Bracing For Irene

Brendan Loy has the latest news, which could be worse:

As of 11:00 AM EDT, Irene’s maximum sustained winds are down to 105 mph, making it a mid-range Category 2, and the hurricane is officially no longer expected to re-strengthen at all. The forecast calls for the status quo through landfall in North Carolina, followed by weakening to 100 mph (low-end Cat. 2) and then 85 mph (mid-range Cat. 1) as the storm moves up the coast toward Long Island. If the track shifts slightly left, weakening would presumably happen faster over land. Either way, NYC & environs are now likely looking at Category 1 winds at most. (And maybe not even that, as Dr. Jeff Masters explains below.)

...Anyway, although we can now almost assuredly remove “world-historical disaster” from the list of realistic possibilities, this remains a serious situation for North Carolina and for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including the New York area.

I don't mind missing a world-historical disaster.  Apaprently heavy rains, downed trees, and a notable storm surge are still in the cards:

...tree damage will be much worse than in a Nor’easter, because “the trees are in full leaf during hurricane season, and catch the wind much more readily than during the winter. Tree damage will very heavy, and we can expect trees in regions with saturated soils will fall over in high winds onto power lines. Irene is likely to cause one of the top-five most widespread power outages in American history from a storm.”

Dr. Jeff Masters of the Weather Underground is being quoted there by Brendan Loy.

Comments

[peter]

My insurance doesn't cover damage caused by hurricane rated higher than category 1.

[Paul Krugman]

Not a disaster? I guess we'll need those London, Philly and Chicago disenchanted youths on the Atlantic Coast to cause damage that would have been caused by a stronger storm, thus creating a "war torn-like" situation and stimulating the economy.

[daddy]

Just called my brother the Carpenter in Bettie, North Carolina. Bettie is a very small coastal town just near Morehead City and exactly between Beaufort and Harker's Island, which show up easily on those Google-Earth maps.

He has a 10 acre place on the Inland Waterway, looking out at the Lighthouses on the Outer Banks.

Brother John says he is staying put. The rest of the family has all driven off to Raleigh but he has stayed and boarded up the windows, and hauled in the shrimp and flounder gigging boats, and he has now let his donkey's and goats and chickens and dogs and cats into the basement so that they can come on up the stairs if a big tidal surge arrives. John's place, built on huge stilts, is 4 feet above Sea Level. Grandma Jane's waterfront place (my late Mom) was the highest point in Carteret County---a whopping 11 feet above Sea Level.

It is out back of John's place where rumor still says the initial battle that led to Blackbeard's killing occured. Blackbeard used to run into Beaufort to pinch women and ale so the stories go, before killing him and hauling his head up to Ocracoke Island and sticking it on a pike.

My Sister Judy last week went to the old family farm outside Goochland Virginia. Son in Law Stan said there was a huge sound and everything started shaking like crazy. He thought they were being bombed, and then Judy and the grandkids come running out of the 200 year old FarmHouse due to the Earthquake. The windows in that old place were vibrating something crazy they said, and a few bricks from the ancient chimney came down, but not much else. Sister Judy says "Hell No she's not coming to Alaska if thats what we have on a regular basis":) Goochland was supposedly only 25 miles away.

Anyhow Brother John laughed about that. He says he will call me after Irene passes if he's alive to let me know if he's alive.

The DownEast Old Timers used to downplay any Hurricane that came thru at less than a hundred miles an hour and didn't kill anyone by saying " 't'wern't nothin' but a Mullet Blow."

We used to laugh years back when after on such in I think 1970, Paul Harvey opened his broadcast saying "Morehead City lies a sodden mass", and all that had happened was a Ferris Wheel had been blown over 30 miles up the road at NewBern.

Here's to "Mullet Blows".

[daddy]

Grrrrrrrrrr,

Goochland was supposedly only 25 miles away "From The Epicenter".

Oh, and Momma said that today when she awoke and was taking the little pup out for her morning Constitutional, there was a momma moose and 2 darlin' baby mooses in the driveway. Thankfully she had Kayyyyroooooo Junior (the Ptarmigan killer) on a leash, so she hauled her back in snarlin', closed the garage door, and then ran her downstairs and out the back to poop. Good Morning!

[TexasIsHeavenMostOfTheTime]

This is a fine turn of events - we are roasting our butts off down here in the piney woods of east Texas - two little bitty rain showers in the last three months - temps of 104, 105, 108 for the last three or four weeks - and the blasted hurricane is going to New York City.

I blame Obama.

[daddy]

I don't know if you guys have paid any attention to this raid by the Fed's on Gibson Guitars in Nashville and Memphis, but it is good to see that Gibson Guitars is Fighting back.

