When Disaster Strikes

I've been reading about the relief efforts for Puerto Rico. It appears the effort to help is hampered by the effort to have someone else do the heavy work.

I watched a few hurricane relief efforts. Those that had citizens wanting to work unhampered, and only wanting some aid to help with cleaning up the mess, were more efficient. While the financial aid was important, the effort to return to a normal life was more important.

Those living on the public dole, who have everything available with a phone call, or a quick trip to an office, have a different attitude. With initiative lost to a false security, too many expect too much, without any effort. It's sad to see, but it's a lesson to society. Nothing is free, and expecting such is foolish.

A Taste of Fall

It's a beautiful morning. Light wind from the North, the temperature is around 65, and the humidity was swept to the Gulf. It's a good change, and I hope it last for the few weeks it sometimes lasts during autumn.

Flu Shot

I've had the flu only a few times during my life. My last case was decades ago, It started as a slight headache during the morning, a splitting headache by the end of work, chills before dark, and a high fever, which finally broke early the next morning. During the fever, I had a hard time concentrating, and the muscle aches were dreadful. After finally falling asleep, I awoke in a bed soaked with my sweat.

I missed work for a few days, which was necessary, since nothing wanted to stay in, and I would have been nearly useless.

Returning to work was tough, since it was late Fall,  and I was bridge carpenter. I was worn out by the end of what were shorter days, and would have stayed home instead, but I needed the money. The annoying cough yielded plenty of phlegm, which made me wonder if I had pneumonia.

It took about two weeks for the sore throat to finally end. Afterwards, I was apprehensive for a long time. Being that ill is a mind jolting experience.

So, I take a flu shot every year. I know many people think it's useless, or dangerous, or fear it's an effort by the government to kill us all, but I don't care. I haven't had the flu in a long time; even with exposure. I like that.

It's All About Who We Elect

At the local level, we have some voice in keeping the reprobates out, but that too is iffy.

At the state level, it's the same thing, but big money is involved in keeping those in politics firmly attached to the power and money.

At the national level, we only get to choose who the media, and those in power, decide will be a candidate.

Otherwise, until we tar and feather a few of the rascals, we'll keep getting screwed by the elite that make the laws.

The Trade-Off

From things I've seen on the internet, there are some really pissed off fans of many teams. Not only are they swearing off any watching of the NFL, they're burning jerseys and other NFL items.

Where does this go? What is the trade off? I think it will be monetary at first, but with a reduced NFL, college teams will find more revenue...at first. Time will change the importance of the sport, and other sports will find new fans, with new revenue.

What about the NBA, and professional baseball? I think the players will expose their posteriors too, and the franchises will lose substantial revenue; especially when advertisers realize their ads are not being presented to what were once their biggest consumers.

There's always a trade-off, and the trade off for ignorance is never good. This all started with one player being allowed to show his ignorance, which may be good. It exposed much more ignorance, and maybe galvanized enough to show their pride in the United States.

So, Do You Really Want to Go There?

Many NFL players kneeled during the National Anthem, which showed their solidarity to some ethereal protest. I'm pretty sure they have no idea that their contract states they can be canned for this activity. So, I'm wondering if they really want to go there.

When it comes right down to it, the NFL teams will side with the most money. I don't think that money is coming from vagrants - chasing a few bucks in fake protests - and the players will soon realize those they're supporting don't exist, and their paychecks will end too soon.

I'm thinking some of the players should have payed more attention, when studying.

Things Change

Too many players in the NFL decided their opinion is more valuable than the salaries they're payed to entertain. As this progresses, I think they'll find their job is not only threatened, any money they receive will be substantially less than any offered before.

Repost "The Stars Were Like Diamonds Scattered on Black Velvet"

When I first stepped outside this morning, the Winter constellations were visible in all their glory. I stopped for a moment, and remembered an event from my past. I wrote about it before, so if you read it, read it again. 

Enjoy


It was after midnight, the wind was from the north and the temperature was a little above freezing. A call from the bank let me know we lost 8 million cubic feet of gas and it was my duty to wake someone to go find the problem.

I don't remember who I woke, but I knew before they reached the control room which well was down. The analog meter on 1351-13 was still and I had a pretty good idea it shut in.

The well was a satellite well about a mile from the production platform. It stood alone, without any production equipment, since it was close enough to just pipe to the main platform. We called the boat to go take a look.

Natural gas controls on the platform were simple. Pressure pilots were part of the safety system, which included the pilots and the fire loop. A problem with either would shut the automatic valve and close the well.

It didn't take long to reach the platform. A thorough check revealed no problem, so the gauger felt it was only some moisture in the controls and the well could be put back on line.

I stayed at the platform to slowly turn the manual valve until it was at full pressure. If the CRBBM stayed in the open position, the gauger was right and they would retrieve me when he made the final checks on the main platform.

