Katrina - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Perky Ent · 09-06-2005, 09:55 PM

The biggest city (if you're not counting NYC) i've ever seen. Houston!Eating at The Hobbit Hole Cafe

Lush · 09-07-2005, 06:08 PM

Great thread. North Carolina, where I am, was obviously spared. A friend of mine's family was trapped in New Orleans, however. Thank God they survived. So many others didn't.

Child of the 7th Age · 09-08-2005, 01:39 AM

I am both saddened and touched by what I have seen in Houston over the past week. I live two minutes from the Astrodome complex, which now houses thousands and thousands of refugees. In addition to those who came from the Superdome in the buses, many other families have fled here: and are living throughout the city: some put the number as high as 100,000.

Most people are trying to help by taking in families who need shelter, collecting needed supplies, or volunteering in other ways. I've spent a few days sorting food and clothing, and am supposed to be starting tomorrow with one of the New Orleans charities that has set up shop in our city, helping them with phone calls and data entry on "lost" persons. My childrens' schools--small private ones in our neighborhood--have thrown open their doors and taken in dozens of new students. Some of these youngsters seem alright but others appear to be "shell shocked". I have no other words to describe the sadness that I see in the eyes of some of these newcomers. Saddest to me was an elderly lady who was afraid to leave her cot in the Dome to go to the bathroom. Not only was she afraid that her few belongings might be stolen, but that she would never find her spot again. There were thousands of cots with identical grey blankets that all looked the same to her tired eyes.

It does make me realize how privileged a life I've led. Tragedies of this dimension are supposed to happen "elsewhere", not here in a country that likes to think of itself as the richest and most powerful on the earth. It does give me a new appreciation for one theme that underlies much of Tolkien's work -- how little control we really have over our lives and the extent to which we inevitably fall victim to sad and tragic events that come barrelling down upon us out of nowhere. Tolkien talks about fighting the long defeat. This week, speaking with people who have lost everything, I have some sense of what those words mean.

***Mithadan*** · 09-08-2005, 07:24 AM

I'm fine. Katrina didn't hit us too hard, unlike the unfortunates in the Gulf Coast.

Thinlómien · 09-14-2005, 09:21 AM

Good to know that you, Mithadan, are also safe. Hope everyone else is as well.

Glirdan · 09-14-2005, 01:17 PM

Yes Mithadan, it is nice to know that you are safe and sound.

The Perky Ent · 09-20-2005, 06:46 PM

This is my luck: Katrina. No home. Most of my stuff is probably ruined, including my beloved Compy (R.I.P) That in itself is a tragedy. I just moved into what I thought would be my apartment for the next three months yesterday. But, much to my shagrin, Rita comes along. So now, I'm forced to evacuate from my evacuation! There's panic at the grochery, as all the water is gone and people are going for canned food like a Tiger on a Llama (Me cother de cotheri deri Gadi) . So, I'm packing up for Dallas, where I will hopefully stay for three days.

Just when I was starting to adjust. Well, that's my luck! Just wanted to pop in so if I, for some reason, go missing for a long period of time and anyone wonders where I am, I'll be in Dallas, evacuating from an evacuation!

PS: If there's anyone here from houston (yes I know that everyone from everywhere is helping) I want to give a particular thanks for your generous hospitality. Now let's see if Dallas is the same way...

09-06-2005, 09:55 PM	#1
The Perky Ent Maniacal Mage Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Setting sail for Umbar, with Firefoot at my side! Posts: 3,297	The biggest city (if you're not counting NYC) i've ever seen. Houston!Eating at The Hobbit Hole Cafe __________________ 'But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.'

09-07-2005, 06:08 PM	#2
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	Great thread. North Carolina, where I am, was obviously spared. A friend of mine's family was trapped in New Orleans, however. Thank God they survived. So many others didn't. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

09-08-2005, 01:39 AM	#3
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	I am both saddened and touched by what I have seen in Houston over the past week. I live two minutes from the Astrodome complex, which now houses thousands and thousands of refugees. In addition to those who came from the Superdome in the buses, many other families have fled here: and are living throughout the city: some put the number as high as 100,000. Most people are trying to help by taking in families who need shelter, collecting needed supplies, or volunteering in other ways. I've spent a few days sorting food and clothing, and am supposed to be starting tomorrow with one of the New Orleans charities that has set up shop in our city, helping them with phone calls and data entry on "lost" persons. My childrens' schools--small private ones in our neighborhood--have thrown open their doors and taken in dozens of new students. Some of these youngsters seem alright but others appear to be "shell shocked". I have no other words to describe the sadness that I see in the eyes of some of these newcomers. Saddest to me was an elderly lady who was afraid to leave her cot in the Dome to go to the bathroom. Not only was she afraid that her few belongings might be stolen, but that she would never find her spot again. There were thousands of cots with identical grey blankets that all looked the same to her tired eyes. It does make me realize how privileged a life I've led. Tragedies of this dimension are supposed to happen "elsewhere", not here in a country that likes to think of itself as the richest and most powerful on the earth. It does give me a new appreciation for one theme that underlies much of Tolkien's work -- how little control we really have over our lives and the extent to which we inevitably fall victim to sad and tragic events that come barrelling down upon us out of nowhere. Tolkien talks about fighting the long defeat. This week, speaking with people who have lost everything, I have some sense of what those words mean. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 09-08-2005 at 01:44 AM.

09-08-2005, 07:24 AM	#4
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,396	I'm fine. Katrina didn't hit us too hard, unlike the unfortunates in the Gulf Coast. __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

09-14-2005, 09:21 AM	#5
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Good to know that you, Mithadan, are also safe. Hope everyone else is as well. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

09-14-2005, 01:17 PM	#6
Glirdan Energetic Essence Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Where Lark Nor Eagle Ever Flew Posts: 3,285	Yes Mithadan, it is nice to know that you are safe and sound. __________________ *I'm going to buy you a kitty, I'm going to let you fall in love with the kitty, and one cold, winter night, I'm going to steal into your house and punch you in the face!* Fenris Wolf

09-20-2005, 06:46 PM	#7
The Perky Ent Maniacal Mage Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Setting sail for Umbar, with Firefoot at my side! Posts: 3,297	Maybe I'm just not lucky! This is my luck: Katrina. No home. Most of my stuff is probably ruined, including my beloved Compy (R.I.P) That in itself is a tragedy. I just moved into what I thought would be my apartment for the next three months yesterday. But, much to my shagrin, Rita comes along. So now, I'm forced to evacuate from my evacuation! There's panic at the grochery, as all the water is gone and people are going for canned food like a Tiger on a Llama (Me cother de cotheri deri Gadi) . So, I'm packing up for Dallas, where I will hopefully stay for three days. Just when I was starting to adjust. Well, that's my luck! Just wanted to pop in so if I, for some reason, go missing for a long period of time and anyone wonders where I am, I'll be in Dallas, evacuating from an evacuation! PS: If there's anyone here from houston (yes I know that everyone from everywhere is helping) I want to give a particular thanks for your generous hospitality. Now let's see if Dallas is the same way... __________________ 'But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.' Last edited by The Perky Ent; 09-20-2005 at 06:49 PM. Reason: Thanking Houston!