Here and Gone again...

[Craig Crumpton]

No one probably noticed, but I was offline for a whole week.

To save some time explaining, I'm just going to post the IM chat I shared with Harley last night:

IMGookie: I was offline for a week - a freak storm knocked out power in Memphis for over 10,000 people
HarleyQ Bx: Ouch. Everything okay?
IMGookie: it's quite a story - last week was a long trial
HarleyQ Bx: Oh?
IMGookie: every member of my immediate family experienced some sort of personal tragedy, including myself
HarleyQ Bx: Is everyone okay now?
IMGookie: well, if the insurance comes through, yes
IMGookie: for me, not entirely - my car's gone
HarleyQ Bx: Yikes. What happened?
IMGookie: it was a lemon when I bought it
IMGookie: been nothing but trouble since
HarleyQ Bx: And couldn't handle the storm...?
IMGookie: I put it up for resale yesterday - I'm gonna lose quite a bit of money just to get it off my hands
IMGookie: the storm was just the beginning
IMGookie: the car had to be towed 4 times in 2 months
IMGookie: we came very close to losing the house
IMGookie: sorry to change subjects so rapidly
IMGookie: losing the car was part of my own "tragedy"
IMGookie: last monday, a serious storm came in from the east that caught us so unprepared, even the weathermen were caught off-guard
IMGookie: we never even got a warning
HarleyQ Bx: Wow. I'm sorry to hear. But the house is still kinda standing?
IMGookie: it started as an electrical storm and in the space of about 25 minutes, about 5 inches of rain fell
IMGookie: it was unreal
IMGookie: lightning struck a tree in our backyard and knocked a rather large limb onto our powerline
IMGookie: it snapped the ground wire, though we didn't know this until the next day.
IMGookie: we were in the dark for about 5 hours and it was still 95 degrees
IMGookie: when the power kicked back on, electrical current came rushing into the house looking for a place to ground out
IMGookie: and boy did it ever
HarleyQ Bx: oh, dear
IMGookie: it fried the central air unit, the fridge, the dishwasher, the microwave, the washer, and 2 clock radios
IMGookie: and in under 30 seconds
HarleyQ Bx: Holy...
HarleyQ Bx: Jeez.
IMGookie: I smelled smoke and went running into the hall
IMGookie: I opened the closet that holds the water heater and smoke was coming out from the side
HarleyQ Bx: wow
IMGookie: the central air control had completely melted
IMGookie: and was still burning
IMGookie: the circuit panel is in the same closet, so I shut off all the breakers immediately and thought it was over
IMGookie: then mom cried out that smoke was coming out of the laundry room
IMGookie: so I ran in there, trying to locate the source
IMGookie: I didn't know that we had 2 separate circuit panels for the house
IMGookie: I thought the power was off and that something had simply ignited in the laundry room
HarleyQ Bx: Man.
IMGookie: so I quickly tracked down the source of the smoke - it was behind the washer
IMGookie: because of all the smoke, I couldn't see well and I knew i had to put it out quick, whatever it was
IMGookie: I repositioned myself to get a better look behind the washer when my left hand brushed the faucet handle for the water going into the washer
IMGookie: the ground wire for the washer had gotten caught in the handle and several hundred volts of electricity shot through my hand
IMGookie: the wire was completely fried
IMGookie: and so was my hand
IMGookie: i couldn't move even a finger or my hand at all for nearly 15 minutes
IMGookie: and even a few days later, it was still tingling
IMGookie: seems to be okay now, though it's sore
HarleyQ Bx: I'm glad it wasn't worse.
