Groovin' on the weather.

[WX7P]

I'm sitting here in Central Illinois with the lights off and the blinds open on the big picture window watching the light show.

It's like a strobe light. continuous flashes lighting up the clouds, with some bolts showing through accompanied by the occasional boom.

It's a magnificent light show, one never seen in the areas of California where I've lived in the past.

Nature is incredible...

[WØTKX]

Ya, electrical storms are freaking NUTS.

I carried one of these around in a protected box for a few years, but it got crushed.
Dug it out of the ground a few minutes after it was made in a sandy ditch.

Still warm. Looked a lot like this, about 5" long...

http://celticawitch.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/fulgurite.jpg?w=300&h=266

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgurite

[W2NAP]

just remember, those storms can produce a tornado pretty quick. but the light shows are kick ass.

[n2ize]

Yeah, we got a surprise storm like that one night. The threat of thunderstorms earlier that evening was lifted and all was supposed to be quiet. The temperature had already dropped significantly. I wake up around 1:00 am and notice a curtain of light flashing to the west. The flashing was constant and nonstop. I thought maybe one of the 700 Kv powerlines to the west was shorting and flashing over. I mean it was constant. But it was an intense thunderstorm. Within a matter of minutes it was on top of us. The sky was lit up continually, rumbling of thunder was constant. Hailstones, extremely heavy sheets of rain followed with very strong winds. No tornadoes sighted but the NWS said the storm had the rotation to produce one. Within 1 minutes it was moved past us, heading towards Long Island Sound and Long Island. We don;t get really intense ones that often as other parts of the country do but every now and then we do get hit good.

[NQ6U]

We used to get some good ones in the northern Sacramento Valley, Janet. When I lived in Chico, I remember one storm in particular where there wasn't a single moment over a six hour period where there wasn't the sound of thunder, either nearby or distant.

[n2ize]

We used to get some good ones in the northern Sacramento Valley, Janet. When I lived in Chico, I remember one storm in particular where there wasn't a single moment over a six hour period where there wasn't the sound of thunder, either nearby or distant.

one morning i woke to a pretty intense storm with pea sized hail, rain and thunder. Over a half hours or so it passed and the sun came out. But that was merely the appetizer. within a matter of minutes black clouds appeared in the west and all you could hear was constant thunder getting louder by the minute. in about a minute it was overhead. Almost dark as night and golf ball hailstones start pelting everything.followed by heavy winds, lots of cloud to ground lightning and the heaviest wind swept rain i have ever seen. in the aftermath the train tracks got flooded disrupting service, trees and branches down, power out in spots. roads flooded. All within about 5-10 minutes. some people claim they spotted a funnel cloud but I don't know if it was ever confirmed.For the rest of the day all you heard was thunder as the line of heavy stormes passed through to our north and south over the next 12 hours.

[WX7P]

We used to get some good ones in the northern Sacramento Valley, Janet. When I lived in Chico, I remember one storm in particular where there wasn't a single moment over a six hour period where there wasn't the sound of thunder, either nearby or distant.

Interesting. Never saw any lightning or heard thunder in Sac.

Must be all that concentrated evil.

[N7YA]

Weather here for saturday and sunday is projected to be 117. Its 107 at the moment, ill be playing outside all weekend. Its rough on electronic gear at those temps...and human bodies. Morongo Valley is going to be 126 and Death Valley is going to be 129. I am now getting NOAA warnings on my phone for my area.

If i needed any more confirmation of why we are moving back to New England, this is it.

[WØTKX]

My Sis and her family just got back from Maine about a week ago. First time there, they loved it.

[n2ize]

Weather here for saturday and sunday is projected to be 117. Its 107 at the moment, ill be playing outside all weekend. Its rough on electronic gear at those temps...and human bodies. Morongo Valley is going to be 126 and Death Valley is going to be 129. I am now getting NOAA warnings on my phone for my area.

If i needed any more confirmation of why we are moving back to New England, this is it.

I was going to ask. How can you stand living in that oven ??? For me once the temperature reaches 70 degrees I consider it getting too hot. That is why I am going to move way way up north over the next 9-10 years. For me New York is way to hot and too mild, even in winter. But temps up in the triple digits regularly. I don't call that a place to live, I call it an oven. I don't know how anyone can stand it. To me that is uninhabitable land.

[WØTKX]

It hit near 90 in the foothills today, almost a 100 in Denver.

