Happy Belated Birthday To Me

Four years ago yesterday, I hit the publish button on my computer screen and Report on Conditions was hatched. I had almost forgotten the anniversary date, but was reminded of it when I read Brigid's blog, Home On The Range.  Her blog and mine share the same anniversary, though she has been at it a year longer than I.

Like life itself, the experience has been paradoxical.  In some ways, it seems like it began yesterday, in others it seems like a million years ago. It was incredibly easy to start and at times, it is incredibly hard to keep going. I started it for one reason, I keep at it for another. My material was initially of one subject area and has shifted a bit to another. What started as primarily a writing exercise has evolved into a photographic project. Odd.

 I never had even read a blog until my friend Eric started his. Eric was my friend and co-worker who was battling cancer. He started his blog to document his battles and share his thoughts and impressions as he waged war with the disease that eventually cost him his life. Needless to say, those were emoptionally trying times. Though my need for confidentiality prevented me from factually writing about it, I was able to use this forum to vent, share and express vague impressions about the times and of other emotionally trying events.

I have met some interesting people through the blog, both in person and on-line. I have read some great blogs, though many seem to have moved on to other things.

Probably the biggest impact on me, has been my renewed interest in photography. After the first few posts, I realized that some visual aids were necessary to keep the blog somewhat interesting. I also realized that my five year old point and shoot wasn't going to cut it for me, so I spent a couple of bills and bought a Canon SX-100 IS. A bajillion dollars, two bodies, five lenses, two flash units and a series of classes later, I am still in pursuit of the elusive perfect image. Though some progress has been made, I don't think there is enough time left before planetary destruction for me to get where I need to be.

For those of you who continue to drop by, I appreciate your loyalty. I plan to keep posting stuff as long as I feel that some level of quality remains. For those who come here and have blogs of your own, I thank you for your efforts, I know what it's like. You are an inspiration to me.

Again, thanks for your support,

Schmoe

More on Moore OK

I've been listening to the news radio stations as I was driving around, taking care of business. The devastation in Moore appears to be as bad as I feared, the current number of fatalities is at 51. I fear that it will climb higher, maybe much more so.

Not only does that debris in Moore need to be combed through in the search for victims, nut the rural areas that were wiped off of the map as well. Just that there is any number available this early in the game is interesting, it appears that whoever is in charge has a fairly good grasp on the scope of the disaster.

It is incidents like these where our investment in the disaster geeks pay off. Those of us in operations tend to look at disaster preparation with mild disinterest, until of course, fate sends a bona-freakin-fide disaster up our pipe and the world comes down around our ears.

Then, the CERT program suddenly seems like a good idea and you're kinda of glad the city dumped all of that money into an EOC. The ICS training that the city administrators received suddenly seems worthwhile as well.

Image kyped from the web-RRM Design Group

  

Funny how that stuff works out sometimes.

Hang tough Sooners.

Schmoe

Moore, OK

It's hard to watch. I'm live streaming two OKC TV stations, The Weather Channel has a third live as well. Neighborhoods, schools, stores - all gone. Talk about watching a disaster in the making.

The firefighters, medics, cops and hospital staff in the area are having the worst day in their careers as I watch it live. It ain't any better for quite a few folks who just happen to live or work in the wrong area either.

I can see a structure taking off, I'm guessin' it will go to the ground and in the scope of the matter, it won't make any difference.

I think this is going to be a bad one.

Thoughts and prayers to all.

Schmoe