Tim Simpson's Blog

Thank You Ida!

It's very late in the hurricane season which officially ends on November 30th.  However, Tropical Storm Ida wasn't paying attention to the calendar.  She slammed the Gulf Coast earlier this morning and is now tracking through northern Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas.  3-6 inches of rain will be common with this former storm.  Gusty winds of 15-35 mph will also be common for residents in the path of Ida.

Here's a big SHOUT OUT to Ida for bypassing an already water-logged Mid South.  When I started obverving this storm last week, I took heart in the fact that it was expected to move well east of us.  There was one computer model that brought the storm into central Mississippi.  You can bet I was watching that model very carefully over the course of several days.

We found out today that October wasn't only the wettest month on record for Memphis, but it was actually the THIRD COLDEST OCTOBER ever recorded in the United States.  Can you believe this occurred right in the middle of a Global Warming campaign?  Not good timing!

Here's a big "shout out " to the east Memphis Kiwani's Club.  They invited me for lunch today at the Racquet Club.  What a great group of men and women!  I could certainly get used to that great lunch they served up! 

Good Bye October!

I don't know about you, but I'm glad to see October in the rear view mirror!  Can you say "water logged?"  It was a record setting month for rainfall in Memphis.  Officially, Memphis International Airport reported 10.13" of rain during October 2009.  That surpassed the old record of 8.28". 

So what about November?  So far we're off to a good (dry) start.  The forecast for this week is for dry conditions.  Expect plenty of sunshine and somewhat cool temperatures.  November is a transitional month for our weather.  The days are shorter and we begin to see more cold air move in from the north.  As this cold air battles it out with the retreating warm air--well, you get the picture.  Storms can be very common, even storms producing tornadoes such as the one which hit Germantown, TN, on November 27, 1994. 

Just be warned that November has the potential to pack quite a punch.  Be prepared and make sure your family has a severe weather plan in place to deal with the possibility of tornados.  Now would be a great time to sign up for Weather Call at wreg.com.  When severe strikes, don't call us, we'll call you!

Let's Go Parasailing!

It's no secret that I enjoy anything that flies.  I got my student pilot's license on my 16th birthday, added a private license and instrument rating and haven't looked back.  I've flown airplanes, helicopters, ultralights--even hot air balloons.  But there's one flying related hobby that I've never attempted. 

I've always had this desire to parachute.  My only problem is that I don't like the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.  So what's solution?  Run off the side of a moutain strapped in to a parachute.  I did just that several months ago in Wyoming.  Here's the video. 

 

Capping Methane--Go Vegetarian!

I learned many years ago that you can't please everyone.  It doesn't matter what business you're in, people come in all shapes, sizes, and one size doesn't fit all--especially when it comes to opinions.  So feel free to disagree with me on the following blog. 

It's no secret that I find the evidence for Global Warming dramatically lacking.  I've stated so on this blog.  Several years ago, if you publicly doubted the existence of Global Warming you were compared to members of the flat earth society.  These days more and more scientists are publicly doubting the claims made by the pro GW doom and gloomers.  For some reason GW always hinges on my lifestyle.  Why is that?   Is this a global crises or an effort to control my choices?  I'm asking a lot of questions in today's blog.

I read an article yesterday urging that we go vegetarian in order to curb dangerous methane gas emissions from cows and pigs that are endangering the climate.  Give me a break!!!  How much pollution will be added to the atmosphere when nearly 20,000 delegates travel to Copenhagen in December for a big U.N. conference on GW?  With the advances in today's technology, why not have a teleconference over the internet and actually practice what you preach?  How big is THAT carbon footprint going to be?

How many of these Hollywood actors fly around on their private jets with enormous carbon footprints, telling us that we have to switch light bulbs and use only one square of toilet paper in order to save the environment?  That's called hypocrisy.  I'm all for preserving the natural resources that we've blessed with, but I don't let this stuff become my religion. 

One article in the London Daily Express said, “A medium-sized dog has the same carbon impact as a Toyota Land Cruiser driven 6,000 miles a year, a new book claims,” wrote the paper. It went on to blast pets -- from cats to hamsters -- because they use energy".  So while cows and pigs are being targeted for now, your pets will be next because we all know that they too expell methane gas!

Let me be clear on this, I won't be giving up meat.  Can you imagine Corky's or Neely's being known for their great home made SLAW?  "Sorry, but we stopped smoking ribs years ago so we could eliminate Global Warming".  Just imagine Central Bar-B-Que serving up their delicious potato chips but no "que".  Steak and Ale now becomes simply ALE.  And what in the world will Jim and Nick do?  Banana pudding?

I've tried to keep it clean, but there are a hundred ways to make fun of this methane gas topic.  Maybe the Chic Fil A cow has it right, "eat more chicken", it'll help the environment.  Which leads me to my last question:  Do chickens pass gas?  If so, KFC better look out! 

Monday

This is my first blog since the "balloon boy" incident of last week.  I must admit, it was riveting to watch that balloon float across the state of Colorado.  I was busy aswering questions here in the news room about how well the boy could breath when it was reported that the UFO looking object was floating around 14,000 feet.  I believe it was closer to 5,000 to 6,000 feet.  What directions were the winds at that altitude?

I was watching the balloon incident unfold on live television just like many of you.  I was praying that the little boy was alive and could survive the event.  Well, that prayer was answered but not in the way that I thought it would be.  The little boy never left the garage attic, where he was supposedly hiding out because he was scared.  At this point, I'm not sure WHAT to believe! 

Would the parents actually pull a stunt like that on purpose?  It looks like that could be the case.  I guess some folks will chase fame all the way to the bank.  Stay tuned. 

