and the stuff is all lost sooner or later anyhow. Wish the whole state could’a just left like you did. Gotta be weird knowing what’s coming, we live out here in earthquake/fire country where you are doing good just to try not to get hit on the head.
    Anyhow, having been there my advice is: when you get back get to know those neighbors. Even if they seem to need you more with your safe stuff and young back, those old folks have ridden out a few of life’s twists by now and the wisdom is gold.

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  23. Are you questioning my religious values Joshua???? Lol. Apparently I didn’t make it clear….when I said permanantly move in, I meant get married. I was implying marriage, and then drove it home with the “invite us to the wedding thing”. At least that’s what I was shooting for. I’m a Christian gal too! ‘Cept not gun toting.

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  26. I’m glad you moved to safety. I ran from Charley 3 weeks ago and, even though it didn’t hit my home in St Pete, I’d do it again in a heart-beat. I went to Arcadia and saw what one of these things can do. It’s always a tough decision on whether to stay or go, but better safe than sorry.
    Be well and let SarahK take good care of you. Our prayers are with you.

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  27. Prayers and thoughts with you and yours, especially all those stuck in the path of Frances. As previously stated, you’re a good capitalist, you can always earn more stuff, so getting yourself out is the smart thing to do.
    Always welcome up here in your neighbour to the north, although I doubt I’d be as pretty or accommodating a host as yours.

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  28. Ha, Knew it!
    Still, Hurricane is a good excuse as any to visit your T-Shirt Babe…
    Well glad you’re safe, enjoy Texas and I definitely hope your house does NOT get flooded, lose power, but, if it does go flying… May it land on Hillary! Before she gets you and your little dog too! (Uh, well if you ever get a dog that is… I guess in this case Minerva would have to substitute)
    SarahK is the cat really snuggling up on Frank?

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  30. C’mon Frank J, nobody had any doubts about where you’d find safe haven. 😉
    Sounds like you covered all the bases before leaving Fla. The only thing I might have done differently might have been to find better shelter for the firearms.
    I’m sure your local PD would have been happy to secure them while you were gone, rather than risk looters getting into them.
    Judging from the storm’s actions, I think maybe it’s been misnamed. I think it discovered that the Bahama’s are full of people that look a lot like hippies, and is taking a big bite out of them.
    Who does that remind us of, hmmmm?
    You two be good.

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  31. No Worries, Frank
    How to locate M1A1’s house in Florida
    1) Draw a line representing Charley’s path
    2) Draw a line representing Frances’ path
    3) Locate the intersection.
    God’s trying to get me, twice.
    (Actually, God used wind to catch Elijah up to heaven. However, if they’re predicting “sunny skies with an 80% chance of fire and brimstone”, then you have to worry.)
    We sat out Charley in a walk-in-closet. Minor screen damage and some trees down outside. The biggest bummer was no power for 8 days. It was Cat 2 when it hit our area. Because we’re inland, we did not board up.
    Frances is down to Cat 2 now. Probably be Cat 1 by the time it hits. Your house will be fine as long as there’s no flooding or sewer back ups.
    However, we’re watching this one from a safe distance. Like Canada for example.
    If you want local news on your place, you can get streaming newscasts from
    http://www.wesh.com/weather/3656985/detail.html

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  33. Hell Frank, a guy would think you’re scared.
    An entire post (and a long one at that) of handwringing over a nasty house and some freaking rain?
    There’s a Democrat meltdown going on, you’re curled up with a juggie blonde, and the best you can do is ramble on like a middle-aged empty nester?
    Lay off the weed, man.

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  34. Darn you M1A1!!! I hadn’t had any Elijah bits stuck in my head for a while. (there came a fiery chariot, with fiery, fiery horses and he went on a whirlwind to heeeeaaaaven) oh, back on topic, Ring of Fire! woooooo! I bet that would sound cool, maybe ‘I walk the line’ too. mmmmmmmmmm.

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  36. Hey M1A1, I am right with you. I am in Winter Haven, right where the two storm paths cross. Since I was on call this week, I get to ride out the storm at work. I have my air mattress ready to go and lots of books.

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  38. Wow Justin! You may be on to something here… maybe that whole SMITE thing was a decoy, and his real plan was to make a Weather Machine In Order To Woo SarahK In Amarillow.
    Hmmm. WMIOTWSKIA
    That doesn’t trip off the tongue nearly as nice. I still want a space laser!!!

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  39. OK Frank here’s what you do. Plop down next to Sarah on the sofa and turn on Fox News. They’ll be talking about Frances and all you have to do is go “oh my house! What am I going to do?” etc. Try to work in some crying or something. That should be worth some cuddling.

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  41. Serious note….. hope your house survives.
    OT,
    learned all about my rights and responsibilities of carrying a concealed handgun.
    I took the course today, basicly a gun safety course that adressed the whole “when can I shoot, when can’t I shoot?” thing.
    Frank, since you live in Flor-ee-dah and you have a CCW license, it’s good in about 29 other states.
    Non-resident with the Florida CCW, it’s good in about 19. So it’s definently worth getting a Florida CCW if your gonna carry and travel.
    Other things I learned is you can not use deadly force to stop someone from stealing your tv, or to protect any other non-person.
    So if Michael Moore is in mortal danger you can’t save him, since he is an inanimate object, basicly a pile of bat guano.
    There are so many urban legends out there and the class ‘blew holes’ in each of them.
    I don’t think I am going to carry through with getting my CCW after all. There are way too many liabilities and such if it turns out I gotta kill someone.
    In Oregon it can cost as much as 10k in legal fees to prove your justified. Not worth it, I am not that wealthy. And I definently have no desire to share a cell with a guy named Bubba, who would want to use me as a sex toy.
    So now I am rethinking the whole gun thing.
    They did have some nice guns down at ‘The Place To Shoot’. I will definently go down there to shoot some of the guns.
    So all in all I am glad I took the class.
    I learned quite a bit, and I will never look at a person wearing a fanny pack the same way now, especially the square shaped black ones.

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