tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77752087279064903862024-03-13T09:46:44.579-05:00AerostormsAll you want (and dont want) to know about the life of an obsessive storm chaser.Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-8459319454491100742015-05-25T16:09:00.002-05:002015-05-25T16:26:42.942-05:00Odd Season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Its been a pretty odd chase season. It started off incredibly slow, breaking records in fact. The gulf coast and dixie alley seemingly got skipped altogether (good, they needed a break, and chasing down there sucks anyways.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then an El Nino pattern developed, and May suddenly has gone bonkers, but basically in the same spot every day, unlike 2011 which was country-wide chaos. Most of this years tornadoes have been HP and difficult to see unless you were willing to give up your windshield (I paid for 2 replacements this year)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There have been a few photogenic treats mixed in, most noteable in KS on May 6th, a day that was way under-forecast. A day I unfortunately could not chase. Then you have the rainbow-nado in CO a few days later...thats a year maker for those who were there. We had Elmer on May 16th, which is my year maker...and since then, just about every day has seen more low contrast non-wall hanger HPnadoes in the same spot over and over again.<br /><br />I had to return home for normal life. I envy those who have found a way to chase everything, have money, and not be bound by work. I need to achieve that in my life...some how...some way. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I have decent flexibility, but clearly not enough yet. Im beginning to think its time to just flat out tell my company "I can't work for you in the spring anymore" and see what the response is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now it looks like the jet is about to make its leap to the north. What will June bring? I have no idea. I hope for at least 1 more Elmer-type day. I need at least 2 more Elmer days to consider a new DVD at the end of this year.<br /><br />Perhaps I should have chased this weekend? Eh...I'm 50/50 on that. Nothing Ive seen has made me jealous...and assuming I was on those storms while I was out there, Im not sure I would have been personally satisfied. Oh sure, a nighttime wedge is awesome to see in person, but like the best structure in the world, Im not upset to miss it. Afterall, I dont get my amazing DVD shots from that. Maybe I need to lower my standards and learn to be happy with less? Or is this a defense mechanism I've created for myself because my life still wont allow me to chase everything? Whatever the reason, its saving me from the looney bin right now.<br /><br />Overall though I can't complain. There haven't been many blue sky busts this year, unlike years past. Almost all the chases featured intense supercells with good structure and at least hail. 2012 and 2014 were still dismal at this point. 2013 had turned itself around in a big way at this point last year. Its not even fair to compare any recent season to 2010 or 2011...those 2 years rose the bar high when it comes to chase seasons. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I've had a good year so far, the main struggle has been finding a way to be out there for all these marginal events that keep producing. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Oh well, cheers to hopefully an awesome June for us all!</span></div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-32572492430345503632015-02-20T17:31:00.000-06:002015-02-20T17:55:44.033-06:00Chase Dates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Me being a stat junkie + a February that refuses to let up with frigid temps + being bored at 3am during the off season = what Im about to post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've wanted to do this for awhile now, I've decided to see what dates I have chased the most to see if any trends or patterns would emerge. There is obviously no scientific value in this at all, but sometimes its fun to see how things come together. I went back and plotted all my chase days during traditional chase season. Chase dates during other months are so obscure and random there really was no point in doing the entire year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is how things stacked up between 2004 and 2014. 10 years of documented storm chases. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So there really isn't a whole lot to conclude here but a couple things did emerge.<br /><br />April takes the lead with most chase dates, which surprised me. Only 2 days in that month have not featured a storm chase in 10 years, compared with a surprising 5 in May. Shear tends to be stronger in April, which prompts more "potential tornado days." There is also a lower "death ridge" potential since the summer airmass hasn't quite taken hold yet, something that can sometimes completely shut down May. It appears that in any given year, April is at least likely to give me the most chase opportunities.<br /><br />May does lead the amount of repeat chase dates though. Instability tends to be higher, shear decreases and weather patterns move slower, leading to more multi day chase setups. The longest stretch being May 19-24th which also includes 3 of the months 4 3-peats. The statistical peak of tornado season is May 22nd, and it looks like my personal chase stats reflect this well. I can probably conclude that this period is in fact, when I am most likely to chase.<br /><br />There has not yet been a date where I've had 4 chases on. Will 2015 break that? It seems probable.<br /><br />June 5th is the only date with a star on it. Meaning that it is the only date with multiple chases that featured a tornado on each of them (2009 and 2010.) I can therefore conclude June 5th is my best chase date.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can also see how quickly things shut down in Junes final week. So when that June 20th setup presents itself, it might just be worth biting on, despite any negative parameters. That could be it for the traditional chase year!<br /><br />I also realize there aren't 31 days in June. I used the same blank calendar for each month and forgot to delete it. Seeing as how this is not a scientific study and it really has no value to anyone but myself, it is prone to laziness and personal error.<br /><br />Bring on chase season 2015 already...</span></div>
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Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-59041351751558448312015-01-18T14:55:00.001-06:002015-01-19T15:50:50.290-06:002015 Game Plan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ah the winter doldrums. Preperations for chase season 2015 are well underway. Its been a fairly productive winter for me in that regards. I've tackled quite a few items on my to do list. That list seems to have this magical power of being able to regenerate itself when I knock an item off though. Like how starfish can regrow a severed arm, I cross an item off and *poof* another one pops up in its place. The end of the list only exists in theory...anyways...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I often get asked what will I be doing different this year and if I've made any big upgrades etc etc etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The answer to that is this year will be pretty straight forward. The biggest upgrade is the creation of a new website <a href="http://illinoisstormchasers.com/">illinoisstormchasers.com</a> with one of my regular chase partners. This site has some good potential, and we've got big plans for it. Its only 2 weeks old and the response has been good so far. Aerostorms will always be my "personal" brand that I identify with, but ISC will be more of a collaborative effort with greater public outreach potential.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chasing wise, I will be adding a dash cam this year. Over the years there have been random surprise moments I wish I had captured on film. Things such as very close CG strikes, near misses with animals, drunk drivers careening off the road and smashing into a telephone pole ahead of us, and even quick spinup tornadoes that come and go so fast by the time I hit record I've already missed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the years Ive continued to develop my chase strategy, and am finding a personal preference as to where I want to be in relation to the storms and tornadoes. I am going to focus a lot on that this year, and plan to be in a similar position on all the storms if possible. This will hopefully lead to an increase in quality footage. Too many times in past years Ive sat idle too long and let storms slip away because people I am chasing with want lightning photos or shots of distant anvils. No more. There are dozens of chances to get those shots in a year...only a handful of chances for tornadoes...and while I'm at it...no more sitting behind the tornadoes while they slip away, making for a more difficult pursuit of the next cycle (Pilger day.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hoping the chase-mobile survives the season. Overall it runs good, but the 9 year old vehicle with 227,000+ miles is starting to show its age and abuse. Its beginning to get a little moody and quirky. I've begun putting money away for the inevitable replacement...but I need to get at least 1 more year out of it before the purchase wont become a complete financial burden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hoping 2015 is a better year than 2014 obviously. Every chase knows I don't even need to explain why. Not just for tornadoes, but even structure. I've barely used my DSLR and want to get some great images.<br /><br />I've cleaned up my social media presence, got my Youtube channel all updated and spiffed out. Same with twitter. I have a far greater understanding on how this stuff works than I did in previous years. I now know what kind of content people want, so Im hoping I get a chance to deliver it this year and increase my numbers/revenue. In the end that part is up to the weather. Years like 2012 and 2014 do little to help me out there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One big new thing Im going to attempt this year is a chase-cation. Ive always been a marathoner and will continue to be one, but I've missed being out there for the long hauls, playing some really marginal days that can still pay off big, and spending time with all the awesome people out in the plains. I havent nailed down the dates yet, but Im thinking something like a May 20-June 10th unless an awesome pattern presents itself before that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thats about the extent of my plans. Nothing extreme, just going to continue advancing in my self driven chase career, hoping to achieve that next milestone while figuring out ways to make chasing more sustainable for me. Never give up the passion, its worth fighting for!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">See you all out there!</span></div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-67890885958747967342014-07-20T17:15:00.002-05:002014-07-20T17:21:07.230-05:002014 Season Stats<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, traditional chase season 2014 has come to its yearly end. Obviously I know setups can present themselves year round, which is why I used the term "traditional" when describing the period that covers March through June, when 90% of chasing is typically done.<br />
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Few will argue 2014 was a rough season, slower than average, especially in traditional tornado alley. You really had to work for your prizes this year. For me it was overall a sub-par year. Take away the Pilger day and this season would be hanging out with 2012 in the years I'd rather forget than remember category. Pilger day itself can best be described as a diamond in the rough. Such an incredible, career day thrown into a mix of steaming dinosaur turds.<br />