But the humidity is less than 30%, which helps a lot.

Last week the YL and I went to southwestern Iowa for my family reunion.
It was nice to see the lushness of the midwest, but damn uncomfortable.

Highs in the 90's, lows in the 70's and over 80% humidity. Icky, sticky.

[N7YA]

My Sis and her family just got back from Maine about a week ago. First time there, they loved it.

I have yet to meet a Mainer that wants to leave. That always stuck with me.

[WØTKX]

Same for Colorado, really. I've been here since January 1990.

[N7YA]

I was going to ask. How can you stand living in that oven ??? For me once the temperature reaches 70 degrees I consider it getting too hot. That is why I am going to move way way up north over the next 9-10 years. For me New York is way to hot and too mild, even in winter. But temps up in the triple digits regularly. I don't call that a place to live, I call it an oven. I don't know how anyone can stand it. To me that is uninhabitable land.


Bingo!

In addition to the self centered, arrogant, UFC meatheads...and the men too. This place sucks the life out of any budding spirit. Its a hot, arid place with bad air and bad water, and the hearts are cold as ice. Rude people, horrible drivers and its getting worse. The economy has traditionally weathered all sorts of setbacks, but now it just seems that the casinos and huge companies here are on the move to take over the working class and subjugate them into low wage servitude...its happening across the board, verifiably! The people who visit are a different breed as well, many are alright, but you have to admit the type of folks who come here are the kind looking for cheap sex (fine by itself), get puking drunk and are always looking for free shit. It sounds fun, but face to face, these people are trash. They used to be described as "fun loving" or "just letting their hair down", thats great! But now its a new class, they are cheap, nasty, ill tempered and come with a sense of entitlement that is wholly undeserved.

My wife has been here 13 years, ive been here 27...its just over. There is nothing for our hearts here. She hated it from the get go, i was just lazy about it, but then again, i came here when Vegas still had its old school swagger and charm. So part of me was still hanging on to that, but its been obvious for years now that the old Vegas is gone, replaced by out of town investment properties, rules up the wazoo, military dickish cops and LA gangs, heat, smog, garbage and drunk drivers. Go any direction off the strip and you are taking your chances. People stopped caring about this place long ago, its no longer the top of the vacation charts and it only attracts Walmart assholes now...and a few nice folks who still believe in the old Vegas like i did. But these people realize this sad fact after they arrive, i know this because i see them every day...so does my wife. They leave here saying "Ok, weve seen it, were going somewhere else next time". It absolutely IS uninhabitable land. There are many who love it, of course, but we are not to be counted among them. We have very little in common with these people and mainly keep to ourselves these days, and thats sad as we would like to be a part of a community.

I have always loved my birthplace of New England. The vibe, the people, the seasons...all make whatever negatives are there end up in the lower percentile. After nearly 3 decades of this place, it would be a tough job finding the bad. We are definately heading home in the next 2 - 3 years as opposed to the 5-7 we gave ourselves before. I am freely giving up my cushy job playing music and wont even bat an eye, i need more than surface glitter, this place has no meaning. Theres a very dark energy here and we dont like it.


Not sure if i made this clear yet, we really dont like Vegas. :lol:

[WØTKX]

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKhAfAbzG2UN-KtSaco7a2tKFs9PokoeXRuLFXqu552KaO5eFMpg

[N7YA]

:yes:

[n2ize]

Bingo!

In addition to the self centered, arrogant, UFC meatheads...and the men too. This place sucks the life out of any budding spirit. Its a hot, arid place with bad air and bad water, and the hearts are cold as ice. Rude people, horrible drivers and its getting worse. The economy has traditionally weathered all sorts of setbacks, but now it just seems that the casinos and huge companies here are on the move to take over the working class and subjugate them into low wage servitude...its happening across the board, verifiably! The people who visit are a different breed as well, many are alright, but you have to admit the type of folks who come here are the kind looking for cheap sex (fine by itself), get puking drunk and are always looking for free shit. It sounds fun, but face to face, these people are trash. They used to be described as "fun loving" or "just letting their hair down", thats great! But now its a new class, they are cheap, nasty, ill tempered and come with a sense of entitlement that is wholly undeserved.

