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Feb 2, 2004 18:16:24 GMT -5
Post by Mr._Shooter on Feb 2, 2004 18:16:24 GMT -5
I don't think the situation was "brought on" by resorts and golf courses (although God knows they don't help) -- it's been brought on by six years of insufficient rainfall and next to no snowfall in the mountains. Apparently the ski resorts in Arizona and a number of 'em in Colorado haven't been able to open for more than a couple of days a season in the last six years -- and without snow, not only does an industry falter, but the water reservoirs and water tables do not get replenished at thaw. They're saying that the fire season is going to start two months early this year because rainfall/snowfall has been so light, if y'all remember the last couple of years' fire seasons in the southwest, you'll know that's one scary threat. It's dry here, really really dry. You can feel it in your skin. I swear I use more chapstick here in a month than I used to use in a year back in Texas. It's amazing how Mother Nature can giveth to one part of the nation and taketh away from another region. The weather varies region-to-region more so than the people! Anyhow, we've had droughts here in the Northeast (we had a particularly nasty one a few years ago), but they're never long in duration and the fire danger is never off the charts. Thus I can't fathom living in the tinderbox that is the Southwest. The pictures of last year's horrible forest and brush fires were hard enough to take; I couldn't even begin to imagine experiencing such destruction first-hand.
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Feb 2, 2004 22:40:11 GMT -5
Post by SanAntonioMike on Feb 2, 2004 22:40:11 GMT -5
So far, I haven't experienced them first-hand, but we have driven up in the mountain areas where some of the fires have gone through, and it's startling, these stark, barren patches in the midst of piney forests. The trees are dying because of the drought, though, and apparently many are infested with bugs that are killing them quickly, and leaving them entirely ripe for devastation.
There's a whole lot of it I'm just not up enough on. I read the local paper to get some perspective, but central Arizona's main paper isn't large on well-rounded information (NOT what one would call a "liberal media outlet," although their cartoonist is decidedly left). I guess Arizona's been "fortunate" (at least for the people) in that most of the big fires have been in mostly sparsely populated areas; while they've been absolutely HUGE in acreage, only small towns/outlying homes have been endangered, unlike California.
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Post by Roughneck on Feb 4, 2004 0:22:18 GMT -5
Well, surprise surprise, we got more snow today. Not much, but then again it was a mix of sleet and slush, making it real fun to get around.
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Feb 4, 2004 10:37:00 GMT -5
Post by Mr._Shooter on Feb 4, 2004 10:37:00 GMT -5
Well, surprise surprise, we got more snow today. Not much, but then again it was a mix of sleet and slush, making it real fun to get around. Yep, another winter mess. My drive home last night was a real adventure. Which leads me to a little public service announcement for those of you who tool around in SUVs: your vehicles are no better on ice than a front-wheel drive sedan, so slow the *%^# down!!!!
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mike
Full Member
addicted to real countrymusic.
Posts: 269
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Weather
Feb 5, 2004 18:44:49 GMT -5
Post by mike on Feb 5, 2004 18:44:49 GMT -5
this morning, when i was about to leave work for home, the weather net said it is 0 degrees outside or -18 degrees celcius. now it is -5. isn't that nice. no clouds and lots of sunshine. meet some people lastnite going to the dominican republic for two weeks, and no they didn't have any room in luggage for me. later,mike.
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Feb 18, 2004 7:43:52 GMT -5
Post by Wildrider on Feb 18, 2004 7:43:52 GMT -5
Be of good cheer, SAM, they say (they SAY) it's gonna rain this week. Of course, after yesterday's surprise jump to 79 degrees, and today's expected 82, I'm not going to believe it until I actually see water hitting the pavement.
