Eyes are on the next storm, named 'Rita.'

[One Radical Dude]

We're still far from the end of the hurricane season, so we should be focusing on another storm that will become a hurricane (if not, already).

Storm track of Rita

(http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/153924.shtml?3day)
Let's hope this doesn't become as powerful or as devastating as Katrina.

[Artimus Gigan]

They say it could head towards the Gulf again...

Which could easily be the finishing blow for NO...and any possable chance for the city being rebuilt, there is another hurricane brewing in the carribian.

The levies are only temp. repaired, not built-up, re-enforced- and completely fixed.

[Yash]

maybe this time people will actually be aware of a storm coming through and blowing their houses away and be logical by going away or trying to prevent it?

...nah.

[mookie75]

They say it could head towards the Gulf again...

Which could easily be the finishing blow for NO...and any possable chance for the city being rebuilt, there is another hurricane brewing in the carribian.

The levies are only temp. repaired, not built-up, re-enforced- and completely fixed.
I seriously doubt that ANY number of hurricanes could stop the city from eventually being rebuilt. This isn't some movie where we'll just have a "dead city" sitting out there on the coast. I'm sure many that were chased out by Katrina won't return, but the city will rise again to some degree or another.

[Alex Toon]

Well, here's hoping it'll change direction and'll hit New Jersey. They need to be in the hurricane news.:p

[Tenku]

Auuuughhh...

Not another storm. :mad:

It seems to be on the same track that Katrina was on, only straighter. As long as a cold front doesn't swoop down and hit it like a baseball bat... it's going for Texas. If the aforementioned happens well...

Let's just say it's a good thing I live on top of a hill. And grocery shopping. :shrug:

[Chad Bonin]

"Alpha, Rita's escaped. Recruit a team of teenagers with attitudes!"

... I CAN'T have been the only one to think of that.

[Lord Dalek]

"Alpha, Rita's escaped. Recruit a team of teenagers with attitudes!"

... I CAN'T have been the only one to think of that.That was low even for you.

[Tenku]

"Alpha, Rita's escaped. Recruit a team of teenagers with attitudes!"

... I CAN'T have been the only one to think of that.

<_<
>_>











*raises hand*

Speaking of, if we get to the end of this year's list, the nfirst name will be Alpha. :sweat:

[One Radical Dude]

Let's hope that we won't have to use any of the Greek alphabet to name any storms. As for Rita, we hope that it at least does not hit the exact same areas that were hit by Katrina (but someone is going to get hit), and hope that this does not intensify to become another Category 4-5. If it does hit land, I hope that my area can get some much needed rainfall (we're under a severe drought).

[Conekiller]

Bring It On!

[Zechs]

"Alpha, Rita's escaped. Recruit a team of teenagers with attitudes!"

... I CAN'T have been the only one to think of that.Wow now that's a bad joke. :p I'm hoping this storm won't be too strong but with the waters of the Gulf being so warm it will probly get pretty strong. I live of the coast of Texas so I've been watching this thing pretty closely. It seems that this Hurricane season is pretty active and it's only September. Hopefuly if Rita hits land anywhere it will die down a bit. Because no one needs another major Hurricane at this point and time.

[Alex Toon]

"Alpha, Rita's escaped. Recruit a team of teenagers with attitudes!"

... I CAN'T have been the only one to think of that.Doh! I knew you would do that! But the setup was good.
I guess no "Lovely Rita, metermaid" jokes?

[G1Ravage]

"Alpha, Rita's escaped. Recruit a team of teenagers with attitudes!"

... I CAN'T have been the only one to think of that.
Nah, I was thinking more along the lines of:

Magic wand! Make my hurricane grow!!

[Bubblegum Girl]

If that storm or any other upcoming storm comes to VA, I'm moving.

[Chad Bonin]

On a sidenote, I have a feeling we won't see the Hurricane Megazord any time soon either...

[Zechs]

On a sidenote, I have a feeling we won't see the Hurricane Megazord any time soon either...LOL
your're just full of bad jokes today.:D

[Artimus Gigan]

"Alpha, Rita's escaped. Recruit a team of teenagers with attitudes!"

