The Swamp

Posted: **Mon Feb 15, 2021 10:07 am**

We went sledding both days of the weekend mostly on snow that fell two weeks ago.

Posted: **Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:42 am**

I resisted the urge to walk outside and see what a -32 wind chill felt like

Posted: **Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:24 pm**

Brontoburglar wrote: ↑Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:42 am I resisted the urge to walk outside and see what a -32 wind chill felt like

Hawaii is going to feel good.

Posted: **Mon Feb 15, 2021 9:49 pm**

Brontoburglar wrote: ↑Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:42 am I resisted the urge to walk outside and see what a -32 wind chill felt like

Wimp. You gotta go out without a jacket just to know.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:42 am**

Not going so well in Texas...

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:55 am**

Had we gotten just one week dedicated to infrastructure in the past four years, this could have been avoided. Or maybe a Secretary of Energy who was aware of how close to disaster the situation was in Texas.

Hope you Houston-ish guys are all OK down there.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:57 am**

rass wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:55 am Had we gotten just one week dedicated to infrastructure in the past four years, this could have been avoided. Or maybe a Secretary of Energy who was aware of how close to disaster the situation was in Texas.

Hope you Houston-ish guys are all OK down there.

Well played. Just wanted to add that maybe appointing the guy who ran for President on a platform of abolishing the Dept of Energy but couldn't think of the name wasn't the best idea.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 9:20 am**

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:17 pm**

I read somewhere that Texas' power grid is separated from the rest of the states because they didn't want to be subject to the same levels of regulation.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:23 pm**

Rush2112 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:17 pm I read somewhere that Texas' power grid is separated from the rest of the states because they didn't want to be subject to the same levels of regulation.

And I’m going to extreme lengths NOT to dunk on my BiL in “the Woodlands” who is suffering because he has to throw a blanket around his back for a few days.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:51 pm**

The Sybian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:57 am Well played. Just wanted to add that maybe appointing the guy who ran for President on a platform of abolishing the Dept of Energy but couldn't think of the name wasn't the best idea.

Well, if we'd just hook up all those compact fusion reactors, everything would be all set!

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:55 pm**

Every screenshot of Tucker Carlson ever looked like he just saw his mother naked.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:57 pm**

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:51 pm
The Sybian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:57 am Well played. Just wanted to add that maybe appointing the guy who ran for President on a platform of abolishing the Dept of Energy but couldn't think of the name wasn't the best idea.
Well, if we'd just hook up all those compact fusion reactors, everything would be all set!

I mean, Biden has been President for 3 weeks now, why hasn't he solved the energy infrastructure in Texas! [criticism from the guy who just finished a 4 year term as Secretary of Energy and 15 years as the Governor of Texas.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:58 pm**

brian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:55 pm Every screenshot of Tucker Carlson ever looked like he just saw his mother naked.

I forget who said it (Colbert?), but he looks like a confused Golden Retriever.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:00 pm**

EnochRoot wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:23 pm
Rush2112 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:17 pm I read somewhere that Texas' power grid is separated from the rest of the states because they didn't want to be subject to the same levels of regulation.
And I’m going to extreme lengths NOT to dunk on my BiL in “the Woodlands” who is suffering because he has to throw a blanket around his back for a few days.

I’ve had two Texans complain about the pumps for their pools...they have to go out every 45 minutes or to break up the ice so the pump will circulate when the power comes back. First world problems...

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:03 pm**

The Sybian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:58 pm
brian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:55 pm Every screenshot of Tucker Carlson ever looked like he just saw his mother naked.
I forget who said it (Colbert?), but he looks like a confused Golden Retriever.

I forget who said it (I think it was someone on Twitter), but he looks like someone explained sex to him for the first time.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:05 pm**

We had a pretty good ice storm. I'd say half inch with some snow on top. No lost power. Got sent home from work about 3 yesterday and didn't go in today, but that's just as much because of a nasty cough I picked up overnight.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:24 pm**

GoodKarma wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:00 pm
EnochRoot wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:23 pm
Rush2112 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:17 pm I read somewhere that Texas' power grid is separated from the rest of the states because they didn't want to be subject to the same levels of regulation.
And I’m going to extreme lengths NOT to dunk on my BiL in “the Woodlands” who is suffering because he has to throw a blanket around his back for a few days.
I’ve had two Texans complain about the pumps for their pools...they have to go out every 45 minutes or to break up the ice so the pump will circulate when the power comes back. First world problems...