I bring this us because Gibson Guitars is already beautifully positioned to transfer it's manufacturing overseas. This is Gibson's Guitar Store in Shanghai and Shanghai is very well known among musicians for its 3 blocks of Guitar stores on JinLing Lu road selling and making all sorts of brands. Just google Buying Guitars in Shanghai and see what pops up. I have bought 2 acoustics over there at very decent prices and have been well pleased with the product---not top of the line instruments, but very playable guitars with excellent action and decent sound, and perfect to haul around the Hotel Rooms of Asia without worrying about dinging them up.

Since Fedex and UPS both have multiple flights out of Shanghai every night of the week to anywhere on the planet, It just seems to me that idiotic raids like what just happened in Memphis are exactly what would make Gibson decide to move more or all of its productions out of the States and over to China.

[NK]

Stay safe Tom. The eyewall-- if Irene is still a huricane by sunday morning -- is projected to landfall connecticut in Norwalk. This is gonna be bad. A lot of expensive real estate in Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport and Wilton will get very wet -- at best. Best 'a luck to you.

[Captain Hate]

I really can't figure out Steadman's jihad against Gibson; if El JEFe gets the musicians against him, next November might make Reagan's victory over Carter a relative nail-biter.

[hit and run]

So I was thinking of starting a semi-regular feature comparing the election cycle four years ago with the current one. 

An "On This Day In 2007" series, if you will (until Jan 1, when it would become On This Day In 2008, of course).

Soooooooo,whatcha think Obama was doing on this day in 2007?

Hint: not O/T

[BB Key]

The way Drudge uses headlines vs. photos is always good ...on the subject of Bloomberg & the Hurricane he is priceless....sorry but I am LUN challenged

[Chubby]

I was distressed to read this in LUN Drudge story "Obama hangs Rockwell integration painting in White House..."

quote in story from grown-up Ruby Bridges: ((“It did have a lot to do with this particular president,” Bridges said. “He is a president of mixed race. So I believe he is about the same things that I am. You cannot look at a person and judge him or her by the color of their skin. … I did feel if anyone would hang the painting, it would be him.”))

Am I wrong to think that several presidents who preceded Obama, including W, Clinton and Reagan, if approached to hang it as Obama was, would have agreed to put it up in a wink.

[Chubby]

BB Key

Drudge is not very good when it comes to pictures of Perry, whom it appears he dislikes. His pictures of Palin, same thing.

[cathyf]

Here's another one: Meat packing company fined $290,400 for being too diligent in checking employees' documents. So now if you don't pay up with "campaign contributions" you'll get raided if you've got illegals working there, or fined for discrimination if there aren't. Whether fines or "contributions", it's all added to our food bill. Or if it gets expensive enough the whole livestock-raising industry can shift a few hundred miles into Canada, and take the meat-packing business with it. We'll pay even more that way.

[Cecil Turner]

We still doing limericks?

He said "I'm not scared of Irene,"
His posse was digging the scene;
he surveyed the surf,
claimed it as his turf,
And calmly resumed his routine.

[Walter]

LUN is a facebook page showing Elbow Cay in the Bahamas where the Eye passed yesterday.

Pictures 90,99,117 and 134 show two of the houses my family rented a couple weeks ago. Back then, there was a dune behind what is now exposed concrete and stairs leading to the ocean beach.

Pictures 49 and 56 depict the spot where my nephew and I portaged across the island when we got caught in an Emily-inspired excess of waves. It too had sand dunes between the beach and the road on top of the dune.

The good news is that there was little property damage and no loss of life.

(Yeah, it's been an eventful month...)

[Chubby]

((An "On This Day In 2007" series, if you will (until Jan 1, when it would become On This Day In 2008, of course))

I hope you do it, that is a really good idea.

(I often wonder, what will be happening *next* year on this day? but I guess your talents are limited on that score.:))

[peter]

I was just told that New York City's subways will be closed tomorrow at 2 PM. Really seems like an overreaction, but wadda i know?

[Chubby]

Cecil, if I hadn't clicked the link, I would have thought that your limerick was about Neptune.

[huxley]

I grew up in Ormond Beach, Florida during the early sixties when storms from the Carribean would travel up the east coast. We had some humdingers.

Hurricane Donna (1960) remains one of the all-time hurricanes. We spent that night with us kids camped out under my mother's grand piano, listening to the wind howl, playing board games, and eating snacks. I read the latest issue of Mad magazine.

Sometime after midnight, the wind stopped and Mom told us we couldn't go out. The eye of the hurricane was right over us and soon enough the winds started again.

