Chaser(s) Of The Decade

[Jeff Passner]

This is basically a silly post, although I give credit to many who have expressed their opinions.... Chasing has NEVER been about awards or trophies.... My gosh, when did we start caring who was "good" and who was "bad" at chasing? My gosh, this is NOT a competition.... Chasing is many things to many people... Some are happy to go out and enjoy the storms with their friends... Some are happy to only see tornadoes... Who are WE to judge what this means to anyone. The atmopshere is an amazing fluid... We chasers appreciate what it can and does do. Since when do we simple humans ever judge who is good at forecasting these random, complex motions... Chaser of the decade... It makes us sound like the sluts that ESPN or ABC are. I've been chasing since 1982 and I think every person who has ventured out there is a "hero." To me the chaser of the decade is the person who blew off their storm to help the victims of the tornado. To me, the heros of chasing are those who helped at the scene of an auto crash... the few chasers who have actually saved lives. My gosh, when have our egos been so big that we award people for being good at something we love? This is pathetic.... As pointed out already, we only know a handful of chasers... There are hundreds who don't post here or are unknown and love the science for what it is. Only about 20 percent of chasers even post on this forum (estimated) so the sample is so small it makes this silly. There are hundreds of chasers who bag the tornado, go home, and never tell us about it... Chasing has never been about how many, it's about playing a storm, forecasting, being there and sharing in nature's show..... I'm amazed at what this has become..... In 1982 we were happy to see anything out there.... We were NEVER competing... We were sharing and learning.

 

[Shane Adams]

This is basically a silly post, although I give credit to many who have expressed their opinions.... Chasing has NEVER been about awards or trophies.... My gosh, when did we start caring who was "good" and who was "bad" at chasing? My gosh, this is NOT a competition.... Chasing is many things to many people... Some are happy to go out and enjoy the storms with their friends... Some are happy to only see tornadoes... Who are WE to judge what this means to anyone. The atmopshere is an amazing fluid... We chasers appreciate what it can and does do. Since when do we simple humans ever judge who is good at forecasting these random, complex motions... Chaser of the decade... It makes us sound like the sluts that ESPN or ABC are. I've been chasing since 1982 and I think every person who has ventured out there is a "hero." To me the chaser of the decade is the person who blew off their storm to help the victims of the tornado. To me, the heros of chasing are those who helped at the scene of an auto crash... the few chasers who have actually saved lives. My gosh, when have our egos been so big that we award people for being good at something we love? This is pathetic.... As pointed out already, we only know a handful of chasers... There are hundreds who don't post here or are unknown and love the science for what it is. Only about 20 percent of chasers even post on this forum (estimated) so the sample is so small it makes this silly. There are hundreds of chasers who bag the tornado, go home, and never tell us about it... Chasing has never been about how many, it's about playing a storm, forecasting, being there and sharing in nature's show..... I'm amazed at what this has become..... In 1982 we were happy to see anything out there.... We were NEVER competing... We were sharing and learning.

Actually, this thread was never about "best".....I believe the term was "most-accomplished".

 

[Matt Gingery]

I'm thinking of a top ten list of pessimistic crybabies. If you disagree with the post, then why advocate that you had been chasing since 1982. I don't think it has anything to do with competition. I do agree that many chasers are heros, and also feel that many chasers should be recogonized for their contributions to the community. To me some of what you posted (i.e. been chasing since 1982) is irrelevant and only points out the possibility that you may have some pinned up jealousy that no one picked you. Its about the most accomplished chaser, and it was only put out there for the lack of nothing better to do. I am actually thinking of a new type post that should be alot of fun and allow everyone to interact. How about a Pro's Vs. Joe's thread? I personally would like to know how each chasers handles a chase day and am trying to figure out how to format the thread in a way that it would work well. I got some good ideas. But I may do the crybaby thread first.

 

[Skip Talbot]

My gosh, this is NOT a competition....

It isn't for most people, but there's nothing wrong with being competitve in chasing either. I liken it to competitive fishing or eating. Most people go fishing or go out to eat for the fun and relaxation of it, but there also competitions to see who can catch the largest bass or eat the most hot dogs and those competitions are taken very seriously. Likewise in chasing some people strive to get the best view, nail the forecast, and make the most of their trips out to the plains. I think everyone out there tries to do their best, but when you get back and see what you missed, the photos and video other people got, it makes you think, "hey, I can do better" or, "why did I pick that target?" There's nothing with the 'everyone gets an A+ for effort, T-Ball mentality' when it comes to chasing, but there are some people who like to compare their results and strive to be the "best." Like everyone else, in the end I'm out there because its where my passion is, but if I'm going to be spending as much time, effort, and money as I do while chasing, I want to gauge myself against others and see who has set the mark so I can be an even better chaser on my next trip out.