IMGookie: if I'd grabbed the handle rather than just brushing it, I'd probably be dead
IMGookie: every bit of electricity in the house was running through that faucet handle at that moment
IMGookie: even if mom had been able to pull me off of it, I really don't think I'd have lived
IMGookie: not with that much voltage running through my body
IMGookie: anyway, while I was there clutching my hand in pain, mom picks this moment to tell me that there's a second circuit panel
IMGookie: she reaches up and shuts off the remaining breakers
HarleyQ Bx: oy
IMGookie: when the power first went out, we talked about going down the street to the grandparents - they still had power
IMGookie: if we had not been home to shut off the power when the electricity came back on, I don't doubt the house would now be a smoking ruin
HarleyQ Bx: Good thing everyone was there then. Everyone's okay? Physically?
IMGookie: with all that electricity trying to come out of the outlets, the resulting electrical fires would have started all over the house
IMGookie: yeah
IMGookie: it was just mom and myself
HarleyQ Bx: okay. Yeesh.
IMGookie: it was 2 days later before we got power back
IMGookie: like I said, 10,000 people also had theirs knocked out by the storm
IMGookie: and my cable line didn't get reconnected until today
IMGookie: but it gets better....... (or worse, actually)
IMGookie: the day we finally got some temporary power restored, I got a call from Jon's [my brother] wife - his wallet was stolen
IMGookie: and his bank account was emptied
IMGookie: fortunately, the bank has covered this by now
IMGookie: but it happened the same day his rent was due
IMGookie: and no sooner had I got off the phone with Jon's wife when my older brother called
HarleyQ Bx: Ah, geez.
IMGookie: they were on a trip to Pennsylvania when they got a call from his sister in law
IMGookie: she was checking in on their house....
HarleyQ Bx: yeah?
IMGookie: a pipe broke in their upstairs bathroom and flooded the downstairs with 7 inches of water
IMGookie: all the downstairs ceilings fell in
IMGookie: nearly all the furniture was ruined
IMGookie: they lost several major appliances and a really nice piano
IMGookie: and it destroyed my brother's computer desk, as well as the new computer he had bought just a few months before
IMGookie: early estimates at the damage are over $12 thousand dollars
HarleyQ Bx: Wow.
IMGookie: he only had the house insured for around that much
IMGookie: and they aren't even done with the estimates yet
HarleyQ Bx: God. I'm sorry to hear about all of this. I hope they're able to recover.
IMGookie: they had to end their trip early to get home to survey the damage
IMGookie: he called today - he'd just walked in the front door of his house and said that it just broke his heart
IMGookie: it looked like the downstairs had been gutted
IMGookie: I think insurance will cover most of it for them, unfortunately, right now the kids have no beds
IMGookie: but they have a lot of friends in the area who've opened their homes to them
IMGookie: I think he'll do okay and, knowing him, probably come out smelling like a rose
HarleyQ Bx: Lucky guy, eh?
IMGookie: he's a living miracle anyway, after that van fell on him
IMGookie: not just on him, on his head
HarleyQ Bx: Well, it's good that someone's watching over him.
IMGookie: tru dat
HarleyQ Bx: I remember. He is a lucky guy.
IMGookie: anyway, so it's been a rather rough week
IMGookie: I was supposed to have moved and started my new job over a week ago, but I kinda had to put it all on hold
IMGookie: I'm leaving in the morning
IMGookie: and we start touring in about 16 days