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The other big events of the year I simply wasn't there for. It was a year of picking the wrong setups to chase. Since Im not one of these rich kids with no real world obligations or responsibilities I still have to pick and choose my days. The biggest flop was not staying out for the 2 days after Pilger, because that incredible 3 days stretch would have given me enough content for a new DVD, and bumped this year into 2013 like final-hour amazingness. Setups couldn't get easier than those 3 days right there with basically 1 storm to get on and enjoy the show. It was bad logistical planning that cost me those next 2 days. Until I someday hopefully reach the ultimate pipe dream where I am able to chase everything, that is always going to be a tough issue to solve. Big setups fail to produce, and small setups do big things. That is probably the only real challenge left in storm chasing...picking the right days when you simply cant just chase them all.<br />
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So here's what I've got for this season.<br />
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Chases: 15<br />
Tornadoes: 17<br />
Tornado Days: 4<br />
States Chased: OK, KS, NE, IA, IL, MO, MS<br />
New Milestones: Most number of violent tornadoes in a single chase (4 on 6-16)<br />
Largest Hail: 2.25"<br />
Approx Miles: 13,500<br />
Windows lost: 0<br />
Pulled over and ticketed: 1<br />
Stuck in the mud: 0<br />
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The tornado count of 17 looks impressive, but take away the 7 on Pilger day, and those other 10 probably only netted me 2 minutes of video and aren't even DVD chapter worthy. Instead theyll get lumped into a montage chapter whenever the next DVD comes around. Another strange thing about that tornado count. Every single one of them was in NEBRASKA. That will undoubtedly make Nebraska the state I have now seen the most tornadoes in, moving Kansas into the #2 spot.<br />
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The number of chases is pretty average compared to my other years as a chaser who is stuck having to have a day job. The 2010-2011 seasons logged 30+ chases simply because I was free to chase it all. I definitely miss that.<br />
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Thanks again to Pilger for saving the season from the 2012 category, but it wasnt enough to move the whole year into the 2013, 2011, 2010 category. Instead, 2014 will simply find itself in that middle ground with years like 2008 and 2009. It wasnt awful, but it wasnt great.<br />
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Its not over yet though, and big things can still happen. We're just at the point where nothing is a gaurantee. You're always going to have chaseable setups in the spring. Summer and fall is never a sure thing, and Ive seen years where the summer and fall do nothing, and years where they go big. Now its time to work work work and build up the finances and make sure Im ready in case this year decides to throw something else my way.<br />
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I decided awhile ago (before Pilger) that the best way to beat a lowsy year is to set myself up for next year in case its big. Work more, make more money, and be ready for it all. If this year was a big year, I wouldn't have been in a position to financially chase it all anyways, so I need to make sure next year that wont be an issue. This has been the case since 2012 with slower than average years, and I need to take advantage of that for when the next 2010 or 2011 comes around.</div>
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Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-59362762965407058702014-05-21T20:43:00.001-05:002014-05-21T20:43:52.738-05:00Why I Will Still Call Myself A Storm Chaser.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />God 2014 has been a craptastic season, this is not what I should be blogging about...oh well.</div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-12112640486727880442014-05-02T17:15:00.001-05:002014-05-02T17:23:55.328-05:00Relating to the Mike Rowe Letter.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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While farting around online today I stumbled upon this:<br />
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http://news.distractify.com/people/mike-rowe-crushes-a-mans-hopes-for-finding-a-dream-job-and-i-agree-with-him-100/?v=1<br />
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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:<br />
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<span style="color: white;">"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.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">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."</span><br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.
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Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-55304012112666865372014-03-20T03:17:00.001-05:002014-03-20T03:17:40.971-05:00Stats of a Slow Season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
2014 may in fact be my slowest start to a storm chasing season ever. With each run of the GFS it looks increasingly likely March won't offer up a storm chase. Not the first time, other years I haven't chased in March were 2008 and 2013.<br /><br />In each of those years, my first April chases were April 6th and April 10th respectively. So, theoretically 2014 needs to go to April 10th in order to rank it as the slowest personal start to a season ever....BUT...something interesting about 2013 and 2008 is that both of those years featured an Illinois chase in JANUARY, and 2008 had the notorious Super Tuesday outbreak in February that I chased. While not part of traditional chase season, the setups all included tornadic thunderstorms and do count as official chases for me.<br /><br />So, going off that, plus the fact in all the other years I've had a March chase by now, its safe to say that 2014 is off to the slowest personal start of any chase season.<br /><br />Not chasing February 20th was a huge blunder on my part. I almost did, I checked the RAP the night before and it showed the potential, but it was an outlier and I thought it was overdoing things like its been known to do. With no other model support, being climalogically unfavored, and me not having any of my gear ready I simply decided to ignore it. What I should have done was wake up early to monitor things in the morning but by the time I slothed out of bed at 1pm it was too late. That day stings.<br /><br />So here we have it...the slowest start ever for me. I am bored, coming down with serious cabin fever. I need to be out there soon. Cmon 2014, get your shit together!!!!!</div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-17012875548279235212014-03-16T19:09:00.000-05:002014-03-16T19:11:23.862-05:00Finding My Place<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Chasing has rapidly changed over the years. On the evolutionary scale you have the first breed of chasers, the old schoolers. They have the best instincts, can chase blind without the need of technology and run circles around everyone if they chose to do so, but they dont (lucky for the newcomers.)<br />
<br />
Then you have the new breed, they spend more time keeping up to date with technology than they do actually learning about the science of meteorology. They come from rich families, own fancy cameras, expensive laptops, but couldnt chase their own tail into a wall if you pointed it out to them. They wouldnt survive 10 years ago, plain and simple.<br />
<br />
The dividing line between the two groups might as well be the Grand Canyon. I can tell just by what I observe online. Veteran chaser status are only commented on/followed by other veterans, and likewise for the newcomers. The mixed involvement seems to be the exception rather than the rule.<br />
<br />
And yet...like always, I find myself in the middle. Inside the grand canyon. Climbing up either way and falling back down. I came in at the tail end of the old generation, just as the transition towards the new generation was beginning to take shape. I hate technology and wish it would go away. I chased blind my first several years, but have since adapted to the ways of new in order to stay relevant. I loathe it, but I simply do it because its a necessary tool for success.<br />
<br />
I can relate to both sides. I love the ways of old, and appreciate the ways of new. My whole live I never really had a best friend, or a main group of friends. Rather I spread myself across the vast network of various social groups and people (I think I just called myself a whore in a creative way,) creating a vast network of bar buddies, chase pals, hood rats, etc etc. The kind that are soon to forget me, the same as I am them. I move on quickly. Its never bitter and the friendships never end...its just those I move away from seem to gravitate to those who are more like them. I never understood the whole "clique" thing. I've always found those groups to be shallow and empty, despite the illusion of their close-knits bonds that have been threaded by mere similar opinions.<br />
<br />
I've always been an introvert in that regards I guess. I get along with everyone, but I don't really identify with anyone. I am not hardcore conservative christian like those before me, but I am not a vegan humanist like those who follow me. I tred the middle line, dabbing in both sides...just like chasing.<br />
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Im happy being a general loner though. It seems to keep peoples expectations of me low. I just do my thing, meet people along the way. They stay as long as they want, get what they want, and move on. Or maybe its me who does that...I dunno.<br />
<br />
Is there a storm coming yet?</div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-69810759345160004432014-02-02T18:55:00.001-06:002014-02-02T19:04:24.824-06:00Crunch Month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Its February. 2 great things happen this month. 1 - Football ends. 2 - March is within 30 days the entire time.<br />
<br />
Since I apparently love a challenge, this is going to be a chaotic month as I get everything ready for chase season. I've had a long list of projects for months and as always it will come down to the wire. It wasn't all my fault this time though. The biggest setback I suffered was a hard drive failure that delayed the production and release of my 2nd DVD by nearly 2 months while I dealt with the lengthy and costly process of data recovery. Luckily that had a happy ending, and Im pleased to see that sales of the DVD are getting close to offsetting that cost. The support has been great, and again I thank you all for that.<br />
<br />
Those sales funds are what is needed for my biggest upgrade this year and that is a new laptop capable of doing very fast, in the field video editing for upload to media. I don't chase just to make money, but lets be real. If I can make a good buck, and therby giving myself the ability to chase more, I am going to do it. My old laptop, while reliable could not handle editing the HD video, and it would always take me 8+ hours to get video online. Anyone whos dealt with ENG video knows, that is 7hrs and 59 minutes too long.<br />
<br />
That and the laptop will better run the live stream and software programs, hopefully without random crashes like the old one.<br />
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I've also ordered a wind filter for my camera. I hate wind noise. It is just as annoying as squeeky windshield wipers. A hard problem to avoid since tornadoes are obviously surrounded by wind, so hopefully this filter will help reduce that issue.<br />
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I began to finally study for my HAM test, but that is being currently interupted by some side work I picked up. I'm basically building an entire basement. We've been at it 1 week and will be at least 1 week more. My day job is seasonal so I don't work in the winter, and thus funds are always tight since throughout the year I typically just save up enough to pay my bills and eat. So the extra money this side gig is bringing in couldnt come at a better time, especially if March decides it wants to start out active...which right now it doesn't look like its going to.<br />
