Oddly Enough Blog
News, but not the serious kind
The world’s dumbest hobbies?
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The problem with writing a humor blog is that sometimes people try to send news to me, not realizing that unlike my other Reuters colleagues, I’m able to make up my own.
This week, for instance, I got this actual e-mail. I have removed the name and location to protect the dimwit who sent it:
“I am a storm chaser. My chaser partners and I intercepted a tornado yesterday. As we were positioning ourselves, our truck slid off a very steep embankment. We were then struck by the very large tornado, which went right over us….”
This guy asked if I wanted to buy the rights to show his video of this event, so I am responding here:
Dear Moron, I’m afraid I am unable to use your tornado video in my blog. Although I do deal with extremely stupid stuff on a daily basis, the idea of going out of your way to “chase” deadly storms actually qualifies as insanity, not stupidity.
Please share my reply with your fellow storm chasers and those with similar hobbies. Yes, I’m talking about:
- molten lava chasers
- lightning rod wavers
- enriched plutonium snorters
- pitchfork swallowers
- rabid hyena kissers
- guys who stalk Angelina Jolie
Meanwhile, you keep on chasing, and here’s hoping you catch the big one very soon.
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Top: Actor Bill Paxton is shown in a scene from the action-adventure film “Twister,” which details the adventures of a group of storm chasers, in a 1996 file photo. REUTERS/Ho New
Right: A waterspout in the sea is pictured near Bitung, in the Indonesia’s north Sulawesi province, May 12, 2009. REUTERS/Yusuf Ahmad
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Er..that ‘scene’ must be a deleted scene because it didn’t happen like that in the film! That’s the scene by the roadside cafe where he picks up the dirt and then lets it fall to the ground as he studies the way the wind blows the dust. Then Dusty comes up to him and asks what’s up and Bill says ‘We’re going green, saddle ‘em up’ and Dusty says ‘You got it, Boss’. There was no tornado in the background!! Just green clouds! And Bill was facing the camera too.
Sheesh.
E.
As far as the caption for the top photo goes, I’m assuming that the word ‘new’ is used in a relative sense!
Yes, yes I know all about assuming.
“Don’t make Mr. B. mad, you wouldn’t like him when he is mad, join the Oddly Enough blog network!”
I fail to believe a word of this blog because you didn’t end it with “true story”.
I am happy to know that “guys who stalk Miranda Kerr” is still a reasonable hobby.
E… I think I need to see Twister again.. just to verify that…
Or we could just catch up on Sunday!!!
Flights are still working, so see you soon!!!!!!!
ifly, nobody would DREAM of depriving you of quality time on the ground.
None of those listed as as dumb as train-spotting.
Never get caught in a thunderstorm in a place called Coppermines Valley. Especially if you’re very tall…
Now see if ‘storm chaser’ meant someone who chases storms away, like you would a stray dog off your front lawn, we would refer to them as being heroic. It would be a job title with honor – storm chaser.
Not, as it is now, a label associated with otherwise unemployed, slightly demented weather geeks, who haven’t had a girlfriend in years.
Egeria, that is one scary comment. How many times have you seen that movie, which is now 14 years old?
Baz, it’s the one movie I never confess to actually liking. Really, I hate it. I only put it on when I’m self-flagellating. Which happens a lot.
Shra, we can always check the scene when you’re here tomorrow. Of course, I can think of better things to do with our time. Like pig out on fudge brownies and fawn over Etcetera! See you tomorrow! I gotta get back to cleaning my house!
E.
Oh btw when I said ‘ifly’ before I really meant ‘Baz’.
I mean really, I NEVER post on a Saturday! Now you know why!
E.
Arrrgh…I’m never posting on a weekend again!
E.
@E Try Ghost then you can feel good about having brownies and a companion that will endure most anything LOL
Is a storm chaser anything like a stormtrooper?
Well why WOULDN’T BlogGuy want to post about them then? stormtroopers are AWESOME!
LMR, try and remember the last time he actually listened to any of his readers, without them having to
1. go on their knees and beg
2. threaten him with dire consequences
3. Try and blackmail him through announcing enormous expenditures at the Goofy Face Museum and Doughnut Shop.
Many of you are criticizing the fact that storm chasing is stupid and yes the fact is some storm chasers chase for the fun of it which is a bit risky. Nevertheless, there are some that take that risk for a purpose those are the researchers who work with the NWS and universities to try and discover new understandings of storms and tornados to develop more advanced warning and detection systems. Here is a video link to help you get a better understanding http://video.pbs.org/video/1464304382/ from NOVA on PBS. These researchers risk their lives so that you can keep yours someday!
OMG, my brain is on fire. There is actual educational material here! Ouch, quit it…
Ok, j10t… I am giveing you one fair warning… any learning is prohibitted on this site… eitehr you accept that or leave…
There you have been warned…. any more teaching and I would have to take that zapper out…
Shra, please set your zapper at Full Strength blast.
Now, please let me know in advance when you plan on zapping, so I can save my work and not lose it all when the electricity flickers and flutters…
M… you sure that is because of my zapper or is it because you live in a storm-chaser’s paradise?