In the morning trees were down all over the neighborhood and the streets were littered with debris. There was an odd festive feel as we greeted our neighbors. We had made it through the storm, which killed over three hundred people in its course.

My mother's precautions weren't in vain. A large sixty foot pine tree from next door crashed down on our roof, not breaking it, but still...

[Walter]

Here are pictures of Windward House and Crews Nest in happier times. The wooden debris in the facebook pages above was part of Crews Nest's deck.

[Captain Hate]

You cannot look at a person and judge him or her by the color of their skin. … I did feel if anyone would hang the painting, it would be him.

Let's play find the internal contradiction.

[Chubby]

((Let's play find the internal contradiction.))

exactly, Cap.

too bad the story uses ellipses in her quote, so we can't know exactly what she said.

I hope my post conveyed that I was not distressed by the painting going up in the White House, I am not at all distressed about that.

[Captain Hate]

No Chubby, you made your point well that it could've gone up under the previous Presidents but just didn't. I suspect that if GWB had done it there would've been feigned outrage by the usual suspects that he was pandering to blacks by putting up a framed magazine cover and calling it "art".

[Porchlight]

Seems to me like this is the larger internal contradiction:

"He is a president of mixed race. So I believe he is about the same things that I am. You cannot look at a person and judge him or her by the color of their skin."

It appears Bridges believes she can quite easily judge this man by the color of his skin.

[daddy]

Cecil,

Limericks are welcome anytime. I think the only thing Marine's aren't allowed to do any more is Fart In Afghanistan:)

"So here’s the news: audible farting has been banned for some Marines downrange because it offends the Afghans."

LOL!

[Porchlight]

Nothing against Loy, but in manner of Krugman, he has predicted 9 out of the last 2 really, really big really scary hurricanes.

[GMAX]

Any chance you can send some of the rain my way? Texas is a few days short on rain and way long on heat index. I would gladly take the side effects of even a hurricane for some relief, currently.

[daddy]

Trump on Cavuto.

I believe he just said that He's pleased with Rick Perry's straight talking. If I heard correctly I think he said that kind of straight talking is obviously winning him votes. Anybody else hear the whole interview 'cause I don't want to mischaracterize it?

[huxley]

After watching Obama on the campaign trail and listening to his "typical white person" speech, I had a bad feeling that his election would set back race relations by decades. Or perhaps more accurately set forward race relations into a decline by decades.

We aren't going back to a previous time, but into a new, nasty world where blacks have tasted hope then decided they were betrayed, and whites feel like they have bent over backward repeatedly, but are still accused of racism, and will stop caring.

Meanwhile, hispanics and asians have no guilt and little concern for blacks and resent the constant black demands.

In the economic decline, blacks, having the most dysfunctional culture, will be the hardest hit, and there doesn't seem much to do about that, because of the debt, even if we wanted to.

Everything's coming up roses.

[daddy]

No wonder this Administration didn't support the Iranian protesters:

Link

[Chubby]

((I suspect that if GWB had done it there would've been feigned outrage by the usual suspects that he was pandering to blacks by putting up a framed magazine cover and calling it "art".))

well now there's a nuance that hadn't occurred to me, and it reminds me of a past New Year's get togther where I got into a heated debate defending Rockwell's art. You are so right, they would have added that to their list of accusations that made W a moronic boor in their condescending eyes.

[Jack is Back!]

huxley,

Just drove back from Ormond Beach up A1A through Flagler Beach after going to Yancey's Music Store to get Frederick his first instrument for band, an alto Sax. Anyway, the surf was really up but the cops were making sure the surfers didn't hit the waves. Riptide is enormous and we got water over the road last night. Down on my stretch of beach we lost all the nice hard sand that had been laid down by all the southerlies we have had. Now the coquina rocks are back and exposed - so there goes our surfing off our stretch.

You must have remembered the Hotel Ormond - Henry Flagler's East Coast Hotel System. The railroad stopped there if I remember.

[Chubby]

((No wonder this Administration didn't support the Iranian protesters:))

Daddy, an Iranese acquaintance of mine grew up in Iran under the Shah, in a liberal Christian family (liberal meaning that the women did not have to cover.) When the new regime took over, they fled, and settled in London. I'm surprised any Bibles have been allowed in Iran to this day. I think Bibles are totally disallowed in Saudi Arabia, even in the expat compounds. (might be wrong on that.)

[cathyf]

"So here’s the news: audible farting has been banned for some Marines downrange because it offends the Afghans."

Bringing new meaning to the term "silent but deadly."

[daddy]

Kicking ass from the land sea and sky, OohRah!
The Marines Corp is Sic Semper Fi, OohRah!
But they can't pass no gas
At todays Khiber Pass
Cause the Taliban's nostrils are shy, OohRah!