<br />
So, back on point, once I am finished with this side work, studying for the HAM test will resume, as well as getting at least the laptop setup. I am also probably going to upgrade my data plan to a 4G one. I havent figured that out yet, but that is another change coming. My current provider now only offers mifi devices, something I wasnt thrilled to learn, as Ive used one in the past and hated it, but Im told theyve improved quite a bit since then so I may give it another go.<br /><br />I also need to wire up my 1000 watt power inverter to the battery, and install some toggle switches to flip it on and off along with a new set of fog lights since my last ones got smashed by hail. THEN, if I pass the HAM test. I will need to buy and install the radio equipment. The list is forever growing.<br />
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IF I can wrap all this up, with time and money leftover, I plan to finally tap into the SLR world. If not before the season, then probably during the season once I am back to working my normal job and the bankroll is fruitful once again.<br />
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I have no idea what this season will bring. This winter has probably been one of the harshest of my life. Doing a bit of history digging I've found that springs and summers that follow winters like this have swung both ways, either extremely boring or extremely stormy, there didn't seem to be much of a middle ground. All I can say is now...we'll just have to wait and see.<br />
<br />
I plan to stick to my new agressive chase plan. 2013 was a season of rebirth for me. 2014 will hopefully be the year I add some steam to that momentum. Up close and personal is the name of the game this year. Like it or not, its the way its going to be done! The way 2013 ended is the way 2014 will hopefully begin.</div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-67147489723840554242014-01-13T02:51:00.000-06:002014-01-13T02:52:02.443-06:00Tornado Dates Updated<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Updating a previous post with the 2013 data added in. I find this quote from the original post amusing:<br />
<br style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">"Perhaps that will be a fun little goal I can try to hit in 2013, double up on a calender day."</span><br />
<br />
So, did I accomplish that goal? Here is the updated list.<br />
<br style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" />
<u style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">March:</u><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">2nd (2012) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">22nd (2011) </span><br />
<br style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" />
<u style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">April:</u><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">9th (2011) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">13th (2012) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">14th (2012) </span><br />
17th (2013)<br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">19th (2011) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">22nd (2010) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">27th (2011) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">29th (2010) </span><br />
<br style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" />
<u style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">May:</u><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">5th (2007) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">10th (2010) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">12th (2011) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">13th (2009)</span><br />
18th (2013<br />
19th (2013)<br />
20th (2013)<br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">21st (2011)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">22nd (2010)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">23rd (2008)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">24th (2011)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">25th (2008)</span><br />
27th (2013)<br />
28th (2013)<br />
31st (2013)<br />
<br style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" />
<u style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">June:</u><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">5th (2009, 2010)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">6th (2007)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">7th (2008)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">10th (2010)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">14th (2009)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">15th (2009)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">17th (2010)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">19th (2011)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">20th (2011)</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" />
<u style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">July:</u><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">26th (2011)</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" />
<u style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">October:</u><br />
4th (2013)<br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">12th (2012)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">18th (2007)</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" />
<u style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">November:</u><br />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">7th (2011)</span><br />
17th (2013)<br />
<br />
Ironically, I did not double up on any dates in 2013. Even during the active perdiod in May, all the tornado days fell on dates I have not previously witnessed a tornado on. June 5th still remains the only day I have seen tornadoes on in more than one year.<br />
<br style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" />
<span style="background-color: #191919; color: #0d8f63; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Side note - further illustrating how much 2012 sucked, it is the first year since I started visiting the plains in 2007 that I did not see a tornado in May or June. Sad...</span></div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-47933689925813443692013-11-26T15:30:00.002-06:002013-11-26T15:30:51.926-06:002013: Thats All She Wrote (?)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With the models showing nothing but intrusion after intrusion of arctic air, I think I can finally say the fat lady has sung for my 2013 storm chasing. Though I say that with a question mark, because that is what I thought after October 4th, then those awful wannabe setups trolled us around Halloween and then I thought THAT was it, then November 17th happened. So I guess its never really a sure thing until the clock strikes midnight on Jan 1st 2014.<br /><br />So, here are the stats:<br /><br />Chases: 19 (Average to slightly below average)<br />Tornadoes: 11 (Slightly below average)<br />States: IL, NE, CO, KS, OK, AR (Way below average)<br />Tornado Days: 9 (47% success ratio - slightly above average)<br /><br />And some Milestones:<br /><br />- New record for consecutive chases with tornadoes: 6 (April 17th, May 18th, May 19th, May 20th, May 27th, May 28th)<br />- First rear windshield blown out (October 4th)<br />
- Latest tornado of any season (November 17th)<br />
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2013 was certainly the year of quality over quantity. Overall 2013 was a very slow year for tornadoes, quite possibly one of the, if not THE slowest on record. When tornadoes did occur though, they were significant and made headlines. With the exception of the Lawton Tornado on April 17th, every catch I had was a photogenic/significant tornado, and while the overall tornado count was only par (11) many of these tornadoes will be some of the most memorable of my career and tough ones to beat.<br /><br />I did very well on all the big days, the only real big fail I have for the year was missing the El Reno tornado. A couple events I could have played a bit better such as the Moore tornado. We let ourselves get stuck on the wrong side of the river and were unable to pursue it due to lack of crossings and police roadblocks. Next year I am going to be very tempted to just go around those, as they are getting increasingly annoying. Are they really going to follow me and arrest me? Maybe...maybe not.<br /><br />The year came on the heels of my worst chase season ever, and the agonizingly slow start only helped me spiral deeper into my own mental insanity. Finally, on May 19th that awful streak was ended with Rozel and I was reborn. I entered the year with a new outlook and a new strategy in my mind. No more packed sardine marathons like in 2012, which I attribute to my distraction and overall awful year. Fewer people in the car yelling at me to do things their way, keeping my head in the game, not stopping every 2 minutes while 10 miles away for structure shots and simply just getting up to the tornadoes and getting the video I want. It seemed to pay off. Agressive is my style.<br /><br />I began to toy around with a riskier plan, aiming to be north of tornadoes more than the tradiotnal south/southeast. I like the view north better. It is often higher contrast, and you dont have rain wrapping around as far as you do when storms go HP. Of course there are downfalls to this, with the obvious being the risk involved of being more vulnarable to the tornado itself. Also, if you dont time your moves well, hook echo precip will cut off your view...something I still have yet to master, but after a few good examples now under my belt I think I can better accomplish this in 2014. If you don't fancy this type of chasing, its probably better you dont follow me next year, because its not going to stop. If your goal while chasing is pretty pictures, dont even bother asking to chase with me because I dont want to stop so you can take pictures of anvils while the storm is maturing and could potentially drop a tornado. My goal is video. I do plan to have an SLR camera next season and will occasionaly do the artsy photo thing, but only on days where tornado threat is minimal or non existent.<br /><br />After many years of toying around with differnt chasing styles, trying to take in different things and give everything a shot at least once, I think I finally have my style nailed down and what it takes to accomplish the things I like. Providing favorable weather patterns, 2014 should be an amazing year.<br /><br />Back to 2013, there were some memorable and unique moments including being able to drive the TIV for a string of chases in early April, sadly those setups were not big tornado producers, but that was still an awesome experience I would love to do again so hopefully the Caseys trust me enough to make me the offer next year.<br /><br />Sadly 2013 was also the year it finally happened. We all know what I am talking about. I still cant listen to the song I was listening to at the time I found out that awful news without thinking about them. That song is "Whataya Want From Me" By Adam Lambert - not an overly sad song, or a song remotely about chasing, but probably forever until the day I die, when that song comes on I will think about those 3. I miss them, as Im sure many do.<br /><br />Anyways, that sums up 2013 in a nut shell. Winter approaches, and so does a time of more active blogging and chase related off-season projects. For everyone who followed and supported, thank you! For all my chase pals, see ya in 2014. Cheers and Happy Holidays!</div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-13911025968007458242013-10-21T17:01:00.001-05:002013-10-21T17:04:47.860-05:00DVD Review: Distance to Empty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br />Veteran storm chaser Shane Adams offers his latest DVD this year, titled "Distance to Empty." The official release date is Halloween, but as part of a trade for my latest DVD (when I am done with it) I was able to snag it early and get the jump on everyone else.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">DVD info/purchase page: </span><a href="http://www.passiontwist.com/distance.htm" style="text-align: left;">http://www.passiontwist.com/distance.htm</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.passiontwist.com/Distance%20To%20Empty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.passiontwist.com/Distance%20To%20Empty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Like with any Shane Adams DVD, it is purely raw chasing, something I love. The title is unique and has personal meaning, something I also love and much prefer over something cheesy like "tornado alley adventures 2013." No fancy covers or case here. I personally like having the black DVD cases because I like having something to stack into a shelf to look at and say "this is my awesome storm porn collection," but Im just weird like that and in the grand scheme of things it doesnt really matter so onto what matters most, the meat.<br />