... I CAN'T have been the only one to think of that.I think of that Rita each time I hear the name Rita...

[Conekiller]

Doh! I knew you would do that! But the setup was good.
I guess no "Lovely Rita, metermaid" jokes?
Local Classic Rock station did that already ^__^

[Chad Bonin]

LOL
your're just full of bad jokes today.:DWell, no, it's fact. Episodes featuring the Ninja Storm's Hurricane Megazord were pulled from airing.

[Zechs]

Well, no, it's fact. Episodes featuring the Ninja Storm's Hurricane Megazord were pulled from airing.My bad I thought you ment a hurricane named megazoid.>_< America always overracts in cases like these. I think Power rangers is the last thing on hurricane victims minds. Not to mention most don't have access to the cable channels that would air it.

[sag_2002]

I swear, if this thing hits NO, they might as well just go all Civil War and pull out of the US.

EDIT: It looks like Texas is gonna get the full blunt of this thing. So far, NO looks safe, but we shall see.

[PowerZord]

Damn.. You guys have another storm? Here in Puertorico, we haven't gotten a storm in awhile. and so far they seem to go pass far from us, Lucky us.. but if a Katrina alike storm were to hit us, you can say Bye bye to Puertorico.

[Startrekman700]

to the person with power ranger jokes...



http://hurrrita.ytmnd.com/


http://ritaiscoming.ytmnd.com/


http://raiteownz.ytmnd.com/

[sdp]

I made this mock up of Rita hitting LA and FL :(

http://photobucket.com/albums/0603/sdphost/?action=view&current=153924P_sm.gif

[Chad Bonin]

Of course, YTMND is down.

[solarflere]

to the person with power ranger jokes...



http://hurrrita.ytmnd.com/


http://ritaiscoming.ytmnd.com/


http://raiteownz.ytmnd.com/
Isn't that the site I despise so much that made the stupid 9/11 joke. YTMND, your time will come.

[Spike Mcdougal]

I think of that Rita each time I hear the name Rita...
The only Rita I'm thinking of is a friend of mine. I wonder what she thinks of this

[Dark Fact]

Oh god...I saw the Rita Repulsa jokes coming from a mile away. :yawn:

But seriously, if this storm does brew to become another Category 4 or 5, it will be no laughing matter!

[Chad Bonin]

http://nokatamaricleanup.ytmnd.com/

Well, it looks like the Prince is back just in time to help out...

[Scorpio_G]

Well, here's hoping it'll change direction and'll hit New Jersey. They need to be in the hurricane news.:p$@!% you dude my mom lives in NJ. :crying: :p

Anyway, GL texans. It will suck but you guys arent in an enviormental cereal bowl like New Orleans.

Edit:
Isn't that the site I despise so much that made the stupid 9/11 joke. YTMND, your time will come.If you think the 9/11 YTMND jokes are bad I've seen some worst stuff from that site.:eek:

[G1Ravage]

I think of that Rita each time I hear the name Rita...
I've been thinking of Rita from Animaniacs.

[sun]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thenewswire/archive/ap/rita21.jpg (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/21/national/nationalspecial/21rita.html?ex=1284955200&en=c187b95627b7e321&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss)

[sun]

As of this morning it is category 4, heading for Texas..they are much more prepared, and my prayers, as well as I am sure everyone else's are with the people in the area...Stuart

[Chad Bonin]

Crap, did somebody recruit a team of teenagers yet? Especially ones with attitudes?

[Phoenix Gaia]

http://hurricanevince.ytmnd.com/

[RayChuang]

As of this morning it is category 4, heading for Texas..they are much more prepared, and my prayers, as well as I am sure everyone else's are with the people in the area...StuartThat's because unlike Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin, the Governor of Texas and the Mayors of every major town near the Texas Gulf Coast north of Corpus Christi have already started evacuation procedures, even though the storm won't likely hit Texas until Saturday. Of course, the Texas National Guard units have already been activated to help out, too.

