Checking my e-mail list, and deleting out the old ones today, I found this one, that before I say goodbye to it I decided to post it here.
And he asks:
Is there is something about me you do not know?
With almost 210 posts, talking about my life, it’s kind of hard to find something…
But I think I’ve found it…
I don’t like parties very much anymore… I think they’re a waste of time to have to look like someone I’m not, but the worst is having to listen to a lot of people talking at once, NEVER finishing an issue with anyone.
Frustrating.
Pointless to me.
And this thing to ‘drink, dance, laugh and lie’, because tomorrow you may die anyway, does not work, and generally, just is not what happens.
Another ‘big small’ detail, is at parties, I notice that some want to go home and others want to stay at the party, and worst of all is they are always couples..
But there is one thing, kind of surprising and kind of intriguing.
A few that I opened my house to, even with so much work, after everyone had gone was the feeling of appreciation for the mess, because it showed that I had friends.
It is important for you to stay well informed during the season, in the event a hurricane decides come in your direction…
Also, after it’s passed.
But how…?
Before a hurricane, you have to learn the different routes of escape. The authorities in your town will close some streets so that everyone will flow in the same direction. You need to visit the website of the City Hall where you live to find out.
A small and good investment is to buy an NOAA battery-powered radio and stay informed throughout the event (NOAA is National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Our city and the meteorologists in Houston, use social sites like Twitter, Facebook, My Space, to keep citizens up-to-date with all necessary information. As Tim Heller (chief meteorologist ABC news site) said at the workshop on hurricanes, Saturday: “We meteorologists have to go where the people are going.”
I never thought I’d join their Facebook, but after that assertion, I went there and saw how faithful they are to do their ‘uptades’.
Tim said he answers the questions as fast as possible there and not so much by email.
If you are not so into the social sites, check your City Hall, or just do a look up on Google (name of city where you live, use the keyword “citizen’s Hotline”) of what the number you should call to know the latest news on the subject.
Also, at City Hall, you can register your phone number to receive urgent information.
Looks like I’m ‘fan’ of going to City Hall, doesn’t it? Well I am!
11 years ago when we bought our house, there I went in my broken English, speaking to the planning engineers of the city on flood zones. I was very well received, but that’s not why I recommend it, it’s the place to stay well informed in case of emergency.
I forgot to say yesterday that the United Way and the 2-1-1 number is there for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need help and they speak several languages! And it is not ‘just’ in case of a hurricane!
Also, they are in 47 countries! Including Brazil.
We found out this when we helped a Russian who spoke almost no english (much less Portuguese), and was in a very bad and dangerous situation with an abusive husband.
The United Way (2-1-1), also helped her to get a Green Card, with the help of a pastor of a Russian church here in Houston.
They also can be reached at the numbers: 713-957-HELP and 1-800-541-7905 (in Houston)
To find the UNITED WAY in the country or city where you live, go to:
When the trees shake their heads heavily, you know that the strong winds of a hurricane is coming. So this is how you prepare for it:
1 – With the gas tank full and cash always in your pocket.
2 – With a list of phone numbers that are important to you, emergency contacts, relatives, phone physician, close friends.
3 – Renting or owning a house, you must have a list of what’s valuable. You can also film or take photos. Make sure not to leave it behind. Send a copy to someone you trust.
4 – Know in advance where you will go if you have to leave home. Choose from a family member or friend, who lives in another city, a hotel, motel or shelter that the government sets up for such occasions. Keep the phone numbers of these places on hand, as well as a map, in case you do not know how to get there.
5 – If you need help to escape a hurricane, your city should have a phone number for this, check with your City Hall, or call 2-1-1.
6 – If you have one or more animals, include them in your escape plan, never leave them behind. Confirm before, if they are welcome where you go. Some hotels always accept small pets, others, only in cases of emergency. We would live inside the cars with them, if necessary — never leave them behind.
I’ve never been to a shelter, but I’ve heard that they direct your pet to the shelter of specific animals in your town.
During hurricane Ike in 2008, we went to a hotel where dogs were accepted. It was a tremendous experience for our JRT, puppy, Toby!
In the same city, in another hotel, my friends were with her cat and since that hotel did not accept cats, the manager offered and let Jackeline stayed at his house, until my friends decided to go back home.
That’s how Texan people are, especially in emergencies.
My God, I have so many stories to tell about the hurricanes that we have been through! But never unprepared.
One unforgettable time I left a little sand on my balcony, at the height of the window and the side that’s to the sea.
We left home and spent a week in Dallas. When we returned we saw so much destruction, on a trip of five hours that took 12! Fallen trees and damaged homes all the way, and on my block too, but my handful of sand was just the way I left it, intact, as well as our home.
Of course we had prayed before, and every day away from home.
Share this information with those who you think might be benefited by it, so far fewer people are caught unprepared.
It was one of the most important lessons of the Workshop on Preparation for hurricanes in 2010, with the ABC Chief Meteorologist Tim Heller, this Saturday.
A very dear person, Tim Heller.
But also, would you prepare less if the forecast was not so active for 2010 or any other year…?
That’s what happened in 1983 when only four tropical cyclones and a hurricane was forcast, and we got the worst of all, “Alicia.”
And for 2010…:
Accu Weather forcasted:
- 15 tropical storms.
- 9 hurricanes, of which four are major ones.
Impact Weather: (private company in Houston that works with oil companies)
- 15 Tropical Storms
- 9 hurricanes, four major ones.
Colorado State University:
- 15 Tropical Storms.
- 8 hurricanes, four major ones.
Tropical Storm Risk: (a London meteorological company that works with oil here in Houston too)
- 16 Tropical Storms.
- 8 hurricanes, 4 major ones.
Weather Research Center: (where the Houston Museum of Meteorology is located).
- 8 Tropical Storms.
- 5 hurricanes (without further specification).
Of course none of them can enter the Gulf, but then again, maybe we have to escape some. The above numbers are good reason for a lots of talk, but we all need to be prepared, no matter how many hurricanes are predicted and expected by experts.
Because we may have to survive alone for a while. Local officials and relief workers will be on scene after a disaster, but they can not reach everyone immediately.
Even basic services like electricity, water, gas, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off. For that reason it is so important that we have the essentials, whether planning to stay or leaving the place where you live.
And they are:
- Water (one gallon of water p / person per day for at least 3 days)
- Food (supply for three days at least, non-perishable foods and a manual can opener).
- Battery-powered Radio, (with extra batteries)especially those of NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration)
- Flashlights and extra batteries.
- Important family documents, not forgetting to have copies of insurance papers in case of disasters. Don’t forget bank records.
- Medicine, income and medical equipment for anyone with any special needs.
- Hospital emergency kit.
- Cash, Traveler’s checks and small bills.
- Dry food for animals and any needs for them.
Watch Tim, this is very important, especially if you live here in Texas