KayyyyyRoooooooo!

[peter]

I remember Hurricane Donna, although just barely. Union Turnpike, (a major street running through Queens County) had four feet of water, and people were using rowboats. Somehow I think that it was in 1961, not 1960, but my memory is wrong about that. In my mind, I conflate it with the year that Mantle and Maris were in a home run race, which was 1961. any way, it was a lot of rain. By far the worst hurricane was in 1938, and I do not remember that, but I know there are places on Long Island that were enormously effecte, such as Hashomamack Pond, which was fresh water before the hurricane, and which has since changed to salt water. Salt spray from the 1938 hurricane reached Vermont!

[huxley]

Jack: Oh yeah! I remember the Ormond Hotel, Granada Ave., the Spanish moss of Riverside Drive, the War Memorial Gardens with the astonishing Malcolm Fraser paintings (LUN), and High Bridge up the river near Flagler.

I used to surf all the time at the Seminole approach. I even went out foolishly during a couple of hurricanes, but stopped after the time I had managed to get outside and then a monster set came and broke another 30 yards beyond me. My board was ripped away by the white water and when I managed to surface I saw it twirling in the air twenty feet over my head.

When I've returned to Ormond it seems the surf is always flat. Someone told me they built some jetties north and changed the bottom and the waves.

[Janet]

No wonder this Administration didn't support the Iranian protesters:

Thanks for that link too, daddy. We have a Farsi language service at our church.

[Chubby]

Drudge LUN

College Bans National Anthem -- 'Too Violent'...

((Tiny Goshen College in Indiana has banned the "The Star Spangled Banner: at all sporting events because the Mennonite school's president considers the National Anthem's words to be too violent.))

[henry]

In the hurricanes of yore department, I have been in only one. It was in the early 60s and hit our home town of Orange TX hard. We were supposed to evacuate, but Dad paid an extra $200 for our house because it was on the highest point of land for 10 miles. Windows boarded up, we huddled and listened to the radio, when they eye was overhead Dad took us outside to see it -- amazing. The we went back inside and huddled for phase II. The next morning we went outside and the street was under water up to 3" below our front door, I enjoyed waving to the National Guard unit that came by later that day. Our house wasthe only one in Orange that didn't flood -- Dad calls it the best $200 he ever spent.

OT, apparently the bees here unionized. I spent my planned day off at urgent care and am fine now (first Doctor visit in 30 years). Does anyone know a good way to carry around and Epi-Pen?

[huxley]

Was anyone else bugged by the new MLK monument done in heroic fascist style created by a Chinese sculptor and executed by Chinese workers?

Is this part of some down payment to our future Chinese overlords?

[matt]

way back in the day, my friends and I drove down to Barnegat Inlet, where we were to meet my buddy's dad, the retired admiral, and go sailing.

The weather report was for a hurricane to hit the next day, so we figured that we could sneak a few drinks that night, for that is what young men do when it is available.

It twasn't pretty. We were sure we'd be in a snug harbor the next morning because of the forecast and thus overindulged.

The next morning, 0600, the admiral shows up to see us curled up in the fetal position with exceeding large headaches and the typical effects of bad liquor overindulged in.

Said admiral was our idol except when he was angry, it was like the wrath of God. Knowing young men and their ways, he looked us over with contempt and said "get the foul weather gear out".

It was a desperate day. We made it out of the harbor mouth, which is tighter than a banker's wallet and proceeded to attempt to figure out what hurt more; the crashing around the boat and resultant bruises or the pain in our heads and stomachs.

By this time the waves were 6 or 8' and the boat was rocking something fierce. Coming back in was one of the scariest transits I have ever made and the admiral just laughed at us.

The good news was that we didn't have to hose the boat down because by that point the wind was blowing 40-50MPH and the rain was driving.

My buddy got to drive home with his father. My other buddy and I took his car home through the leading edge of the storm. It was a very pointed and painful lesson.

[Stephanie]

Dang, Jack. We are looking at maybe doing Thanksgiving at Cinnamon Beach. It's easier to fly K from Charleston to Florida (and cheaper, too) for the holiday and was a nice 'motivator' as far as grades go to suggest we might go south for the holiday. Now I'm thinking maybe Orlando and Harry Potter. Those cochina are hell on feets..

[A Mobility Device Moocher Walmart Shopper]

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of Irene. Once you have secured your property, there is not much you can do, but save yourselves and your loved ones and make sure you are well prepared to face the aftermath. We lost our house to Hurricane Hugo and the aftermath is what causes the most stress, both emotional and financial. Don't forget, if you are evacuating, to take your important documents with you, including your home owner's policy.