[Alex Toon]

Crap, did somebody recruit a team of teenagers yet? Especially ones with attitudes?Well, those teens helping clean up the debris and working at shelters,yes. A very positive attitude.

Wonder when Hurricane Johnny's comin?

[One Radical Dude]

Repulsive Rita....or should I say Rita Repulsa.......now a Category 5 @ 165 mph winds.

[Conekiller]

Wonder when Hurricane Johnny's comin?
don't you mean the "johnny storm" ? :D

[Viper]

Uh, you people can make jokes all you want, but I can't help feeling sorry for the people in the south. Also, my sister's husband's family lives in NE Texas (Longview), and they're already preparing for the worst.:(

I can only hope for the best for them. They should be getting just severe thunderstorms...unlike the poor people of Houston.:(

[Super Leviathan]

This really sucks, now that Rita's been upgraded into a Category 5 Monster.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050921/ap_on_re_us/rita

I Live in Southeast Texas (Houston, to be specific. Schools in my District have been closed for Tommorrow and Friday, something that has never occured in my Lifetime). And leaving is not an option becuase we proably won't be able to find a hotel within a reasonable distance. It's positively petrifying

[sag_2002]

Texas is in the process of being evacuated. Good move. Now, it sounds like New Orleans might get blasted by part of this storm. Exactly what they did NOT need after Katrina. This is only the 3rd time since 1928 (when I believe they started naming Hurricanes) that two Category 5 'canes have hit.

*Prays for all in Texas*

[Dark Fact]

This is a category 5 storm...and it won't make land impact until early saturday people. It could still get stronger...now this is definitely no laughing matter.

[Speedy Boris]

now this is definitely no laughing matter. Yeah really. Stop making jokes about this, people. I'm not looking forward to more lives lost and billions of more dollars in damage, but I guess some of you don't care. Fine.

[jrh31584]

The latest update from the National Hurricane Center:



...RITA BECOMES THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE ON RECORD...

DROPSONDE DATA FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT AT 623 PM CDT...2323Z...INDICATED THE CENTRAL PRESSURE HAS
FALLEN TO BELOW 899 MB...OR 26.55 INCHES. THE DROPSONDE INSTRUMENT
MEASURED 32 KT/35 MPH WINDS AT THE SURFACE...WHICH MEANS IT LIKELY
DID NOT RECORD THE LOWEST PRESSURE IN THE EYE OF RITA. THE CENTRAL
PRESSURE IS PROBABLY AT LEAST AS LOW AS 898 MB...AND PERHAPS EVEN
LOWER. FOR OFFICIAL PURPOSES... A PRESSURE OF 898 MB IS ASSUMED...
WHICH NOW MAKES RITA THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE IN TERMS OF
PRESSURE IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN. SOME ADDITIONAL DEEPENING AND
INTENSIFICATION IS POSSIBLE FOR THE NEXT 12 HOURS OR SO.

RITA CURRENTLY RANKS BEHIND HURRICANE GILBERT IN 1988 WITH 888 MB
AND THE 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE WITH 892 MB.


Wow.

[Tenku]

...RITA BECOMES THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE ON RECORD...

DROPSONDE DATA FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT AT 623 PM CDT...2323Z...INDICATED THE CENTRAL PRESSURE HAS
FALLEN TO BELOW 899 MB...OR 26.55 INCHES. THE DROPSONDE INSTRUMENT
MEASURED 32 KT/35 MPH WINDS AT THE SURFACE...WHICH MEANS IT LIKELY
DID NOT RECORD THE LOWEST PRESSURE IN THE EYE OF RITA. THE CENTRAL
PRESSURE IS PROBABLY AT LEAST AS LOW AS 898 MB...AND PERHAPS EVEN
LOWER. FOR OFFICIAL PURPOSES... A PRESSURE OF 898 MB IS ASSUMED...
WHICH NOW MAKES RITA THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE IN TERMS OF
PRESSURE IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN. SOME ADDITIONAL DEEPENING AND
INTENSIFICATION IS POSSIBLE FOR THE NEXT 12 HOURS OR SO.

