Master Index of Archived Threads


Ridin' the Storm Out

Rockin' Doc Aug 03 2016 04:20 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Aug 03 2016 10:07 PM

Well, our family vacation to Maya Beach, Belize isn't quite as beautiful and sunny as it was at the start. We are currently moving to higher ground and the windows are being closed with plywood. Hurricane Earl is expected to hit the Belizean coast or Yucatan peninsula sometime tonight. I feel pretty secure regarding the safety of my family, but I am not expecting a very comfortable night. Unfortunately, the parents of my son's fiancé are absolutely panicked and freaking out, which is making her increasingly uncomfortable.

themetfairy Aug 03 2016 04:51 PM Re: Rodin' the Storm Out

Stay safe RD!

Edgy MD Aug 03 2016 05:04 PM Re: Rodin' the Storm Out

Good for you for keeping your head. Take charge of that situation. Show these folks that, while you may not be able to control their worrying over meteorological emergencies on foreign soil, they can let go of their worrying about their daughter. She's marrying into the family of a big shot eye doctor who totally has his shit together in a tight spot. And listen to the AADA and the Mayo Clinic and the Red Cross for helping each other deal with fear and anxiety during and after a storm. [list]Prepare It’s only natural to feel scared, anxious, and nervous. Recognize your emotions and try these tips to alleviate your anxiety. [list][*]Create a plan — A well-prepared plan for your family can help reduce anxiety and chaos before, during, and afterward. Make an evacuation plan and compile preparedness kits. Get tips from the Red Cross. [*]Be informed — Stay up-to-date on weather information and warnings. If you’re aware of the latest information, you may gain a sense of control over the situation. [/*:m] [*]Talk it out — Share your fears with family members, friends, a counselor, or others who can offer emotional support. [/*:m] [*]Find out more on how to strengthen your emotional well-being before the storm. [/*:m] [*]Accept what you can’t control — Nobody can control the path of a storm or its damage. And excessive worrying that one may hit you will not change anything except your emotional well-being.[/*:m][/list:u] Take tips from the Mayo Clinic for talking to kids about weather-related anxiety: [list][*]Be calm and supportive. Tell children that thunder won't hurt them. Explain that storms are a normal part of nature. [/*:m] [*]Talk about storms matter-of-factly. Some kids may seem afraid of storms, but they're really interested in learning more about them. [/*:m] [*]Allow children to face their fears by gradually helping them learn they can handle a fear and other uncertainties of life on their own. [/*:m] [*]Help children face their fear of storms by reading about them or watching videos of tornadoes, hurricanes, and other big storms. [/*:m] [*]If the anxiety doesn't diminish, or if it begins to create greater stress for the child or the parent, get the assistance of a mental health professional.[/*:m][/list:u] After the Storm Many survivors of severe storms will experience emotional and physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, insomnia, and nausea for days or even weeks afterward. If you are having difficulty coping, consider the following: [list][*]Do something positive: Donate blood, prepare care packages, or volunteer to help others, all of which can provide a sense of purpose in a situation that feels out of your control. [/*:m] [*]Follow your usual daily routine as much as possible. [/*:m] [*]Limit your exposure to repeated news stories, which usually increases stress. [/*:m] [*]Rest, get exercise, and eat properly. Seek out leisure and recreational activities that involve both mind and body. [/*:m] [*]Spend time with trusted loved ones for support. [/*:m] [*]Talk with others and seek support from those who have been exposed to the same or similar trauma. [/*:m] [*]Recognize that you cannot control everything. [/*:m] [*]Talk with a relative, friend, doctor, or spiritual advisor about getting help. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not of weakness. [/*:m] [*]Contact a mental health professional if symptoms persist for more than a few weeks and interfere in your carrying out your daily activities.[/*:m][/list:u][/*:m][/list:u] Best wishes. Check in with us after.

Rockin' Doc Aug 03 2016 05:38 PM Re: Rodin' the Storm Out

Talk about the calm before the storm; the ocean has been a calm "sheet of glass" for the past 2 days. No waves, not even a ripple on the surface. I have never seen the ocean this calm and still. I have seldom seen a lake this calm and still. Starting to rain lightly now.

TransMonk Aug 03 2016 05:49 PM Re: Rodin' the Storm Out

Stay safe! It's probably not the relaxing vaca you were hoping for, but it should make for a memorable story to tell.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 03 2016 08:47 PM Re: Rodin' the Storm Out

Rockin' Doc wrote: Talk about the calm before the storm; the ocean has been a calm "sheet of glass" for the past 2 days. No waves, not even a ripple on the surface. I have never seen the ocean this calm and still. I have seldom seen a lake this calm and still. Starting to rain lightly now. That's all pretty spooky. Definitely have a bottle of rum handy for after if not before. Good luck!

cooby Aug 03 2016 09:31 PM Re: Rodin' the Storm Out

I hope you can salvage some vacation! Stay safe!

