Long Overdue Update
As I've gotten more immersed into the online social networking world called "Facebook", I've really ended up neglecting this blog. To be honest, I've found myself in a state of transition moving further away from stormchasing as a passionate hobby. For anybody who keeps up with my posts here may recall one of the reasons I wanted to move to Amarillo. That is to be able to spend my vacation and free time pursuing other interests aside from stormchasing. After all, one has to satisfy their mid-life crisis, right? :-)
I've pursued my CHL (Concealed Handgun License) which should arrive in the next 4-6 weeks. Recent posts talked about this and the Glock G23 which will be my conceal carry. It's also a fun gun to shoot on the range. And speaking of fun, I've also obtained a new target rifle to do some entry level competition eventually and in general to have fun punching paper. It's a Savage 17HMR target rifle (93R17 BTVSS) with Leupold VX-I 3-9x40 scope. There will be more toys in the future though as I get more into the shooting sports.
As if that weren't expensive enough, I've taken the plunge into aviation by starting flying lessons. I originally wanted to get started with a Sport Pilot certification as it requires only 20 hours training and half the cost of a Private Pilot. However, to do so, I'd have to fly 5 hours solo in a sport rated plane (max 1,350 lbs gross weight and speed limit). There are none to rent around Amarillo. Yikes! I just assumed there would be. I could go elsewhere like Dallas or OKC, but I would still not be able to rent one here after I get the license (business opportunity anybody?).
So, I've decided to go for the full Private Pilot license instead...which I would have gotten eventually. I'm starting my ground school training in a week or so when I receive the DVD kit. Yep, you can do that all at home. Passing the FAA written test is all that is required for that. Then the fun (and expense) begins with flight training. Being that will likely cost around 6 grand over a period of 4-6 months, I'll likely wait to start that until after the first of the year....perhaps starting next summer when the weather is more stable. We'll see how that goes (hopefully not having to wait so long). I'll have plenty to keep me busy until then. I've got MS Flight Simulator X coming in next week with yoke, throttle and rudder controls, so I expect that to keep me busy and get some self training in the meantime....as much as that will allow. :-) I did take my introductory flight with a trainer last Friday though.
You know, it's amazing how much time and money one has when not blowing it all on stormchasing. LOL!! I'm not giving it up completely. What I will be severely curtailing are the long marathon trips and chasing too many marginal setups. After all, this is the Texas Panhandle. With an average or above-average year for storm activity, I expect to have enough opportunities to witness the full fury of mother nature in all her glory.....2008 and 2009 not counting of course. :-)
The bottom line is I should have plenty to satisfy my appetite for pursuing and admiring supercell thunderstorms. That sort of passion and appreciation never dies. But the tens of thousands of miles driving, dealing with thousands of chaser hordes, and all of the bullshit drama that goes with that...is something I won't miss one bit at all. In fact, those sorts of problems will only continue to grow and get worse. Stormtrack, which I don't participate in anymore, is an excellent "barometer" in that respect. Another reason to start looking for other more rewarding and satisfying hobbies.
I also see diminishing business opportunities as competition for supply increases at an exponential rate for a nearly constant demand. I've seen and experienced far too many cutthroat practices already. It just ain't worth it. I can spend the same amount of time doing something else with far fewer headaches and bullshit and yet make substantially more money. That comes with being 44 years old too I guess....and a couple of "shots across the bow" concerning one's health (nothing too serious). Life is too short. ;-)
So, as far as weather is concerned, Amarillo officially set an all-time rainfall record for the month of August. It was around 9.4 inches I believe. It just missed the all-time rainfall record for ANY month by about an inch. Everything is lush and green all across the Panhandle. Hopefully we won't experience another drought over the winter thus setting up another extreme wildfire season early in 2010. With a moderate to strong El Nino setting up for this winter, this should make things interesting around here as far as winter weather goes. It could be a real doozy. Maybe that will translate into an active chase season around here in 2010. Something to watch!
So, that about wraps it up for me. I'll try to update here a little more often. However, feel free to add me as a friend over on Facebook where I am much more active.
http://www.facebook.com/SteveMillerTX
I've pursued my CHL (Concealed Handgun License) which should arrive in the next 4-6 weeks. Recent posts talked about this and the Glock G23 which will be my conceal carry. It's also a fun gun to shoot on the range. And speaking of fun, I've also obtained a new target rifle to do some entry level competition eventually and in general to have fun punching paper. It's a Savage 17HMR target rifle (93R17 BTVSS) with Leupold VX-I 3-9x40 scope. There will be more toys in the future though as I get more into the shooting sports.
