Anything and everything I wanna talk about!
Posts tagged Weather
As Things Clear Up
Jul 26th
As things clear up in South Texas the destruction that was left behind by Hurricane Dolly is more and more apparent. There are still many people without power, and some running low on food and essentials. The local media is doing a pretty good job reporting everything going on.
Meanwhile, local, state, and federal help is flowing in and besides minor problems and a lot of complaining –and rightly so in some cases while maybe not all. A lot are being helped and there’s a lot more help on the way.
The thing that gets to me is the fact that no one died is being downplayed. Property can be replaced, and the poorest will most defiantly get help along with the others in need. Things could have been worse and there is a lot to be grateful for –life, for instance.
Hurricane Dolly: She Came, She Rained, She Entertained
Jul 24th
So it’s still raining outside and besides a downed tree or two and a bunch of branches all over the yard and part of my fence going down, everything is perfect. An absolute mess mind you, but not bad. I really wish I could have snapped a few more pics; sadly the best action took place just as it got dark and still is going on now. In terms of my area, things seem ok, there was a tree or two uprooted or snapped, and crazy dirty buildups from the runoff, other than that I wasn’t able to make out anything major but it is dark outside. I do have a few more video clips from yesterday and I’ll be getting at least one or two more on here, but there wont be anything GREAT to show like a flying cow or goat. (This is south Texas!) So after all that has happened, Western Hidalgo County largely got away with minimal damage.
So here is my final photo until sunup:
Video: Hurricane Dolly
Jul 23rd
Here’s a video from about 8:35PM (an hour ago.) It came from my cell phone and we all know about the quality factor (it sucks,) but the sound is what stands out most.
Like I said, this was an hour ago the rain is really coming down now and the winds wicked out there. I’ll try and get a video or pic of it soon.
KRGV in the Dark and Some Actual Rain
Jul 23rd
Here’s a BLURRY pic of my tv screen featuring Tim Smith in front being lit by a tiny flashlight and someone else I don’t recognize. I feel sorry for her, she had a huge bright light being shined right at her face. KRGV is now operating with weird lighting, making everything all the better.
And heres a still shot from a vid I took while walking around outside –where I almost got hit by a few things. Nothing too bad came my way. A branch or two and a low flying bird (no joke.)
I really want to post a video but my connection is going in and out. The power has been steady and flashed off once or twice. Thank god for battery power.
In the words of Phil Collins: I Wish It Would Rain Down
Jul 23rd
I got my first rain band at 3:47 it wasn’t much… Here’s yet another picture of nothing but a darker sky and a comparison of my first pic PLUS a list of my favorite rain songs just for kicks. (Itsy Bitsy Spider not included.) Things should be picking up soon.
Blind Melon – No Rain – Truly a great song and vid.
Erasure – Only Rain – I’m an 80’s boy damnit!
The Doors – Riders on the Storm – Timeless!
Willie Nelson – Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain – Totally calming!
There’s more but I won’t make it drag on and on!
Hurricane Dolly: An Update From the Heart of The Valley — Sorta
Jul 23rd
Alrighty here I go again. Dolly is inching her way close to the Rio Grande Valley and I have a few thoughts and a photo of what’s going as I type this.
Yes, thats KRGV on with Tim Smith and Alan Shoemaker.
Now, first of all… I can’t stand people freaking out over a cat 1! I also can’t stand those who make comments saying they wish Dolly was headed straight for Mexico instead of our way to save ourselves the trouble. For gods sake come hell or high water –which both seem likely in some areas, in the end everyone will be fine. We’ve got cash; we’ve got a great system to help out those who are in need if anything gets really screwed up, those South of the border do not.
Second, I miss Larry James. I’m watching KRGV as we speak; Tim and Alan are doing a GREAT job, but they should have snatched Larry for tonight. Having someone like Larry on hand for events like this would be nice. Crossing the KGBT – KRGV line would also be a friendly twist. Maybe I just need to get over him being off screen. Although, maybe I cant –http://luisrocks.com/blog/2008/05/05/did-kgbt-4’s-larry-james-get-sacked/
Finally, I love the way the national media can’t seem to get a good grasp of things down here. There’s always a weird shot of nothing but waves and seagulls at the island and a bunch of dirty men filling sandbags. Not exactly what I see when driving around but I’ll shut up before I dig in too deep. I wish they’d bring in some of the local folks, Will Ripley, Oscar Adame, Letty Garza. You know –the ones the Valley can be proud of. Then again, what the hell do I know? 