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The DVD starts quickly with a short segment from 2011 documenting a rare February tornado in Oklahoma, a rather insignificant event tornado wise as the funnel didn't fully condense and was short lived but given the early time of the year for it to occur seeing any shot of it is a treat.<br />
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We move onto another event not many chasers covered, April 3rd 2012 which saw a local tornado outbreak near the Dallas/FT worth area. Mostly local chasers on this event, Shane gets a brief look at a tornado in its rope out stage as he tries to battle metro traffic. Coming from someone who lives in another large metro area (Chicago) I can emphasize the frustration. Earmuffs recommended for children. Still, this is a shot you won't see anywhere else.<br />
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The next chapter ramps up big time and accounts for more than half the tornadoes on the DVD. 2012 was a disgustingly painful year for many chasers, but it did offer one major event which many chasers scored on. April 14th. Shane did about as good as you can and nabbed 10 tornadoes of all shapes and sizes, during the day and night. One shot shows twin tornadoes on the ground. Great chapter, great chasing, great tornadoes. Many of the tornadoes in this chapter are not well known as most chasers were in Kansas, a great plus since many of the shots I saw were new to me. Awesome nightime footage of a tornado with quick transitions. A series of video stills set to music follows. Something that offers a nice change of pace on the DVD, but fits in well with the chapter. On a personal note, I failed this day big time so it was bittersweet for me to watch.<br />
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Jumping to 2013 we find ourselves on May 15th which was another "surprise" event in TX few people chased. Again, and this seems to be a recurring theme on this DVD, we are given tornado video you wont find anywhere else. In the modern chasing area it is hard to have a unique catch that 40 other chasers don't have, but this DVD is loaded with them and this chapter is no exception. When I first watched it I thought "May 15th, what the heck happened on May 15th?" Well done.<br />
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May 18th follows which brings an amazing, well documented long lived EF-4 tornado near Rozel Kansas. It doesn't get anymore classic than this. The entire tornado life cycle captured on tripod from a single spot.<br />
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A brief tornado on May 19th, which again is footage from an event I didn't even know happened closes the DVD and the credits role.<br />
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<b>Final thoughts:</b><br />
<br />
Definitely a buy or a trade. I am one who loves the raw style, classic chase footage DVD, even the parts that drag out a bit along with the pointless crotch shots from inside the car. As a storm chaser myself its great to see these as well as the same frustrations, and early on intense "CMON FULLY CONDENSE ALREADY!!" type moments that I experience while chasing. There is very little editing in the DVD. You get a chapter title and thats it, the tornadoes take over, and there are lots of them.<br />
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One thing you can always count on with a Shane Adams DVD is wall to wall tornadoes. Lots of language on the DVD, which I find hilarious, but is not exactly family friendly. No in car shots of the chasers screaming and yelling at each other (something growing in popularity these days that I personally can't stand.) Just weather, the way it should be.<br />
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<b>Do buy if:</b> You want tornadoes and only tornadoes. You enjoy the classic, raw, pure chasing style. Enjoy having a large collection. Want to see footage form lesser events you wont find anywhere else. Have been a life-long fan of Shane.<br />
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<b>Do not buy if: </b>You are offended by strong language. You are a fanboy and want to see in car shots of the chasers having emotional moments with each other. Only enjoy up close and near death experience video.</div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-39850856233406783862013-09-08T21:27:00.003-05:002013-09-08T21:44:44.657-05:00Lacking the time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Its been forever and a minute since I've rambled onto this page. I miss it. The truth is, I simply don't have the time lately to engage my audience like I wish I could. My work schedule is quite hectic and most days involve me waking up at 545am, and not getting back home until 6-7pm. My day job is physically demanding, and I am just too tired to put much thought into things when I get home. I eat, ramble on facebook for a few moments and go to bed. Wash, rinse, repeat the next day.<br />
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The good part is on the financial side, Im making more money than I ever have in my life, and have exceeded some already aggressive goals I set for myself, including paying off my truck 10 months early. <br />
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The bad part is I miss being able to dive deep into my nerdy passion that is the weather. Luckily for the most part its been a boring summer storm wise, so I haven't really missed much, but just because the weather is boring here doesn't mean there aren't things going on elsewhere. My facebook page likes started soaring earlier this year, but those have died off since I make 1 or 2 posts a week now. Its amazing how fast you fade away without constant new content.<br />
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My job itself is not one I can really post updates easily. I don't work on a PC, and things take too long to do on the phone. Plus I try to actually be a good worker at my job instead of fumbling around on my phone all day. I've always loathed technology and peoples lust for needing it 24/7 - sadly, its a necessity for me to get the things I want in life. If it weren't for me trying to whore myself out as a chaser I would not be on facebook, I would not have a smart phone hell I don't even know if I would have a computer, which brings me back on topic....<br />
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On my weekends and when I get free time, I would actually rather be out fishing, spending time with friends/family or doing something fun instead of sitting on my rump online all day. Its a conflict of interest and one I've always had a hard time balancing. I know if I want to expose myself (not in that way you perverts) that I need to utilize these evil machines...but I don't particularly enjoy sitting behind a screen all the time. Some of the best weekends I have are the ones I go out fishing or something and just leave my phone behind. I've gotten into a better habit of not constantly checking it all the time.<br /><br />Im not miserable though, I am the happiest Ive been in years and for the most part stress free. While my situation is not the ideal one I want for myself, I feel Ive gotten myself to the point of "next best thing." My job, while demanding, gives me really good flexibility to actually get out and chase, and that is the first and most important thing. If I have to sacrifice online time to actually be out in the field, well...thats a no brainer right there. Getting myself from "next best thing" to "best thing" is going to be a real challenge though, but so far everything Ive done has kept me in that direction, though on a slower pace than I would have preferred. There isn't much I can do about that though and sometimes it just is what it is. You've got to learn to adapt.<br />
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Alas though, the days are getting shorter, and that evil W season is around the corner. My seasonal work will go on its yearly 4 month hiatus, and then ill have more free time than I know what to do with. I will be back in full swing...just because you haven't seen much from me lately, doesn't mean the wheels have stopped turning and the ideas have run out. Nope, I've still got lots of things forthcoming and big things I want to do.<br /></div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-23698803719345219842013-03-29T20:58:00.000-05:002013-03-29T20:58:11.807-05:00Grabbing the Bull by the Horns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The slow start to this chase season is eating me alive. It wouldn't be so bad if it was actually warm out, but with the exception of the past 2 days, the past 6 weeks have been below normal around here. We had no storm days at all during March. Pathetic. January actually saw 4 tstorm days in Chicago!<br /><br />So what is one to do when not chasing? I actually created my own silver lining to the slow start by aggressively doing vehicle maintenance. I made a long list of things that needed to be done in order to get the thing running in tip top shape. The major burden was a catalytic converter replacement required by the state of IL in order to pass the emissions and legally renew my registration. That was a nice 900 dollar, unecessary repair. I figured as long as I am doing that I might as well just do everything.<br /><br />It has been very costly, and while not all the work was needed, it will benefit me in the long run with a reliable vehicle that will easily go 200k miles and beyond. I have one thing left to do, and it is road ready. I go back to work in just a few days, so while I have completely exhausted my budget, the money will soon start piling up again.<br /><br />Another thing I have done, and some may have noticed this is I have upped my self promotion to the point of almost being one of those annoying people who whores themself out. For years I told myself I would let myself be discovered through my own hard work, and while that has indeed happened, I was lazy in actually making a strong effort to put myself out there. I just kinda did my thing and let people find me. It worked, but as I did this, people were blowing me by, and getting the things I want for myself.<br /><br />I also didn't want to deal with people turning their nose at me for "whoring" myself out. There was a time I didn't want to upset my peers by coming off as some whacker noob in it for the wrong reasons. Those days are over and I am now of the mentallity that if you dont like me or what I do, you can piss off. This is my life, my dream, and Ill be damned if I let someone else and their opinions try and tell me how to run it.<br /><br />So this year I have sent out emails, I have branched out and made new contacts. I finally have a real logo to identify my brand with. I finally figured out the direction I want my facebook page to go and how to engage my followers. It took me a year to reach 650 likes. In the last 2 months I have tripled that simply with a new plan. I scored myself a couple small sponshorship deals which include some free stuff and free mobile internet. This makes chasing easier on myself financially and opens up my work to a wider audience.