tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post289309420259776023..comments2024-02-23T02:03:23.020-07:00Comments on The Eco Cat Lady Speaks: Disaster-philia?EcoCatLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-14630498422461032152013-09-25T18:58:58.069-06:002013-09-25T18:58:58.069-06:00Agreed. I cried for weeks after hurricane Katrina ...Agreed. I cried for weeks after hurricane Katrina watching the footage of those poor abandoned animals. Apparently a lesson was learned from that experience though. The rescue efforts here included pet rescue... the National Guard flew out helicopter load after load of cats, dogs, birds, iguanas and any other pets. They made a point of it specifically because during Katrina, so many people refused to evacuate because they couldn't take their pets and wouldn't leave them. EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-26767885099875633832013-09-25T18:47:27.318-06:002013-09-25T18:47:27.318-06:00Good pos5. I share your feelings to an extent, I ...Good pos5. I share your feelings to an extent, I love getting snowed in (as long of large pieces of tree do not fall on my house) and I kinda like power outages unless the temps are belong 50 or above 90 -- which, of course, seems to be the only time we have power outages so never mind. The only thing that keeps me from enjoying such events is the thought of all the animals who die, get abandoned, and we never hear about. That keeps me from enjoying natures smack down. We humans, after all, are the ones bringing it on, but as usual, they are the ones that suffer most.Stefanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07239847432599114367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-2116108941730665242013-09-22T12:20:40.655-06:002013-09-22T12:20:40.655-06:00I too am fairly shielded from experiencing most di...I too am fairly shielded from experiencing most disasters personally. My house sits atop a big hill in one of he highest spots in Denver, so it would take one helluva flood to touch me.<br /><br />I think the worst that's ever happened was a few years ago when we got back to back blizzards around Christmas. In that case the hill became a big liability! Usually our big snow storms are in the spring or fall, when it's warm enough to melt off rather quickly. But that one hit at the darkest time of year and for some reason they didn't plow the side streets. These giant ice ruts formed, and I couldn't get the car out for several weeks! Thankfully I didn't have any sick kitties at the time!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-77615945669453180012013-09-22T12:14:56.687-06:002013-09-22T12:14:56.687-06:00Ha! I just saw "The Road" the other day....Ha! I just saw "The Road" the other day. I thought it was probably the most realistic post apocalyptic movie I've ever seen.<br /><br />Glad you liked the post, and yes... normal people scare me!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-60651081798320199902013-09-22T11:52:35.724-06:002013-09-22T11:52:35.724-06:00Have you seen "The Road"? It's not ...Have you seen "The Road"? It's not bad as a post apocalypse movie. I love your post, it's very creative and expresses my feelings too about "normal" society.Strayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124298302997708537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-21284029181869951522013-09-22T11:47:40.187-06:002013-09-22T11:47:40.187-06:00We don't have many possible disaster landscape...We don't have many possible disaster landscapes here in the mid valley of Oregon. House fire, earthquake, that's about it. However, I suppose a massive flood could overspill the Willamette River and even flood where I am, but that would take a really huge amount of rain. Much of this town flooded a couple years back when storm drains became clogged and the storm drain system could not handle the run off of lots of rain. I got caught in that, trying to get home, turned down one street after another, all flooded, some in three feet of water, ended up on the sidewalk in my little car, so it would not suck in water and drown. I think in case of flood, the only one of the three disasters where I might escape first, where I could go with all my cats, and how I would get them there in my tiny car.Strayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124298302997708537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-64712636082114456182013-09-19T13:12:09.596-06:002013-09-19T13:12:09.596-06:00Ha! Yes, the idea of having to survive by one'...Ha! Yes, the <i>idea</i> of having to survive by one's wits in a world gone bad is much more appealing than the reality would be. <br /><br />And I never really thought about the importance of things like bridges before all this, but the phrase "can't get there from here" has taken on a whole new meaning lately!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-45077659805230999882013-09-19T04:46:42.154-06:002013-09-19T04:46:42.154-06:00I prefer post-apocalypse books and movies to real ...I prefer post-apocalypse books and movies to real life news; I guess I feel safer when it's fiction. I love the point you make about how we never notice the government services we receive (such as transportation infrastructure) until they're threatened.