There’s a pretty big fire raging in SoCal right now. (Fires are fairly normal for this time of year, but somehow we’re always shocked when they happen.) This particular fire is right on the LA/Ventura County line - which is also where Chad & Erica’s church, Agoura Bible Fellowship, is. They’ve just ordered evacuations for the area where the church sits.
I’m thinking there needs to be some prayer happening today: that the church won’t burn, that the church’s people will be safe, etc. Hopefully, Chad will give us an update soon…
Sitting at the church right now. The parking lot is covered in ashes and the neighborhood is deserted under a mandatory evacuation. Fire smell is overwhelming. The high school around the corner is empty. More concerned about friends who live on the fringe then the actual church building at this point. One of our deacons is literally hosing down his house right now, I just found out. I am going to pull out my computer, as it’s an easy thing to do, and in MY office, it’s the only thing worth preserving (even though it is a PC… I should let it burn) because of documents.
I think we’re gonna be ok, but I talked to an officer on my way in who pointed out that if the Santa Anas kick up we’re really in for a ride.
Ogh. Fires, hurricaines, earthquakes, OH MY!!!!
The Lee house in Burbank is open and available for anybody who needs to get out of Agoura for a few days.
Poor things. Many prayers going up from soggy Seattle.
We are praying! Please be safe. If ya’ll wannna make a trek to the south. Nashville awaits.
Oye vey… Nashvegas… I think I missed that boat about 6 years ago… :) I sure appreicate the offer though. God is good today… no winds… that might be the deciding factor.
Hey we are the only ones left out here and we wanted you here! ugh another discussion for another time.
Glad there are no winds today. :0) We’ll pray they stay away.
Hey, Chad. Any word on the state of church members’ homes?
Ah, Nashville. So many memories…
That boat was fun for a while, but then everybody wanted to hold the tiller and nobody wanted to trim the sails and swab the deck, so it sank pretty quickly despite being filled with hot air. It should have stayed drydocked in SoCal, where the water isn’t as deep.
We are praying the wind doesn’t pick up this afternoon - please keep us posted as you can.
Just got back from lunch with the fam. Breathing outside gives a swift headache. As of yet, all ABFfers are safe and sound as far as I know. The local firefighters are doing a pretty good job as far as I can call. 17,000 acres burned in 24 hours and only one house has gone, and one structure on the Rocketdyne property in the hills. The wind has picked up a bit, but is no where near as bad as a typical Santa Ana day.
On the other topic… please don’t think that I have forgotten who said what and thought what in that fateful meeting… :) I actually don’t really regret what happened, despite the frustration of the moment. I kind of watched the saga unfold from afar with a mixture of wonder and bemusement. I did get a pretty nice sized check at one point… that was nice…
In the end, it’s worked out well for us… I never would have learned production had I been with ya’ll! I have nothing but fond memories of those days, even the toehead. :)
Wow. I have GOT to hear this story. Promise me that when I’m in Cali week after next SOMEBODY will tell me the Saga of Nashville. I was talking about my own memories of my (brief) stint in that fine city, which is a riveting story of its own. OK, not really…
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Chad, glad to hear that so far everybody’s unsinged. Still praying for the Santa Anas to hold up a little. I know about the Santa Anas because I read “White Oleander”. It takes effort to be as ignorant as me.
This picture blew my mind.
Morphea, I had no idea you were coming this way! Is it perhaps for the 30th b-day blowout?
Wow, Mike. Cool picture in a scary way. The news just reported burning in Calabasas. More friends and loved ones to pray for as they evacuate. The smokes pretty bad here in Burbank, I can’t imagine what it must be like when you’re living in the neighborhood. Didn’t we just do this last October?
It has indeed shifted back towards L.A. It’s currently burning north of Doug and Shelley’s place. If it jumps the 101, they’re in deep dookie, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen. And, if it jumps the 101, it’ll make BIG news, cause then it will burn all the way to that little puddle we like to call the Pacific Ocean.
Yessir, that is correct. Ostensibly to see my beloved Aly, but mostly to check out the fabled Ash. You know how it is. I can’t wait to meet you face to face.
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Amazing picture, Michael. Boy, you Californians just dance with the devil, don’t you? If it’s not fire, it’s mudslides, flood and fear of The Big One. I guess Seattle-ites deal with the weather (which I secretly love) and The Big One up here would pretty much level the city. I just found out that the fault line lies right below my office building. Typical. Seriously, though, this happens EVERY YEAR?
You’ve NEVER met the fabled Ash?!?!?!?