Rockin' Doc Aug 03 2016 10:28 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

The waiting is the hardest part. Still just quiet, eery calm. Earl is expected to arrive in the next few hours. The remaining guests on the property (2 couples, a family of 4 from Baton Rouge, and our party of 5) will be spending the night in a 2 story (2nd & 3rd) floor condo with 3 bedrooms & 2 baths. I expect a hot, humid night if (when) the power goes out. I have rum, vodka, and plenty of fruit juice. So I think I can survive the night.

d'Kong76 Aug 03 2016 10:37 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Yikes! In any high scale emergency it is key to have rum, vodka, etc. and something to mix it with. Sounds like you have that covered. Cigars are optional. Be safe RD and family! That 'kid' is getting married? Time flies!!

Rockin' Doc Aug 04 2016 01:53 AM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Still waiting for Earl. Internet is spotty, but electricity is still hanging in there at present. Still pretty calm. Earl now expected to make landfall north of Belize City (yay).

cooby Aug 04 2016 02:49 AM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Keep us posted when you can!

Rockin' Doc Aug 04 2016 03:19 AM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

9:15 PM local time. Nothing much happening yet. We are all settled into bed for th he night. Hoping to awake to a beautiful day tomorrow. There has to be a morning after.

Frayed Knot Aug 04 2016 03:20 AM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Riding out the storm Riding out the storm We'll be drinking rum 'til morn, make this place look like a dorm If this EARL makes landfall give the Coast Guard man a call Riding out the storm.

MFS62 Aug 04 2016 03:48 AM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Stay safe. Later

Rockin' Doc Aug 04 2016 04:10 AM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Only light rains thus far. We still have electricity and internet ( obviously) at this point (10:06 PM). I hope to give ya'll a good report in the morning.

Rockin' Doc Aug 04 2016 09:36 AM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Just awoke to here that our unwanted guest, Earl.had arriv ed d a few hours earlier. Generator is running all electricity, except for air conditioning. So other than it gradually getting hotter and muggier, we are all doing quite well. Hopefully, Earl will have departed by morning.

Rockin' Doc Aug 04 2016 01:12 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Happy to report that Hurricane Earl has passed through and all employees and guests at our small hotel are safe and dry. The beach is littered with leaves, flowers, and palm fronds, but otherwise no real damage is visible to the area. It's still a little windy with gusts of 15-20 mph, but the rain is gone.

themetfairy Aug 04 2016 01:39 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Glad to hear the good news!

Edgy MD Aug 04 2016 02:18 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

This calls for some Gary Richrath. [youtube:1vgm2h3d]GVFgEBq0EKM[/youtube:1vgm2h3d]

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 04 2016 03:22 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Hurricane Gary took a devastating toll.

Rockin' Doc Aug 04 2016 07:34 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Richrath was of course the inspiration for the thread title. Loved that song as a college kid. Back on normal vacation time. Sipping rum punch, reading a good book and lounging around the pool. Full power just came back on so we again have air conditioning. The generator runs everything at the resort except the air conditioning.

Lefty Specialist Aug 04 2016 07:49 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Hurricane Gary took a devastating toll. He looks like Roger Ailes in a wig.

Edgy MD Aug 04 2016 08:14 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Rockin' Doc wrote: Richrath was of course the inspiration for the thread title. Loved that song as a college kid. Back on normal vacation time. Sipping rum punch, reading a good book and lounging around the pool. Full power just came back on so we again have air conditioning. The generator runs everything at the resort except the air conditioning. Well, enjoy what time you have left. Pretty soon it'll be time for you to fly.

d'Kong76 Aug 04 2016 08:20 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Glad everyone's safe! Oh, and yikes again!!

Rockin' Doc Aug 04 2016 08:22 PM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

Edgy MD wrote: Rockin' Doc wrote: Richrath was of course the inspiration for the thread title. Loved that song as a college kid. Back on normal vacation time. Sipping rum punch, reading a good book and lounging around the pool. Full power just came back on so we again have air conditioning. The generator runs everything at the resort except the air conditioning. Well, enjoy what time you have left. Pretty soon it'll be time for you to fly. This vacation has certainly taught me how to Roll with the Changes.

cooby Aug 05 2016 01:07 AM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

A real adventure!

Edgy MD Aug 05 2016 03:27 AM Re: Ridin' the Storm Out

I need to say at the end of that "Ridin' the Storm Out" video, one of the further selections is a full-length REO show from '82 or '83, and I strapped on my headphones and my productivity, like, tripled. I put together a slideshow on Mother Teresa in about an hour — the sort of thing that usually takes me two or three, resizing and coding and coding and resizing and FTPing and captioning. It's been a long time since a band helped me work fastener and merrier. I highly recommend. Thank you, Speedwagon.