<br /><br />As they say in Twister, "The days of sniffing the dirt are over." There is nothing else I want more in life than to have chasing be my full time gig. Ill work a normal job to support a comfortable living for myself, I have no problems with that, but if I really want the freedom to chase wherever and whenever I want I need to figure out ways to make that happen.<br /><br />No more sitting around and waiting for things to fall into my lap, its time to grab the bull by the horns and make it happen for myself. I've come too far, and put way too much effort to quit now. I believe I have too much skill and good things to share with people than to just sit in the shadows and let people pass me by.<br /><br />..and THIS is how one keeps busy during an abnormally slow start to tornado season. Im feeling really confident right now after all I've struggle to do in the last couple months. Hopefully the pattern picks up and I get a chance to back up my claims and show my worth. Cmon mother nature...send a bull into my rink.</div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-76321409991549363282013-03-06T15:16:00.003-06:002013-03-06T15:16:50.996-06:00Waiting...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We are a week into March. Woo Hoo chase season, Spring!!! But wait...something isn't right. Thats right, Chicago just received 9.5" of snow yesterday making it the largest snowstorm since the GHD blizzard back in February 2011 as well as a top 4 March snow event in all of Chicago's 128 year weather history.<br /><br />The start of March is an exciting time for most people. Spring is just around the corner, warmer weather, better times, sunnier skies and stormier days. No group of weirdos on the planet await this time of year with more anticipation than storm chasers, which I consider myself to be (a subjective definition if ever there was one, but I believe I fit the bill in my own biased eyes.)<br /><br />So...where the hell is spring?!?!?!? Lets turn the trustworthy forecast models. (click to enlarge image)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3uXHf-zVSW7mQ-i491K4lfzmxddhC34qTPTKgPAdOwToGWxY2fbfQSjw0jznXfVpyvz7Qbg5VJ3A8teqoleKex-O-mVUFm4jwDW7cawM9r-HOR4x5Pq24FnjDmrFw-uoF-4GemwKiKM/s1600/GFS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3uXHf-zVSW7mQ-i491K4lfzmxddhC34qTPTKgPAdOwToGWxY2fbfQSjw0jznXfVpyvz7Qbg5VJ3A8teqoleKex-O-mVUFm4jwDW7cawM9r-HOR4x5Pq24FnjDmrFw-uoF-4GemwKiKM/s400/GFS.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wait...What?!?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKS9vP3WNsrFzDEb-GsFOKn7YmUNq4YVK6dhcQKrfBSe8uvYAikVC984ySwi52OIwkM_XGOTeAnU3AiY-6pRRgY-FxNnr-w8jew65QQJ7PS-W_r37Nts3FsGR_WpYjJkTVj-sjrQ04CI/s1600/misc-jackie-chan-l.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKS9vP3WNsrFzDEb-GsFOKn7YmUNq4YVK6dhcQKrfBSe8uvYAikVC984ySwi52OIwkM_XGOTeAnU3AiY-6pRRgY-FxNnr-w8jew65QQJ7PS-W_r37Nts3FsGR_WpYjJkTVj-sjrQ04CI/s320/misc-jackie-chan-l.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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While fluctuations like this are normal, especially in the long range, these are pretty radical. Overall the trend has been colder than normal though, with only brief spells of mild weather. Every now and then we'll get teased by a few runs that look warmer and more spring-like, only to be followed up by more runs showing colder than normal temps.<br /><br />So we can't look there. Where else can we look? While I don't consider myself an expert and noone should view me as such. Over the years I have become a huge fan of the teleconnections, especially one known as the NAO (North Atalintic Oscillation.) Basically it has to do with ocean currents and how they affect the jet stream. Like all weather patterns it fluctuates.<br /><br />A positive pattern promotes west coast troughing, a pattern more favorable for severe weather while a negative pattern promotes east coast troughing and generally cooler weather across the US. Not good for large scale severe weather patterns. I have been observing this for a couple years now, and found it to be pretty accurate (but like anything with weather, it isn't 100% garauntee) Taking a look I am not seeing much love here either, but a low trend towards hopefully a positive phase is better than nothing. I have also marked 2 recent noteable tornado outbreaks and both correlate with a positive phase.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis44QyKyEMRI15h6jmGECFVvGrWSUInernzZ9byZxwBOxO-buoDZ3dh-wdw-ZiYoiprWYt4cLUW-cJR6RIgUJYDH5QPfryRycaIw0pTh9in1mFB6PftlXF54krs-wqpOVQIkEbgStL1w0/s1600/NAO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis44QyKyEMRI15h6jmGECFVvGrWSUInernzZ9byZxwBOxO-buoDZ3dh-wdw-ZiYoiprWYt4cLUW-cJR6RIgUJYDH5QPfryRycaIw0pTh9in1mFB6PftlXF54krs-wqpOVQIkEbgStL1w0/s320/NAO.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Notice in February we tanked into a negative phase, and suddenly winter arrives and take a stronghold for many in the heartland. The forecast seems to go along with the general cold trend seen on the models, another sign I am not a fan of.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcB6BpDpQph7WBm1TyvIPyZkLunbMwAuCbQXlZ7MGNf7G8bL_Svf1_zWJbZFWYDlj2wM45Osasu6drTL-AtYtmnBxrUaothJq_GKPm8ycSyiJdf82MpLrAJ_C0OUHAhlrvsZETns9hOE/s1600/PNA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcB6BpDpQph7WBm1TyvIPyZkLunbMwAuCbQXlZ7MGNf7G8bL_Svf1_zWJbZFWYDlj2wM45Osasu6drTL-AtYtmnBxrUaothJq_GKPm8ycSyiJdf82MpLrAJ_C0OUHAhlrvsZETns9hOE/s320/PNA.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />All of this is hard to digest for a severe weather lover such as myself as I am not seeing many of the signs I normally would like to see come spring time. It is far too early to sound the panic alarm though. This type of pattern is not unheard of this time of year, and sometimes things get off to a slow start. 2008 was the only year in my chase career I didn't chase in March, and 2008 set a record number of tornadoes for the country. Anything can happen.<br /><br />All it takes is a sudden pattern change and BAM, things light up. Unfortunately, such a pattern doesn't look to be in the cards just yet. There will be marginal setups along the way though, and even slow patterns have their fare share of severe weather producing setups, just not the kind to lure someone like me from Chicago to Kansas.<br /><br />My advice to those eager to get out who can't sit still is to take advantage of what appears to be a slow start. Fine tune your projects, double check all that vehicle maintenance. Put in some overtime at work to stock up on time off for when things do decide to change. </div>
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It will happen...</div>
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Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-39813138591929123042013-01-17T23:37:00.000-06:002013-02-12T17:58:19.064-06:00Tornado Days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Been on a stats kick lately so I decided to check out all the calendar days I have seen tornadoes and discovered something funny. I have never seen a tornado on the same calendar day in different years. Out of 365 days in a year I have seen tornadoes on 31 of them, but each date is different.<br />
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Perhaps that will be a fun little goal I can try to hit in 2013, double up on a calender day to make that my "statistically best tornado day"<br />
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Anyways, here are the tornado days:<br />
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<u>March:</u><br />
2nd (2012)<br />
22nd (2011)<br />
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<u>April:</u><br />
9th (2011)<br />
13th (2012)<br />
14th (2012)<br />
19th (2011)<br />
22nd (2010)<br />
27th (2011)<br />
29th (2010)<br />
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<u>May:</u><br />
5th (2007)<br />
10th (2010)<br />
12th (2011)<br />
13th (2009)<br />
21st (2011)<br />
22nd (2010)<br />
23rd (2008)<br />
24th (2011)<br />
25th (2008)<br />
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<u>June:</u><br />
5th (2009, 2010)<br />
6th (2007)<br />
7th (2008)<br />
10th (2010)<br />
14th (2009)<br />
15th (2009)<br />
17th (2010)<br />
19th (2011)<br />
20th (2011)<br />
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<u>July:</u><br />
26th (2011)<br />
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<u>October:</u><br />
12th (2012)<br />
18th (2007)<br />
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<u>November:</u><br />
7th (2011)<br />
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Side note - further illustrating how much 2012 sucked, it is the first year since I started visiting the plains in 2007 that I did not see a tornado in May or June. Sad...<br /><br />Edit* - It turns out the entire context of this blog is false. I just remembered I saw tornadoes on June 5th, 2010 as well which makes that my "best tornado day" Whoops...<br />
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Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-57159162526760469122013-01-11T15:22:00.001-06:002013-01-11T15:32:29.341-06:00First Thunderstorm of 2013 for Chicago<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well here is my obligatory first thunderstorm of the year post. A very unusual winter we are having this year. It is January 11th and the city's official snowfall so far is an almost non existent 1.3" - which is about a foot below normal. Numerous snow records have fallen including latest first date for measurable snow, longest consecutive days without measurable snow and longest consecutive days without an inch of snow. We also tied the latest date for the first sub-freezing high temperature as well broke a couple of other odd anti winter weather records I can't remember off the top of my head. For people like me who hate winter and snow, its been a dream pattern!<br />
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The next record to be threatened is the latest first date of an Inch of snow, which is January 17th - but a system tomorrow threatens us with an inch or 2 of snow so well have to see if we can dodge yet another bullet.<br />
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Anyways, the lack of snow isn't due to lack of precip, but rather a mild pattern. We have picked up a good deal of rain in the last month which is helping to ease the drought some. Yesterday another good dumping of rain came with a brief period of thunder and lightning and I was able to log the first thunderstorm for the local area. Quite unusual to have it so early in the year, but not unheard of. In fact last year in January we had an even better event with actual individual convective cells containing numerous CG lightning.<br />
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This event was more CC lightning embedded in a large shield of rain with only a couple CG. Still though, lightning is lightning and thunder is thunder. I will take it over snow anyday! I wasn't home at the time so the only radar shot I saved was from the app on my cell phone. A CG icon can be seen near Palos Heights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmswTVjtUoV7zXyMMSVhyphenhyphenUl3mcxc_CHApfzOOB23mc3AkSGjHSHpDxMInLT-0GXYCLYOZLAVSI9ANWRVXjy2Jm-Oc4eYqhkoRLb0p5d2oCYWz-Qv0_cTQeWRta45Z2I9MQ24NjW631kA/s1600/1st2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmswTVjtUoV7zXyMMSVhyphenhyphenUl3mcxc_CHApfzOOB23mc3AkSGjHSHpDxMInLT-0GXYCLYOZLAVSI9ANWRVXjy2Jm-Oc4eYqhkoRLb0p5d2oCYWz-Qv0_cTQeWRta45Z2I9MQ24NjW631kA/s320/1st2013.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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Naturally, this only makes me long for more frequent and stronger storms and gets me excited for the upcoming season. Preliminary thoughts see it being much better than 2012 for the pure fact I won't be as financially stressed as I was during 2012 and now that I am better established at work I can get more time off to chase, so those two facts alone should increase my success.</div>