Use text messages instead of trying to make phone calls, or put messages up on social media sites. Keep the few available phone lines free for emergencies. Make sure you top off your gas tank and have a way to keep your cell phone charged.

Our house ended up with 5 100' pine trees thru the roof, but the real and lasting damage was from the foot or more of standing water inside the house after it was all over.

If you must evacuate, consider that you may not be able to get back for several days because of downed trees or other dangers and there will probably be no electricity, so empty your refrig and freezer, if you don't want to come home to a home that smells like multiple dead bodies are on the premises.

Stay safe and hug your loved ones.

[Janet]

henry, was it hurricane Beulah in '67? Water, water everywhere! It was so fun when I was a kid (9yrs old). We let birds into our garage that were hunkered under our eaves. Afterwards, we went out to the ranch & collected lots of little mice that were hanging on to clumps of grass for their lives. Kept them as "pets" for a few days...but had to wear leather gloves when we "played" with them! They weren't too grateful!

[PaulV]

Chubby, I had a doctor from one of the two southern Indian states. Those states were visited by St Thomas and are Christian. When her family was in Suadia Arabia they had no problems with their bibles because they were not in English. She was impressed when I state that people from India with last name of Thomas were likely Christian. Her name was not Thomas but was another Christian Saints name.

[PaulV]

Huxley, I agree. The poise the committee chose for MLK is unlike any I ever saw of him. Reinventing history is so fascist.

[rse]

Walter-

Thanks so much for those Elbow Cay pictures. We vacationed there for years as hubby loves to fly. Vero over Grand Bahama and then into Marsh Harbor. Albury Ferry and those purple cape Cod houses. Do you like going to Parrot Cay and renting a boat?

We were there before Floyd sheared the island in half (it was a 5 when it hit Hopetown) and then several months later when the residents were still feeling sorry for themselves.

You made me smile. Nothing like a place where the palm tree sprouts wherever the coconut opened.

[Porchlight]

Was anyone else bugged by the new MLK monument done in heroic fascist style created by a Chinese sculptor and executed by Chinese workers?

Yes, there's just something about the design that doesn't connect. Dare I say "not very American." At all.

[Extraneus]

After watching Obama on the campaign trail and listening to his "typical white person" speech, I had a bad feeling that his election would set back race relations by decades. Or perhaps more accurately set forward race relations into a decline by decades.

I didn't do it with the intention of finding his single greatest accomplishment, but I checked a few polls, and it appears that Obama has indeed turned public opinion much further against affirmative action since his inauguration.

Well done, Mr. President!

[henry]

Janet, it was 63-4 -- we moved to St Louis by 65. Swimming in the street once the water level was down to about a foot (from 6-9) was a lot of fun. I don't remember birds, but do remember keeping an eye out for gators & snakes as the swamps started at the end of the street about 4 houses down.

[macphisto]

apparently when Marines farted
it made the Afghanis downhearted
they said when on trial
"we were forced to defile
and gassing the pass was soon started."

[macphisto]

i said the other day that i find the MLK memorial horrifying in its atrociously rendered Socialist Realism. it literally looks like something that should be outside the Pyongyang airport. and it doesn't even look like Martin at all, is the worst thing.

[Extraneus]

The family got $800K for it, and really, isn't that the most important thing? Let's face it, only conservatives really believe in Martin Luther King's actual sentiments.

Someone should poll his dream:

"Do you think - in hiring, promotion, or college entrance decisions - that people should be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin?"

How would that break out Republicans v. Democrats, or Whites v. Blacks? 90/10 or so? Anyone ever see a recent poll on that?

[hit and run]

Daddy - be sure your kin know they can head another hour or so past Raleigh and have a roof over their heads,beds to sleep in,victuals to munch on,and all the beer they can drink.

[Extraneus]

I know it goes without saying, and I'm the first person to oppose spelling corrections, but I meant 90/10 against...

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vnjagvet]

From skimming the past two days' comments, I have at least picked up that Sue and Glenda have celebrated birthdays. I would like to go on record as joining the JOM gang in wishing belated BD greetings to Glenda and timely BD greetings to Sue.

On topic, all JOMers in the path of Irene, be safe. Hopefully it will be less destructive than is predicted.

[Ignatz]

--Posted by: A Mobility Device Moocher Walmart Shopper | August 26, 2011 at 05:31 PM--

Heh. Was wondering where you were, Sara.

[Extraneus]

Hey hit, I heard from a knowledgeable insider that NC bans alcohol sales during states of emergency. I know for a fact that four people who normally drink together (two couples), unbeknownst to each other, bought two cases of beer yesterday in preparation, so they should be set for the weekend.

