Random Weirdness
Oct. 25th, 2007 07:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kyburgSunrises are NOT supposed to be electric ORANGE. Not.
And yes, using your Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner's "air cleaning" setting does do just that. Leave the windows open all night at your peril down here - next time Jim wants some cool air, I'll pack him in the freezer. *hack*
That said, I remember the days after 9/11. There's no comparison. We were BONED for weeks after 9/11. And don't run off to Google California and 9/11 - there were no terrorist attacks here. At all. EVAR.
I'm going to work, have been all week, and likely will have little direct consequence from any of these fires. Seriously -
There are two big reasons I believe we're not getting the Katrina treatment.
1. We're ready for disasters. We're going to fall into the ocean at any minute, remember? I've got an earthquake kit - so does everyone else. Think of how many people have evacuated into shelters - hear of any riots or shortages? No? Gee. We spent some money getting ready. What a concept.
2. Fires, while destructive? Don't whip an entire topography into froth like a hurricane or a tornado does. Also, afterward? Fires leave areas pretty sterile - they don't leave standing water waist-deep to grown scary shit when the sunlight hits it. They may close roads, they won't destroy them down to the bedrock. You can get in and out of those areas - torando or hurricane damage? Not so much.
http://wonkette.com/politics/fires/as-california-burns-refugees-party-chill-314198.php
Another thing - the fires are in areas all around Los Angeles. Some of them the poorest parts of our state, so don't focus solely on San Diego's northern suburbs (which are also Duke Cunningham's old stomping grounds). Chula Vista and environs have been, in my experience, grindingly poor. San Bernardino lost most of its tax base when the bases closed in the eighties and nineties and haven't recovered yet. Santa Clarita is a bedroom community still stinging from that massive truck pileup that closed the 5 a few weeks ago. Temecula might be an up and coming, but folks have lived there for years on nearly nothing - and the oldsters get hit just as hard as the newbies. Fires don't care. Areas north of Malibu? Not a lot of industry up there, yanno. Malibu itself? See #1.
It's going to be a good year for the reconstruction business.
I hope a lot of homeowners have read their policies carefully, because some of these fires down south of us have been determined to be arson - and that changes the landscape a bit when it comes to insurance claims. Some do not cover "Acts of God" - but a lot of them also don't cover "damages due to criminal activity." That's right - down to the ground, and the only place to go is FEMA. Yay LA Riots.
So the folks who have kibitzed the most about poor folks taking advantage of the system - are going to be at the mercy of it themselves. Karma does exist. (And watch that NOT hit the FOX network.)
Gulping down my breakfast and hitting the road - will post updates and better direct assistance links when I get them.
And yes, using your Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner's "air cleaning" setting does do just that. Leave the windows open all night at your peril down here - next time Jim wants some cool air, I'll pack him in the freezer. *hack*
That said, I remember the days after 9/11. There's no comparison. We were BONED for weeks after 9/11. And don't run off to Google California and 9/11 - there were no terrorist attacks here. At all. EVAR.
I'm going to work, have been all week, and likely will have little direct consequence from any of these fires. Seriously -
There are two big reasons I believe we're not getting the Katrina treatment.
1. We're ready for disasters. We're going to fall into the ocean at any minute, remember? I've got an earthquake kit - so does everyone else. Think of how many people have evacuated into shelters - hear of any riots or shortages? No? Gee. We spent some money getting ready. What a concept.
2. Fires, while destructive? Don't whip an entire topography into froth like a hurricane or a tornado does. Also, afterward? Fires leave areas pretty sterile - they don't leave standing water waist-deep to grown scary shit when the sunlight hits it. They may close roads, they won't destroy them down to the bedrock. You can get in and out of those areas - torando or hurricane damage? Not so much.
http://wonkette.com/politics/fires/as-california-burns-refugees-party-chill-314198.php
Another thing - the fires are in areas all around Los Angeles. Some of them the poorest parts of our state, so don't focus solely on San Diego's northern suburbs (which are also Duke Cunningham's old stomping grounds). Chula Vista and environs have been, in my experience, grindingly poor. San Bernardino lost most of its tax base when the bases closed in the eighties and nineties and haven't recovered yet. Santa Clarita is a bedroom community still stinging from that massive truck pileup that closed the 5 a few weeks ago. Temecula might be an up and coming, but folks have lived there for years on nearly nothing - and the oldsters get hit just as hard as the newbies. Fires don't care. Areas north of Malibu? Not a lot of industry up there, yanno. Malibu itself? See #1.
It's going to be a good year for the reconstruction business.
I hope a lot of homeowners have read their policies carefully, because some of these fires down south of us have been determined to be arson - and that changes the landscape a bit when it comes to insurance claims. Some do not cover "Acts of God" - but a lot of them also don't cover "damages due to criminal activity." That's right - down to the ground, and the only place to go is FEMA. Yay LA Riots.
So the folks who have kibitzed the most about poor folks taking advantage of the system - are going to be at the mercy of it themselves. Karma does exist. (And watch that NOT hit the FOX network.)
Gulping down my breakfast and hitting the road - will post updates and better direct assistance links when I get them.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 03:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 03:16 pm (UTC)I still *have* my "Emergency Preparedness Kit". And will keep it up to date even now.
I have done all of the "Energy Conservation" bits that I can at home. All my light bulbs are CFs.
Had frost on my windshield this morning. A decent coat of it. My biggest hassle there? Going back upstairs to get the scraper where I left it in the kitchen. I got from Dollar Tree. IN *JULY*. Yes, I knew I'd need it eventually so I bought one when I got here.
Me? Prepared?
Well... yeah, I guess so.
*wry*
C.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 03:21 pm (UTC)ANd the truck pileup?
Was *two weekends ago*.
Yeesh. Santa Clarita just ain't having any luck at all.
Kinda gotta feel sorry for those in "The Dukester's" old district.
They got the "Bend over and grab your ankles" treatment but good. (yes, I said "but"... what?! It's still early, and I'm feeling juvinile. ;) )
C.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 05:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 05:54 pm (UTC)If there is somewhere you recommend donating, I'll forward the info around to my whole office. (We're very charitable here and are in the process of planning an annual fund raiser for the Red Cross of MA).
no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 06:27 pm (UTC)Also, some policies won't pay once a state of emergency/disaster is declared - because of all the aid available after that!
I have few illusions about the insurance industry. Not after three house fires, one long-term disability/ESRD and the now three burglaries I've been involved with.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 06:30 pm (UTC)Don't forget blood donations, while I'm at it - you can imagine an area this big that had people scheduled and then couldn't donate? It's always a screaming crying need, and now that source is shut down for the moment.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 06:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 09:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-26 01:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-26 02:13 pm (UTC)Himself was mentioning the fires this morning when I woke him up. I said that I knew, they were in San Diego. He said, "No... They're in LA, too." I said, "Ummm... I need your computer. NOW." And I looked here and saw you two were alive, well, and safe.
Yay for the internet.
If you have to evac and don't call me to tell me you're ok, I'll send Rey to beat you. :P
no subject
Date: 2007-10-29 08:22 am (UTC)