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Now the weather cooperating is another story. Its too early to tell. Many are worried about the still ongoing drought but I am not as big of a doomsday sayer since much of the country has seen a good snowfall over the winter. Even parts of west Texas which were bone dry managed to get more snow than Chicago. It seems moisture is returning to the US, albeit slowly. So as always, we'll just wait and see...<br />
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Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-84012212795020491702013-01-08T15:49:00.002-06:002013-01-08T15:50:47.085-06:00DVD Review: Storm Snob<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Storm chaser and good friend Ben Holcomb has released his 3rd DVD this year, titled Storm Snob<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4utfHqw8SXpri0sU9_CFS3PDx6bTVSHlAjygtK2wSkvhiD_0oGvEkR12vPu70i44RLmRepK1hNmQY_hwTrKQO2LaVTFMaeBJI4FgD4fGZnW47A1z9yt1Y_30jxVsHtbis5tqebRjhKrg/s1600/StormSnob.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4utfHqw8SXpri0sU9_CFS3PDx6bTVSHlAjygtK2wSkvhiD_0oGvEkR12vPu70i44RLmRepK1hNmQY_hwTrKQO2LaVTFMaeBJI4FgD4fGZnW47A1z9yt1Y_30jxVsHtbis5tqebRjhKrg/s320/StormSnob.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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Ben is one of only a couple chasers to release DVDs this season. The title derives from the notion that storm chasers who live in tornado alley refuse to chase anything outside of those boundaries while scoffing at others who choose to do so. Given the fact that every second of video on this DVD comes from Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, the title is very fitting.<br />
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2012 was a tough year for chasers, but Ben was one of the few who had a good success ratio, so the expectations when viewing were higher than others. This year Ben seemed to have a special knack for finding that needle in a haystack storm that would produce on a day where 20 other storms wouldn't. Despite his success compared to other individual chasers in 2012, there probably still wouldn't be enough content from 2012 alone, so it begins with events from fall of 2011 (which followed his already completed second DVD release.)<br />
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The DVD opens with September 17th and covers a marginal, but rewarding setup in Oklahoma. Video shows 2 different tornadoes on the ground at the same time, and some neat funnel rotation directly overhead. The video is good and stable despite parts of the tornado managing to sneak out of frame for a bit. A very nice, solid opening to the DVD.<br />
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Things ramp up big time in the next chapter which covers November 7th 2011. This was a big day for many (including myself as you will see since I am riding along with him.) Footage shows many tornadoes of all shapes and sizes from all different ranges. Beginning with the dramatic Tipton EF-4 (which is the cover image of the DVD) and ending with an impressive 3 tornadoes on the ground at the same time 4 hours later. In between there are numerous other tornadoes including one that travels right through a wind farm. This is the longest chapter of the DVD and is jam packed with tornado action. This day could be a DVD all on its own and is well worth the price of purchase.<br />
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We finally move into 2012 with the plains' first good tornadoes on March 18th. Another solid chapter showing 2 tornadoes with little "fluff." Its intro, then tornado time.<br />
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April 13th follows and shows Ben and his chase partner attempting to view a tornado that went through their hometown of Norman, Oklahoma. Footage is mostly them driving shouting the tornado is there, but it is almost impossible to make out given the position. Some damage footage follows proving a tornado was there though. Later in the day they witness an odd looking cone tornado near Saddle Mountain, OK as they intercept a beastly HP storm. Nothing knock-your-socks-off dramatic as the view was far, but any tornado shot in 2012 is a bonus.<br />
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April 14th, the big day of the year follows. Unfortunately there are no dramatic shots of the amazing Langley tornado like many would expect, but there are still several tornadoes to be had, including a non-condensed one in a nearby field. A pair of cone tornadoes near dusk and after dark follows. As a bonus you get to see a turkey get blasted to smitherines, though if you are an animal lover, this might make you queezy. Its only low quality dash cam footage so no need to throw any graphic content warnings.<br />
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A chapter covering April 30th follows and shows Ben's big unique prize catch of the year. A beautiful, strong tornado near Medford, OK. As far as I know, the only existing footage of this tornado comes from Ben and you will have to get this DVD in order to see it. Unfortunately, it is after dark so all you are allowed by nature are glimpses in between lightning flashes, but at least the frames are frozen so you can see it longer than a tenth of a second. Still, for night time video it is awesome, and Ben throws in some great still photos as well of this awesome tornado.<br />
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May 25th was a decent day for many chasers, including Ben. Another chapter with multiple tornadoes, but again unfortunately they are after dark so all you are allowed are brief glimpses from far away and some still shots.<br />
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We fast forward to fall and find ourselves in October chasing a supercell north of Lubbock, TX. The chapter starts out with some large hail footage, which adds a nice variety to a DVD where every other chapter follows a -daily intro-tornado time- format. I for one appreciate variety in a DVD and like to see something other than tornadoes once in awhile. A weak tornado spins up later, and the group was in position to get good video of it. Lightning photos follow to conclude a solid chase day turned solid DVD chapter.<br />
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The DVD wraps up with a photo montage chapter showing various structure, lightning, tornado and even random humorous shots throughout the year.<br />
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Overall thoughts:<br />
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This is about as good as it gets for a single chaser highlight DVD covering 2012. Every chapter features tornadoes, and there is almost no filler or fluff. Little bonuses like radar images are a nice addition to the shot to show how the storms evolve during the chase. Most of the video is tripoded and very stable even though a few moments are plagued by auto focus. This is a definite buy for every level of DVD enthusiast. A great addition to your collection, even if you are the hard to please, must be loaded with tornado video DVD type of person. I highly recommend it.<br />
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Check it out and order it here: <a href="http://www.benholcomb.com/store/dvds/stormsnob">http://www.benholcomb.com/store/dvds/stormsnob</a></div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-27837829438228813562012-12-27T05:20:00.002-06:002012-12-27T05:23:23.105-06:00Thats All She Wrote v2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With only a few days left to go, I eagerly await to put the nails in 2012s coffin. Anyone who has ever chased something other than their own tail knows why. It is highly unlikely another chase will present itself, so its now safe to compile the stats. So lets take a look at the quick and dirty numbers.<br />
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Total chases: 15<br />
Total tornadoes: 10<br />
Tornado days: 4<br />
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New milestones accomplished:<br />
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- First Kentucky tornadoes (2) on March 2nd which were also the:<br />
- Earliest tornadoes seen in a season<br />
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...and thats where the accomplishments stop, the first chase of the season. 2012 was an awful year, not only for me, but for most chasers. Numbers don't lie either, and last I checked, this may end up being the year with the second lowest tornado count on record so in part I don't feel so bad. Another reason I don't feel so bad is the fact I started a new job in the beginning of April and it would have been hard for me to squeeze out of work to chase. I wanted to build up a good reputation with the company, and missing a bunch of good tornado days would have made that extremely agonizing. So in a way, the selfish part of me is very thankful for that.<br />
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Still though, what made the year so frustrating was the days I did chase either A) busted or B) bad decision making or bad luck cost us the day. There were really only 2 big tornado producing days I chased. March 2nd and April 14th. Both days I saw tornadoes, but both days I also blew scoring the best catches of the days.<br />
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On March 2nd I didn't communicate with everyone what time I wanted to leave, and we got a half hour late start. My lead foot made up for lost time, but a traffic accident around Indianapolis forced us onto a critical time costing detour. My plan that day would have worked perfect, but we were an unfortunate 15 minutes too late. We did the best we could after though and got the Kentucky tornadoes, and ended up not crawling home busted...except in terms of worthy video.<br />
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April 14th saved the season for many. Take away this day and you would have a larger number of chasers currently taking Xanax over the winter. I saw 5 tornadoes...but 3 were pathetic weak bird farts. The last 2 were very nice tornadoes, but at dusk/after dark. No good video from them either. On this day I teamed up with Ben and we had a conflict of interest in terms of a target. He liked Oklahoma (of course) and I liked Salina,KS. Both our targets saw nice tornadoes, yet for some reason we ended up in the middle with mediocrity. Going back on that day I'm still not sure how that exactly happened...and would rather not think about it. After much analysis I think I finally figured out why our storms didn't produce, and will use this new knowledge to hopefully not make that mistake in the future.<br />
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I guess another milestone I could technically add is my first chase to North Dakota, but with that being just one of many busted days. I hardly look back on it and think pleasant thoughts which brings me to the next point.<br />
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The bust count was highest I have had in any year (9 out of 15!!) with days holding big potential such as April 27th and May 5th going to waste. Illinois even got into the blue sky bust action on September 5th, and until then I have never experienced a blue sky bust on home turf. That one stung...<br />
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Certainly over the years I have been somewhat spoiled by the amazing things I've seen, and this might play a role into the way I perceive things. Take my 2012 results and stick them in say, 2006 and I would probably still be floating in the air from excitement. I think part of that is because I KNOW that despite 2012 being an overall downer of a year, there were still amazing things that happened. I just can't chase everything...yet. My lifes goal and dream is to be able to do this. It is taking longer than I had hoped though, and that is perhaps adding to the frustration, I knew it would be difficult, but it appears I was over confident from the get-go.<br />
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Lack of funds were also a big factor. I may have bit on more marginal days that ended up producing if I had the funds. I always hated putting all my stock into higher risk and weekend days but those were the cards I was forced to play this year. I worked my ass off all week, and hauled more ass out to the plains on any weekend there was a setup, no matter how meager. I just had to try.<br />
