niliathiel, I think it’s going to be quite the adjustment not having access to President and Michelle Obama on a daily basis. MAJOR WITHDRAWAL is an understatement. He tweeted today so he hasn’t entirely disappeared. But he’s mostly been resting, playing golf, likely hanging out with old friends. They come back to DC soon and move into their new house. Maybe we’ll see him taking a stroll, hanging out at bookshops and cafes on a frequent or at least occasional basis. I miss him terribly.
It’s been pouring rain all day today, so he’ll be forced to stay inside and sleep, lol. He won’t be going out in it. I was out in it today and parts of the freeway I was on was flooded so that a 45 minute trip home took me almost 2 hours. Lots and lots of rain and as the ground is saturated already, there’s lots of flooding and I still have to drive south to go to the airport to pick up my daughter, but her flight has already been delayed 1.5 hours. Sigh.
Ahh appropriate and what a nice gesture I like that and it’s just good to know that president Obama is WELL liked by most of America inspite of the haters out here Yes, president Obama Rocks 😃❤️🌴🍷🌈
After our 8 year drought I never again asked for the rain to stop – even with the following floods. Too much water is way way better than none! Hello vc nice to see you.
I was reprimanded once too often – so went away for awhile – like all blogs sometimes folks need a rest. Thankyou for thinking of me. Hope you are surviving the cold – we have another “hottest summer on record” but it seems the new regime has banned climate as an issue.
Oh! Well, it’s quite nice to have you back. I do tend to have worrisome thoughts when regulars are missing, so should you need a break again do wave at me when departing.
The cold and I have been dancing with, and around, each other. For example this past week has been mostly great (with coat left in car on one or two occasions).
We now have flash flood warnings. My area is swimming with water. SoCal can not handle much more. I am very concerned whether I will be able to drive any route to work in the morning. This has not been a light rain – all day today.
“Pacific storms in early January have brought widespread, intense precipitation to California, providing relief to some drought-stricken regions but also flooding. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about 35 percent of the state is no longer experiencing drought, and the proportion of areas under extreme-to-exceptional drought fell from 38 percent on January 3rd to 28 percent by January 10th. Cumulative precipitation hit a record high, doubling the historical average for this time of year. ”
“Sunday will bring Biblical rain to #LosAngeles. We could get 1 or 1.5 in/hr—unheard of here. Epic #California drought is losing its grip.”
I don’t know if you saw my (long) post about rains in SoCal a week or so ago, but where you live is very susceptible to flooding, when we have continued, consistent rain, for a couple of reasons:
1) Since you live in the foothills, you’ll get more actual rainfall than other places in the area (“orographic lifting” in geographic terms, more rain is produced when rainclouds climb over the leading edge of mountains).
2) The LA basin is basically the delta for the Santa Ana, San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers — subject to periodic flooding like the Nile delta in Egypt. The delta is so big because there are 11K foot mountains to the north and east.
3) You’re getting runoff too from 11K foot Mount Baldy. The bridge that connects the eastbound 210 freeway to the 605 freeway crosses over the runoff from Mount Baldy — the last time we had consistent, torrential rain was in 2005 (IIRC), and I was on that bridge on my way to Brea. COULD NOT BELIEVE the roar, and the violent turmoil of the rushing of water — reminded me of being on the US side of Niagara Falls. If you need to travel that route soon, you’ll notice. That was the only time I’ve seen water under that bridge — usually it’s a 2-mile stretch over nothing but rocks and a plant or two.
There’s lots of flooding around the 110 freeway now (which is basically the Los Angeles River now — it was built in the footprint of the LA River), and anything closer to the ocean is subject to flooding — see the 1938 Los Angeles flood, which prompted the building of several dams in our area. But when we get consistent rain for weeks on end, and then again for 18 hours plus, the rivers’ powers will overcome human engineering. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_flood_of_1938
Be very, very careful if you have to drive — it’s so dangerous to drive when water is rushing downhill.
