Why I Will Still Call Myself A Storm Chaser.

Storm chasing, like everything else in the world we live in, continues to evolve. New trends emerge, old ones die. Lately a new trend I've noticed is people suddenly "un-labeling" themselves as a storm chaser. So, that begs the question...were you ever one to begin with? Or did you simply just partake in the activity of chasing storms to go along with some alterior motive you care about more. I've always said chasing a storm doesnt make you a storm chaser and I stand by it. I play baseball sometimes with family/friends. I sure as hell aint a baseball player.

The reasons for this are the suposed dispicable acts of the growing number of fellow chasers. The funny thing about that is most of this stuff can be avoided. The last few chases I have seen more posts on my feed about convergences than the storms. I can't think of an issue easier to avoid than that. Stop putting fuel economy first and actually chase in a vehicle that can take you away from the crowds if it bothers you so much. Until then, STFU. Stop chasing in May in the same targets as everyone else if it bothers you that much, until then, STFU.

I dont care what others do, and neither should you. Its a free country. It only matters to me if you get in my personal way. In which case I will flatten you. Storm Chasing is what I love, my life revolves around it and nothing anyone can do can take that away from me for as long as I am alive and able to chase, when I am not able to, life can pull the plug. I will forever self label myself as a Storm Chaser...and Im damn proud of it. Its what Ive always wanted since I was a child, and (for the most part) I got it.

I always find it funny how the ones who bitch the most about chasing and what others are doing, are the ones chasing the least. As I've said many times before, STFU....and chase.

God 2014 has been a craptastic season, this is not what I should be blogging about...oh well.

Relating to the Mike Rowe Letter.

While farting around online today I stumbled upon this:

http://news.distractify.com/people/mike-rowe-crushes-a-mans-hopes-for-finding-a-dream-job-and-i-agree-with-him-100/?v=1

I don't know how much of this is legit, and how much is made up...whether the person writing the letter actually wrote that letter or even if its actually Mike Row who took the time to write that lenghy response. Its a good read regardless, but the last paragraph is advice GOLD as far as Im concerned:

"Stop looking for the “right” career, and start looking for a job. Any job. Forget about what you like. Focus on what’s available. Get yourself hired. Show up early. Stay late. Volunteer for the scut work. Become indispensable. You can always quit later, and be no worse off than you are today. But don’t waste another year looking for a career that doesn’t exist. And most of all, stop worrying about your happiness. Happiness does not come from a job. It comes from knowing what you truly value, and behaving in a way that’s consistent with those beliefs.

Many people today resent the suggestion that they’re in charge of the way the feel. But trust me, Parker. Those people are mistaken. That was a big lesson from Dirty Jobs, and I learned it several hundred times before it stuck. What you do, who you’re with, and how you feel about the world around you, is completely up to you."

If I had enough room on my arm I would have this tattooed so people could read it everywhere I went. I am a perfect example of this.

Chasing storms is my dream, my passion, the reason I live my life. People are shocked to learn that I have a "real job" that involves outdoor wood restoration. Primarily decks, fences, gazebos, and whatever else thats outside and made of wood. How can this be? Its quite simple really. I need money to chase, and its damn near impossible to make enough money to live off storm chasing alone. So I have to work...but if I work to make money, I cant chase.

Now theres a conundrum...so what is one to do? The answer, as stated above, is to find a job that fits. My job, as I see it, is a pretty damn good fit. First off, you cant work outdoors on wood when it rains. Normally when its raining/storming and I am out chasing, its raining/storming at home. So most of those days I "take off" to chase I dont end up working anyways.

Second I was straight up honest about it when I got hired. I said look, during the spring time I can be somewhat flaky with last minute notices I wont be around to go out chasing. On the flip side, they have hardcore dedication from me otherwise. I work 14 hours days sometimes 6-7 days a week during the off season. That includes weekends and holidays. I give my time back, its the least I can do. Ive built a good relationship and they know they can count on me.

My job isnt my passion, who the hell is passionate about restoring wood anyways? The chemicals are hazardous and probably shortening my life each year I work with them, and working out in the summer heat is purse misery....but those are all the sacrifices I make to be able to reap the benefits of flexibility.

The pay isnt the greatest, but its sufficient, and overall I am happy at my work. I like my job. It fits my life and what I do, and at the end of the day I am glad I have it. Obviously the dream we all have is to not need to work, but unless you fall into the rare 1% of people who can skirt by without working, you have to seek elsewhere.

Its easy to choose the high paying career, the path thats expected of you and do all those things others and society envision for you...but at the end of the day if you aren't happy and there is this passion inside you that yearns for more attention then you need to ask yourself this question. "Are you living the life you want, or the life you THINK you want." There is no point in living just to exist. I still get my bills paid, I may not own a big house or drive a fancy car or own a boat...but thats not the shit I want in life. If it was, I'd go get it.

Ive always been one to advocate doing what really makes you happy in life and let me tell you....its much, much harder than simply doing the normal routine of going to school to get a degree in hopes it will land you a high paying career. If you think that shit is tough, try pursuing a dream thats not part of the normal life curriculum.