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2013 is looking better in the financial department already with the coming of a HUGE raise once work resumes in April. I am definitely excited about those possibilities. Even if I still can't get time off to chase everything, the fact I wont be stressing over affording it will be nice, and if I end up not chasing much I can upgrade equipment and pay off debts to put myself in ever better shape for the future.<br />
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I go back and forth with the idea of moving. I hate Illinois and especially Chicago (for political reasons I wont get into on this blog) but this is my home, and I've grown to love the fickle and challenging climatology. I don't subscribe to the growing trend of moving to Norman so I can become the next super chaser, but on the other side there is an obvious advantage to living in the alley, so I can't completely write it off. We'll just wait and see how the cards continue to fall I guess.<br />
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We're heading into the dead of winter (or should I say anti-winter) here in Chicago, and there are many projects ongoing. Ill be blogging more frequently from now on as well as I have much to say.</div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-12865907561969793772012-12-15T18:38:00.000-06:002012-12-15T18:45:48.986-06:00DVD Review: A Journey Through the Plains.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A Journey Through the Plains is the second DVD release from Ohiostormchasers.com which covers the 2012 chase season. I have not seen the first DVD so I can't compare the two for the sake of evolution.<br />
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The DVD's first chapters cover some less significant local events in Ohio. Nothing terribly dramatic but it shows a couple good spring time thunderstorms with a few wind gusts and some hail. A little too much "driving in the rain" footage makes me wonder where the good parts of the storm are, but they do happen. Educational pieces cut in to explain what is actually going on and what they are getting excited about. This is found throughout the DVD and is great for education purposes. A very nice "bonus" that is not advertised.<br />
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Things begin to pick up pace once the groups actual journey to the plains begins. The first of these 3 chapters covers a severe hail event in Texas where the group encounters severe hail accumulating on the ground like snow, they then stop to help a motorist who slid into a ditch and observe some structure on the backside. Some scenes are a little drawn out, but overall highlight the event in a nice way.<br />
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The next chapter is probably the highlight of the DVD as the group has a very close encounter with a large tornado near Cooperton, Oklahoma. Many different shots of the event are provided, though the dark nature of the encounter makes it hard to see allot of the details. An out-house type structure is blown away and destroyed nearby, showing just how close of an encounter it was. The film quality takes away from the experience a bit, and I for one am not a fan of lots of screaming and yelling. If you are a fan of dramatic chapters with the close encounter, this is the one for you.<br />
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Moving on to the next chapter, which covers April 14th. This was the single day that made the season for many chasers as multiple tornadoes struck Oklahoma and Kansas during the years biggest outbreak. The group managed to get on some of the early storms that dropped a number of rope and trunk tornadoes. My favorite shot shows a vorticy in a field moving directly over a house, but doing no damage. If you are a fan of clear, classic looking tornado footage this is the chapter that best accomplishes that. While none of the footage is in your face jaw dropping, they are still good shots of classic plains tornadoes, and overall represent the goal of every storm chaser when they set out to chase. Music and narration overlays a good deal of footage which is both good and bad in its own ways. I prefer a natural sound, but I know from my own filming that sometimes wind noise and obnoxious dialogue is too unbearable at times, and music is a good way to solve that issue. This is probably my favorite chapter despite my own bitter feelings towards this day.<br />
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The final chapter covers a historic derecho that affected the Ohio valley on June 29th. I always enjoy footage of local damaging events as they put into perspective of the damage that a non tornadic thunderstorm can do. Highlighted moments include multiple trees crashing down as the worst wind hits and then the damage afterwards.<br />
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Overall Thoughts:<br />
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The editing was a strong point in this DVD which showed good pre planning and thought as opposed to just chopping footage together and slapping it on a DVD. I was definitely impressed with it. The educational graphics and radar images are a great bonus that will help the viewer better understand what is going on. Some of the chapters run a bit longer than they need to be, especially early on during events that weren't too significant or dramatic. In a year like 2012 though it is hard to fill disc space, so its allowed. Having tornadoes in the DVD is always a plus, though none of that footage is knock-your-socks-off dramatic (not always a bad thing, but a weak point when considering the fact that much of today's audiences seem harder to please.)<br />
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I would certainly recommend this as a trade, as well as a good buy especially since the 2012 DVD market will have slim pickings due to many chasers simply not getting much. If you enjoy new DVDs, having a large collection, seeing everything that happened in every year then definitely scoop this up. If you are the type who only prefers dramatic, clear, stabilized tornado shots from beginning to end, this is probably not the DVD for you.<br />
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Check it out and order it here: <a href="http://www.ohiostormchasers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61">http://www.ohiostormchasers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61</a><br />
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Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-6021133373306029792012-09-16T21:36:00.001-05:002012-09-16T21:36:01.841-05:00The Next DVD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have sort of fallen off the weather scope this year. Most of us know 2012 sucked overall as a chase season. Take away April 14th and almost all of us, myself included would be going even more insane with post season SDS. Working 12 hours during the week and then trying to have a life away from the computer on weekends gives me little time to work on what video I did get. I mostly stay active through my facebook "like" page, posting weather updates there when I get a moment.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/TornadoChasing">http://www.facebook.com/TornadoChasing</a>
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However, that doesn't mean the weather gears in my head have stopped turning. I am talking about this years DVD. Why am I making a DVD if the year sucked so bad? Well luckily the amazing chase of November 7th 2011, which couldn't be squeezed onto my first DVD will be able to provide a good 30 minutes or more of tornado video, so that will save it from lacking good tornado video. The other reason is I have a really good idea for the next DVD, and this is the perfect time to do it. I don't want to give too much away but as far as I know I haven't seen another DVD done the way I am thinking of doing mine.<br /><br />I am actually pretty excited thinking about it, because it is different. Now doing something different always comes with risks. People will either receive it well, or not at all, but nothing ventured is nothing gained. I am not sure when I will be able to get the DVD done and right now I don't think it will be before the year is over. As mentioned above, work eats up all my time, but since is my work is seasonal I will be able to ramp up production big time when I am finished for the year.<br /><br />I don't know when that will be, it basically depends on when it snows. Last year they finished on December 2nd, the year before they were done on November 20th. So that is up in the air. Even when life gets in my way, I am always thinking about how to advance my chasing career. I am currently in a tough spot in life, but I will find a way to persevere. I also need to get back into the groove of promoting myself more either through pictures, former chase logs or youtube videos.<br /><br />There has been a recent spike in Noob DVD orders, which also helps keep me motivated. Its nice to know people actually want to see what I have been able to accomplish. I still welcome trades as well, and I think this next DVD is mostly going to be for trade and sold at a low price of like 10 bucks or something.<br /><br />More details as they come! Still waiting and hoping for a fall chase to save the year. Cmon 11-7-11 v2.0!!!! </div>
Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-70848240534967060272012-06-02T21:49:00.001-05:002012-06-02T21:52:43.424-05:00Rough Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ugh.<br />
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Since my storm chasing "career" began accelerating back in 2007, each year got better. I saw better storms, got better video, made better media sales, website hits etc etc. I kept telling myself this trend couldn't last forever and that I was getting spoiled and like the old saying goes "what goes up must come down" I knew I was eventually due for a year that would just not go my way.<br />
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This is that year.<br />
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I can't complain too much I suppose, I do have 8 tornadoes under my belt, but from those 8 tornadoes I don't even think I have a minute of truly good tornado video. The daytime tornadoes I caught were all brief, weak spinups or in horrible terrain so the view was mostly obscured by trees. The best looking tornadoes I saw were all at dusk or after dark and barely came out at all. So this year has been absolutely awful in that regards.<br />
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Almost every setup I chased ended up under performing from a forecast standpoint. Blue sky busts and structure-less crap storms I can see here in Chicago. I would at least be happy with awesome structure to take pictures or video of. Something, anything...but nope, not much in that department either.<br />
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The 2 big outbreak days [March 2nd and April 14th] I saw tornadoes on, but had overall blunders that kept me from the best action. On March 2nd I failed to inform everyone when we were leaving so we hit the road an hour late, and storms went up 2 hours early, we could have still made it for our planned intercept, but a car accident on I-65 forced us onto a time costly detour. April 14th we somehow ended up in a small zone of Kansas where storms just refused to wedge out. Never before on any chase have I see such rapid rotation not produce a prolific tornado. Scud was literally spinning just above the ground. I wish I was smart enough to understand why those storms couldn't get it done, while the ones to the north and the south did.<br />