If you need to drive on a freeway, don’t go over 50 — I’ve seen many spinouts of people who passed me because I was going so slowly. You can’t fight the laws of physics, and when there’s so much standing and running water on the road, you just can’t maintain control over 50 mph.
I also slow down (even more) when people pass me, anticipating their spinning out in front of me.
I drove in this GGail this afternoon. Flooding on the 110South turned a 45 min. drive into a 2 hour drive; now my youngest is stuck on the tarmac in Houston, delayed (it’s United) due to an IT glitch, so I’ll be going out in it again sometime tonight.
It’s stopped raining in Ventura County where I am, and the outside temperature has peaked at 52F (colder than that before now).
So it should stop raining soon where you are. 🙂
But the bad news is that weather.com says it’s gonna start raining again at 8 pm. 😦
This week will be absolutely SPECTACULAR in the Southland — like the old-time picture postcards from Riverside County, ripe oranges on trees, snow-covered Mount Baldy looming in the background.
Snow will be visible anywhere you are in SoCal (everywhere in pink will be covered with snow):
Daughter Unit and friends went out to the desert Friday night, out of signal range. Any word on approach routes back into LA? They are in 4WD vehicles with plenty of camping gear and experience. even so – hope to hear a check-in soon! 🙏🏻
With a 4WD they should be fine, if they have gps to get back into city, it will guide them safely, but there are some problem areas for sure. They might have to wait a bit. It took me 2 hours to get home in what’s usually a 45 min. drive.
POURING here again right now. I welcome the rain because we don’t know when the next drought will hit but it surely is in the cards. And I don’t have to drive in it so I’m not refusing it. But please be careful out there.
Have missed most of the postings here this weekend, but kept informed via @metaquest’s Twitter timeline.
Loved SNL’s #ToSirWithLove signoff (previous thread), remember being caught reading that book in a Jr. High (Middle School these days) class, LOL.
Movie with Lulu and Sidney Poitier turns 50 this year.
Turns out that Lulu is a huge PBO fan 😀 :
Here’s what she posted after his farewell speech in Chicago (her tweets have Instagram URLs, so photos don’t appear in Twitter — my tweets are just tweets of her Instagram photos):
@michaelsmithinc tweet links to Travel and Leisure article, which in turn has a link to this great Architectural Digest profile of Michael and James’ Rancho Mirage home (from Mar 2015):
Oh my gosh, this is the sort of thing that made marching so worthwhile. All the different people, their signs, their children, their dogs, their heart.
The Washington Post took down its paywall through last night, and as I was on their website, was intrigued by this teaser headline:
“The Man Who Can Basically Read President Obama’s Mind”
What a wonderful profile of Brian Mosteller, the person who made sure everything was PERFECT for PBO.
The article is from last February, but offers intriguing glimpse of how the Obama White House ran so smoothly:
2/ Brian Mosteller, the only person in WH with a direct view of @POTUS44 at his desk, sweats the small stuff so that PBO doesn’t have to. pic.twitter.com/6MZvhMtSui
3/ Mosteller was "Director of Oval Office Operations," and no one got in the Oval Office without going past him… (Photo: @petesouza) pic.twitter.com/CMU4l0Qna4
4/ … although a more apt name might be anticipator in chief. "Admiring colleagues refer to him as an unsung hero of the administration." pic.twitter.com/46DMxRAcvs
SO check this out: the CIA is taking to throwing raffles to attend Trump appearances at LANGLEY. Is Mark Burnett involved, too? #REALhttps://t.co/uM2LZwxjp1
In 2008, it was Barack Obama who inherited the real "carnage": a devastated economy. It's now up to us to stop Republicans from repeating. pic.twitter.com/5d9gUCtr7n
Tom Perez won’t have a chance if Michael more doesn’t stop advertising for Keith Ellison. I don’t have anything against Ellison, but I am appalled at Moore for trying to push him on folks. Every time I see him on TV, I think about his treatment of PBO when he was running for President.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Hello everybody.
