* * * * *
                                        
                                 Ridin' Gustav
                                        
I've known Marcus for a few years. We met on a mailing list, and we finally
met in person when he dropped off a kitten [1] on his way from Texas to a
wedding in Key West.

Shortly after that, he pretty much dropped out of sight, and while still a
member of the mailing list, hasn't said much over the past four years. So it
was rather surprising to find the following message from him:

> From: "mliviusii" <XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX>
> To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
> Subject: [daveworld] Riding Gustav…
> Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:08:30 -0000
> 
> Hello folks.
> 
> Still alive after all these years. I've been happier about that fact, but
> so it goes.
> 
> I'm in Nawlins, and riding out Gustav. Decided to liveblog it, if anyone is
> interested.
> 
> Not much else to do, really–curfews are going into effect, and the
> neighborhood is deserted.
> 
> Guess I'll practice my hunkering.
> 
> http://ridingustav.blogspot.com/ [2]
> 
> Marcus
> 

My initial thoughts were Oh my …  but Marcus was a Marine in an earlier life,
and besides, as he says:

> First, I'm prepared. I've got food and water for weeks, batteries, and all
> the stuff you need.
> 
> Second, I'm in a good place, though in a bad location. Well-built multi-
> story house, cinder block ground level, (for twisters) three stories plus
> an attic, (for floods). The house took about five feet of water during
> Katrina. It'd take a 30 ft. flood, minimum, to drown me.
> 
> Third, I've ridden out storms before, most notably Allen in '80. I'm former
> Marine infantry, first aid instructor certified, blah-blah-blah, so I feel
> as though I can pretty much handle whatever could happen. Only real likely
> Bad Thing I can forsee getting me would be a tornado with no warning. I
> feel safer here with my gear as opposed to huddling in a shelter somewhere.
> 
> I'd rather be on hand to help with the immediate aftermath if it's bad.
> Think of me as an unofficial First Responder. Rather be a sheepdog than a
> sheep.
> 
> So, I figured while I'm here, I might as well post an eyewitness account of
> the festivities. I've got still and video cameras, and will post what I can
> for as long as the power, and then my UPS, holds out.
> 

“Why Aren't You Gone? [3]”

I'm concerned for him, but I think he'll pull through this okay.

Good luck, Marcus. See you on the other side … and I hope there's a New
Orleans [4] left.

[1] gopher://gopher.conman.org/0Phlog:2004/04/08.2
[2] http://ridingustav.blogspot.com/
[3] http://ridingustav.blogspot.com/2008/08/why-arent-you-gone.html
[4] http://www.neworleansonline.com/

Email author at sean@conman.org