It was a cold, gray day, but a refurbished World War II B-17 bomber made its way to the Olive Branch Airport.  By the time I arrived, I had missed the media flight, but I was able to see several WW II veterans step off a returning flight, glowing with beaming faces and wide smiles.  It was worth it all to see these brave men re-living a part of history that occurred so long ago. 

The B-17 appearance was sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association, which has a strong presence here in the Memphis area. 

On another aviation note, my nine year old son, Josh, and I were pre-flighting the airplane for a short flight yesterday at the Millington Airport.  We looked up and saw two fighter jets swoop in for landings.  These weren't just two fighter jets, they were part of the Blue Angels aerobatic team.  I think Josh was very impressed to see the tall pilots in their bright blue flight uniforms.  He said, "look Dad, one of 'em is a girl".  To be completely accurate, it was a woman--a female pilot.  I told Josh that girls can fly too.  At nine years of age, I don't think Josh liked that idea.  He doesn't really like girls.  In a few years I'm sure that will change. 

A Rambling Wednesday

The last Memphis mayoral debate is about to take place as I write today's blog.  Because of the debate, there will be no 4:00 or 4:30 newscast, which means I won't be needed until 6pm.  So down time becomes blogging time.  In the following short paragraphs, I'll share some of the things that are on my mind today.

I feel very blessed.  There are several friends of mine without jobs right now and times are tough.  I feel not only blessed to be part of the News Channel 3 team, but very happy to be employed...period!  I'm also able to make a living doing something I greatly enjoy. 

One thing I would enjoy right now--a stretch of seven or eight days of dry weather.  It seems that October has picked up where September left off.  During the month of September, Memphis recorded rain on twenty one of thirty days, culminating in a total of 8.59".  During the first fourteen days of October we've seen eleven days with precipitation and recorded 3.85" of rain.  See why I'm ready for a break?

My favorite segment on News Channel 3 is Richard Ransom's PASS IT ON.  Helping others brings out the very best in each one of us.  It's great to see the excitement generated by viewers as they're able to pass along the $300 to those who can really use it.  Keep up the good work Richard!

I'm not a big fan of the Global Warming theory.  There are just too many scientists who are now questioning the absence of empirical evidence to support this theory.  Joe Barstardi of Accu Weather and Dr. Roy Spencer, former NASA scientist and Alabama state climatologist, are two scientists prominent in providing an alternate view to Global Warming. 

I took my two little boys flying the other day.  I've found out that it doesn't have to be flying, it can be anything--all that those boys want is some "daddy time". 

The book of Colossians is becoming one of my favorite books of the Bible.  The Bible is more real to me today than at any point in my life. 

NYQUIL is my favorite cold remedy!  I've tried to get on top of this cold before it gets the best of me.  So far I'm succeeding. 

The Experimental Aircraft Association is bringing at B-17 bomber to town this weekend.  It'll be stationed at the Olive Branch Airport.  It will be available for ground tours and flights.  Prices will be posted at the event. 

Mouse Problem? You Need A Cat

We don't really have any problems with mice at the Simpson house.  We have a good exterminator plus two cats named Whiskers and Jack.  Yep, good ole Whiskers and Jack take care of practically anything that moves near our home.  I'll spare you the details of their daily adventures with mice, moles and squirrels.  The fish in our backyard pond better be thankful that those two cats don't like water, otherwise their swimming days would be numbered as well.

This brings me to the point of today's blog.  Cats are not only good for pest control, they're very cuddly creatures as well.  There's nothing like sharing the sofa each night with Whiskers.  He's a great companion!  Maybe you're in search of a new pet--I can help.

Last week while I was on vacation, Mr. Franklin, a MATA employee with a big heart, found a stranded cat and reported it to News Channel 3.  The cat was obviously in distress and needed help.  Our news director, Bruce Moore, wanted to lend a helping hand so he called the local animal shelter and our furry friend was rescued.   The cat is in great shape but needs a new home. 

He's a yellow and golden tabby cat, approximately one year old.  He can do all kinds of tricks.  Ok, I just made up the part about the tricks!  I bet you could teach him some tricks however.  Yeah, that sounds better.  This cat needs a good home ASAP!  Won't you help? 

Two employees at WREG-TV have taken up the cause and would like to hear from you if you're interested in adopting this cat.  Call Sonya at 543-2107 or Robin at 543-2138.  They'll be glad to talk to you about our recently rescued cat. 

Goodbye September!

September 2009 is now officially in the record books and we can say goodbye to one of the wettest September's on record.  Last month Memphis recorded 8.59" of rain, which is 5.28" above normal.  The record rainfall amount for September doesn't go back as far as you might think.  In 2002 Memphis recorded 12.34" of rain, which is the official record for the month of September. 

Just a footnote on last month's wet conditions--it rained on twenty one of the thirty days in September.  You'd think we'd be in line for some lower utility bills this month.  I for one am not holding my breath!

Riley the Dog

One of my hobbies is videography.  I'm no Cecil B. DeMille or Steven Spielberg, but I get a tremendous amount of joy capturing memories on video.  I produce a yearly family video and try to capture every family event you can think of.  Every now and then I'll throw in a little clip to break things up just a bit.  Such is the case with Riley the dog.

Riley is our collie dog.  These days he sports a pretty short haircut due to the recent summer heat.  I always have him clipped short each summer.  But in another month or two he'll look just like Lassie.  The great thing about collies--they're good with kids.  They're loyal, protective and enjoy being part of the family. 

One thing that gets under Riley's skin is when our kids decide to drive the go-kart.  It makes him very nervous.  His nature is to herd sheep.  I'll let Riley and Billy Preston take it from here...

Names

Here are some names to go with the Simpson bunch.  The only one missing is Joshua.  He's directly behind Leah.  Joseph is wearing the helmet camera and got some great video AND still pics of the whitewater experience.