Anyone heard any leaked news of what PBO and the family are doing? Getting lots of sleep I´d hope. It´s just so unusual not to know…
niliathiel, I think it’s going to be quite the adjustment not having access to President and Michelle Obama on a daily basis. MAJOR WITHDRAWAL is an understatement. He tweeted today so he hasn’t entirely disappeared. But he’s mostly been resting, playing golf, likely hanging out with old friends. They come back to DC soon and move into their new house. Maybe we’ll see him taking a stroll, hanging out at bookshops and cafes on a frequent or at least occasional basis. I miss him terribly.
For sure. Good to know i´m not the only one with withdrawal symptoms here.
It’s been pouring rain all day today, so he’ll be forced to stay inside and sleep, lol. He won’t be going out in it. I was out in it today and parts of the freeway I was on was flooded so that a 45 minute trip home took me almost 2 hours. Lots and lots of rain and as the ground is saturated already, there’s lots of flooding and I still have to drive south to go to the airport to pick up my daughter, but her flight has already been delayed 1.5 hours. Sigh.
Oh, wow, BE SAFE, Betsy!!
At least POTUS can feel the same relief we feel about a relenting of the our catastrophic drought.
And it will be easier to sleep, read and hang out with his family. He’ll get a good long rest, which is great!
❤
Aw, how absolutely sweet.
Ahh appropriate and what a nice gesture I like that and it’s just good to know that president Obama is WELL liked by most of America inspite of the haters out here Yes, president Obama Rocks 😃❤️🌴🍷🌈
DonnaDem, I’m sooooo excited to see you back and fighting!!!! ❤
❤
“To Sir With Love” We the American People…
SNL with Leslie Jones take on Hidden Figures.
Thank you. That was brilliant!
Thank You President Obama
Dear Lord, I thank you for sending the rain, but, um, we’ve had enough. Can you turn it off now?
Be careful what you wish for…..or, at least, be more specific. 😀
After our 8 year drought I never again asked for the rain to stop – even with the following floods. Too much water is way way better than none! Hello vc nice to see you.
{{{TS}}} 🙂 🙂 It is terrific to see *you*! I was recently wondering out loud if you were okay since I hadn’t seen you for more than a while.
I was reprimanded once too often – so went away for awhile – like all blogs sometimes folks need a rest. Thankyou for thinking of me. Hope you are surviving the cold – we have another “hottest summer on record” but it seems the new regime has banned climate as an issue.
Oh! Well, it’s quite nice to have you back. I do tend to have worrisome thoughts when regulars are missing, so should you need a break again do wave at me when departing.
The cold and I have been dancing with, and around, each other. For example this past week has been mostly great (with coat left in car on one or two occasions).
❤👏🏼👋🏼❤🌹
We now have flash flood warnings. My area is swimming with water. SoCal can not handle much more. I am very concerned whether I will be able to drive any route to work in the morning. This has not been a light rain – all day today.
I know of what I’m praying for. 🙂
I believe you do – only hinting (given CA’s previous longing for rain) that a little more specificity re rain might be wise.
Seriously, hoping that everyone will be safe from flooding.
“Pacific storms in early January have brought widespread, intense precipitation to California, providing relief to some drought-stricken regions but also flooding. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about 35 percent of the state is no longer experiencing drought, and the proportion of areas under extreme-to-exceptional drought fell from 38 percent on January 3rd to 28 percent by January 10th. Cumulative precipitation hit a record high, doubling the historical average for this time of year. ”
“Sunday will bring Biblical rain to #LosAngeles. We could get 1 or 1.5 in/hr—unheard of here. Epic #California drought is losing its grip.”
Wishing you all safe passage through these storms!
Thanks VC 🙂
GA GGail.
I don’t know if you saw my (long) post about rains in SoCal a week or so ago, but where you live is very susceptible to flooding, when we have continued, consistent rain, for a couple of reasons:
1) Since you live in the foothills, you’ll get more actual rainfall than other places in the area (“orographic lifting” in geographic terms, more rain is produced when rainclouds climb over the leading edge of mountains).