RITA CURRENTLY RANKS BEHIND HURRICANE GILBERT IN 1988 WITH 888 MB
AND THE 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE WITH 892 MB.

****...

What the hell? Wasn't it just a Cat 2 earlier this morning? If so...damn. I'm getting a little worried because my family in Louisiana (the area that wasn't affected by Katrina) is in the pathway or in the projected path anyway, but still...this is pretty damn dangerous. :eek:

And it still has about 2ish days to hit land. TZers who live in Texas/Louisiana...get out while you still can. Levvie...I hope you can ride it out and contact us ASAP, man. :(

[Retro Gigi]

It's a good thing that towns are, almost entirely, ghost towns, now, near the Gulf. For those who can't leave, hold on tight. It's gonna be a bumpy ride.

We do need the rain, though, don't we??
(sorry for the joke. It keeps me calm.)

[silverwings]

Er, if this doesn't prove global warming exists, what does?

I feel really bad for anyone in Texas and I'm glad both the public and the government has wised up and is taking action sooner than later.

By the way, anyone know the last time we had an "R" storm this early? Or even at all?

[randomguy]

I'm really hoping this sucker weakens before making landfall, though I'm not certain how likely that is. Coastal Texas is probably going to take a pretty serious beating. I've got family in Galveston, Corpus Christi and Houston, all of whom are coming up to Austin for the next few days. There's not much to say in a situation like this... it's ugly, and we can only cross our fingers and hope for the best.

It's been repeated ad infinitum on local radio and TV that if Rita hits coastal Texas as a category five hurricane, it could still be a category one hurricane by the time it reaches Austin. Such a thought- a genuine hurricane in the middle of Central Texas- is absolutely mindboggling. There are already concerns about power and winds in my dorm (I'm on floor 23), and the city is concerned about the influx of people coming into town for this weekend's Austin City Limits Festival. People around here are kind of on edge (every grocery store in South and Central Texas has sold out of water), so I can't imagine what it's like in the coastal areas.

Fortunately, most of Austin's Katrina refugees, who numbered about 5,000, have found housing, opening up our shelter capacity to take care of anyone who might be displaced by Rita. Not so sure about the rest of Texas' Katrina evacuees, though. Hopefully the storm won't further displace too many of them.

I Live in Southeast Texas (Houston, to be specific. Schools in my District have been closed for Tommorrow and Friday, something that has never occured in my Lifetime). And leaving is not an option becuase we proably won't be able to find a hotel within a reasonable distance. It's positively petrifyingYikes... that is scary. I've heard finding hotels is very hard. There are zero in Austin, thanks to ACL, and they're booked solid in San Antonio and most small towns. I've heard even El Paso and most of Oklahoma is booked up. You might want to try Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org/) for Texas cities... lots of people with extra rooms and housing are opening them up for Rita evacuees.

At any rate, our thoughts and prayers are with you. If you can, please keep us posted and let us know you're safe.

[BigLouMan20]

Been awhile since I posted on here. I live 15 miles from San Antonio it seems people here are getting ready since it took me 30 mins to get gas. For any ToonZoners in S.A. knows that it only takes 15 mins of hardcore rain for the low areas of streets to flood and the Flood of 1998 cause by Hurricane Bret I believe. If you have Adult Swim Community I will be posting a blog report.My name is BigLouMan:)

[One Radical Dude]

If this storm does lose strength, it's not going to be much (unless it undergoes some wind sheer, which is probably not going to happen). It'll probably be a least a Category 4 by landfall. I know a few people that live in the Houston area, so I'm definitely concerned about them. We all hope for minimal impact, but right now...expect the worst.

[Quagmire]

Keep in mind Katrina was as strong as Rita is now before weakening before landfall. I expect the same from Rita.

It'll probably be similar strength to Katrina (about 145 MPH winds, a cat 4) at landfall.

The one thing the Galveston/Houston area has in its advantage is that it isn't below sea level like New Orleans.

As for New Orleans, it depends how much of a turn the storm takes. They'll probably feel some of the outer bands with tropical storm wind gusts, but nothing worse if it stays on its projected path.