That reminds me; CNN clicked onto KRGV.com on air and had about 3 seconds of Will before cutting it off… I’m not sure what happened there.
That’s it for now!
*Update*
Yes, I admitted to watching CNN. There was a commercial on FOX News! Kidding aside, I do find my way around cable news channels and I’m still a total news junky.
Locally, I cant watch anything but News Channel 5 (KRGV) 
*Update 2*
I also just realized the title was a bit misleasing considering I didn’t include a weather pic. Oh well, bite me.
Dolly’s Coming My Way – The Calm before the Storm.
Jul 22nd
Hurricane Dolly is on its way to the Rio Grande Valley and I really want to have some fun with this storm. Besides the usual staying up late looking out the biggest window I can find (no safe, I know!) I‘ve also decided to post pictures that I’ll be taking over the next day or two from my nice comfy safe spot, AKA my house.
The best reason to do this is simply. My college decided to cancel classes so I’m free –finally some time to play around. 
So here’s the first shot which is facing south east.
More about where I live: I live in La Joya, Texas which is a few minutes from McAllen, in fact I live in a really strong home on a hill so there’s no way in hell I’ll be flooded or standing on a pile of rubble tomorrow, which is great. Here’s a map!
Did KGBT 4’s Larry James get sacked?
May 5th
If you’ve ever lived in the Rio Grande Valley or, like yours truly, was born and raised down here you absolutely know who Larry James is. He’s been doing the weather on KGBT 4 since November 1964.
On Tuesday, after 43 years with the station Larry left with a simple, “I decided to retire. Effective today.”
Like allot of people on the comment section on The Monitors page about this, I too think something isn’t quite right. If he was ill I’m sure there’d be a proper goodbye, if he was retiring willingly I’m sure there’d also be a proper goodbye.
Why do I give a damn? Well honestly, for as long as I can remember I thought Larry was great as what he did, in fact my first career choice, at the whopping age of 5, was meteorologist… because it not only seemed cool but Larry seemed to have fun doing it.
I could go on and on but I won’t. If Larry left willingly I hope he had a great time, if he was tossed out I hope he kicks some ass and gets a nice retirement package if anything… I’d raise hell.
FROM Larry’s Bio on KGBT’s Site -Which probably wont be online much longer- http://www.kgbt4.com/about/bio.aspx?id=434
I was born and raised in Louisiana, but I’ve called Harlingen home for nearly 40 years.
Now nearly all that time I’ve been with KGBT.
While I do the weather at Noon and on weekends, I also get to spend a lot of time out in the community with different organizations and Winter Texans. It’s a great way to put my experience in the valley to good use.
Aside from my wife, daughters and grandchildren, probably one of the closest things to my heart is the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I’ve taken part in the annual MDA telethon for decades and enjoy being able to help valley children who need that medical care.
If I’m not at work, there’s a good chance you’re going to find me in the yard working on the garden, or on my boat fishing somewhere near South Padre Island.
I may have been doing the weather for many years, but I still get excited about giving the forecast to folks across the Valley.
I work with some great people at KGBT and I’ve watched some great young people grow their careers here. My job is very rewarding.
Oh, The Valley Morning Star also had some great comments.
Poet Laureate says: Larry James is no more, Channel 4 is a bore, For news to the core, Channel 5 has more.
HA.
Even Wikipedia got in on it.
On April 29, 2008, KGBT-TV’s 43-year veteran weatherman, Larry James, announced a sudden retirement. He refused to comment on the reasons, referring all questions to station management. Those in charge of the station have refused to comment. James was the last of the on-air personnel from what many Valley residents consider the station’s “glory days” during the late 1960s and 1970s when it had studios in central Harlingen and the top-rated newscast in the Rio Grande Valley.
What readers are saying