2) The LA basin is basically the delta for the Santa Ana, San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers — subject to periodic flooding like the Nile delta in Egypt. The delta is so big because there are 11K foot mountains to the north and east.
3) You’re getting runoff too from 11K foot Mount Baldy. The bridge that connects the eastbound 210 freeway to the 605 freeway crosses over the runoff from Mount Baldy — the last time we had consistent, torrential rain was in 2005 (IIRC), and I was on that bridge on my way to Brea. COULD NOT BELIEVE the roar, and the violent turmoil of the rushing of water — reminded me of being on the US side of Niagara Falls. If you need to travel that route soon, you’ll notice. That was the only time I’ve seen water under that bridge — usually it’s a 2-mile stretch over nothing but rocks and a plant or two.
There’s lots of flooding around the 110 freeway now (which is basically the Los Angeles River now — it was built in the footprint of the LA River), and anything closer to the ocean is subject to flooding — see the 1938 Los Angeles flood, which prompted the building of several dams in our area. But when we get consistent rain for weeks on end, and then again for 18 hours plus, the rivers’ powers will overcome human engineering.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_flood_of_1938
Be very, very careful if you have to drive — it’s so dangerous to drive when water is rushing downhill.
If you need to drive on a freeway, don’t go over 50 — I’ve seen many spinouts of people who passed me because I was going so slowly. You can’t fight the laws of physics, and when there’s so much standing and running water on the road, you just can’t maintain control over 50 mph.
I also slow down (even more) when people pass me, anticipating their spinning out in front of me.
Stay warm, dry and safe, GGail.
#LifelongSoCalifornianWithYearsOfExperienceDrivingInTheRainHere
Thanks arapaho 🙂
❤
How much do I love Jackson Browne?? ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
I drove in this GGail this afternoon. Flooding on the 110South turned a 45 min. drive into a 2 hour drive; now my youngest is stuck on the tarmac in Houston, delayed (it’s United) due to an IT glitch, so I’ll be going out in it again sometime tonight.
Good news, GGail.
It’s stopped raining in Ventura County where I am, and the outside temperature has peaked at 52F (colder than that before now).
So it should stop raining soon where you are. 🙂
But the bad news is that weather.com says it’s gonna start raining again at 8 pm. 😦
This week will be absolutely SPECTACULAR in the Southland — like the old-time picture postcards from Riverside County, ripe oranges on trees, snow-covered Mount Baldy looming in the background.
Snow will be visible anywhere you are in SoCal (everywhere in pink will be covered with snow):
Here’s Mount Baldy from Encinitas coastline. It’s a spectacular view if you drive the inland route north from Oceanside:
Arapaho, our very own Weather Girl, thanks ☔️😊
You can send to Phoenix. We can always use it.
I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t flow to AZ and CO
Just wish it would hit while I’m home and not driving. Too many crazies out there.
Out here too. I’m so glad I did all of my running around yesterday. Just hope it holds off during drive time in the morning.
Daughter Unit and friends went out to the desert Friday night, out of signal range. Any word on approach routes back into LA? They are in 4WD vehicles with plenty of camping gear and experience. even so – hope to hear a check-in soon! 🙏🏻
All routes today will be hazardous because of presenting hidden or unpredictable dangers due to the rain. Careful driving, even in a 4wd is advised.
Thank you everyone! Here’s her WhatsApp chime now, with lots of photos for Maman! ❤👏🏼😹
With a 4WD they should be fine, if they have gps to get back into city, it will guide them safely, but there are some problem areas for sure. They might have to wait a bit. It took me 2 hours to get home in what’s usually a 45 min. drive.
POURING here again right now. I welcome the rain because we don’t know when the next drought will hit but it surely is in the cards. And I don’t have to drive in it so I’m not refusing it. But please be careful out there.
Thanks meta. You could FedEx me some comfort cookies 🙂
OK!!
❤
Another big lightening storm going on!
Lightning 😳Yikes!
