Gabfest: And Thereby Hangs A Tail

@Rihana, @justanothergirl & @Gauri03,

Based on the latest prediction of direction of Hurricane Irma, Miami takes a direct hit and then it turns east to cross Florida for almost an entire day. We are in Tampa Bay area in the west of Florida but the band of this huge hurricane is so large (50-100 miles in diameter), we will experience the wind speed of at least 75 miles an hour for a day starting Sunday morning until Monday morning. Unfortunately, Florida has no mountains and hence there is nothing that is going to stop this humongous hurricane to do havoc in Florida. But these predictions can quickly change.

We were planning to leave for Alabama or Georgia today but all roads are full, no water in the grocery store and gas stations have put up "No Gas" sign. We may have to take a call tomorrow whether to leave or stay. It is more dangerous to be on the road than inside the house. I have a small puppy and an elderly MIL to take care as they are experiencing hurricane winds for the first time. Most are staying and luckily we are in the no evacuation zone for flooding. But the wind speed is what I am worried about.

I am sorry for the long response.

Viswa

 

It all depends on how much the mountain ranges in Cuba could handle. If they take most impact, the speed in the US will be less.

 

Good to hear from you Viswa. Glad you are safe.
Watching Irma closely.
My thoughts and prayers for your family's safety and all those in its path.

 

Based on 11 a.m. EDT Intellicast Report, the storm is likely to enter the Southeast corner of Florida @ 145 miles an hour wind speed (probably resulting in a lot of storm surge and flooding in Miami Dade, Broward & Palm Beach counties in Florida) and then enter Atlantic Ocean. By the time it gets to South Carolina, the wind speed will be reduced to 120 miles an hour wind speed. Let us pray for people in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach for now hoping the impact in South Carolina is much less. Lot of islands took major hits @185 miles an hour wind speed to save the US. We hope there are no life lost in those islands as they couldn't even move elsewhere. We live in the west coast of Florida and the impact is much less for us. No need to move.

Viswa

 

Curious, why no negative Watson?

Mere positive Watson is unctuous flatter.

Shouldn't the negative Watson be more constructive and apropos, in that, we bandy the most annoying, exasperating, eye-rolling, hair-clutching idiosyncrasies and oddities of fellow iLites. If articulated well, I don't think it would be controversial. Just a "hey, you know what" disclosure. A constructive deconstruction of our stint here.

If someone wants to volunteer for a dry run and willing to risk, I can write up a think piece of the negative Watson in them (later). Criticism, though critical need not be caustic.

Any volunteers?

 

@Iravati,

You are one of the exceptional humans among many in IL. A handful might, under slightest provocation (instead of taking it on their strides) misunderstand the whole purpose of my snippet. Moreover, it is an unofficial effort for the ILites to appreciate the members who showcase their talents by crowning them unofficially. I created a platform informally for others to recognize what they enjoy in IL, even if it didn't get to the FP forum.

Who would have imagined an image puzzle thread would become so popular? Who could think Doodle thread could run into so many pages? How many would have thought sharing Carnatic music choices run for many years? Did we expect Instant Pot Recipes will become an instant hit? Healthy Veg food thread is rocking for many years.

Having said that, I am open and receptive to your idea for anyone sharing how I could improve further. Perhaps, among a group of like-minded in EP&G and particularly this very platform might be a good place to exchange ideas and I am confident it would be taken in the right spirit.

A handful tested the waters already and it was taken in the right spirit. I stopped it before it is too late as a few may not take it well. We don't need more of ILites to disappear unannounced.

Viswa

 

@Viswamitra

I am not exceptional but very common and garden-variety. In fact, I vocalise very common ideas, propositions, misgivings, fears, annoyances. The only difference being I can risk being unsubtle, upfront and forthcoming in projecting them because I don't have much to lose online as I interact only with a handful here. You see, the more you know, the more to gratify. You have to tread cautiously not to offend anyone. The less you acquaint, you can be uninhibited in self-expression like the negative Watson because you consider only the perceived sensibilities of those few members. Larger crowd is blurred out. Am I making sense?

I agree. Again repeating, I completely get that. I am not sweet and coy by nature. May be, contrived sweetness irks me more than contrarian disposition. Under slightest provocation people might accuse and label you a lot of things but such honest contempt is far better than incubating bitterness. Misunderstanding people will misuse every kind of gesture, need not be criticism, even praise is construed as condescension. I am talking about the rest, sensible people. Hence a dry run!

Hence the tangential in Gabfest.

When iLites disappear, I usually assume they are involved in more amusing activities in life, hence the withdrawal. When the prodigals return, I, again, assume they have come back to share their experiences of "beyond the wall" in our virtual co-existence. So, I don't probe vanishing iLites. Is criticism taken so badly? Even that is to our advantage so that we collate our collective wisdom and publish "How to lose friends".

I understand your point of view. Because I don't have much honour or popularity to lose in IL (as a territorial resident and not a profligate resident), I toss such wild ideas. People who have so less to lose needn't worry about losing it because that less has survived for long. I hope I am making some form of sense.

I have set a reminder. I shall write up when I am back on lappy. This is an exercise for me also as I haven't critiqued anyone since I cut my teeth in Toastmasters with their sandwich-styled commend/recommend/commend policy of reviewing speeches.

 

@Iravati

Organic and healthy

Absolutely and without any doubt

I couldn't agree more.

Virtual is no different than real from that perspective

I have to admit that I am blind-sighted on some of my shortcomings in introspective exercises. I welcome your constructive criticism.

Viswa