=====================================

Sorry I couldn't announce this sooner, but I tried. I've taken the job as (something akin to a) road manager for Acappella, the professional vocal group I got to travel with earlier this year. I wasn't due to leave for another week, but the company prez asked if I could come earlier. Had it not been for the "Act of God" delays, I would have been there well over a week ago.

Here's a recap, for those who don't know:

This past March, I was asked to travel with Christian music group "Acappella" ( acappella.com ) as part of their road crew. I've been a fan of the group since '89, own everything they've ever recorded and am on a first-name basis with everyone in their ministry.

I made quick arrangements and within a week, I was on tour with them through May.

During the spring tour with Acappella, the members of the group approached me (as well as the president of the ministry) and asked me to serve as their road manager when they leave for their fall tour.

As of June, the company was not able to hire me as "road manager", but I will instead serve as assistant road manager, with primary duties in making the daily schedule for the group, overseeing the truck that carries their equipment, and will lead the group "Kenosis" which opens for Acappella (made up of the other members of the road crew).

It's an opportunity I've always dreamed of and I'm convinced it's perfect timing for this time in my life. (I'm even co-writing a song with Acappella's baritone that could very well make it onto the album they're planning for the fall of 2002.)

We'll be primarily touring the New England area this fall, but will have concert dates in the surrounding states as well. If anyone reading this lives in or around these areas, feel free to e-mail me and I'll get you the concert schedule and help get you free tickets to the show. (Provided you're not bringing a group of more than 4 people. I have to be reasonable about this.)

Or you can view the tentative schedule here:
http://acappellanetwork.com/acatour.htm

And confirmed concert dates here:
http://inconcert.org/concerts.phtml
Click on the drag-down menu for "Show All Headline Artists" and scroll down to Acappella, then click on the "Find" button" to find the listings and details for all confirmed tour dates.

I still should be online with some free time after hours at the studio, and I hope to have quite a few articles for TZ's news page before the tour starts and I'm only able to go online to do what I'm getting paid to do.

Sorry this is all so sudden, but if I could have gotten advance word out, I would have.


Gookie
--thankful just to be alive to post this.

[The Mad Hatter]

Um....

Yikes.

Sorry your family had to experience all that, but it sounds like things will be fine in the long run.

And actually, I was wondering when you were going to take off for your road manager duties again. It's truly wonderful that you're going to live your dream... be sure and give us road updates, so we can live vicariously through you!

[Psycho Fox]

Well you luck has got to get better after that. The closest thing that happen to me recently is I almost got hit by a train. I was crusing up north with my freinds over the weekend when I heard a train whisle I turned to see a train speeding down the tracks... the gates was not down yet and the lights just began to flash. I locked my brakes and slid luckly there was no one behind me I nudged the gates which by then just made it down and the long train was already crossing I couldn't see the engin is was past the bushes. I have to replace my tires since I got a flat spot on them now.

[WBArchivist]

First of all, my prayers will be with you and your family for a speedy recovery.

I really don't know what else to say, except that you are an extrordinary person and every member here at toonzone is thankful for you! So don't you go around grabbing live wires anymore, young man!

God bless,
-arch

[Sharklady]

Ack! What a harrowing series of events! I'll have to keep it in mind, the next time I imagine *I'm* having a bad week.

Like everybody else here, I'm certainly grateful that the results weren't even worse.

[Craig Crumpton]

Sorry I never got back to this thread to thank everyone for their prayers and concern. The fam's doing okay now - the bank covered the theft on my brother's wallet, mom & dad met the $250 deductible and the insurance came through with a new micro, dishwasher, fixed the fridge, A/C unit, 2 clock radios, and they even bought us new groceries to cover those that spoiled in the freezer/fridge.

My older brother and his family are doing better, although the insurance estimates came back on the house and they're over 23,000 dollars ... and my brother's house was only insured for 12k.

And I leave for tour in just over 3 hours, headed first for Missouri. From there itos' onto Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and then up into New England until the end of November.

If any of you live in these areas and would like to attend a concert, e-mail me and I'll get you the details and possibly free tickets as well.

I still hope to contribute on occasion - and the new news forum format will allow me to post articles while I'm on the road as well, though not real frequently, I'm sorry to say. I'm still working on the promised con reports and other articles, but my new job is like working 2 full-time jobs. But I love the people I work with and the environment too. It's nice to have a job where I actually enjoy what I'm getting paid to do.


Take care, all.

[James Harvey]

I'm glad things are getting a bit better. That storm must've been very...well...crazy. Man, it sound slike you've had a hellish week and I'm glad you came out of it okay. Glad to have ya back!

[Craig Marinaro]

Whoa...I was on vacation at the time you posted this and completely missed it. Glad everything turned out OK. I'll still keep you in my prayers, just in case. ;)

Hatter says:

It's truly wonderful that you're going to live your dream... be sure and give us road updates, so we can live vicariously through you!

