Choosing to chase or not

[John Farley]

I was in Beale St., Memphis with my father and my boyfriend having a helluva time at the Rum Boogie Cafe groovin' to James Govan and the Boogie Blues Band, drinking Newcastle Brown Ale. Just got home, in fact. You?



/Fact: Tornadoes never once crossed my mind all weekend - and the footage of them on TWC was just white noise in the background as I was drying my hair getting ready to visit Graceland......there are way, waaaaaay more important things in life than going balls-to-the-wall on each and every single chaseday.


KL

I'm glad I wasn't the only one. I certainly could have chased Saturday, as my wife and I were in New Mexico for a long weekend after she gave a talk at the Santa Fe public library. However, well before I knew what the weather setup might be, we had decided to head north to Pagosa Springs, CO for a couple days after her talk Thursday evening, which would let me get in one more day of skiing (my other passion besides storm chasing), as well as spending some quality time with my wife in the excellent hot mineral springs there. Although it eventually became evident that a good chase setup would be within easy driving distance, I never really second-guessed our initial decision to head north to Pagosa Springs rather than east to the panhandle. I had a great day of skiing in late April, which is hard to beat if you are a ski enthusiast, as well as a nice getaway weekend with my wife in a great place. So I don't regret my decision not to chase. Had I chased, I MIGHT have seen awesome tornadoes, as some did, or I might have missed all of them, as others did. OTOH, by the choice I made, I ensured myself the certainty of a great ski day and a nice getaway with my wife. I will, however, be chasing tomorrow.

Anyway, this brings me to a question - how often do you CHOOSE not to chase in order to do something else you don't HAVE to do? I'm not talking about the times that work, school, family reunions you are expected to attend, or a thousand-mile drive keep you from chasing. