So it looks like Gustav may be paying us a visit...

[glynnahab]

... That is, unless its path changes of course. We'll probably be on the wrong side (i.e. LOTS of rain), but luckily we're in a pretty sturdy brick apartment complex on the second floor. So unless shit really hits the fan, we shouldn't have to worry about flooding. We've got supplies and made the obligatory preparations.

Do you guys have any interesting suggestions for entertainment during the time without electricity after the hurricane passes (aside from all the obvious stuff like reading and board games)? We're going to need something to pass the time, mostly to keep our minds off of the lack of air conditioning.

Also, does anyone know if canned chili can be eaten straight from the can at room temperatue? The idea of being stuck with Spam (not of the email variety) and vienna sausage disgusts me.

[racketboy]

You don't happen to have a UPS for your computer, do you? I used mine to power low-power electronics when I needed them when I was in FL.
Use a little hot-pot with that...

I don't miss hurricane season at all....

best of luck!

[lordofduct]

I love hurricane season. I'm from the north where when it rains, it rains for a long time. But in Florida it rains for 10 minutes every day and then it's all gone.

I don't get to have those very relaxing sits in front of the living room window with a book and watching the stuff blow around out side.

So in comes those couple months a year where I get to sit in my house and just relax the soothing sounds of creeking roofs, blowing trees, and the screams of that poor old lady next door flying through the air and smack dab into the side of a stop sign.

aww, now that is life! I'm gonna move to Seattle.

[racketboy]

You sure have been mellowing out over the last few years
I think my biggest complaint was not being able to take a warm shower for a week.
That and not having anything but candlelight at night.

I remember going to Wal-mart that week just so we could hang out in the refridgerated section

[Ack]

Canned chili really isn't very good cold. You can eat it, but definitely stir it up first, because the fat tends to congeal on the top of the canister. Might I suggest raw ramen for a snack? Just beat the package a bit until it breaks apart, and it can be eaten like chips. Seriously, mix in the flavor packet and it's not bad stuff.

[glynnahab]

Thanks for all the well wishes and advice, guys. We did some extra shopping today just to make sure we can get through if we're flooded in. I think it's scheduled to hit us sometime Monday morning-ish, so I'm trying to get the most of all of our electric-powered toys before then.

I don't have a UPS, but I've got a lot of beef jerky!

[ott0bot]

So I hear things are calming down now. I hope you make it home safely!
I have a couple friends down there too who evacuated to Georgia.

We actually had bad storms last week and I was out of power for three days in the lovely Arizona summer. Lovely. The lady, my ferret and I had to crash at a friends for a couple nights. I'm sure glad to have things back to normal.

[Haoie]

Good to see the city was quite prepared this time.

And lucky too, that the storm was a bit of a no show.

[glynnahab]

Actually, we stayed through the hurricane and didn't even lose power. Our apartment is at a higher elevation than most places around here, and on the second story. It never really got that bad here in Lafayette.

My parents didn't fare as well, though. A large oak tree now resides in my childhood bedroom. Luckily, no one was there when it happened and all will be covered by their insurance after a pretty substantial deductable. My brother did lose some stuff since he's living with them in that room. I went there yesterday to put a tarp over the roof, and it looked like his gaming consoles made it through all right. I wanted to take them out and see if they were functional, but we had to leave them for insurance purposes. It killed me to just leave them exposed to the elements like that.

Still, it could have been much worse. I'm glad that all we have to worry about is one room and a few consoles.

[AwesomeMonstar]

Fellow Louisiana citizen here, it just hit u last week and we already have to prep for Ivan now. Most power returned around Friday/Saturday when we came back and plumbings cool now to. These things sure are stress full though. I know I've lost sleep worrying if the next one will be another katrina.