Repent. The end is near.

**taurusmoon** · #1 08-14-2008, 06:48 PM

There is an unbelievably strong thunderstorm directly overhead at the moment.

Naturally, it strikes at just the time I was considering heading out in an Eastward direction to run an important error.

So, I decided to check the weather report to find out exactly what the forecast was.

Quote:

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE UPTON NY 513 PM EDT THU AUG 14 2008THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON NY HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... QUEENS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... SOUTHWESTERN NASSAU COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK...
* UNTIL 545 PM EDT...
* AT 512 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR BAYSIDE...OR NEAR GREAT NECK...AND MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.
* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... 7 MILES NORTH OF KENNEDY AIRPORT BY 520 PM... VALLEY STREAM... 7 MILES NORTH OF WOODMERE AND 8 MILES NORTH OF CEDARHURST BY 535 PM... LYNBROOK BY 540 PM... 6 MILES NORTH OF OCEANSIDE BY 545 PM...
IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY! LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

I guess "MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY" means I shouldn't be going out, huh?

Hey, MJ. Batten down the hatches. It's a big'un.

**taurusmoon** · #2 08-14-2008, 06:54 PM

Oh great. Now there are emergency sirens blaring. And they're competing with the sound of car alarms going off.

I just wanted to let you know that if the "smite button" gets pressed, it's been nice knowing you.

**conradd** · #3 08-14-2008, 07:00 PM

I think staying inside is a good idea, but I'm curious about your "important error".

**taurusmoon** · #4 08-14-2008, 07:18 PM

Nothing like a good Freudian typo.

Chip left yesterday on a trip to meet up with his son and get him settled in for his freshman year in college. They checked in at the hotel and gathered the many packages of necessities that were shipped ahead of time.

Good instincts told Chip to review the stuff that was supposed to carry his son through the semester. Especially his clothes. (There is a long history of the ex not making sure that her son was sufficiently covered in that area.)

Yep. His fears were not unfounded. His son was sent off to college with two (count 'em) two pairs of pants. One of which is the bottom half of a formal suit. Several pairs of shorts. No pants.

Which wouldn't be quite so bad if he was going to school in Miami. Nope. He's in Grand Forks, ND! I may need the National Weather Service to tell me whether or not this storm is serious, but it doesn't take someone with an advanced degree in meteorology to know that you need long pants in North Dakota in the winter.

When questioned further, his son stated that he doesn't actually own pants. He only wore sweatpants to school in the past.

To add insult to injury, he's a big guy and clothes his size are particularly hard to find.

So my plan was to correct this error with an errand. I was heading out to buy the kid some pants to ship to the frozen tundra.

Hopefully, he's still got a few more days before the first frost. I'm not going anywhere right now.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #5 08-14-2008, 09:20 PM

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, but when there's a big-@$$ storm overhead, I try not to be on the computer. Electrocution and all that.

**hadassahchana**[$] · #6 08-14-2008, 09:26 PM

Yikes!

**thinkerlady**[$] · #7 08-14-2008, 11:03 PM

I watched the weather forecast tonight and saw the storm heading up your way Sara. It was a big beaut on the map. Couldn't miss the lightning either. I hope all is well. We had a few like that a few weeks ago. Kind of unnerving.

**lynnzop**[$] · #8 08-15-2008, 10:36 AM

You want I should hook up Chip's son with a psuedo Mom and Dad? I know people in GF, ya know.

And pish posh on the storm. Welcome to our summer, eh Kim?

**taurusmoon** · #9 08-15-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

lynnzop said

You want I should hook up Chip's son with a psuedo Mom and Dad? I know people in GF, ya know.

You know, that wouldn't be a bad thing. Especially in an emergency. (Knock wood.)

**lynnzop**[$] · #10 08-15-2008, 12:55 PM

I'll drop my bro and SIL a line tonite. They are good people.

Which dorm is he in? I went to UND, ya know.

**taurusmoon** · #11 08-15-2008, 01:12 PM

I didn't know that. Cool.

