One of the highlights of my weekend was the National Weather Service Festival, which I attended on Saturday. It was held at the National Weather Service in Norman. Around five of our Central Oklahoma REACT members attended the festival and we all entered our vehicles in the car show, including me. The car show is usually one of the highlights of the festival because there are so many storm spotters and chasers that come and show off their vehicles.
I did get the opportunity to meet one of my favorite News9 StormTrackers, Hank Brown...
Not only do they show off their vehicles, they show off what they have in their vehicles. Many of them have mounted video cameras, assorted two-way radios, assorted scanners and laptops. Lots of them have some very expensive weather equipment that I just dream about. I took quite a few pictures of these vehicles and equipment, which I posted on my Facebook page.
Every year, they hand out small trophies to the winners of the chase vehicles. They have four different categories: storm spotters, storm chasers, media storm trackers and student/researchers. In each category, there is a second place winner and a first place winner. There is also a winner who has the most hail damage to their vehicle. The winners are determined by fellow storm chasers and spotters. I was one of the judges for the student/researchers.
Close to the end of the show, all the storm chasers, etc...meet together in the NWS auditorium. That's where they award the trophies and give away door prizes. With all the neat storm spotter vehicles (the category I was in), I knew I did not have a chance to win. I tried my best, but it wasn't good enough. I did win a door prize.....some kind of amplified cell phone booster for my truck. I am not sure how it works yet.
After the festival, I headed home and that's where I stayed. I did nothing for the entire afternoon and evening but watch football.
This morning came and I decided I needed a break. I knew if I went to my church, I would be running the sound and not really get a chance to worship. We are still looking for someone to assist in running the sound during worship services, but not having much success. I contacted one of my buddies at church and he agreed to cover the worship services for me. Plus, I am having a few issues with our youth minister and I really did not want to see him today....long story.
So, this morning, I went back to the church in Moore where I grew up....Regency Park Baptist Church. I went to the 8:15 am early service, since I am an early riser and then stayed for Sunday School. The service was outstanding and the SS was just as good. I had a great time of listening and participating in the worship service. After church, I bought groceries and then went home. I have stayed home all afternoon, just watching football and doing chores.
Tomorrow is the big day. Our new supervisor starts in her new position. She comes to us from N. Carolina, so we are not sure what to expect. She came by our office last Wednesday and many of us in dispatch met her briefly. She has orientation until noon tomorrow and then she comes to our office to assume her new position. This is exciting in a way because we finally get a permanent supervisor. It will be strange, though, to have a female supervisor, especially since I have had a male supervisor for the last 16 years. All in all, I am excited and hope that she will bring some welcome change to our office.
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