Well. some tips:
1. Don’t look him in the eye, he will start to twitch and break out in boils.
2. Bring an Icelandic to english dictionary, because he’s on a friggen Bjork kick, and he’s prone to break out into coded rececitations when ordering at restaurants. Be prepared to translate and decode for the servers.
3. If he says, “The hippos are swimming downstream,” arrange for incense and good reading in the restroom, and be prepared to wait. When you hear laughter and tribal chanting, you will know that the hippos have reached the sea.
4. If you anger him, remain perfectly still and act non-threatening. He urinate in a circle around you and grunt menacingly, but then most likely return to a more peaceful state. Most likely.
5. If he wants you to sing Karaoke, you’re gonna do it, sucka.
6. When he refers to Aly as, “help mate,” please try not to be offended. If you are offended, please consider #4 before responding.
If you can follow these simple guidelines, you will have an enjoyable visit.
wait, bryan’s help mate has a name? I’ve always just referred to her as “the little misses.”
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also, you’re so gonna get punched in the stomach, chad.
He doesn’t do the peeing in a circle thing anymore, though you can expect menacing grunts (which I think are totally HOT). It’s worse at the full moon.
Hey, when your husband loves and cares for you as much as mine does, and covers you with his spiritual umbrella to keep all off all the scary condemnation I would bring on myself if left to my own devices…sexist semantics are irrelevant. I especially love it when he calls me “bee-atch.”
Just laughed out loud. At work. While my boss was on the couch nearby. Dear god, people!
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Never fear, Aly and Chad. I’m totally down with misogynistic home-life - most of my arguments with Ramon are settled with spankings for me. He calls me Goodwife. Also, Ramon and I are Bjork junkies, though I’m damned if I’ll learn Icelandic or listen very long to her acapella album. “All IS full of luuuuuuv…”
Ok… back on topic.
The sky is mostly cleared tonight, and the firefighters seem to have gotten things under control. Thanks for your prayers, it appears we’re all gonna be ok. If you have a sec, do pray for the folks who did lose it, few though they may be.
Also, my two year old daughter is currently listening to Modest Mouse, how rock and roll is that?!
that’s awesome. My daughter does a few Modest Mouse tunes with her cover band, which she plays guitar and sings in. While taking breaks from her research into Quantum stuff.
A COVER band, Michael? Leave the door wide open, why don’t'cha? Chad, do NOT pass up this opportunity.
That’s terrific, Chad & Mike. Ella and Sophia are so brilliant and talented and beautiful! Won’t it be great when they both grow up and get to be called Helpmeet and Goodwife and Bee-atch by men who love and cherish them and keep them safe and drink macro-brewed beer straight from the can? Lucky, lucky girls.
I probably shouldn’t be reading this out loud to Bobby as Bethany is playing the latest in edu-tainment on his computer next to me. You guys are funny! Glad to hear things are settling down out there.
Their husbands will allow them their little band-sessions, I hope.
somebody should make a t-shirt that says “every fundie needs a help-mate”
Oh, God. That is HILARIOUS.
How weird… Bethany already started making that for her Online Photoshop Tutorial series she is writing. Hang on…
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“No sweetheart, that’s D-I-E, not D-Y. I know it’s hard to hear over The Killers.”
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Ok I’m back now.
There is now a fire burning in the Burbank hills, about 2 miles from our house. Welcome to Fall in LA.
Whoa. You guys in any danger?
doesn’t look like it. I’m going to see if I can get some pictures.
OK. The pictures are very disturbing. You have a headache?
People, Morphea and addisonrd are now on flickr, sharing pictures and being very happy. Come see Michael’s fire pictures and my cats and husband. And me.
the pics are posted on flickr. Here’s the link:
Burbank Fires
1. I am twitching and breaking out in boils.
2. I just bought the new Sigur Ros album.
3. ?.
4. I am the poster boy for Zen living.
5. Damn straight.
6.“Help Mate,” is soooo anachronistic, “Weaker Sex” will suffice.
Engage me at your own peril.
I keep hearing the word “karaoke” on this blog and get a little eye twitch. Are you guys all rabid fans or something?
Ash is a rabid fan. I am rabid fans of his, which means making an effort to love karaoke.
Hey, I love doing it and hearing it - as long as folks stay away from the Bette Midler ballads - but it stresses me out. Performance anxiety.
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It all stems from one time when I sang my ass off to Heart’s “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You” and nobody dug it. What is WRONG with people??
Cerise, it’s not as bad as finally working upthe guts to sing Karaoke with this way too talented bunch, and only confidently knowing “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton, and so being called a lesbian the rest of the evening. And they wonder why I don’t like singing in front of them… ;)
Gretchen, let’s sing “Zombie” by the Cranberries together if we get the chance…
I knew you were a lesbian!