[Chad Bonin]

"Hurricane Megazord, online!"

Dude, my dad's entire side of the family lives in both Lousiana and Port Arthur, Texas. So, yeah.

[sun]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thenewswire/archive/ap/hurricane-rita.gif (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050922/ap_on_re_us/rita;_ylt=AkyfnlPRIEBwVoP49uwGCzWs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--)

[Nightflower]

"Hurricane Megazord, online!"

Dude, my dad's entire side of the family lives in both Lousiana and Port Arthur, Texas. So, yeah. So? Just because they may be okay with your jokes doesn't mean others, who also live in the area and whose opinions are equally important, are. I thought it was funny at first, but now it's getting old especially with the increased urgency of the hurricane and a joke that is no longer funny is a more grievous sin than a joke that is insensitive. Multiple people have asked you to stop. Now please cut it out.

[sun]

http://pantheon.yale.edu/%7Ebkw5/images/Rita_092105_11pm_track.png (http://pantheon.yale.edu/%7Ebkw5/images/Rita_092105_11pm_track.png) For a more detailed explanation see o (http://thestormtrack.com/archives/2005/09/hurricane_rita_2.html)

[solarflere]

So its defenetly hitting the coast of Texas. Accuweather.com predicts it, to downgrade to C4 just before it hits landfall like Katrina did. Never the less, its gonna be a big one. The waters of Gulf of Mexico are pretty warm. The warmer the water is, the stronger the hurricane becomes.

[BigLouMan20]

Just recieved a call from my cousin in Houston, she and the family and heading for Dallas till Sunday. :)

[sun]

http://weather.yahoo.com/images/southeast_sat_440x297.jpg

[One Radical Dude]

Well, I am glad that the storm probably reached its peak, and lost a bit of strength, but it's still a storm to take very seriously.

[Tenku]

Oh man. This thing is so big, we just got a storm band about...3 hours ago. And I live in Alabama (almost on GA). Ohhh boy...:shrug:

And yeah, we're at R so that's roughly 5-7 named storms every month or so. Keep in mind that this doesn't end till the end of November. I'm starting to think that we're gonna be at Beta at least. :(

I still not have heard from my family in LA (who will be affected by Rita). Hopefully they'll have enough sense to get things. The house is pretty dang study...

Oh and
...EFFECTS OF HURRICANE RITA TO BE FELT ACROSS ALABAMA...

HURRICANE RITA IS CURRENTLY A DANGEROUS CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE OVER
THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 150 MPH.
THIS POWERFUL STORM WILL TURN TOWARD THE NORTHWEST AS HIGH
PRESSURE OVER THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES SHIFTS EASTWARD. AT THIS
TIME...HURRICANE RITA IS FORECAST TO MAKE LANDFALL NEAR THE SABINE
RIVER ALONG THE TEXAS AND LOUISIANA STATE LINE SATURDAY MORNING AS A
CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE WITH 140 MPH WINDS.

DUE TO THE FAR REACHING EFFECTS OF HURRICANE RITA...THE OUTERBANDS
SHOULD REACH THE AREA BY LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...AND STAY WITH US
THROUGH SUNDAY. THESE OUTERBANDS COULD PRODUCE ISOLATED TORNADOES
ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA.

SOME AREAS WILL RECEIVE LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS FROM THIS BANDING...BUT
FLOODING IS NOT A CONCERN AT THIS TIME. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT
A LAKE WIND ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE GRADIENT
BETWEEN HURRICANE RITA AND A SURFACE RIDGE FORECAST TO BE IN PLACE IN
THE NORTHEAST...HOWEVER STRONG SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NOT EXPECTED.

It's that big. :eek:

[sdp]

if they run out of names and there are more storms i beleive they use the greek alphabet, which means hurricana alpha!

ayayayayay rangers!

[silverwings]

It goes to greek letters next? I though it just went back to 'A'? :confused:

[sun]

Image on post #60 is linked directly to server that is linked to dobler radar and satellite....It is less than one hour off real time, updated often...So you can see it approach land at that post..I just discovered the caption changed, It almost real time, about 45 min behind now..It was posted yesterday..

