Prayers for the burned west coast

Photo: Steve Zylius, The Orange County Register

I'm sure most of you are aware of the craziness going on in California. If not, wildfires have burned much of the west coast leaving charred remains of land and homes in its wake from Los Angeles to San Diego. In the middle of that is Orange County, where I was born and raised. My family still lives there. And when news broke out about the fires in OC I immediately logged on to OCregister's website to get some more information.

I read that one of the fires was burning awfully close to my brother's apartment. I grabbed my phone and called Henry to see if he was okay and to get some more information. He said he and Vanessa, his girlfriend, were on alert and had their bags packed and ready to go. The flames had burned a mere 200 feet from his apartment when they were pushed back by firefighters. Still, there is always the threat that the Santa Ana winds could blow their direction. He told me to call our parents later for more information, since that's the place they would go for shelter. Our parents only live a few miles away but aren't in any danger.

I talked to my mom this morning and she said Henry was fine and they didn't have to evacuate last night. But, mom and dad were ready if they needed to get out. She said the worst part, this morning, is that the smoke is blowing into their house. It could be worse I suppose. She said that last night her and my dad walked over to the park a few houses down and watched the flames slowly creep up Saddleback mountain. She said the orange glow looked like a snake as it made it's way up the mountain.

Side note:
As I made my way to work this morning, I was listening to Kid Craddock on Y107, a local radio station, as they talked about the wildfires. They made a few insensitive jokes about it and just talked about the celebrities who were losing their homes to the fires. Tom Hanks is the one I remember. But, I was struck by the utter lack of compassion and sensitivity these dj's displayed. They did mention that it was 'bad' what was going on over there. But, to crack the jokes they did is just plain stupid. Local dj's don't crack jokes when people lose their homes from tornadoes. But, they get tornadoes and understand that scenario. Hey, I grew up in California, and I understood two things, wildfires and earthquakes. I was really irked by these morons (can you tell?) and wish I'd had the opportunity to put them in their place (of course, it's not my place). All that just to make themselves appear to be funny. Well, I've got news for ya Kid Craddock, you're not.

Nearly half of Americans caught in media spin

I have to say, Americans quite gullible when it comes to politics and the economy. Most of them believe the hype the media creates on a daily basis. And today, I have proof. The CNN Political Ticker posted today that Nearly half think U.S. in recession. Three questions the article never cleared up, and it's a fricking news site: 1) Do the Americans polled know what a recession is?, 2) Why divide the results by only black and white Americans?, 3) This topic belongs in the business section of the site, so why is it in politics? I can answer these questions and I'm not a journalist.

Firstly, if you look at the economy from a neutral perspective. Not republican or democrat, the economy is doing well. Aside from the subprime crap, people can still get mortgages, credit card debt is still growing (which means people are spending), and my 401k is going up in value, not down. Of course, the media will tell you the economy stinks and that it's George Bush's fault. That's about as true as me saying I'm white. I smell an election year, don't you?

Secondly, leave it to the media to play the race card. And, where the heck is the hispanic consensus? If you're going to claim to be fair, make sure that an accurate perspectus is represented.

Thirdly, I know it's an election year by the hint that the economy is in a recssion. No president has sole control over the state of the economy, only the amount of debt we go into or get out of (in Bush's case, definitely in). And, I don't think that'll change if a democrat gets voted into office.

Ugh, I hate to talk politics. But when it comes to inaccuracy from a news site, well, it just ticks me off. I suppose it's to be expected, especially from the Clinton News Network*, er, I mean CNN.

Source: Nearly half think U.S. in recession

*That's what my Army buddy called it. :)

Couple in PA flees fire with pets but forgets their son

I'm still trying to figure this one out. A couple fled their trailer home last Friday after it became engulfed in flames. They grabbed their 2 dogs as they got out. Twenty minutes later, the couple remembered that their 4-year old son was in the trailer. Firefighters found the boy, awake, in a bedroom. He was treated for smoke inhalation but suffered no serious injury.

I have to say, something's screwy about this story. The couple, at the moment, is being charged with reckless endangerment. I get a feeling that this was not 'reckless' but arson and attempted murder. Any parent would feel this way, because, I myself can't grasp the concept of 'forgetting' your child in an emergency. Especially when the couple had time to grab the pets. Listen, we have two dogs, but, if our house goes up in flames, they're gonna have to run behind me as I carry my daughter to safety.

Source: Police: Beaver Couple Flees Trailer Fire, Forgets To Bring Boy

Stuck behind stupid people

Just my luck. I did something out of the ordinary this morning, I stopped by McDonald's on my way to work. I was hungry and needed something in my stomach. Since it's on my way to the office and just 2 minutes from there, I figured I could get in and out in no time. Unbenounced to me, a stupid person decided to grace me with their presence.

I was behind a filthy Kia Spectra turning into the driveway. It's a bit bumpy as you turn in so the lady decided to take it slow. Too slow. The driveway is not that bumpy. So, I'm hanging behind her hoping I don't block the cars at the nearest stop light. Luckily, the light remained red. We turn into the McDonald's and head to the drive-thru.

Take our turns, order our food, and I wait for her to move forward to the 2nd window so I can pay for my food. No movement. The clock ticks and the song that started when I made my order is almost over. What in the world is going on? I figured there was a car in front of her waiting for their food (my site was obstructed by her vehicle). Once the light bulb went on, she moved forward to get her food. No car in front of her. What the heck?

I get to the first window and pay. "I guess she didn't know to move forward for her food," exclaimed the lady at the register. It's really not that difficult to figure out, or is it?

So, I pay and I wait for her to get her food. And wait. And wait some more. Then, after a lengthy conversation with an employee, she hands them a couple of dollars. Apparently, she didn't order what she wanted or forgot to order something. I don't know. All I know is she must have been beaten with a stupid stick while she was sleeping. Ugh.

The lady at my window apologized to me. She disappeared for a few seconds and returned with my order in hand. Finally! I could get out of there and head to work. No. Her car was blocking my way out, and the car behind me was too close. So, I waited for her, again.

I did finally make it to work. A little later than I had planned, but I did make it.