It’d seem to me their best bet would’ve been to shut the pool down for the winter months. But then again, I’m basing that experience on the fact we’d shut the pool down after labor day until freakin May.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:50 pm**

I'm wondering what ice they're breaking up.

Would ice forming on the top of the pool be a threat to the pumps? I'd think that the pumps themselves need to be detached and drained somehow, or at least kept warm so ice doesn't form inside and break something.

(I know nothing about pools. But I did wait too late to winterize my motorhome once and had to get a new water pump because of it.)

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:51 pm**

Biggest issue for freezing is pipes in the ground. But I could see ice clogging an intake or something and the pump kicking on and running dry which is bad, too.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:55 pm**

The Sybian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:58 pm
brian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:55 pm Every screenshot of Tucker Carlson ever looked like he just saw his mother naked.
I forget who said it (Colbert?), but he looks like a confused Golden Retriever.

I go with 'cocker spaniel trying to understand quantum mechanics'..

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:56 pm**

A_B wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:51 pm Biggest issue for freezing is pipes in the ground. But I could see ice clogging an intake or something and the pump kicking on and running dry which is bad, too.

Yeah, as cold as it's been I don't know what options people really have. Doesn't seem like you can do much to block the pipes from freezing short of introducing warm water somehow. We had a few times in Vegas where we had to run the pump 24 hours to keep the pipes from freezing. That works down to about 25F or so (and obviously depends on electricity) There was one night where the low got down to like 17 or 18 and we had to run the heater here and there overnight to keep the pipes from freezing. Didn't get a lot of sleep that night.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:06 pm**

brian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:56 pm
A_B wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:51 pm Biggest issue for freezing is pipes in the ground. But I could see ice clogging an intake or something and the pump kicking on and running dry which is bad, too.
Yeah, as cold as it's been I don't know what options people really have. Doesn't seem like you can do much to block the pipes from freezing short of introducing warm water somehow. We had a few times in Vegas where we had to run the pump 24 hours to keep the pipes from freezing. That works down to about 25F or so (and obviously depends on electricity) There was one night where the low got down to like 17 or 18 and we had to run the heater here and there overnight to keep the pipes from freezing. Didn't get a lot of sleep that night.

When I closed our pool, I had to to drain it below the intake, get all that water out of the lines that is there and then close it off. I'd have to siphon it off a couple of times each winter as well just to make sure, but once you seal the intake off it's usually good.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:09 pm**

A_B wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:06 pm
brian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:56 pm
A_B wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:51 pm Biggest issue for freezing is pipes in the ground. But I could see ice clogging an intake or something and the pump kicking on and running dry which is bad, too.
Yeah, as cold as it's been I don't know what options people really have. Doesn't seem like you can do much to block the pipes from freezing short of introducing warm water somehow. We had a few times in Vegas where we had to run the pump 24 hours to keep the pipes from freezing. That works down to about 25F or so (and obviously depends on electricity) There was one night where the low got down to like 17 or 18 and we had to run the heater here and there overnight to keep the pipes from freezing. Didn't get a lot of sleep that night.
When I closed our pool, I had to to drain it below the intake, get all that water out of the lines that is there and then close it off. I'd have to siphon it off a couple of times each winter as well just to make sure, but once you seal the intake off it's usually good.

In some places in Texas they might not even close/winterize their pools though. We didn't have to in Vegas (with the caveats mentioned about dealing with freezing temps the two or three times a year they happened.).

