California Dreaming . . .
Houston, Texas.
Pretty much everything is closed. I gather the gas stations are dry. The streets last night when I went out to alleviate the stir-crazies were deserted but there was a cop car every few blocks which was good to see. It was a bit unnerving to see so many boarded up windows and to see how few of my neighbours’ cars remain in our communal garage. I stopped by myNightclub for their advertised hurricane party but drove on when I saw there were only two cars in the car park. Instead I went to myPub, which turned out to be rocking. Not a single member of the bar staff had shown up and so half a dozen of the regulars were volunteering. I asked the owner if she needed any extra help and she said she had more than enough already. Those loveable lushes were busting their butts to keep the drinks flowing! I hung out with Jagoff and Canadian-Frank for the duration. They made me laugh and took my mind off things. I wish they were here with me now. I only had one glass of wine and then bailed because they were closing. That was around 11pm. I’ve been invited to another hurricane party at a pub-friend’s apartment tonight but I declined as I’d rather wait out the storm at my own home. I have cooked all the meats in my freezer, boiled my eggs, stocked up on bottled water. I still need to tape my windows and move my car and fill one of my bathtubs with water. Naturally, I am hoping that my power and water don’t go out but that’s a bit of a fantasy.
Some people are going to wonder why I didn’t evacuate. Well, much like the other four million who stayed, we chose to stay out of the way of those who truly *needed* to evacuate.
Over the summer I was in Galveston several times. Over the years I have been in New Orleans several times. Both cities have been previously decimated and I grieve to see that they are about to be hit again. Those poor people. Those beautiful old buildings.
I’m not in a “flood zone” but you never know what might happen. More so, I am worried about the large trees outside my townhouse and the three sets of large plate-glass patio doors. I am trying to keep my anxiety in check but I have to be honest, it’s pretty damn difficult. It’s at times like this that my ferocious independence bites me on the arse. I’m scared and I’m not afraid to admit it. I offered shelter to several friends but they had plans of their own. Were it not for my beloved pets I would have gone to join them.
I must be part kat as I have cheated death on several occasions, including during the L.A. riots. I wonder how many lives I have left? Mother Nature, I know that mankind has abused you in so many ways, but can you find it in your heart to forgive us one more time for being the spoiled and wayward children that we are?
Current Mood: 
scared
September 23rd, 2005 at 11:14 am
Good luck in the storm!
September 23rd, 2005 at 11:18 am
DK, I have been thinking about you all morning (since you chose to NOT respond to my email. Thanks, hoar). You must pray to Mother Nature to leave you unscathed. You don’t want to die before you get the new juggs, dahling.
September 23rd, 2005 at 11:21 am
Pete: Thanks dahling. Not that I believe, mind you, but go ahead and pray for us Houstonians. Just for your own peace of mind, of course.
HoarAndria: As a matter of fact, my love, I started typing all of that into my return email to you and then realised it would make a good blog and be a way to update everybody at once. :PSeptember 23rd, 2005 at 11:28 am
Oh, ok. So I send you an email inquiring about your safety in the face of CATASTROPHE, and you answer it in a post 18 hours later. Hmmmph.
I kid, I kid. I hope you’ve stocked up enough liquor so that you can get all the fun you can out of the next few days. And batteries, for… um, flashlights. Yeah, flashlights.
September 23rd, 2005 at 12:30 pm
Wow, can you get some pictures before the storm hits? Kind of like a photo-journalist type thing. If not, stay indoors and stay SAFE!
September 23rd, 2005 at 12:38 pm
Hey DK,
Longtime reader , blah blah blah.
Not only are you ferociously independent, you have kats that are advanced problem solvers. Between you, you should have no problems!
Stay smart, and we’ll keep fingers, toes and whatnot crossed for all of ya’ll down there.
N }:-
September 23rd, 2005 at 12:56 pm
Hey girl, If you can’t get a hold of any plywood for your patio doors, get masking tape and make a big asterick on it…if something does hit your glass doors, it’ll keep the glass from flying all over the place. Stay safe.
Fran
September 23rd, 2005 at 3:56 pm
WCG: It’s not safe nor practical for me to go out driving around at this point due to the gasoline shortage and that other little thingy, you know, the impending hurricane? How-evah … I have new photos arriving shortly.
Nuke: Thanks for de-lurking! It’s always good to hear from a reader.
Fran: What do you think I was doing for half of the afternoon?
Andria: re your sweet email… You don’t let me have ANY fun! I was planning on being utterly reckless and irresponsible until you ordered me to be careful. Humph.
The water might get cut off for a few days. I’ve planned as best I can for myself, but the kats can’t use the bathtub. How are you at licking pussy?
September 23rd, 2005 at 5:29 pm
be safe, love…
September 23rd, 2005 at 6:19 pm
stay safe, I hope
September 23rd, 2005 at 6:26 pm
I am thinking about you. And the kats. And the windows. Prayed for all…but I admit, most for you and the kats. It’ll be okay. Stay interior. I stocked on stuff myself…’cause many of our “power restorers” went South to help after Katrina. Whaddayagonnado? Be safe, and keep writing long as you can. >muah!
September 23rd, 2005 at 10:00 pm
I know, I know, I’m an ass for never coming to your site. I’m sorry, and you may fee free to punish me however you see fit. But you are in my thoughts this weekend, and I hope you weather the storm while retaining health, sanity, and (most importantly) internet access. Because now I will make sure to come visit you more often. (I promise!)
September 24th, 2005 at 9:01 am
Hey! Are you okay? Do you have power? Post and/or email me when you can! ALSO: I’ve heard that the post office quit delivering mail in the Houston area last Wednesday; is this true? Could you let me know when mail delivery resumes? Thankies! Hope you and the kats are safe!
September 24th, 2005 at 2:48 pm
Meany: Now see, I would never have known you never visited here before if you hadn’t told me! heh … Seriously, it is incredibly kind of you to think of me when *you* are in the middle of a war! Thank you.
WCG: I hadn’t heard anything about mail delivery being stopped, but it would certainly make sense with all that has been happening. I would imagine they’ll start up again at least by Monday.