As if that weren't expensive enough, I've taken the plunge into aviation by starting flying lessons. I originally wanted to get started with a Sport Pilot certification as it requires only 20 hours training and half the cost of a Private Pilot. However, to do so, I'd have to fly 5 hours solo in a sport rated plane (max 1,350 lbs gross weight and speed limit). There are none to rent around Amarillo. Yikes! I just assumed there would be. I could go elsewhere like Dallas or OKC, but I would still not be able to rent one here after I get the license (business opportunity anybody?).
So, I've decided to go for the full Private Pilot license instead...which I would have gotten eventually. I'm starting my ground school training in a week or so when I receive the DVD kit. Yep, you can do that all at home. Passing the FAA written test is all that is required for that. Then the fun (and expense) begins with flight training. Being that will likely cost around 6 grand over a period of 4-6 months, I'll likely wait to start that until after the first of the year....perhaps starting next summer when the weather is more stable. We'll see how that goes (hopefully not having to wait so long). I'll have plenty to keep me busy until then. I've got MS Flight Simulator X coming in next week with yoke, throttle and rudder controls, so I expect that to keep me busy and get some self training in the meantime....as much as that will allow. :-) I did take my introductory flight with a trainer last Friday though.
You know, it's amazing how much time and money one has when not blowing it all on stormchasing. LOL!! I'm not giving it up completely. What I will be severely curtailing are the long marathon trips and chasing too many marginal setups. After all, this is the Texas Panhandle. With an average or above-average year for storm activity, I expect to have enough opportunities to witness the full fury of mother nature in all her glory.....2008 and 2009 not counting of course. :-)
The bottom line is I should have plenty to satisfy my appetite for pursuing and admiring supercell thunderstorms. That sort of passion and appreciation never dies. But the tens of thousands of miles driving, dealing with thousands of chaser hordes, and all of the bullshit drama that goes with that...is something I won't miss one bit at all. In fact, those sorts of problems will only continue to grow and get worse. Stormtrack, which I don't participate in anymore, is an excellent "barometer" in that respect. Another reason to start looking for other more rewarding and satisfying hobbies.
I also see diminishing business opportunities as competition for supply increases at an exponential rate for a nearly constant demand. I've seen and experienced far too many cutthroat practices already. It just ain't worth it. I can spend the same amount of time doing something else with far fewer headaches and bullshit and yet make substantially more money. That comes with being 44 years old too I guess....and a couple of "shots across the bow" concerning one's health (nothing too serious). Life is too short. ;-)
So, as far as weather is concerned, Amarillo officially set an all-time rainfall record for the month of August. It was around 9.4 inches I believe. It just missed the all-time rainfall record for ANY month by about an inch. Everything is lush and green all across the Panhandle. Hopefully we won't experience another drought over the winter thus setting up another extreme wildfire season early in 2010. With a moderate to strong El Nino setting up for this winter, this should make things interesting around here as far as winter weather goes. It could be a real doozy. Maybe that will translate into an active chase season around here in 2010. Something to watch!
So, that about wraps it up for me. I'll try to update here a little more often. However, feel free to add me as a friend over on Facebook where I am much more active.
http://www.facebook.com/SteveMillerTX
posted by Steve Miller TX at 9/13/2009 12:26:00 AM
5 Comments:
Sounds like fun man! It's amazing how much I have gotten done to my house since I "walked away" from most of anything online and weather. Just a few pitstops here and there since July 4.
I'll prob be more active on my sites etc as the weather turns colder, get some video done etc, but I too think my days of eating and breathing storm chasing are done.
We still gotta get some fishing in some place!
I need to make a trip to see the new house. I can only imagine what it looks like now. Must be a helluva great feeling, eh?
Stormchasing for me is now ONE of my other hobbies instead of THE hobby. Flying might become THE one though...LOL!! I'm actually looking forward to some areal photography down the road...both of landscapes and storm clouds. :-)
The annual fishing/camping excursion opportunity is upon us. I'll holler at everybody soon to see what we can coordinate. That'll be fun too! :-)
Glad to hear you doing ok..nice set up ypiu purchased there..I just picked up another AR-15. Smith and Wesson M&P AR15......
I am almost ashamed to admit that weather doesn't hold its grasp on me like it used to. I don't consider myself burnt out, maybe just look at the big picture more and put it into perspective. We play with the occasional spin ups and severe t-storms that come though but even they don't really impress that much anymore..I tend to go after the photography value/aspect of weather these days than the chase, but I guess they go hand in hand as you have to do one to get the other, right? Looking forward to more updates on your new pursuits Steve!
As much as I love chasing, it never came close to flying. I took 9 hours of flying lessons about the time I was entering high school and loved every second of it.
You could always just chase from a plane and not have to deal with the hordes then. I am sure the plane could surrive a 50kt low level jet. I wouldnt ever fly near Borger for future reference(inparticular Phillips refinery during summer). It can be really turbulent around here. Great view of the lake at sunset though.
Good to see you doing Great ! Enjoyed reading your post! Thanks :)
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