Immitation is the sheerest form of flattery but the Con Man is a phony.
With a fricking styrofoam cake. Is there anything not plastic or phoney or fake in their repertoire? Ever?
Yes, PLEASE. Somebody take the wheel, PLEASE
Glad that so many are on the case.
Please and Amen
thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!
GA/GE TODville.
Have missed most of the postings here this weekend, but kept informed via @metaquest’s Twitter timeline.
Loved SNL’s #ToSirWithLove signoff (previous thread), remember being caught reading that book in a Jr. High (Middle School these days) class, LOL.
Movie with Lulu and Sidney Poitier turns 50 this year.
Turns out that Lulu is a huge PBO fan 😀 :
Here’s what she posted after his farewell speech in Chicago (her tweets have Instagram URLs, so photos don’t appear in Twitter — my tweets are just tweets of her Instagram photos):
more…
Here’s what Lulu tweeted today, after SNL tribute.
Recommend that you click on the embedded Instagram in this tweet — a short, sweet collage of PBO, FLOTUS and babies video.
Everyone here will enjoy it.
wow I love her for that.
First Family vacation update.
This tweet confirms what Meta and Daily Mail let us know last week, that the First Family is staying Michael Smith and James Costos home.
@michaelsmithinc tweet links to Travel and Leisure article, which in turn has a link to this great Architectural Digest profile of Michael and James’ Rancho Mirage home (from Mar 2015):
I LOVE the idea that the Mayans are protecting the Obamas right now. MAGICAL!!
Oh my gosh, this is the sort of thing that made marching so worthwhile. All the different people, their signs, their children, their dogs, their heart.
So precious!
I’m telling you, this definitely brought tears to my eyes. But it was not unlike so many people at the marches. They all brought their kids.
This breaks my heart.
Awwwww
GE (feels like evening, dark and gloomy here) Meta.
So precious, that sign is bigger than he is. 😉
Seriously!! But he’s a giant somehow.
https://twitter.com/fuckofftape
I’m going to go with Jill Scott right about now:
BINGO! Must See TV
http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2017/01/22/brian-stelter-truth-trust-trump.cnn
The Washington Post took down its paywall through last night, and as I was on their website, was intrigued by this teaser headline:
“The Man Who Can Basically Read President Obama’s Mind”
What a wonderful profile of Brian Mosteller, the person who made sure everything was PERFECT for PBO.
The article is from last February, but offers intriguing glimpse of how the Obama White House ran so smoothly:
more…
And this is my favorite excerpt from the article:
#AlternateFacts
Tom Perez won’t have a chance if Michael more doesn’t stop advertising for Keith Ellison. I don’t have anything against Ellison, but I am appalled at Moore for trying to push him on folks. Every time I see him on TV, I think about his treatment of PBO when he was running for President.
Have missed Dudette for the past few weeks. I hope she is well.
Hi Bobfr, Dudette is ill and TODers are lifting her up in positive virtual thoughts and prayer.
Regret this news, VC. My thoughts will be for her, daily.
sending aloha to dudette ❤
In these circumstances, the President has his priorities STRAIGHT.
I miss them.
I am feeling a very deep loss. That is for sure.
what a gifted photographer
After all we’ve been through, after this week, I am NOT putting up with anyone’s BS, I can tell you that.
Just put it out there, the same way you leaked every DNC’s, HRC’s, of Pondesta’s e-mail. Punk!
Remember.
But we should forget all the B.S. they threw at President Obama and welcome that scum of theirs with open arms. I don’t think so.
Are you guys watching the CNN specIal about our beloved 44?
I didn’t know one was being broadcast. Not sure it will be an honest one.
WHOA WHOA WHOA
Because of course he did.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20160408_Commentary__There_s_a_name_for_Trump_s_brand_of_politics__neo-fascism.html
{{{{Dudette}}}} Feel better soon. Miss you.
THIS x100000000000000000000000
bbl …
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2017/01/22/were-going-to-be-okay-we-just-have-to-fight-for-it/