I honestly don't know if someone in say Austin or Houston really has to close their pool the way even you would.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:12 pm**

brian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:09 pm
A_B wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:06 pm
brian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:56 pm
A_B wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:51 pm Biggest issue for freezing is pipes in the ground. But I could see ice clogging an intake or something and the pump kicking on and running dry which is bad, too.
Yeah, as cold as it's been I don't know what options people really have. Doesn't seem like you can do much to block the pipes from freezing short of introducing warm water somehow. We had a few times in Vegas where we had to run the pump 24 hours to keep the pipes from freezing. That works down to about 25F or so (and obviously depends on electricity) There was one night where the low got down to like 17 or 18 and we had to run the heater here and there overnight to keep the pipes from freezing. Didn't get a lot of sleep that night.
When I closed our pool, I had to to drain it below the intake, get all that water out of the lines that is there and then close it off. I'd have to siphon it off a couple of times each winter as well just to make sure, but once you seal the intake off it's usually good.
In some places in Texas they might not even close/winterize their pools though. We didn't have to in Vegas (with the caveats mentioned about dealing with freezing temps the two or three times a year they happened.).

I honestly don't know if someone in say Austin or Houston really has to close their pool the way even you would.

Oh for sure, but I'm saying when the emergency was coming that could have been an option. I just didn't say it very well.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:23 pm**

Gotcha. Yeah, I guess they had some notice obviously but might have figured they could weather it (no pun intended) like other cold snaps in the past not realizing it would be as bad as it is.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:47 pm**

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:51 pm
The Sybian wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:57 am Well played. Just wanted to add that maybe appointing the guy who ran for President on a platform of abolishing the Dept of Energy but couldn't think of the name wasn't the best idea.
Well, if we'd just hook up all those compact fusion reactors, everything would be all set!

The bootstraps party can't help but find something to blame for every single thing that ever happens

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:32 pm**

A thread...

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:30 pm**

I agree with that post to an extent, with that extent being that if you are a Texan without propane or water and (former) mayor Tim Boyd has some propane or water, you should indeed “think outside the box” about ways to make (former) mayor Tim Boyd’s propane or water become your propane or water.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:36 pm**

I presume he's accusing people who pay their utility bills of wanting handouts.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:52 pm**

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:04 pm**

Hahahahaha you guys are the suckers now because I quit right before I said that!

I gotta try that one.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:34 pm**

mister d wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:30 pmI agree with that post to an extent, with that extent being that if you are a Texan without propane or water and (former) mayor Tim Boyd has some propane or water, you should indeed “think outside the box” about ways to make (former) mayor Tim Boyd’s propane or water become your propane or water.

Yeah, it's funny how the "limited government" types would react to that kind of outside-the-box thinking.

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 10:11 pm**

According to reddit, Tim Boyd’s response he said his wife got “laid off” (fired) for defending him online. So, I’m guessing she said some terrible things to people and her employer got wind of it

Posted: **Tue Feb 16, 2021 10:27 pm**

He used the "out of context" line as well. Textbook stuff!

Posted: **Wed Feb 17, 2021 4:49 am**

No power since Sunday night, no water, roads are iced. hoping it's safe enough tomorrow to leave. All of the lights in downtown Houston are shining bright while 90 percent of people on my fb have no lights. People are angry but it mostly seems directed at green energy. send blankets candles pizza and weed.

Posted: **Wed Feb 17, 2021 7:16 am**

TT2.0 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 4:49 am No power since Sunday night, no water, roads are iced. hoping it's safe enough tomorrow to leave. All of the lights in downtown Houston are shining bright while 90 percent of people on my fb have no lights. People are angry but it mostly seems directed at green energy. send blankets candles pizza and weed.

Ugh. Stay safe. And good luck.

Posted: **Wed Feb 17, 2021 8:50 am**

The snow is not fucking around up at Alta ...

They've gotten more than six feet this week. The resort and the road into the canyon were closed all day yesterday due to avalanche danger and control work along the road. They're still closed.

Posted: **Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:27 am**

Is there a more useless politician who is always on the wrong side? Comments are gold.

Posted: **Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:58 am**

He's banking on future credit for "well atleast ol' Ted admitted he was wrong!" and I'm guessing he's probably right that he'll get it.

The Swamp

The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather

Re: The Weather