They also ban otherwise legal concealed carry, just when it might be needed the most. WTF? Does anyone know if they can open carry instead?

[hit and run]

I've never heard that,Extraneus.

But Bev has only declared a state of emergency east of I-95,so it doesn't affect me (and may explain why Daddy's kin headed to Raleigh).

I saw the concealed carry bit at Confederate Yankee (who is also west of I-95 near Raleigh).

[Harrjf]

Henry treat the epipen like my wife does her readers, one at home, one at the office, one in the car, etc. She keeps her epicen on the kitchen nicknack shelf. Like it will help her there. She had one big time reaction at work a few years ago and left on a stretcher. I would crawl down the steps to the street and call 911 before I ever left on a stretcher.

[huxley]

A Mobility Device Moocher: My best friend's sister, L., lost her house and her land to Hugo. Her husband bugged out and L. wasn't left in a good way -- middle-aged and broke.

She became a caretaker for an elderly woman, whose family ignored her. When the woman eventually died, L. inherited the house. Perhaps not a happy ending, but a better one.

[Extraneus]

Regarding the Gibson Guitar bullying, Japan and China have developed excellent capabilities, and their most recent high-end attempts are top notch, but the most expensive and prized guitars are still made in the US. So it's not a simple matter to move production offshore, but the fact that Fender, Taylor, and other big names haven't been molested by the DoJ would seem to support a Chicago-style shakedown operation against Gibson.

I checked OpenSecrets.org to see if Fender executives had donated big bucks to Obama, for example, but I only got three entries for the entire company, so I'm guessing my search terms were probably wrong. It smells like a duck, though.

[huxley]

If you must evacuate, consider that you may not be able to get back for several days because of downed trees or other dangers and there will probably be no electricity, so empty your refrig and freezer, if you don't want to come home to a home that smells like multiple dead bodies are on the premises.

A New Orleans friend who survived Katrina told me a nasty, little-known story. In the aftermath of the hurricane, well-meaning but stupid animal rights types were concerned about starving pets, so they canvassed the deserted neighborhoods and threw open bags of crunchy pet food into empty houses.

Perhaps a few pets were saved, but mainly it touched off a rodent population explosion in those houses, which was a genuine horror faced by returning residents.

[hit and run]

henry:
OT, apparently the bees here unionized. I spent my planned day off at urgent care and am fine now (first Doctor visit in 30 years). Does anyone know a good way to carry around and Epi-Pen?

How do you scare a bee?

Boobie!

Here's my story of first becoming allergic to bees.

Posted by: hit and run | September 04, 2007 at 12:52 PM

I've given up trying to get the syntax right on linking to a direct comment -- so you have to scroll to that comment to see it,the link just takes you to the page.

mrs hit and run went crazy with the epi pens after that episode . . . but we still have the same epi pens to this day. They've long since expired,but she still insists on bringing them on trips. My episode with the bee wasn't life threatening,and I am sure that if I were stung again it wouldn't be a big deal.

But having sat in the Sanford ER for a couple of hours and leaving before getting treatment? Priceless.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I was just told that New York City's subways will be closed tomorrow at 2 PM. Really seems like an overreaction, but wadda i know?

A lot of the tunnels are way below sea level -- the the storm surge gets over the Canal Street and Battery Park station entrances, the tunnels are going to be a scene from Poseidon Adventure.

[daddy]

Thanks Hit for the Invite to my inbred, errr in-Laws:)

In other news: This ADN story tells us that today Alaska has joined 35 other Plaintiff's in appealing the ruling by a DC Judge Listing Polar Bears as Threatened. Alaska joins appeal of polar bear ruling.

I'm glad we're fighting back. The Judge in this case is Emmet Sullivan, the guy who did the Ted Steven's Trial. He may be a decent guy, but to me it seems he always comes down on the side of an issue that harms my State and lets the guys I consider the real bad guys get away with murder.

The story is the first I've seen to trot out the new meme I posted about 2 weeks back and that I was confident we'd see again:

"A recent study by climate scientists with the National Center for Atmospheric Research concluded that half the melting was due to greenhouse gases produced by human activity, such as the burning of fossil fuel for energy production."

Judge Sullivan's ruling relied on Scientific Evidence provided from this Polar Bear Researcher who was suspended for questions about his studies integrity.

[henry]

Thanks Harrjf, will do exactly that. My big concern is how to carry an epipen in the field when hunting -- both in a tree stand or a duck blind. E.g. Would it be safe in an ammo pouch? In 4 weeks I go north for ducks and bees are not frozen out yet. Bow season is right after I get back -- I don't expect bees to be around for gun season.

[centralcal]

Heh. Was wondering where you were, Sara.