[Alex Toon]

Here in Greenwich they're having a "Rock for Relief" concert to raise money for us Katrina victims.

[PeppeRaskell1]

"Alpha, Rita's escaped. Recruit a team of teenagers with attitudes!"

... I CAN'T have been the only one to think of that.
You weren't. ;)

I entertained thoughts of PhotoShop foolery showing her riding a big cloud, headed for the Gulf Coast ("Operate--ah say, Operatuh, put me through t' them gol-dern Powuh Rangers! An' that's--ah say, that's no joke, Son!")

Anyway, prayers to all in that area.

[One Radical Dude]

This storm could have a significant impact in some parts of my state, when it goes further inland. Forecasters say that flooding is a possibility (especially if Rita stalls around my area), as well as isolated tornadoes.

[sun]

Please pray to whatever higher power you belive in , be it God, nature, faith in good, or what ever,,,for the people in the area of this storm..Thanks,,Stuart

[Speedy Boris]

New Orleans got it bad again. Luckily, Texas wasn't as affected as some feared. Especially since the hurricane missed the major oil refineries. That's good to hear, definitely. The storm's not over yet, but I was expecting a LOT worse. You can track developments here: http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/24/rita/index.html

[Alex Toon]

My dad currently is housing in Shreveport. He says when it hit him, it wasn't that storm. My apartment near Galveston, Texas probably got hit a little.

You definetly have redneck in you when during hurricane season, the biggest concern is not wheter you have power,food,or water; but rather,where LSU will play football.:p

[One Radical Dude]

Here's an update, Rita is a Tropical Depression. We're probably going to see less precipitation than earlier predicted, but still--quite a bit of rainfall. We probably received 3"-5", and still raining a bit, winds gusted up to tropical storm force (nearly 50 mph), we did have tornado warnings, but my area didn't see any of that. Anyone else received or getting any effects from 'Rita?'

[nachonaco]

Does anyone know if GA was affected? I have not been able to contact my friend (who's online every day) in 2 days.

[solarflere]

Its still a tropical storm. And its makina complete turn and headed straight tor New orleans! http://sirocco.accuweather.com/adc_hurr_images/2005/ar/UHAR_2.GIF

[Fone Bone]

You know, after Hurricane Katrina I thought folks would be sensitive to stuff like this and not making retarded Power Rangers jokes. Thanks Knux. :rolleyes:

I really hope you are all right randomguy. You are one of my favorite members on this board and my prayers are with you and your family. I take comfort in the fact that this time the government was better prepared after the outrage after what happened in New Orleans and that I'm sure New Orleans has been evacuated by now.

This doesn't look to be as serious as Katrina but I want everybody to stay safe. My thoughts are with everybody on this board. Take care of yourselves.

--Matt.

[One Radical Dude]

Well, things have calmed down here. It's basically overcast now. About 3-6" of rainfall fell, winds actually peaked up to near 50 mph, some limbs from trees fell, and I saw some blue flashes of what looked like a transformer blew up from a distance--or something. Other than that, that was it. We're going to finally have some drier, more seasonal temperatures this week (no freaking 90s or 100s).

You know, I fear that many of the evacuess from Houston and Galveston (the areas that were going to expect more significant impacts) might not leave for the next major hurricane, and they may really regret it next time. I realize that evacuating is not an easy thing to go through, but you can always rebuild in the future--you cannot rebuild human lives, however.

[shoujoaifan]

I hope you're okay randomguy (Post soon!) Good to hear that Texas was more prepared, learning from the mistakes in NO.

And NO was already flooding a SECOND time, indirectly due to Rita, and now Rita is TURNING BACK to New Orleans?

BTW, I am NOT a weather expert, so I've got a question: I know that hurricanes that have gone over land and become weaker can become stronger by going back over water. Rita's a tropical depression now and is on its last legs fortunately, but is it possible it could get stronger once it hits the Gulf? Does the Mississippi River have some effect on it? (Is it because the temperature of the river and the humidity that it is turning around?)