My wife has been here 13 years, ive been here 27...its just over. There is nothing for our hearts here. She hated it from the get go, i was just lazy about it, but then again, i came here when Vegas still had its old school swagger and charm. So part of me was still hanging on to that, but its been obvious for years now that the old Vegas is gone, replaced by out of town investment properties, rules up the wazoo, military dickish cops and LA gangs, heat, smog, garbage and drunk drivers. Go any direction off the strip and you are taking your chances. People stopped caring about this place long ago, its no longer the top of the vacation charts and it only attracts Walmart assholes now...and a few nice folks who still believe in the old Vegas like i did. But these people realize this sad fact after they arrive, i know this because i see them every day...so does my wife. They leave here saying "Ok, weve seen it, were going somewhere else next time". It absolutely IS uninhabitable land. There are many who love it, of course, but we are not to be counted among them. We have very little in common with these people and mainly keep to ourselves these days, and thats sad as we would like to be a part of a community.

I have always loved my birthplace of New England. The vibe, the people, the seasons...all make whatever negatives are there end up in the lower percentile. After nearly 3 decades of this place, it would be a tough job finding the bad. We are definately heading home in the next 2 - 3 years as opposed to the 5-7 we gave ourselves before. I am freely giving up my cushy job playing music and wont even bat an eye, i need more than surface glitter, this place has no meaning. Theres a very dark energy here and we dont like it.


Not sure if i made this clear yet, we really dont like Vegas. :lol:

I think it's the heat. At those temperatures I'd probably be stir crazy, hot tempered, mean, arrogant, etc. Npo wonder you meet so many unpleasant people there. Who can be pleasant when living in a 130 degree oven. They must use incredibly powerful air conditioning there. I doubt my air conditioners would even begin to put a dent in that kind of inferno. Then again, I guess if its damned near 130 degrees outside it must feel cool when it's 99 degrees inside ...whew !! Do yourself a favor. If you are from New England get the heck out of that furnace, that kiln, that oven that you are in ASAP !! Better below freezing and covered with snow than dealing with temps that will roast a person alive !!

.S. If I lived there my whole life I doubt I could get used to living in that inferno.

[KG4CGC]

Living in the rolling foothills where the Appalachian chain turns into bumps and surrounded by trees, I have to search out a clear spot for viewing the approaching sky water.

[WØTKX]

The Appalachians, very pretty country. Too warm and humid for me, but it's nice.
The Asheville area almost reminds me of Colorado. I visited there in the 90's.

[PA5COR]

Since January it has been consequently too cold here now 12C as yesterday the max was 13 C while 21 C is the normal value for this time of the year.
The Jetstream change in pattern saved us from the deluge the Germans etc had, but temperature wise things are fooked up good.
Contrary to that we have see extreme high temps in Sweden Norway etc 10 - 12 C too high.
Raining and cloudy today, 13 C max expecting a change in the weekend to higher temps next week. ( about time too)

[N7YA]

I think it's the heat. At those temperatures I'd probably be stir crazy, hot tempered, mean, arrogant, etc. Npo wonder you meet so many unpleasant people there. Who can be pleasant when living in a 130 degree oven. They must use incredibly powerful air conditioning there. I doubt my air conditioners would even begin to put a dent in that kind of inferno. Then again, I guess if its damned near 130 degrees outside it must feel cool when it's 99 degrees inside ...whew !! Do yourself a favor. If you are from New England get the heck out of that furnace, that kiln, that oven that you are in ASAP !! Better below freezing and covered with snow than dealing with temps that will roast a person alive !!

.S. If I lived there my whole life I doubt I could get used to living in that inferno.

I agree on all of that...except the nastiness is year round. These people are more than just heat-frustrated, they are simple minded douchebags with delusions of ghetto fabulous and Toby Keithism. Ive done many summers here, poured concrete and shoveled rocks in 122 degrees. Batteries die, tires explode and cars veer off and hit the wall at 80 mph, 2nd degree burns when you touch the door handle. All the norm here. And this isnt even the hottest place in the region!

Yeah, the winters are decent, windy and dry, but good jacket weather. But i grew up in not just cold, but GODDAMN FREEZING!- type of cold. We are not moving back up to the part of Maine i was born in (Limestone, in the big county, very northern tip of Maine on the Canadian border), we will be heading downeast along the coast if at all possible. If not, then we will try the mountains around Bethel.

Either way, jackass fuckwads like the creatures that live in this pit of hell would be run out of Maine on a rail if they tried to pull the shit they do up there. When we leave, i'm ripping the rear view mirror off the window and tossing out the sunroof!