They left me with a radio. The guager would call, when he was ready for me to start.

Over the next few minutes, the noise from the work boat faded. As they pulled to the main platform, I could barely hear the engines as the boat maneuvered to tie to the structure. When the engines were shut down, the only sounds were the occasional fog horn, the light chop against the structure and the sound of the wind.

There are few experiences in life like the next twenty minutes. I was completely alone, my flashlight provided all the light to be found and the awesome grandeur of a winter night was mine to be enjoyed.

The air was crisp, full of the smell of cold air and found any weakness in my heavy clothes. I pulled my collar up, my sleeves over my gloves and looked up to the stars.

Like myriads of diamond scattered on black velvet, the stars seemed to hang right over my head. Just a simple reach, and I could scrape them from the sky; they'd rain down, like jewels, so I could fill my pockets.

I was awed. Maybe it was the moment, or the splendor of the event, but I was overjoyed with the opportunity. What I observed, and felt, could never be described with words. My soul was touched and nothing could ever describe the feeling.

Eventually, the gauger called, I put the well back on line and the boat returned. I was soon back to the platform and found the gauger was on the way back to the living quarters to finish their interrupted sleep.

The rest of the night passed without any more problems. Soon, I woke the cook; then the crew and had my morning meal. The night was over, but the memory will last forever.

Entertainer Ignorance

Too many entertainers show their ignorance, and spout the current mantra of liberals. What they don't realize is that it not only hurts them, it hurts their industry, and many not only don't want to be entertained any longer, they want the industry to be punished financially by low revenue.

It's What I'm Used To

September brings different days. It will be hot, but the humidity will be lower. Nights bring temperatures just above 70 degrees, which is a lower temperature than the setting on most air conditioners.

The clouds are different. Where Summer brought towering cumulus clouds, early Fall brings thin stratus, that offer moments of cool, while they shade for a few moments.

Most of all, it's obvious the weather is changing. Soon, a front will bring temperatures much lower, and the fog. The frontal passage will bring brilliant blue skies, and clear nights, but soon, the fog will form in the night, and driving will be hazardous.

We're at the last of our constant vigil for hurricanes. Fronts push them away, and the apprehension finally leaves. This year was bad, but many are not. It's a good thing to not have any dangerous weather, and it allows moments of peace as the seasons change.

Pfffft!

Several large corporations receive billions in federal subsidies, and only give a few hundred thousands each to the Red Cross, which uses the lions share of the money to pay exorbitant salaries, advertise on national networks, and purchase expensive real estate.

Meanwhile, people that paid taxes their entire lives are struggling to survive, and wondering if they will. I hope they reflect their dissatisfaction by avoiding boiler house charities, and the products of corporate welfare companies. Their tax dollars may be abused, but they still control what they have left on pay day.

Pfffft!

Something I've Observed

With all the flooding, water marks are noticeable on the homes. Usually, there's a line of debris, but some marks are discoloration from the water.

One thing I've observed is the height of the marks correspond to the local road, or local freshwater canal, or highway. Otherwise, the drainage was impeded enough to allow the water to build to level where it finally spills over the obstruction.

I'm wondering if anyone affected noticed this too, and the crapstorm will soon start. Losing a house to natural causes is one thing; losing it because the engineering of certain things neglected to consider 200 year flood events is another.

I Guess I Could Complain

But, I won't. My inconveniences are minor, and my blessings are huge.

It's a Lot Like Prositution

Prostitutes advertise their wares, push for the deal, and exchange money for sexual favors. So does the media. The most sensational, graphic, or shocking story is used to lure viewers, so they can be entertained for a few minutes, and after the event, the media is looking for more "John's" to pay the bills, and keep the ratings high.

The current hurricanes are a good example. With the approach of Harvey, the media was constantly showing forecasts, people trying to evacuate and trying to keep their ratings up. When it struck, the initial reports were on Rockport, Texas, which received the worst of the landfall damage. As the storm moved toward Houston, and the flooding began, Rockport was forgotten, and the new sensational news reports were aimed at showing the devastation of the water.

Now we have Irma. All the Harvey damage is almost forgotten, and someone is suffering in Rockport. Their life is ruined, they have few resources, and they're wondering how they'll survive. They feel forgotten, and they are. They aren't "sensational", and the media could care less about their suffering.

Meanwhile, in the ivory towers of network television, those without a clue continue their efforts to keep the ratings up, and turn another few tricks for the pimps that sign their paychecks.

They Call Them Roads

One remarkable thing I noticed after observing the area wide flooding are the roads. For all practical purposes, they're dams, and those that built below the level of the road, were most affected.

Anyone that's building should always consider the location of the nearest road, and build above the top of the road. One foot minimum, and 2 feet as a good start.