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The big problem with this year goes back to February when my financial situation just got completely destroyed. I was forced to get back into a full time working routine, and when I say full time I mean full time plus overtime. 20+ hours per pay period to be exact. I have to be picky again about choosing setups to chase, and apparently I can't choose the right ones for the life of me. It seems the best tornadoes this year are all the results of mesoscale accidents. It also doesn't help May was characterized by a summer-like pattern where you have a string of 5% days with thermo nuclear caps, 1 in 20 will produce awesome tornadoes, and just which setup will do it is anyones guess. You either have to already be out there chasing everything or live close enough to make the haul. Unfortunately I fall into neither of those.<br />
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It has been a terrible midwest year. Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota. Forget about it...2012 is the year traditional tornado alley earns its title. Local setups? Non existent.<br />
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Stream views are low [not much to watch] and I haven't submitted one clip for media sale. Yeah that is not what chasing is about, but for me its a part of it, and a part that is doing terrible as well this year. Of course my setup is working flawlessly this year, and I have not had any issues, unlike last year when people were actually trying to watch. Go figure.<br />
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The fact I am working 12+ hour days leaves me little time to update my website and social media pages to gain followers. Why does this matter? Well, when I do have something to offer its nice to have more people to offer it to.<br />
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Why don't I just pack up and move to Norman as so many have suggested? Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't seriously considering it, but its just not possible right now. I still carry the burden of my pre-chasing past and have some debts to rid myself of before I could take on the burden of new rent and finding employment. Few chasers know my actual life story. I don't key them in because most just simply don't understand and most of them simply don't care. The wheels are in motion for moving to be a possibility though, because if its one thing this season has taught me, its that I cannot work full time in Chicago and have the chasing career I want. I will never settle for this. I don't care if my priorities are out of line. I know what I want, and if its not what "normal" people want...oh well.<br />
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If there is a light, its that I learned life does go on missing all the good stuff and I can have other reasons to smile and laugh, but it does suck. I belong out there, in the action. I have also watched some of the chasers I have the most respect for [Bill Doms, Shane Adams and Mike Hollingshead] all go through these rough patches as well, and they always bounce back and I have more respect for them for never giving up and pushing through it. This also helps keep me motivated to know its not just me [sorry guys, don't mean to benefit from your misery lol!]<br /><br />I have also had a blast out there chasing with everyone as always. If anything, having such a great time on the road and coming home with sub-par results has reminded me why I love this so much. The hours on the road, the places visited, the weird conversations and antics inside the truck all remind me why storm chasing is simply the best thing to do...ever.<br />
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May 2012 will be the first May since 2006 I have not seen a tornado in. June has always been my best month, and hopefully this June will offer redemption in a big way, or it is going to be a looooooooooooooooooong summer/fall/winter. The pattern ahead looks boring through, and with the traditional end of chasing season usually falling around June 20th. Panic mode is setting in. I may have to hit up more northern plains setups in the summer until I get that season making tornado shot.<br />
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<br /></div>Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-51826442489175509992012-04-05T16:05:00.001-05:002012-04-05T16:07:51.477-05:00Back to the Full Time.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Work schedule that is...<br />
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There is nothing I want more in my life than to be able to chase freely and whenever I want to while being able to afford a comfortable living for myself. Doesn't seem like much to ask out of life but apparently it is. I have always admired people that chased their dreams as opposed to just simply conforming, and try to live by example, but it is tough. I have myself to blame for some of it.<br />
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Very few chasers know my actual life story and the burdens of my past. These burdens still haunt me in the present in the form of great debt. A debt which has made it harder to get the life I want as I struggle to rid myself of it all. That is the main reason for this decision.<br />
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I came close to achieving it back in 2009, more than half of it was wiped out and things were going swell. But then life had other plans, my van exploded and I was forced to purchase a new vehicle, then I lost my job a few months later [great timing HUH?!] Since then I took the time off to experience the chase freedom I've always wanted. I had some money saved up, and there was unemployment. Yes, I collected it for awhile and chased. Think less of me for it? Fuck you. I deserved it.<br />
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That time was short though, but in that time I realized what I truly want out of life. I was making big bucks back in the day, but was miserable at my job. Being able to chase freely is the most amazing thing in life, but struggling to pay off debt isn't. It's clear now what I have to do.<br />
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It is damn near impossible to make a decent income from chasing. Especially in my position. No money to start, living far away from the alley. I don't have a rich family supporting my passion. I've had to purchase my way in with mostly bottom of line, shitty equipment that breaks down allot. My competition is spoiled rich kids with fat allowances that can load up on the latest and greatest technology and simply smoke my ass. I have no trust funds or large sums of money coming my way to secure my life. Fair enough.<br />
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So, what does one do? You need money to chase. If you dont have people paying your way through life, you must work for money. If you work, you can't chase. When I say you can't chase, I mean "I can't chase as much as I want to." Some people work because they want big paychecks to buy a big house a big boat, have 7 cars and a bunch of ridiculous stuff to which they can use to validate their own perspective on what it means to be successful.<br />
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Not me, I will work to support what I love doing. Even if it means living in a small trailer or apartment on a 25K a year income. If I can chase, my life is complete. So that is where I stand today. I've taken a job with Deck Staining company working full time. The pay isn't as great as I was hoping initially, but it will be enough to get me back on track, to hopefully wipe out my truck payments along with credit debt.<br />
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In a year they tell me I can be my own boss, with my own schedule and can chase whenever I want along with a good income to boot and that is the reason they hired me. They want me in that position, not doing the labor/field work I am going to be doing this year, but its something I have to do while I learn the business.<br />
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Plus, I may be gloom and dooming my situation more than I need to. The guy who hired me is understanding of what I want to do, and told me if there is a system I can't miss and want to chase they will work with me. It seems like a good fit. They understand my passion, and seem to be a company based on "you get my back, I got yours" and I like that. I've turned down better paying jobs when they've told me "yea, you get 1 to 2 weeks off a year thats it, chasing won't work and you have to make a choice"<br />
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Well I've made my choice...I will never give up the dream. I will make it work, and while my 2012 season may have taken a hit. I refuse to let my life and my dream suffer the same fate. I don't care what work I have to do to make this happen. It will happen. Work is just that...work. Not life.</div>Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-63918700504493991822012-03-05T15:45:00.000-06:002012-03-05T15:45:58.011-06:00Calling You Out<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Anyone in the weather community knows what happened in Henryville. We all know the internet is, well...the internet. I am all for people expressing their feelings but when they go out of their way and try too hard to be controversial and then don't have the balls to allow for people to respond to it. Well, that is what makes a person a sad sorry lowlife.<br />
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So to the person who made this video:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hNZIUbTsKvQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
How about enabling comments or linking us to your website/facebook/blog or whatever you have.<br />
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You are a pussy, and a sad excuse for a human being. Man up and show yourself mr big wannabe internet shocker badass. I think its karma who is going to find YOU one day. Loser.</div>Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775208727906490386.post-3651753483943436302012-02-27T02:42:00.002-06:002012-02-27T02:46:25.416-06:00Here We Gooooo!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Looks like the severe weather chasing season of 2012 is about to really kick off with a couple active systems of interest. One being this Tuesday with potential severe weather along the KS/NE border and another area in the southern MS river valley. Afterwards the EURO along with the GFS are showing an even more potent system around March 2nd.<br />
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As much as I would love to chase both systems I will probably sit out the first, and wait to see what the second holds. Not because I don't want to chase...but a last minute financial disaster may leave me sitting out some of these early season temptations so I can recover for better stuff later in the year. Obviously this is not my choice, but I need to be smart. Still though I am monitoring each system and if logistics can fall into place I will chase!<br />
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I kind of like the idea of blowing off some early season grunge and perhaps taking a stab at the late spring and summer setups instead. Those July and August storms, even when they don't produce tornadoes have some of the meanest, greenest, evil HP storm structure you can imagine. Give me one of those over some 20 foot LCL scuddy March grunge anyday! Plus fewer chasers venture to the N plains for the summer season, so that is a bonus. Regardless of what happens. I WILL GIT R DONE THIS YEAR!<br />
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I am almost ready to launch the new site. Its not perfect and I will need to continue tweeking it once its launched, but it will look and function pretty much how I want it to, so that is good enough. If I have to sit out the early season setups though I won't do so quietly, and will use the time to draw people into the Aerostorms world with my forecast and nowcast posts. I always got positive feedback from my ramblings on the Convective Addiction site, so I must continue to utilize my skill to my advantage. I've come too far to suddenly half ass things.<br />
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Its almost go time folks, start your engines!!</div>Adam Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817121976337454536noreply@blogger.com0