[n2ize]

I agree on all of that...except the nastiness is year round. These people are more than just heat-frustrated, they are simple minded douchebags with delusions of ghetto fabulous and Toby Keithism. Ive done many summers here, poured concrete and shoveled rocks in 122 degrees. Batteries die, tires explode and cars veer off and hit the wall at 80 mph, 2nd degree burns when you touch the door handle. All the norm here. And this isnt even the hottest place in the region!

Yeah, the winters are decent, windy and dry, but good jacket weather. But i grew up in not just cold, but GODDAMN FREEZING!- type of cold. We are not moving back up to the part of Maine i was born in (Limestone, in the big county, very northern tip of Maine on the Canadian border), we will be heading downeast along the coast if at all possible. If not, then we will try the mountains around Bethel.

Either way, jackass fuckwads like the creatures that live in this pit of hell would be run out of Maine on a rail if they tried to pull the shit they do up there. When we leave, i'm ripping the rear view mirror off the window and tossing out the sunroof!

Yeah, I know. Northern Maine can be a lot like the Adirondacks in NY. Very cold, even down to -40 below at times. The higher the elevation the colder and the more abrupt the weather changes in winter. Could be mid and sunny one minute and bitter cold and heavy snow 15 minutes later. Lower elevations much more moderate. I'm planning to go even further north, up to Northern Alaska or Northwestern Canada. But that will not be for a while yet. Summers are too long and too humid down here.

Wonder why the people there are so arrogant. I suspect they are mostly not native born but come there later in life, perhaps to be close to Vegas ? I have heard that many of the old timers from the Southwest can be quite civil and friendly, even with strangers. In any event it's an oven and not fit for human inhabitation. You'll be happy once you get back up to New England.

[N7YA]

I think they are douchey here because its the energy they bring. Its the type of people who make this the destination...its all about shallow, empty pleasures. People who visit Maine or Alaska are going there for the nature, a getaway. People who come here (not all, mind you) are here to get fucked up, rich...which never happens, overindulge and get freebies. Its different people. The people who work here are food service, hotel management, hotel workers, bartenders, strippers, pro musicians (me), pool cleaners, cabbies, etc...basically, tourist based and servicing the millionaires. Masters and servants.

[n2ize]

I think they are douchey here because its the energy they bring. Its the type of people who make this the destination...its all about shallow, empty pleasures. People who visit Maine or Alaska are going there for the nature, a getaway. People who come here (not all, mind you) are here to get fucked up, rich...which never happens, overindulge and get freebies. Its different people. The people who work here are food service, hotel management, hotel workers, bartenders, strippers, pro musicians (me), pool cleaners, cabbies, etc...basically, tourist based and servicing the millionaires. Masters and servants.

I guess the Vegas attracts a different mindset than let's say, New York, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, etc. I know a lot of people say New Yorkers are cold and unfriendly. But what I have founf about New Yorkers is that they are impersonal. There are so many people that we become indifferent to each other. Yet, under the right circumstances New Yorkers will rush to help people. They may be stressed and fast paced but generally not deliberately arrogant.They are not out tpo prove anything. Seems like Vegas attracts the a unique type that desires to kick ass and prove something to the next guy.

Likewise, as you say, people going to Maine, or the Adirondacks, or Alaska or the Northwest territories are generally seeking aesthetics and a sense of solitude. Definitely not the kind of places that attract the arrogant, "I'ver gotta prove I'm better than you" type personalities.

Only thing I can see is that when you get to New England you'll be undergoing a bit of thermal and cultural shock. :)

[WØTKX]

I serviced the rich as a ski instructor. It became a narcissistic babysitting job, not about teaching/learning to ski better.

Oh, there were a few, and I still ski with 'em for fun, but mostly disheartening. Skiing is my muse. Sigh.

[N7YA]

I guess the Vegas attracts a different mindset than let's say, New York, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, etc. I know a lot of people say New Yorkers are cold and unfriendly. But what I have founf about New Yorkers is that they are impersonal. There are so many people that we become indifferent to each other. Yet, under the right circumstances New Yorkers will rush to help people. They may be stressed and fast paced but generally not deliberately arrogant.They are not out tpo prove anything. Seems like Vegas attracts the a unique type that desires to kick ass and prove something to the next guy.