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Feb 18, 2004 20:56:53 GMT -5
Post by Roughneck on Feb 18, 2004 20:56:53 GMT -5
Oh, shut up and quit rubbing it in already! ;D
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Feb 18, 2004 21:51:30 GMT -5
Post by Mr._Shooter on Feb 18, 2004 21:51:30 GMT -5
Oh, shut up and quit rubbing it in already! ;D Roughneck, Wildrider can't help it. The heat has gone to her head. ;D Seriously, parts of the country that are normally toasty this time of year are actually cooler than normal (at least temporarily). I talked to a client today who lives in Florida during the winter months. He said that, in and around the Tampa area, the temperature was only in the upper 50s during the afternoon (with sunshine, no less). Jacket weather for those, ahem, hearty snowbirds down in Florida. Speaking of which, I hope A-Rod dresses warmly as he begins to train with the Yankees. ;D
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Feb 19, 2004 0:06:47 GMT -5
Post by Roughneck on Feb 19, 2004 0:06:47 GMT -5
I talked to a client today who lives in Florida during the winter months. He said that, in and around the Tampa area, the temperature was only in the upper 50s during the afternoon (with sunshine, no less). Jacket weather for those, ahem, hearty snowbirds down in Florida. Yeah, I have family down there-some of the younger kids have never seen snow!-and it's funny watching them scramble for coats when that would have me in T-shirt and jeans this time of year. No offense Alice. *sigh* The Yanks, and the Mets have tried "buying" titles the past few years, and it hasn't worked for either team. The Yanks have had the highest payroll for the past several years, but they get beaten by upstarts! ;D What makes you think this'll be different?
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Feb 19, 2004 11:51:01 GMT -5
Post by Mr._Shooter on Feb 19, 2004 11:51:01 GMT -5
Roughneck, I have no illusions of grandeur. The Yankees still have to play the full 162 like every other team. In baseball, as in life, anything can happen. Pitching can break down (a particularly likely scenario this season in Yankeeland). Key players can get hurt. Clubhouse turmoil can wreak havoc. Bleach can be thrown at beat reporters. Golf clubs can be swung in the wrong direction. Fingers can be severed by hedge trimmers. ;D That being said, I still think the Yankees' chances are pretty good. After all, it's not like the supporting cast is a bunch of stiffs. Incidentally, if people want to refer to the Yankees as the "Evil Empire" , and if people want to argue that Steinbrenner's profligate spending is bad for baseball, then they have to explain why the Yankees haven't won the World Series these last three years. How can anything be wrong with baseball when "upstarts" defeat the big, bad Yankees? Isn't that GOOD for baseball? I like to think there is some parity in baseball, the gross economics of it all notwithstanding. Why complain about the Yankees getting A-Rod when, at the end of the day (and in light of recent history), the budget-minded Marlins have just as much shot at winning it all as the Yankees?
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Feb 19, 2004 16:47:38 GMT -5
Post by SanAntonioMike on Feb 19, 2004 16:47:38 GMT -5
Well, there was a great deal of wind last night (tore off our trellis, knocked over the garbage, and that's all I could see in the dark), and it's a little cooler today than it was yesterday, but I am starting to forget what rain looks like. But I WAS one of them kids who grew up never knowing what snow looked like -- I think I was eight or nine before we went far enough north to hit one of those high prairie blizzards. Cool stuff, for a kid. My folks hated it.
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Feb 20, 2004 9:24:09 GMT -5
Post by Mr._Shooter on Feb 20, 2004 9:24:09 GMT -5
Well, there was a great deal of wind last night (tore off our trellis, knocked over the garbage, and that's all I could see in the dark), and it's a little cooler today than it was yesterday, but I am starting to forget what rain looks like. But I WAS one of them kids who grew up never knowing what snow looked like -- I think I was eight or nine before we went far enough north to hit one of those high prairie blizzards. Cool stuff, for a kid. My folks hated it. SAM, regarding the trellis and garbage... I think you have a case against Mother Nature. Here's my card. ;D Inasmuch as I've known snow all my life, you'd probably expect me to take a c'est la vie attitude toward it, or to abhor snow entirely. But I still act like a little kid when those first few snowflakes fall. Of course, later, when I have to drive in it, I curse the darn stuff. Anyhow, SAM, I'm told those "Texas Panhandle" blizzards are pretty spectacular. I guess it's the wind that really does a number on the landscape. Speaking of Texas winter weather, I understand that, a few weeks ago, even Dallas saw some snow.
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Feb 20, 2004 20:19:13 GMT -5
Post by SanAntonioMike on Feb 20, 2004 20:19:13 GMT -5
SAM, regarding the trellis and garbage... I think you have a case against Mother Nature. Here's my card. ;D Inasmuch as I've known snow all my life, you'd probably expect me to take a c'est la vie attitude toward it, or to abhor snow entirely. But I still act like a little kid when those first few snowflakes fall. Of course, later, when I have to drive in it, I curse the darn stuff. Anyhow, SAM, I'm told those "Texas Panhandle" blizzards are pretty spectacular. I guess it's the wind that really does a number on the landscape. Speaking of Texas winter weather, I understand that, a few weeks ago, even Dallas saw some snow. Well, in one of those humorous weather-related things, the wind which wrought such havoc did NOT scatter the neat piles of leaves we raked up last weekend all over the yard... I tell ya, the weather difference between San Antone and Dallas is amazing.
