Reflections on my 24th year

Today I am reflecting on my 24th year as today is my last day as a 24 year old. :) This year has been one of struggles and achievements. I've struggled in my personal life quite a bit but it has made me a better person and more mature Christian in my opinion. I've learned a lot through my struggles.

I also started storm chasing this year. I am officially obsessed and addicted to this new hobby. I look forward to 2010 as being a good year to get out as much as I can. I plan on getting some equipment together slowly as well so I can eventually start chasing solo once I get more experience in chasing.

I have also finally found a career I expect to do well in (God-willing): firefighting/EMT. I am super excited. I cannot wait to find out if I will be going to the firefighting academy in the Spring (otherwise I will be training as an EMT).

All in all I am content that I've learned a lot over the past year. I look forward to the future and all it holds. :)

I'm alive. Just started a new job recently and have been busy with all that. SDS is definitely in full swing now, and it's gonna be a long fall/winter. I do have some things to look forward to in my personal life so I'm getting excited about all that.

thoughts on chasing continued/updated

Edited/added onto 10/2/09 after having a small discussion with other chasers who have similar ideas of why they chase. Disclaimer: these are my thoughts. You don't have to read them if you don't want to. I was in a writing mood. I just got done watching a documentary on Greensburg and then watched Dick McGowan and Darin Brunin's rare videos of Greensburg (thank you both for your service to the city of Greensburg). Watching these videos had me thinking about why I want to chase storms. I wanted to share this with you all. I felt it was important. I do get very excited about storms and storm chasing. I have a passion for it that I can't imagine going away anytime soon. I do tend to enjoy severe storms and the adrenaline that comes from chasing them can be amazing. I admit all of that. However, I absolutely abhor it when I hear a town has been hit or there's any kind of damage or someone has been hurt or killed. I am not storm chasing for fame or money. I am storm chasing to help increase warning times so families can get to their safe shelter. I am getting my CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training this fall so I can assist in the aftermath of a damage path. I am still in awe of the power of a storm and how it can do so much damage and wreck havoc in people's lives. If I can help one person while storm chasing it will be worth it.

Bust September 25th

Well yesterday was almost a complete bust. Drove 400 miles and saw a few CGs and heavy rain. Was hoping for a few funnels with the cold core setup but it didn't happen. I'm learning about when to stay home though, so it wasn't a complete waste of time. And it gave me lots of time to think and ponder what I did wrong! Ha.

last night's thoughts on chasing

I wrote this last night around midnight on my facebook.

I just got done watching a documentary on Greensburg and then watched Dick McGowan and Darin Brunin's rare videos of Greensburg (thank you both for your service to the city of Greensburg). Watching these videos had me thinking about why I want to chase storms. I wanted to share this with you all. I felt it was important.

I do get very excited about storms and storm chasing. I admit that. However, I HATE it when I hear a town has been hit or there's any kind of damage or someone has been hurt or killed. I am not storm chasing for fame or money. I am storm chasing to help increase warning times so families can get to their safe shelter. I am getting my CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training this fall so I can assist in the aftermath of a damage path. I am still in awe of the power of a storm and how it can do so much damage and wreck havoc in people's lives. If I can help one person while storm chasing it will be worth it.

Rain

It's raining quite a bit here. Minor street flooding and such, but nothing too major. I just wish it would storm, but it is August. Just as well since the car's in the shop for the next few days so no chasing for a bit. I'm just focusing on job applications and my Chemistry class starts tonight.

Alive and busy

I'm still alive and doing fairly well. Just been busy with mostly personal stuff including vacations and stuff with relatives. Got in my first car accident this past week and will be fixing the damage to my vehicle this upcoming week (it's still drivable luckily, and no one in the accident was injured). Might be a chase opportunity tomorrow in NW/NC MO towards the IA border area but I have prior plans almost all day long. So I'm just debating whether to chase or not. Probably will look again tomorrow morning and decide then. Wait and see kind of situation. It is August after all.

Storm Deprivation Syndrome

So I have SDS officially. Argh. If you have no idea what I'm talking about read the link here: http://home1.gte.net/txt/SDS.htm

No severe weather expected anytime soon, but I will be going out of town on a couple of mini-vacations before my class starts up in August. Also hoping to get a job soon.

Topeka Storm Chaser Showcase

The first (and hopefully not last) Topeka Storm Chaser Showcase was on July 18th 2009. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed meeting other chasers. I have a link to my flickr account so you can look at the pictures I have on there from my first chase and from the TSCS. http://www.flickr.com/photos/40202204@N07/?saved=1

Any and all pictures I post on here or link to are my property and I will take legal measures if you use them without permission. If you would like to use one please ask and give me proper credit is all I ask!

Bust and Topeka Storm Chaser Showcase

Had my first bust this past Tuesday (7/14/09). It wasn't as bad as I thought since I at least got to meet around 20 other chasers and we all just sat around shooting the breeze in the parking lot of a truck stop in St. Joseph MO.

Today is the Topeka Storm Chaser Showcase which I originally wasn't going to go but now I am going. I'm excited and will take pictures while I'm there.

Storm Chase 7/3/09

Click the link to see my pictures on Flikr. :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/40202204@N07/?saved=1

Any and all pictures I post on here or link to are my property and I will take legal measures if you use them without permission. If you would like to use one please ask and give me proper credit is all I ask!

My first storm chase and first blog entry!

Went on my first storm chase on Friday, July 3rd. My storm chase partner was Steve Polley. It was so much fun! I will definitely be going again. I will be putting up pictures over the next few days of the chase (not the best quality, need to work on learning how to take pictures of storms in low lighting). Currently I'm learning how to forecast for storms.

I will try and update as much as possible! This should be a fun experience to keep a blog!

Any and all pictures I post on here or link to are my property and I will take legal measures if you use them without permission. If you would like to use one please ask and give me proper credit is all I ask!