I watch an average of three hours of news on a weekday, and I’m not usually frightened by the news. However, Hurricane Irene has bothered me more than I anticipated. I’m in no danger here in Michigan, but being from Southern California, I’ve never lived without a disaster bag packed. (California has four seasons: summer, brushfire, earthquake, and hotter than hell). Until now. In Michigan, where maybe a tornado will come through, and a blizzard might snow you in, I’ve lived without a disaster bag. Why was that again?
In any case, Irene’s coverage has put an end to that. FEMA personnel, news anchors, and governors everywhere keep saying “And remember to take your pets!” and, of course, people should take their pets. But, can you imagine trying to evacuate yourself and pets without having a plan and a pre-packed bag for yourself or for them? That’s a recipe for disaster topped with panic. I know that my emotional state would plummet if I had to leave the cats behind just because I had never thought about a plan to take them. So, I’ve begun making lists and will assemble GOD bags (Get Out of Dodge bags) for both myself and the cats. I’m going to DIY it, especially in light of Foucault’s diabetic needs, but there are some comprehensive kits and even more comprehensive kits out there. And if nothing else kits like these provide a good idea of items to gather for a pet kit.
The news hasn’t been all doom and gloom. Well, it has, but there have been some interesting moments in which anchors, hosts and pundits – those that are far enough inland that they can hunker down and ride it out - discuss plans to ride out the storm as if they are planning for a long weekend. I think I find this charming because 1) I like anything that humanizes pundits, anchors and hosts, and 2) I think that good aesthetics makes for good morale. That is, if you can think of it as a long weekend in, with a book, a bottle of wine, whatever, then you’re more likely to get through horrible weather in good spirits than not. Yesterday, after guest hosting “Way Too Early“, “Morning Joe“ regular Jonathon Capehart (@CapehartJ), the newest of my favorite pundits (yes, I’m wonky enough to have favorites) was buttonholed by the AMJoe crew for a brief “Questions for Capehart” video on just this topic: what will you do to ride out the storm? It was then put it up on the MoJoe blog.
Do not follow my example. Do everything the government tells you to do, what FEMA tells you to do, do it. Yes, listen to William Fugate, the FEMA Administrator, and you will- you’ll live.
I love that he knows the FEMA director’s name at the drop of a hat but can’t count to four on the first try. And while I’m not really a fan of bow ties, if Capehart and Eleven are going to insist on them, then, fine: bow ties are cool.