Likewise, as you say, people going to Maine, or the Adirondacks, or Alaska or the Northwest territories are generally seeking aesthetics and a sense of solitude. Definitely not the kind of places that attract the arrogant, "I'ver gotta prove I'm better than you" type personalities.

Only thing I can see is that when you get to New England you'll be undergoing a bit of thermal and cultural shock. :)

Again, i agree on all of that...except, im sure the cultural shock wont be an issue at all, im already there in my demeanor and heart. Mainers who visit here always gravitate to both me and my wife without even knowing we came from there, once they realize it, we made new friends...thats what i like. My body may be another story, may take a season or two, but i just need my blood to thicken up, my skin can handle all sorts of shit. Snow, clouds and rain make me very happy...all year is fine. I lived in Seattle for a year, people were bummed by the rain, i felt wonderful the entire time!

As for New Yorkers, i never had an issue with them...loud, obnoxious, no problem! Ive always liked them well enough, my moms from Manhattan, they have personality, im telling you...seriously, the worst people couldnt measure up to the empty souls in this place. I travel, Texas, California, PA, Colorado, Alaska, etc...these are the worst people. No saving them.

Of course, you may come here and have a blast, im just out of frequency with them and the place in general. You need to be where heart speaks the language.

[n2ize]

Again, i agree on all of that...except, im sure the cultural shock wont be an issue at all, im already there in my demeanor and heart. Mainers who visit here always gravitate to both me and my wife without even knowing we came from there, once they realize it, we made new friends...thats what i like. My body may be another story, may take a season or two, but i just need my blood to thicken up, my skin can handle all sorts of shit. Snow, clouds and rain make me very happy...all year is fine. I lived in Seattle for a year, people were bummed by the rain, i felt wonderful the entire time!

As for New Yorkers, i never had an issue with them...loud, obnoxious, no problem! Ive always liked them well enough, my moms from Manhattan, they have personality, im telling you...seriously, the worst people couldnt measure up to the empty souls in this place. I travel, Texas, California, PA, Colorado, Alaska, etc...these are the worst people. No saving them.

Of course, you may come here and have a blast, im just out of frequency with them and the place in general. You need to be where heart speaks the language.

Well, I would love to visit the southwest. I am sure I would find the countryside interesting and quite unlike anything that I am used to from here in the east. And, from what I gather once you get away from Vegas and into some of the smaller towns and more rural parts the people can be quite nice and hospitable. Visit yes, live there ? no, not me. It's too darned hot. I could never get used to those high summer temps.

[N7YA]

I just have to say, as far as landscapes go, the desert has its magic too...Vegas is a shit hole. But the open desert, the mountains and buttes, cactus and creatures...all have a cool vibe about it. The desert at night after a rain, the smell of juniper and sagebrush, full moon rising over the scorched mountains. Thats very cool. Fly into Vegas, then rent a cabin at Mt Charleston...or further out since that place is getting overrun too.

[N7YA]

...i just dont like people in general. Ill admit it.

[WØTKX]

Well, this is the place then... and Ham Radio is the perfect hobby to nurture that sentiment. :lol:

I've had fun in Vegas, but I was there for reunions and music. And slept in the daytime heat.

[NA4BH]

Next time you go to Las Vegas go to Red Rock Casino and eat at the Yard House and get the Salted caramel butterscotch dessert pudding. Jeebus

[WØTKX]

Holy crap. That sounds really good!

[NA4BH]

Adam and his wife can pick 'em. It was good.

[WØTKX]

I should check the music calendar there, but I'm diggin' on Red Rocks here, and some local stuff.

[N7YA]

Theres a Yard House right at the end of the runway of McCarran at Town Square. The one at Red Rock is MUCH better, thays why we went up there.

And that butterscotch pudding...holy crap!

[WØTKX]

The "Red Rocks" here is a little different. ;)

http://www.headcount.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Red-Rocks-Pic.jpg

[KG4CGC]

The Appalachians, very pretty country. Too warm and humid for me, but it's nice.
The Asheville area almost reminds me of Colorado. I visited there in the 90's.

Asheville is pretty neat, especially the downtown. The locals in the sorrounding counties don't like though and are trying to bring in their brand of Christian Talibanism Tea Party hatefulness into the town. I am quite vociferous on the WLOS FB page when the hate starts up from the numbnuts. I explain it in no uncertain terms. If you don't like the place then stay the hell out! No one is forcing you to go there. This, however, is a discussion for the Politico section.