Since when do we simple humans ever judge who is good at forecasting these random, complex motions... Chaser of the decade... It makes us sound like the sluts that ESPN or ABC are.

I'd like to think of that statement more along the lines of: Since when do intelligent humans ever judge who is good at forecasting simple eddies. Since always. Since we cared to understand nature, protect ourselves from it, and wonder at its beauty. Chaser of the decade isn't Sexiest Chaser of the Decade (thread idea?), its who we most often look to when we say, "wow, they nailed that forecast/shot." Who is it? I don't think I've studied enough chase logs to make that call, but plenty of good candidates have already been mentioned in this thread.

 

[Matt Gingery]

also competitions to see who can catch the largest bass or eat the most hot dogs and those competitions are taken very seriously.

That is so true. I remember the last hot dog eating competition I went to at the county fair. The guy who one was the returning champ and was so focused prior to the beginning. The guy meditated for hours leading up to the event. I give alot of credit to the hot dog eaters or the pie eaters for that matter. The point is that no matter what type of hobby or interest a person has, in one way or another it may be a competition to someone else. Its all about perspective. To me, yeah, I guess I get competitive. If I wasn't competitive I probably wouldn't get ticked off when I bust and another chaser scores. Its all about perception.

 

[Steve Miller]

This thread keeps getting funnier and funnier with each post.

 

[Jayson Prentice]

I've tried and tried to keep away from posting within this thread...

In reality, if there were to be such a thing as a chase of the decade, it would likely go to someone who I'm sure doesn't even frequent the forums here on ST currently. You are talking about a decade of time, yes there have been people who have obviously made a name for themselves with the amount of video and exposure they've had over the past few years. But, in reality there are people who have chased each one of the past 10 years and likely not only have high numbers in general but a fairly high 'success' rate...

I guess it is just a fun thing to think about, too bad a majority of people are skewed into thinking the past 3-4 years makes up a whole decade... Let the fun continue!!

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

This thread keeps getting funnier and funnier with each post.

Ground hogs day going on here! LOL I forsee some waterboarding for these activities.

 

[Melissa Jablonski]

I guess the best way to decide is to ask yourself this question: If I only got to go out one time each year, and wanted to see a tornado, what chaser would I want to go with?

If you're a chaser, and your answer isn't "myself", I'd quit.

I agree. All the above are great chasers. I couldn't pick one if I tried.

 

[Melissa Jablonski]

I think I will vote for all the folks who build a decent looking website (and associated online persona), become overnight stormchasing 'sensations', and then expect for those of us who have been around a long time to welcome their ungrateful asses with open arms. That's who I vote for.

Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hat's off to you dude.

 

[Steve Miller]

I was wondering if anyone would ever actually read that! Thanks!

 

[Wes Carter]

Ground hogs day going on here! LOL I forsee some waterboarding for these activities.

I'm just wondering, I see some Stormtrack members are no longer listed as members, including Mike Hollingshead. He seemed to be active up until I noticed he is no longer a Stormtrack member. I know others have requested to be removed but are still listed as active. Has he been banned?

 

[MatthewCarman]

I'm just wondering, I see some Stormtrack members are no longer listed as members, including Mike Hollingshead. He seemed to be active up until I noticed he is no longer a Stormtrack member. I know others have requested to be removed but are still listed as active. Has he been banned?

This site would not be the same without Mike Hollingshead. I hope he will be allowed to return. It looks like he has been banned or his account has been removed since he is now a guest.

 

[Melanie Kern-Favilla]

I could not agree more. I noticed a couple of weeks ago that Mr. Hollingshead's account was suspended (banned). I guess they took it further. Mike has been an unbelievable contributor to this website and I think TPTB might want to reconsider. It's a shame. One of the chasers of the decade, to be sure.

Just my $.02...

 

[Sean Ramsey]

Wow that is crazy...In the time I've been here Mike has contributed more than just about anyone and is one of the people I have come to respect the most from his posts.

I'm not sure what it would take to be banned, but it doesn't seem fathomable that he would take anything that far. I hope he gets to return, if he wants to.