You are good, Ignatz! It flew right by me.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Tiny Goshen College in Indiana

Goshen's a Mennonite school -- and very pacific:

As Christian peacemakers, we embrace “shalom” – the peace that God intends for humanity. We are committed to build the “peaceable kingdom” by practicing loving kindness, restoring justice, practicing anti-racism, loving our enemies and advocating for the dispossessed. We renounce the oppressive, violent destructive powers of this world – and are willing to live our lives as examples of God’s peace.

[Extraneus]

So 300,000 New York City residents have been ordered by Bloomberg to evacuate. First time ever. As the storm is being downgraded to a Cat-1, Drudge indicates that many are ignoring the great Mayor, who switched parties in order to run as a "Republican" in order to win, yet hasn't uttered a single Republican principle in the ten years since.

Isn't this the natural result of the left's opportunistic and disgustingly dishonest assault on George Bush after Katrina? What pol will ever fail to over-react after that?

Do evacuations create jobs somehow? Surely they cause major economic hardship for a lot of businesses. Perhaps Krugman will enlighten us.

[daddy]

Am off immediately to attend a briefing from Company BigWigs on hiring. Apparently we are just getting set to do a new round of hiring.

Thats great for me and my industry, tho' I can't say if it bodes well for the economy, since you know what business I'm in.

Cheers.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Thanks Harrjf, will do exactly that. My big concern is how to carry an epipen in the field when hunting -- both in a tree stand or a duck blind. E.g. Would it be safe in an ammo pouch?

Henry, carrying it submerged in a jar of raw sewage would be safer than not having one when you need one.

[Ignatz]

--the tunnels are going to be a scene from Poseidon Adventure--

Wouldn't Shelley Winters provide a hermetic seal?

[peter]

That MLK Jr statue is pretty hideous, and made by Chicoms, but compared to the MLK Jr statue in front of the White Plains, NY courthouse,(LUN) it is positively gorgeous. The sculptor in White Plains managed to make him look like a giant midget, as oxymoronic as that may sound. Hideous. I am not a big fan of Martin Luther King, Jr., as I have posted in the past, he was a plagiarist, a womanizer, and a redistributionist, and he helped the North Vietnamese win the war, but he did not deserve to be charicatured the way he is in White Plains, NY.

[henry]

Hit, first the good news: I have medical clearance for beer and/or martinis.

Second is something to think about. I called my brother to get adult beg clearance ( he heads the Johns Hopkins cancer center). Apparently the allergy is an immune system response that only gets stronger with each sting. The big risk is some cell or another sends a general alert to a chain of other cells which in sequence : open all blood vessels wide, cause itching, cause swelling and white cell cascades. If it's localized you get a lump that hurts and itches. Once it goes bigger than local (each suffering sting ramps up the response to the next sting), a blood pressure drop is next. That is "very bad news.". The epipen prevents the blood pressure drop by constricting the blood vessels and cranking up the pulse. This effect doesn't last very long -- but it will hold you long enough to call 911. Then intravenous benedril will act fast enough to save your butt.

He also told me the allergy guys at Hopkins are closing in on a way to reset the cascade -- 5 years or so for results.

Until then fresh epipens are a good idea.

BTW I liked your story. I was the 4th bee sting to hit our care center this mowning. I suspect union bees.

[Jack is Back!]

daddy,

Have you read Steve Berry's "Jefferson Key"? Takes place in your neck of NC. You'd recognize a lot of the topography.

The reason you shut down the NY subway system is that it is both sub-surface and elevated. There are no deep tunnel lines like you have with London or Moscow. Very susceptible to flooding. In fact, some rains cause it to shut down. The Metro in DC is deep tunnel and except for the surface portions of the line should be okay but knowing transit bureaucrats they will shut it down also - same for Philly.

On Topic/Off Topic:

One of the things you learn to do if you live in Florida is check out the next one after the current one passes by. Its name is Number 10 and it is forming off Africa and looks to be a very similar depression to Irene. I wonder if this one gives Odummy the opportunity to have his Katrina? LUN

[centralcal]

Not sure where everyone is hanging out tonight. Just posted this on the other thread. Bear in mind, I am way inland:

I think California is in sympathy with the entire East coast or somethin'. All of a sudden it is cloudy and dreary looking (but very hot and dry, which is usual).

Please, please, all of you be smart, stay safe!

[lil lurker]

i said the other day that i find the MLK memorial horrifying in its atrociously rendered Socialist Realism...it doesn't even look like Martin at all, is the worst thing.

I was witness to a peach of a "That MLK statue doesn't look like him" controversy. Took 4 years to settle and made news in the UK.

[Pops]

Unemployment was set to hit 4% this week, but for that durn Hurricane.