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Feb 25, 2004 16:48:42 GMT -5
Post by LS on Feb 25, 2004 16:48:42 GMT -5
Incidentally, if people want to refer to the Yankees as the "Evil Empire" , and if people want to argue that Steinbrenner's profligate spending is bad for baseball, then they have to explain why the Yankees haven't won the World Series these last three years. How can anything be wrong with baseball when "upstarts" defeat the big, bad Yankees? Isn't that GOOD for baseball? I like to think there is some parity in baseball, the gross economics of it all notwithstanding. Why complain about the Yankees getting A-Rod when, at the end of the day (and in light of recent history), the budget-minded Marlins have just as much shot at winning it all as the Yankees? Shooter, I can't believe you said that. The winning/losing is irrelevant. The spending is relevant because despite winning or losing- it ain't the team owners paying the obscene salaries- it's the FANS. $50+ tickets and coughing up extra $$$$ for cable channels to be able to watch games (that in the not so distant past were broadcast on local channels for ALL fans to enjoy...and if I'm not mistaken, weren't you even shut out of a season due to Steinbrenner & his YES channel?? ) Kids can no longer afford to spend a summer afternoon at the ballpark with their friends watching their team and 'heroes' play and parents can no longer afford to take the family to spend an afternoon or evening together. People who live right in the shadow of the stadiums can't afford to pay extra for channels for the 'privilege' of watching their favorite team...It's ruined the game and made it so that only the more affluent fans can attend and watch games and has shut out lifelong diehard fans who just can't afford it anymore and it's not generating much in the way of a new generation of fans. Steinbrenner's the one who started it all- so it's only natural he's going to take the heat. So how's that GOOD for baseball??
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Feb 25, 2004 18:26:52 GMT -5
Post by Mr._Shooter on Feb 25, 2004 18:26:52 GMT -5
Shooter, I can't believe you said that. The winning/losing is irrelevant. The spending is relevant because despite winning or losing- it ain't the team owners paying the obscene salaries- it's the FANS. $50+ tickets and coughing up extra $$$$ for cable channels to be able to watch games (that in the not so distant past were broadcast on local channels for ALL fans to enjoy...and if I'm not mistaken, weren't you even shut out of a season due to Steinbrenner & his YES channel?? ) Kids can no longer afford to spend a summer afternoon at the ballpark with their friends watching their team and 'heroes' play and parents can no longer afford to take the family to spend an afternoon or evening together. People who live right in the shadow of the stadiums can't afford to pay extra for channels for the 'privilege' of watching their favorite team...It's ruined the game and made it so that only the more affluent fans can attend and watch games and has shut out lifelong diehard fans who just can't afford it anymore and it's not generating much in the way of a new generation of fans. Steinbrenner's the one who started it all- so it's only natural he's going to take the heat. So how's that GOOD for baseball?? You mean you disagreed with what I wrote? ;D Seriously, I fully understand and appreciate that Steinbrenner's unchecked spending does carry inimical financial consequences for fans. I did not mean to trivialize this, as I too am a fan who, as you pointed out, has had to endure cable blackouts, $100 ticket prices, $20 programs and all the rest of it. My reaction was aimed at those who foolishly assert that Steinbrenner "buys" championships. That's simply not true, if recent history is any indication. Now, the Boston hierarchy purportedly took a dim view of the A-Rod deal based solely on the adverse impact it would have on the overall economics of MLB. They would have you believe that their objection was not related to the need to maintain competitive balance in baseball (this argument wouldn't hold water in Boston anyway, since Boston is equally as stacked as the Yankees). Ah yes, those noble Red Sox execs, always looking out for the little man, the fan. The reality of course is that, when it comes to bidding wars that throw the economics of baseball out of whack, the Red Sox don't exactly cower in the shadows. They wheel and deal (and SPEND) with just as much gusto as Steinbrenner. So, it is not a little hypocritical that Boston has taken the lead in vilifying the Yankees for continuing to create economic chaos.
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