Oh, yes. It's almost like having a life of my own, but I never have to leave the comfort of my den!

-C
Well, except for the occasional trip to the kitchen...

[Nftnat]

...and the bathroom, I would hope, Craig.

Gookie, that was bad what happened to you & your'n. And I'd thot we'd had it bad back in December--January with that big freeze. Glad to hear y'all have regained most of what was lost. I wish some of those concerts were out here, but they're not. Oh well. I wish you well on the fall tour & will be keeping you in my thots. And of course we'll be looking forward to your reports, comments, updates, etc. Cya when we cya.

[Singin' Stray Cat]

Man, I remember that storm. That was awful. But I'm really glad things are looking up for you! Have fun on the road!

[Calhoun07]

I just read this post for the first time today. Man, dude, that is some story, my heart goes out to you. When I was a kid, our house burned down, but nothing like this, nothing that affected so many people and so many tragedies for people I knew all together like that. Just one crisis is hard to deal with, God be with you in all of this!

[Craig Crumpton]

Hi, Guys.

Thanks again for all the replies. It's great to have friends like you all.

I'm writing this from a little town called Rolla, Missouri which is about 2 hours from Springfield (and an hour or 2 more from St. Louis). I haven't seen any people around here with yellow-complexioned skin or anyone who answers to the name of "Homer," so I guess it's not the same Springfield.

I have today and tomorrow off, but unfortunately, I've got work to do - I'm the Itinerary manager for the group (14 of us in all), and they rather depend on me for the daily schedule while we're on the road. But we've got a 5-day break coming up in mid-September, so hopefully I'll be able to get those con reports posted at that time that I'd promised.

Anyway, just thought I'd stop in to say hi. You guys take care,

[The Mad Hatter]

Hey, I've heard of Rolla, believe it or not. I passed through there on my way to a canoe trip on the Niangua River a while back.

Keep us posted on your tour happenings!

[Anthonynotes]

I've heard of Rolla as well (got a mailing from the Univ. of Missouri branch there once when I was in high school looking at colleges)...

Good luck...

-B.

[The Siren]

Oh, Gookie, I am so sorry to hear all that happened to you and your family. My prayers are with you.

In the meantime, good luck on your tour! It should be a lot of fun!

--The Siren

[Craig Crumpton]

Just to let everyone know - everything turned out okay for my family: My older brother recently moved into his new home and the kids seem to like it; the parents got all new appliances for the stuff that got fried by the electrical storm; and my younger brother's bank account loss was covered for theft and he got it all back. And I'm doing pretty good too - the fall tour went great and I got a 25% raise in December. I should be out of debt by July.

Sadly, I'm leaving again today to begin another music tour with the same group mentioned in my first post. I'll be on the road until mid-to-late April or early May. Dunno how much I'll be able to visit between now and then, but hopefully I'll be able to pop in on occasion.

You guys have fun,

[Vin]

Originally posted by Gookie
Just to let everyone know - everything turned out okay for my family: My older brother recently moved into his new home and the kids seem to like it; the parents got all new appliances for the stuff that got fried by the electrical storm; and my younger brother's bank account loss was covered for theft and he got it all back. And I'm doing pretty good too - the fall tour went great and I got a 25% raise in December. I should be out of debt by July.

Sadly, I'm leaving again today to begin another music tour with the same group mentioned in my first post. I'll be on the road until mid-to-late April or early May. Dunno how much I'll be able to visit between now and then, but hopefully I'll be able to pop in on occasion.

You guys have fun,

I'm glad everything is okay now Craig. Please do stop in from time to time when you have a chance.

[The Mad Hatter]

Again with the dissapearing act! Once we get used to having you around again, you're not. Then again, you're doing what you love, and we certainly can't hold that against you.

But thanks for giving us an update on how things are going... glad to hear you and the extended family are doing well!