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-83716354066523705972013-09-18T01:19:14.087-06:002013-09-18T01:19:14.087-06:00You described my feelings so well. I LOVE being sn...You described my feelings so well. I LOVE being snowed in during a blizzard, though it would totally suck if there was a medical emergency or something, and my heart breaks for the people who have lost everything.<br /><br />I'm almost through the first season of Revolution. I have to say that I'm getting a bit tired of the shoot 'em up kill 'em up stuff, but other than that I'm enjoying the complicated characters and twists of plot. I wonder if people really would be so horrible and violent in such a situation, or if that just makes for good television.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-67816100054312129302013-09-18T01:14:59.572-06:002013-09-18T01:14:59.572-06:00Agreed. And thanks for the tip on the movie, I'...Agreed. And thanks for the tip on the movie, I'll have to check that one out!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-82679251114714471502013-09-17T20:19:06.326-06:002013-09-17T20:19:06.326-06:00I can't say I enjoy watching a natural disaste...I can't say I enjoy watching a natural disaster unfold, but I do love to watch a severe storm come through my area. I love listening to the howling winds and feeling the change in air pressure. I even like losing power and seeing total blackness for once at night. I do find the power of Mother Nature to be something to watch, but I have mixed feelings when seeing an area hit with something truly dangerous. I have that rush of the event which reminds me of how little control we have over our environment yet I have the fear and empathy for those in the path.<br /><br />Now for movies, love a disaster movie, good or bad, for most of the same reasons you do, and I've seen the first season of Revolution as well. <br /><br />Having been through Colorado a few times I'm pretty familiar with the layout of the state, I was pretty sure you were safe, but glad to hear it confirmed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-60231285924135035942013-09-16T16:12:41.461-06:002013-09-16T16:12:41.461-06:00It's a bit sad that we can't hold on to th...It's a bit sad that we can't hold on to the perspective given during a natural disaster or tragedy, and that we regress to the "normal" that you described. I guess the best we can do is enjoy it while it lasts.<br /><br />Oh, and if you like disaster movies, one of my favorite quirky one is It's a Disaster. Funny stuff.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-10398391286299627772013-09-16T15:10:11.700-06:002013-09-16T15:10:11.700-06:00Ha! I've had the exact same fantasy... with th...Ha! I've had the exact same fantasy... with the exact same associated guilt. Some part of me loves the idea of camping in a small studio apartment with no furniture, but I'm sure the reality of it would probably be a bit different.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-83838582852250580912013-09-16T14:46:15.873-06:002013-09-16T14:46:15.873-06:00I also live Denver, and am very lucky to have avoi...I also live Denver, and am very lucky to have avoided the flooding. I’ve been glued to the screen watching and reading the disaster and the aftermath unfold. It is compelling – I think most of us know it can happen to us or to people we know - fortunately, those I know have experienced minor if any, flood damage. It is heartwarming to see how people pull together and help each other out. It really shows people at their best, and that we survive and thrive best through communities and mutual support – so sick of the backstabbing survival of the fittest thing. <br /><br />I think about how I’d save the cats, though I’ve yet to develop a real emergency plan. I fantasize about losing all my possessions in a fire or flood and then living free of stuff as an extreme minimalist; I don't usually admit this fantasy given people’s very real heartbreak over losing precious photos and family things to the flooding. Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02984294046297993017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-63974627492909777352013-09-15T20:25:55.032-06:002013-09-15T20:25:55.032-06:00Great minds... :-)Great minds... :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-67648329113916653722013-09-15T20:25:42.777-06:002013-09-15T20:25:42.777-06:00It's nice to see people helping each other, bu...It's nice to see people helping each other, but it's also just nice to see people stop caring so much about the stupid irrelevant stuff. <br /><br />I have to say that I'm amazed by the amount of damage... so far I've heard reports of 1400 homes destroyed, and thousands damaged, over 30 bridges completely gone and at least that many more damaged, and the worst is that over 1200 people are still missing. <br /><br />Here's hoping that humanity and compassion will be enough to get everybody back on their feet!