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Has anyone heard from smith since Hurricane Charley? I am worried that his home might have been in its path. If anyone has heard anything about him, please let me know, as I am worried for him.
Oliver
spunky_frog@hotmail.com
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Not yet, Oliver; and judging from the video they're showing on TV of the damage (and if he does indeed live in an area that was greatly affected by it), it may be quite awhile before we do hear from him. Even after he gets his power and internet service back (and it would be quite likely that he may have lost both), it'll probably be a safe bet that his "online" time will be greatly curtailed as he sees to dealing with the clean-up from the storm (however much that may be).
He and I chatted last Wednesday night (before the storm hit on Friday). He told me about how they were all prepared for it (as best they could), and that there was a chance he would be "offline" for quite some time afterwards (especially for the reasons mentioned above). I'm sure that as soon as he's able to, he'll post a message here (or, at the very least, ask somebody to do it for him) to let us know he's ok. I know that's not going to make the waiting for it any easier to take; but knowing how stubborn he can be (which, in his case, is a most positive trait!), he won't allow something as insignificant as a hurricane to get in his way!
We do not remember days...we remember moments.
Cesare Pavese
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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I think we need not worry. rather we shoudl worry about the things that get in smith's way  he will be back. I admit I have worried as well, but I refuse to. he is not gonna let a little old hurricane keep him down for long.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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A certain degree of electricity is returning to Florida, and much of the damage is to trees and to mobile homes and the equivalent. I suspect barns will have been flattened as well.
The death toll is low. Thus it means that smith and his family are likely to be safe and very frustrated. Their home is a substantially built house, so will only have been damaged (0.9 probability) with falling trees and floodwater, depending on where he actually lives.
Many bridges are damaged, so people are somewhat isolated. Phones are down in a great part of the area. And, of course, since Dubya is sending in ice(?) and water in a bid to get re-elected everyone is going to be fine.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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blue
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Likes it here |
Registered: August 2004
Messages: 131
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I e-mailed smith; hopefully he'll reply to me when he can.
Folks, I know what hurricanes are like. They are similar to typhoons. When a major hurricane or tropical storm hits, even far inland, it causes severe rain and flood damage has tornado-like winds, and I believe the Brits would say it's "generally rather unpleasant."
Electricity, phone, cable, and even cell phone (mobile phone) service can go down for days. Local water may be contaminated. While repairs and cleanup are underway, utility services are spotty and emergency services have as much as they can handle. They are quite literally "swamped."
Depending on how severe things are in a given area, flood damage may take down power or communication lines or uncover or break them, and may ruin personal effects like computers.
Also, there is usually enough warning and time that people are told to evacuate from the hurricane's path.
Why would ice or water be shipped in? Without sufficient steady power, refrigeration doesn't hold out for people's homes, small businesses, etc. So people need that ice and clean water to live on and keep food fresh.
Yes, after a major storm, a fully prepared, hurricane-proofed major city can be reduced to what looks like a war zone in the third world.
Folks, I don't mean to scare you. I'm just saying some of the things that *can* happen, not that they all happen at once, but that they can.
BUT -- services are restored quickly and people who live there know what to do.
What I *am* saying is that there is a good chance, for any number of reasons, that smith and family are safely tucked away somewhere and simply can't get back in touch quite yet. -- At least, that is certainly what I hope for. -- I know that friends somewhat northwest of the hurricane missed the brunt of it.
So, continue to be concerned for them and for all the people affected.
Those of us who live anywhere along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast, know what this is like. -- It is often not nearly as severe as I've described.
I hope smith and his family and friends are all fine. I'd like to hear back from him too. Not only do I think Just Hit Send is a great story, but a friend let me know of M&M's situation.
Hope you're OK, smith. You're awesome.
~Blue
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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Message begins:
I just found a (hand-written!) letter from smith in my mailbox, which was postmarked this past Wednesday afternoon!
Just a couple of details for now because I have to jet (more later): he wanted me to let you know that he and his family are ok; while the barn sustained some damage, it seems the house pretty much survived (in which case they were luckier than many others). He says it may be a good three weeks before all power, phone and water are completely restored (meanwhile, he says, he cleans up by jumping in the pond with the 'gators!).
If I don't get a chance to do so before you do, please post this news on the message board.
Message ends
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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blue
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Likes it here |
Registered: August 2004
Messages: 131
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Excellent news! Sounds like those gators had better be scared!
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anyone heard from smith? 
Re: anyone heard from smith? 
Re: Yes. Ron has. As follows: 