I don't know where he'll be. Right now they're in a motel waiting for move in. I'll find out though.

**lynnzop**[$] · #12 08-15-2008, 01:29 PM

LOL, yes two years of life in the armpit of the universe.

GF is where I had my big art show this summer.

Tell him there's a REASON they have those outlets in the parking lots at the dorms. Engine block freeze at the temps he will experience this winter. Oh, and tunnels...ditto. People freeze at those temps.

And Chip must visit The Red Pepper before he leaves. The one on University, NOT the new one near campus. Salami grinder with taco meat. Cheese tostadas. Never mind the crumbs on the floor that have been there since we were in college.....

Just saying.

**lynnzop**[$] · #13 08-15-2008, 01:40 PM

DAMMIT. Now I am jonsing for a grinder. And they are 7 hours away.

Chip will do spicey, right? 'Cause if not, be sure he skips the sauce on the grinder.

**taurusmoon** · #14 08-15-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

The Red Pepper is pleased to announce that Red Pepper Chip Sauce is now available

How appropriate. I'll be sure to tell him to go there when he's feeling particularly dry.

**conradd** · #15 08-15-2008, 01:48 PM

Thanks Lynn - it's 9:35, I haven't had breakfast and I'm salivating for a spicy grinder in North Dakota.

Sara, I can't believe he's old enough for college! Did you find the pants?

**lynnzop**[$] · #16 08-15-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

taurusmoon said

How appropriate. I'll be sure to tell him to go there when he's feeling particularly dry.

Oh, and don't let him google The Pepper or read any blogs about it before going. It would spoil the dinginess.

When we were in college, the guys used to order "Garbage Plates" - which is all the stuff that ends up in the scrape tray after they've made the tacos. Size of a garbage plate was dependent on how long it had been since the last one was ordered...but they were cheap and usually had a lot of "stuff". They made me throw up a little in my mouth.

Deb, the grinders are to die for. You just have to close your eyes while you stand in line and brush off the seat before you sit down.

**taurusmoon** · #17 08-15-2008, 01:53 PM

I'm on my way out to go shopping in a few minutes. Another storm is one it's way later this afternoon and I don't want to be caught it in. Actually, it's not the storm that scares me so much, it's the inevitable traffic jams.

The store is close to an hour away. There had better be pants for him when I get there.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #18 08-15-2008, 02:12 PM

I've read about those garbage plates somewhere - like MSM, not here.

**lynnzop**[$] · #19 08-15-2008, 03:17 PM

Why are you buying him pants in NY? They have stores in GF.

**briansdad**[$] · #20 08-15-2008, 04:02 PM

*note to self* include generous amounts of pepto before going BACK to the red pepper. Yes, I had the salami grinder with taco meat with the chip sauce. I'm just hoping I don't keep having it the rest of the weekend. And yes, we went past the one on campus to get to the original, just the kind of experience my son is used too when he is with me.
As to the pants, not a single store in GF that carries his size, we even tried the bib overalls at TSC. It's 80 miles to the nearest big & tall store. We did pick up a very good pair of timberland so he doesn't have to rely on the sandals his mother sent him with.

**lynnzop**[$] · #21 08-15-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

briansdad said

*note to self* include generous amounts of pepto before going BACK to the red pepper. Yes, I had the salami grinder with taco meat with the chip sauce. I'm just hoping I don't keep having it the rest of the weekend. And yes, we went past the one on campus to get to the original, just the kind of experience my son is used too when he is with me.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm grindersssssssssssssssssssssssss

We used to have chips and sauce parties at college when I lived in the dorms. I'd never heard of such a thing before moving there.

Nothing better than a Saucy Chip.

**jgibson2**[$] · #22 08-15-2008, 04:22 PM

Sportsman's Guide claims to have big and tall sizes, but I think they mean big OR sort-of tall.

For example, one style of flannel-lined jeans come waist sizes up to 50 as long as you only need a 30 or 32 inch inseam. If you need a 34" inseam, the max waist size is 42. If you're taller than that, forget it. May or may not be worth searching the rest of the site.