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-58536612297085182422013-09-15T18:58:16.602-06:002013-09-15T18:58:16.602-06:00Schadenfreud was exactly the sentiment I had in mi...Schadenfreud was exactly the sentiment I had in mind when I posted this!Alex Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15562233895276078957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-32632932615400897122013-09-15T14:02:53.581-06:002013-09-15T14:02:53.581-06:00I think you are right that there is a humanity tha...I think you are right that there is a humanity that comes out when bad things happen and there seems to be more and more disasters..both man-made and nature-made...over the last few years. The weather related items just seem unimaginable as to how water, wind or fire can destroy so much so quickly. <br /><br />As always, I love your choices of pictures. Cperzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09062444081488414888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-17926137583651181992013-09-15T12:53:03.692-06:002013-09-15T12:53:03.692-06:00Ha! It's weather schadenfreude!
It's fun...Ha! It's weather schadenfreude! <br /><br />It's funny when I think about it because one of the big attractions of Colorado is the weather. I guess we're used to lots of days of sunshine punctuated by periods of craziness. I honestly can't remember so much prolonged rain in my lifetime, and my part of town has been mostly spared!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-49070309665269019032013-09-15T12:50:20.636-06:002013-09-15T12:50:20.636-06:00Ha! Well, America is a pretty big place, so I don&...Ha! Well, America is a pretty big place, so I don't think it's exactly a fair comparison. I think the state of Colorado is probably bigger than Ireland.<br /><br />But, Colorado is know for severe weather. Lightning, hail, tornadoes, blizzards, avalanches and forest fires are all commonplace here. What isn't common is this kind of prolonged rain. In fact, rain in September is almost unheard of - it's generally a spring & summer phenomenon. <br /><br />I do remember being taught how to deal with severe situations in school - what to do if you're caught in a storm or avalanche, recognizing the signs of hypothermia etc. I guess it just seems normal to me! Perhaps that's why my state is known as a place full of hardy, rugged folks! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-55004497318171844792013-09-15T12:06:21.784-06:002013-09-15T12:06:21.784-06:00Yikes! Riding out a cyclone in a tent sounds somew...Yikes! Riding out a cyclone in a tent sounds somewhat harrowing! <br /><br />It will be interesting to see how quickly things get back to normal here - there's just so much infrastructure damage. But, the 24/7 news coverage has ended and the TV's full of football today, so I guess that's a sign! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-74906776151069677982013-09-15T12:04:42.591-06:002013-09-15T12:04:42.591-06:00Thanks. All's well here, though more rain is f...Thanks. All's well here, though more rain is falling!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-16291839074562457332013-09-15T09:01:56.820-06:002013-09-15T09:01:56.820-06:00Once again you have successfully meshed oddity wit...Once again you have successfully meshed oddity with truth. I can tell you that being a person who lives in an area that gets made fun of for it's weather, we experience a little bit of your interest in bad weather elsewhere. You see, not matter how much people joke about cold weather and snow, it doesn't wash people's homes away, blow buildings off their foundations or choke and kill living things. Bad weather elsewhere is salve to our climate situation.<br /><br />So, you're note entirely alone!Alex Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15562233895276078957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-20000734031282978092013-09-15T07:44:26.540-06:002013-09-15T07:44:26.540-06:00Thank you for jogging my fatigued brain....yes you...Thank you for jogging my fatigued brain....yes you are right, the Denver flood is what we battled here in the 60's, plus Big Thompson in the mid 70's. I was in high school then. I remember not having some school days because of it. <br />We are just watching for now, and that is all we can do. Thank you for letting me know about Ft Morgan. <br />Please take care.<br /> denimflyzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04737448177805751756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-31202436592350001962013-09-15T04:15:30.606-06:002013-09-15T04:15:30.606-06:00I honestly don't know how you cope with all th...I honestly don't know how you cope with all the natural disasters that seem to hit America. I mean, in Ireland, the worst we currently get is a heavy downpour but our country would obviously be equipped for it since we get it a lot. And our storms would be a bit of thunder and lightning, although they are very rare - seeing as I'm 21 and I finally witnessed my first storm about a month ago, and it was epic! <br /><br />Would the children be taught in school how to deal in a natural disaster? Like when I was in school, they taught us about farm safety since agriculture is a huge part of Irish life, so I was wondering would there be some sort of equivalent? <br /><br />Hope Mother Nature settles herself soon and ye are all safe :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com