Academics, The Sunday Quartette, and tornadoes
After what seems like eternity, I figure I’d finally update this blog of mine once again. I know these days many of us have fallen prey to the Twitter craze, but there’s certainly something to be said for writing out one’s thoughts in increments longer than 140 characters.
Classes have resumed once more; and as of last month, I’m officially in the University of North Texas’ Radio, Television, and Film (RTVF) department. Concurrently with their two 1000-level courses, I am also enrolled in a graduate seminar over the First World War. My schedule may not be quite as hectic as last semester’s, and in fact I only have classes Monday through Thursday. However each of those four mornings, I’m up on campus at 7AM, and adjusting to a military history seminar is proving quite the challenge.
I’ve taken several military history classes before, namely over the Napoleonic wars, World War II, and a third course which spanned both the Korean and Vietnam Wars; however this is all at such a higher level when graduate studies are involved. I’m taking the course to learn more about the conflict, but aside from one other student in the class, everyone has already chosen their topic for the required thirty-paged paper, delineated the available resources, and more or less has the thing half-written. I like a challenge, but the next two weeks will all but dictate whether or not this particular challenge is a realistic one.
After a relatively quiet but enjoyable summer, the various music programs at my church have resumed once more, which means my Wednesday and Thursday nights are quite full. After the constant demand of analytical brainalizing, the flurry of musical challenges is very much welcomed.
There are probably some people who roll their eyes when I mention the various music ministries of which I take part, but it really is a blessing, though perhaps not in the sort of cliché sense that one might expect. I record most every musical piece played, because I truly do feel privileged and honored to make music with these people, particularly those involved in the occasional Sunday quartettes. Aaron, Amy, Tawny, Paul and Vinny have or are making a living from their talents, whether that be through teaching or through performing. Yet they allow me to take part in such pieces as this one. Each and every week, I am humbled.
Tropical Storm Hermine came on shore this week and brought with it torrential rains to all but far western Texas. On Thursday Governor Perry declared forty separate counties disaster areas, and later that day I saw this ...Preliminary damage report...
A total of six tornadoes occurred on Wednesday September 8th. Four tornadoes were rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. One tornado was rated EF1...and one tornado was preliminarily rated EF2. Only two minor injuries have been reported from all of these storms.
The EF2 tornado damage was located in the city of Dallas near the intersection of mockingbird Lane and Irving Boulevard. This tornado caused minor roof damage to several buildings and caused more extensive damage to a warehouse. An exterior non Load bearing wall collapsed...leading to a partial collapse of the roof. This damage was rated EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale with wind speeds of approximately 115 mph. The last time the city of Dallas had a tornado rated at F2/EF2 or higher was F2 tornado damage on April 11 1974. The Lancaster tornado of April 25 1994 produced F4 damage in the city of Lancaster before dissipating within the city limits of Dallas.
The EF1 tornado damage was located in the city of Seagoville just east of Highway 175. At least three apartment buildings suffered significant roof damage. Wind speeds in this tornado are estimated to be near 90 mph.
The remaining tornado damage was given a preliminary rating of EF0. These tornadoes occurred near Lindsay in Cooke County...near Ferris in Ellis County...in Heath in Rockwall County...and near Blossom in Lamar County.
The Enhanced Fujita scale rates tornado damage.
Enhanced Fujita scale approximate wind speed range
EF0 65-85 mph
EF1 86-110 mph
EF2 111-135 mph
EF3 136-165 mph
EF4 166-200 mph
EF5 200 mph or greater
I hope that everyone else has been doing well. With luck, this won’t be the last entry I post before I pester the virtual world with the Reverend BigDawg Tenth Anniversary release, which I should probably start recording.
Classes have resumed once more; and as of last month, I’m officially in the University of North Texas’ Radio, Television, and Film (RTVF) department. Concurrently with their two 1000-level courses, I am also enrolled in a graduate seminar over the First World War. My schedule may not be quite as hectic as last semester’s, and in fact I only have classes Monday through Thursday. However each of those four mornings, I’m up on campus at 7AM, and adjusting to a military history seminar is proving quite the challenge.
I’ve taken several military history classes before, namely over the Napoleonic wars, World War II, and a third course which spanned both the Korean and Vietnam Wars; however this is all at such a higher level when graduate studies are involved. I’m taking the course to learn more about the conflict, but aside from one other student in the class, everyone has already chosen their topic for the required thirty-paged paper, delineated the available resources, and more or less has the thing half-written. I like a challenge, but the next two weeks will all but dictate whether or not this particular challenge is a realistic one.
After a relatively quiet but enjoyable summer, the various music programs at my church have resumed once more, which means my Wednesday and Thursday nights are quite full. After the constant demand of analytical brainalizing, the flurry of musical challenges is very much welcomed.
There are probably some people who roll their eyes when I mention the various music ministries of which I take part, but it really is a blessing, though perhaps not in the sort of cliché sense that one might expect. I record most every musical piece played, because I truly do feel privileged and honored to make music with these people, particularly those involved in the occasional Sunday quartettes. Aaron, Amy, Tawny, Paul and Vinny have or are making a living from their talents, whether that be through teaching or through performing. Yet they allow me to take part in such pieces as this one. Each and every week, I am humbled.
Tropical Storm Hermine came on shore this week and brought with it torrential rains to all but far western Texas. On Thursday Governor Perry declared forty separate counties disaster areas, and later that day I saw this ...Preliminary damage report...
A total of six tornadoes occurred on Wednesday September 8th. Four tornadoes were rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. One tornado was rated EF1...and one tornado was preliminarily rated EF2. Only two minor injuries have been reported from all of these storms.
The EF2 tornado damage was located in the city of Dallas near the intersection of mockingbird Lane and Irving Boulevard. This tornado caused minor roof damage to several buildings and caused more extensive damage to a warehouse. An exterior non Load bearing wall collapsed...leading to a partial collapse of the roof. This damage was rated EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale with wind speeds of approximately 115 mph. The last time the city of Dallas had a tornado rated at F2/EF2 or higher was F2 tornado damage on April 11 1974. The Lancaster tornado of April 25 1994 produced F4 damage in the city of Lancaster before dissipating within the city limits of Dallas.
The EF1 tornado damage was located in the city of Seagoville just east of Highway 175. At least three apartment buildings suffered significant roof damage. Wind speeds in this tornado are estimated to be near 90 mph.
The remaining tornado damage was given a preliminary rating of EF0. These tornadoes occurred near Lindsay in Cooke County...near Ferris in Ellis County...in Heath in Rockwall County...and near Blossom in Lamar County.
The Enhanced Fujita scale rates tornado damage.
Enhanced Fujita scale approximate wind speed range
EF0 65-85 mph
EF1 86-110 mph
EF2 111-135 mph
EF3 136-165 mph
EF4 166-200 mph
EF5 200 mph or greater
I hope that everyone else has been doing well. With luck, this won’t be the last entry I post before I pester the virtual world with the Reverend BigDawg Tenth Anniversary release, which I should probably start recording.