For anyone still in the way or whose area is still messed up, its probably a moot point to remind you to keep safe. Hope to hear from you soon, but its also probably a moot point to remind you to do that last, and to take care of any problems first, of course.

[Lucky Bob]

Safe and secure here. Got a buttload of wind and rain, and the utilities are messed up. (Again.) Work is going to be murder tomorrow.

Got some new refuge-seekers from the Louisiana area, and local region. A lot of trees have blown down, and some places are flat dangerous. Still, the rain has subsided for the most part, and the worst part of the storm seems to be past.

Been really lucky to get just either side of both hurricanes so far. One friend observed, "All that's left is a direct hit." Morbid, but at this rate, I'm beginning to wonder if there's a pattern, here.

I, for one, do not welcome our new hurricane overlords.

[randomguy]

I, for one, do not welcome our new hurricane overlords.I hear that.

Anyhow, thanks to all who expressed concern. Rita ended up making landfall so far east that Austin didn't see a single cloud or a drop of rain. It's been clear skies and triple-digit temperatures here all weekend. Thankfully, all of my Galveston/Houston-based family's property seems to have come out okay, so everything worked out just fine. We were fortunate.

Despite the many, many failings of Texas' state government, it does thankfully appear that we were pretty well-prepared for this. It was handled pretty smartly across the board, and I'm thankful for that.

Anybody else who's still in the storm's path, or has been affected by it any way, best of luck to you and keep us posted.

[sdp]

You know, after Hurricane Katrina I thought folks would be sensitive to stuff like this and not making retarded Power Rangers jokes.
--Matt.
i can bet my life that you've laughed at stuff that is very sensitive just because it seemed ok to you.

[solarflere]

i can bet my life that you've laughed at stuff that is very sensitive just because it seemed ok to you. Shouldn't make assumptions about people you don't know. Especialy bet your life on it.

[Fone Bone]

i can bet my life that you've laughed at stuff that is very sensitive just because it seemed ok to you.Privately? I can't recall. Publicly? No.

[sdp]

Shouldn't make assumptions about people you don't know. Especialy bet your life on it.
i've seen it all my life, what is important to one person might be the world for someone else.

[Fone Bone]

i've seen it all my life, what is important to one person might be the world for someone else.Let me put it this way. If I HAD ever made an insensitive joke I was rightly admonished for it. I don't think that's an unreasonable consequence AT ALL.

[solarflere]

i've seen it all my life, what is important to one person might be the world for someone else. All your life, acording to your profile your birth year is 1986. How long have you lived to know anything for sure? I am older than you are and I don't use experesions as all my life.

[sdp]

age is irrelevant, the fact is you can make a comment that you might not think is offensive or anyone around you but it can still be insensitive, or next time you are laughing at a stereotype or similar in nature consider it.

[solarflere]

age is irrelevant, the fact is you can make a comment that you might not think is offensive or anyone around you but it can still be insensitive, or next time you are laughing at a stereotype or similar in nature consider it. I do consider it, and i never laugh at a stereotypes neither. I dislike them infact. I also find it dificult to understand why people make assumptions about other people and making racist jokes when they are obviously meant to hurt someone. And Age is relevant. Shouldn't talk like you know so much whem you lived so little.

[sdp]

I do consider it, and i never laugh at a stereotypes neither. I dislike them infact. I also find it dificult to understand why people make assumptions about other people and making racist jokes when they are obviously meant to hurt someone. And Age is relevant. Shouldn't talk like you know so much whem you lived so little. you've lived what, two years more than me?
you don't know what i have lived through, i've had to put up with more than a lot of "older" people, that is why age is irrelevant.

I am glad that you do consider it, but can you trully say you think about it all time?
it'd be impossible.

[solarflere]

Impossible or not, its what I do and its who I am.

[sdp]

it's raining men, hallelujah, its raining men.

[Nightflower]

All right, knock it off. And for the sake of respecting other people, put a kibosh on the jokes. There have been enough complaints about them that even if you think you're not being insensitive, logic dictates that the needs of many outweigh the needs of the few.