Chasing Alone vs With a Partner

I have been doing quite a bit of thinking lately.  I know, I know it is scary!

This year was the first time I ever chased with anyone other than myself.  I really enjoyed myself!  Having someone to get excited with you was fun.  Having someone to talk to during the boring parts.. Really nice..  :)

Chasing alone has it's benefits, too.  Being able to pick up and go at a moments notice.  Making my own decisions and bailing or sticking around when I want to.  The problem with chasing alone is going long distances.  I just don't feel comfortable driving long distances on my own.

I have been blessed by meeting so many people who want to go along or have invited me to go.  And in the spring, it really is happening.  Jenn and I are going west together to chase the Great Plains after I graduate with my Master's Degree!  What a way to celebrate! :)

I guess the reason why I posted about this is because I feel like even though I do have options for chase partners, I feel like there are times when whether I like it or not.. I'm just going to have to suck it up and go alone. 

Time to get brave.  :)  There is nothing that will stand in my way!

Photos from June 15th, 2011

I can't believe I didn't any of my photos from my June 15th chase!!  Thanks to Sean H. for reminding me! :)

Shelf Cloud! :)  This is looking towards Signal Mountain from Signal Mountain Road.  The wind is really starting to pick up here and you can see by the flag.  I get mesmerized and sucked in to what I'm seeing.  :)

This is what I saw when I got home from the chase!  View from the back porch:

The Scars of April 27th

Everywhere you look here... There are still scars from that dreadful day.  Where I work, stripped trees still line the path to get there.  On the other side of the mountain, mangled buildings from the EF2 that hit that area in the morning.  I almost forget they are there since this has been my scenery for the last 2 months.  That doesn't even include Ringgold.. which is getting better all the time, but still the scars remain.

In 1997, an F3 tornado tore through East Brainerd in Chattanooga near Hamilton Place Mall.  This tornado destroyed several homes in the area and caused some injuries.  I still look at that area and I can tell what happened there almost 15 years ago!!!

What will our area look like in 15 years?  The EF4 tornado took out so many trees.. beautiful Georgia Pines... I'm thinking about organizing some tree planting parties in the fall, thanks to the suggestion of a friend.

Also, Josh Turner is performing at a benefit concert here in town at my good friend Sue Gass' ranch, The Davis Cattle Co on July 14th!  I do not like country music, but I will be there! :)

We're getting better every day, but yet the scars remain!!!  Healing is a slow process... Time to be patient!

I hate math and more......

I have felt a bit down the last few days.  Why?

Well, #1.... Math.... I've struggled with math for as long as I can remember.  The ONE math class I have in my graduate school program, and I just feel like I'm going to fail it.  Sigh.... I remember I almost gave up on chemistry because of the heavy math leaning, but I got through.  This is one class, and I don't know why I can't just DO IT.

Anyway.. I'm a depressing person to be around right now.  It's gotta get better, right?

Awesome CHASE! :D

Well, yesterday was a day I didn't expect a whole lot out of.  Not much shear, and I thought by the time there were storms it would all be linear poo.

We got a decent storm during the work day.  It produced a pretty awesome shelf cloud, but as always, I was working and my camera was in the car.

Before I headed out, I noticed 2 sets of storms.  Some heading right for home, and some to the north near Sequatchie County.  I picked the storms to the north, because they looked healthier and I didn't want to have to drive back through storms to get home.

I got near Soddy Daisy, TN and received the SVR warning for Catoosa county.  Ugh.. I was upset.  I could have stayed home!  I looked at the radar data for my storm, and it still looked healthy, but I couldn't see much of anything.  I pulled off of the road I was on and took a couple of photos of dark skies coming over the mountain and the wind started picking up.  I decided to head back.  Not to mention there was a 2 inch hail marker on the storm.

As I headed back, feeling a little defeated, I saw in my rear view mirror an amazing shelf cloud!  I immediately pulled off and took a few shots, before the wind nailed me again!  :)  The shelf cloud followed me all the way home!  It was beautiful!

That night I was treated to an epic lightning storm and pea sized hail not once but THREE times!!!  :)

It was a good day.  :)

Not Moving the Blog and Other Junk

Okay.. I've decided I don't care for Tumblr.  No real reason other than I just like this better.  I am apparently resistant to change!

First of all, I am not a complainer.  I hate to hear a whiner, but.. I'm going to whine.  Right now, I can't put my finger on it, but I am a little depressed.. burned out.. maybe in a bit of a rut.  I'm not sure.  All I know is I do not feel myself at all right now.

So.... I'm back on a diet trying to dump 15 lbs (that's my first goal) in the next couple of months. There is no maybe on this diet...  It has to happen!

Anyway, severe weather is back in the picture tomorrow.  I'm hoping it holds off until after work.  A chase would do me some good! :)

To move or not to move!!!!

I am torn on whether or not to move the blog.

On the one hand, I think Tumblr would make it easy for people to search and find my blog, but, on the other hand, I hate to throw all my progress away.  :(

This blog has been my evolution into chasing, so, sentimental me is having difficulty moving away from here.

Here is my new address at Tumblr: http://gaweathergirl.tumblr.com/

Let's give it a little try.

I think I'll be back here.

A Change

Sigh....

I really almost hate to do this, but I'm moving over to Tumblr for my blog posting.

I like the layout and easy of use.

I'm going to give it a try for awhile, and I might come back if I don't like it.

Peace out..  :)

Looking on the Bright Side

I have so many friends going through tough times right now.  I am generally a positive person, and I try to be positive in my advice. 

What is funny is that when it comes to my own life, I tend to get bogged down in the negative stuff.  My goal from this point forward is to take my own advice.

You must turn something bad into good.  Accept challenges and learn from your mistakes!  Do not look back!

And to my friends going through rough times?  Hang in there.. And I'm here when you need me!  :)