Obama can't catch a break.

[Ralph L]

I was a 7 month fetus in Norfolk for Donna, which knocked a big oak onto our house. Dad was at sea with the rest of the Navy, but the neighbor fixed our house before his own. He was at sea again when I was born, and also the next year when Mom broke her toe showing my brother how to Can-Can.

My aunt pays a dollar in property tax for her family's lot at Holdens Beach below Wilmington (NC). It's been 10 feet underwater since Hazel in '54.

[Pops]

""I was just told that New York City's subways will be closed tomorrow at 2 PM. Really seems like an overreaction, but wadda i know?"""

Actually the plan is to make them liberal relocation shelters and Illegal Alien comfort centers. I hear they will have free government goodies but you have to go early and go deep.

Kill, err, I mean take care of two birds with one stone,, err, hurricane.

[Ignatz]

--Apparently the allergy is an immune system response that only gets stronger with each sting.--

Curious. I used to be allergic to a thing called the Kissing Bug as a kid. Had to go to the doc several times with massive hives, etc. As I became a teenager the allergy went away.
Nasty little brutes; like a gigantic mosquito on steroids. Leaves a lump like a golf ball even if you're not allergic.

[huxley]

The sculptor in White Plains managed to make [MLK] look like a giant midget, as oxymoronic as that may sound. Hideous.

peter: OMG!

[Extraneus]

--Apparently the allergy is an immune system response that only gets stronger with each sting.--

My better half has a horrendous reaction to poison ivy, with each bout being far worse than the last. The latest one, just this year, was so horrific that you wouldn't want me to describe it. A space or deep-diving suit would be called for on any future gardening endeavors.

[henry]

Iggy, that is one nasty bug. I asked my brother if it was safe to have a beer and got the full biomedical breakdown of berating allergy, plus current research trends before he got to yes have beer but don't drive until tomorrow (benedril). I would have asked more questions include adult vs child allergies but he has to prep his home for Irene, and I was ready for beer. He did say that in many ways allergic reactions were scarier than cancer (they hit much faster), and the biology was equally interesting.

[Jane]

I'm not happy about this approaching storm at all. I think I've past my limit of weather related stress events.

I'm about to watch this week's FWDAJ. Maybe that lipstick will put me in a better mood.

[MarkO]

I am your Mayor. I command you to remove yourselves from my city. Begone. I am your Mayor.

I am your Mayor. There will be no relgion at the 9/11 service. There will be only those I choose. I am your Mayor. Worship ME.

Feels like fun. No wonder these low-grade despots enjoy the moment. No wonder they love anything that can be a "crisis" so they can order others around.

Come for my guitars, you jackbooted thugs.

That felt good too. Try it. I feel way better.

[MarkO]

World's oldest is only 115. Doesn't seem like enough.

[henry]

Ext, my brother carries an epipen for poison ivy. It is the same system, different trigger. The key is to avoid the trigger. Tomorrow AM I will bundle up in heavy clothes and gloves plus a net hat and nuke this particular beehive (it's right by my deck).

[centralcal]

Yay, lipstick, Jane!

Stay safe!

[Jane]

Well you can't hear a word of the show. It's as if they forgot to turn on the volume. Amateurs!!!

[Extraneus]

Come for my guitars, you jackbooted thugs.

Keep one eye open tonight, MarkO. The Gibson CEO indicated that the Feds could come after buyers with criminal charges if they possess guitars with illegal wood.

Gives another angle to that ZZ Top song.

[Extraneus]

How'd the lipstick look, though?

[Boatbuilder]

In New Britain, CT there is a big MLK statue on the edge of downtown. The sculptor apparently meant to depict him in mid-oration, with his mouth open wide. What it really looks like is he just got a knee to the groin. It is much better, however, than that atrocity on the Mall.

[centralcal]

Holey Moley, Fred Thompson is the sub for Hannity tonight! Already an improvement, IMHO.

[centralcal]

I do not like the new MLK memorial. Doesn't fairly represent him, or his impact on our nation, at all.

[MarkO]

No one has ever alleged that my wood was illegal.

[Jack is Back!]

Watching 12 on 12 with rouges. And the Tiger Cats have just scored to tie the game with the Blue Bombers. Wish I had a Labatt in order to watch it in style. What am I watching?

[Caro]

((Terrified airline passengers panicked when two hives of bees smuggled onto a plane for a flight across Russia escaped in mid-air and began swarming around the cabin.  The bees - sneaked on board in cardboard boxes - are understood to have become agitated in the pressurised cabin during the 10-hour Yakutia Airline flight to Moscow from Blagoveshchensk near Russia’s border with China.))

LUN