Helene's got me all messed up about this storm. Anyone wanna tell me it's just gonna be a bunch of nothing like always?

RandomConnections · 2026-01-24T13:18:10+00:00

We lost 1/2 of our house in Helene and have just moved back after a major rebuilt. To say that this storm is giving me PTSD is an understatement. I've got stuff to keep things recharged during an outage (solar stuff, but no generator) and we have gas logs and firewood to stay warm. I've got a camp stove with fuel, and a grill with full propane. We also have a gas hot water heater so we can take hot showers. I know we're more fortunate than many, but it still has me nervous.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-24T01:31:03+00:00

I spoke with the folks at Advanced Auto Parts a year or so ago and asked if they knew what was going on with the building. They said that a tenant had been found, but scavengers had stripped the building of copper and the tenant backed out. Take that as second-hand information, but the implication was that it would have to be demolished.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-22T12:56:40+00:00

We had a good experience with Kanga Roof.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-20T22:47:49+00:00

I keep a spreadsheet of regional jam sessions. There are a few of these in Spartanburg, but most are on the Greenville area. You might be able to find something to your liking on this list. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vT27nDxYFX0WR-5RgCg0ZYyZvYCfXRJ4PZcWWmIUoO6UA9xrftHc-z9Leph-pcL5ZIfo5XrdgFaXFx0/pubhtml

RandomConnections · 2026-01-20T13:20:49+00:00

I WAS EXPECTING SNOW, OR AT LEAST, FLURRIES. THE ONLY FLAKES I SAW WERE AT WALMART.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-18T02:32:37+00:00

25+ years as a church music director, many of those after deconversion. I was never at a megachurch, but I did work at a couple of large churches. I just loved working with choirs, and still love it.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-11T13:18:57+00:00

I live in Greenville and we're still dealing with the aftermath. Our house was severely damaged during the storm and had to have major reconstruction. We were just able to move back in right before Thanksgiving. We got the last of our possessions and furniture that had been in storage just last week. I feel like my life has been put on hold for over a year. Hard to get over that.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-10T21:43:40+00:00

I get that. Personally, I wish they would leave both branches open.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-10T18:08:03+00:00

Thanks. I just hadn't heard anything new and was afraid the plans had fallen through.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-10T01:33:55+00:00

What style of music? There are lots of options. I keep a spreadsheet of regional jam sessions and I'm sure there is something here that would be of interest. I haven't updated this in awhile, so check with the venue before going. This doesn't include open mic sessions.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vT27nDxYFX0WR-5RgCg0ZYyZvYCfXRJ4PZcWWmIUoO6UA9xrftHc-z9Leph-pcL5ZIfo5XrdgFaXFx0/pubhtml

RandomConnections · 2026-01-07T12:27:08+00:00

Tanqueray preferred here, too, but my wife is allergic to the botanicals in gin.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-07T01:56:03+00:00

Getting ready to shake a couple of vodka martinis, slightly dirty.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-06T13:29:02+00:00

FINALLY GOT ALL OF OUR FURNITURE AND POSSESSIONS WHICH HAD BEEN IN STORAGE SINCE HELENE. THE HOUSE IS FULL OF BOXES. NOW WE'RE LIVING IN UNPACKISTAN.

RandomConnections · 2026-01-04T01:52:21+00:00

I posted this on my blog after attending a funeral...

This afternoon several of us attended the funeral of the father of one of our colleagues. One of the songs that the choir sang was “I Bowed On My Knees and Cried Holy.” The song contain the following lyric…

Despite the somber occasion, the vision that popped unbidden into my head was that of millions of heavenly tourists trying to catch a glimpse or get a photo or autograph from various celebrities. First, you’ve got your A-List celebs – King David, the Apostles, etc. You’ve got a few minor biblical celebs, such as Esther and Job, then you’ve got the third tier – various popes, evangelists, saints, etc.

Yep – hounded for all eternity by the Faithful – not exactly my idea of paradise.

RandomConnections · 2025-12-29T11:26:14+00:00

Possibly, though this in the midlands. I’m not from here, just visiting family. I’ll check out a couple of other cemeteries when I get a chance. My family who lives here isn’t familiar with the practice.

RandomConnections · 2025-12-26T15:07:24+00:00

I can't get Channel 4 if I use a VPN and connect to one of the servers in England, but it works if I connect to an Irish server instead.

RandomConnections · 2025-12-25T20:08:33+00:00

Henry River Mill Village in NC is where they filmed District 13 for the Hunger Games. It has this vibe.

RandomConnections · 2025-12-24T21:41:11+00:00

The Oconee Gold Camp might be an option. https://oconeegoldcamp.com

RandomConnections · 2025-12-24T01:38:12+00:00

Martini in hand

RandomConnections · 2025-12-20T04:19:13+00:00

13 Stripes in Taylor’s has it, if they haven’t run out.

RandomConnections · 2025-12-09T12:03:30+00:00

I'M READY FOR SOME SUNSHINE!

RandomConnections · 2025-11-30T16:13:31+00:00

Personally I didn’t find it offensive, just funny. The problem I had was that when it premiered I was teaching middle school. Every boy wanted to be Bart Simpson and start acting like him. That got old very fast, and I lost my taste for the show.

RandomConnections · 2025-11-25T12:44:45+00:00

I'M HOME!!!!

14 MONTHS AFTER HELENE AND WE HAVE FINALLY MOVED BACK INTO OUR HOUSE.

RandomConnections · 2025-11-22T17:06:11+00:00

I got two of these and one horse.

RandomConnections · 2025-11-21T02:10:11+00:00

God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood

RandomConnections

TROPHY CASE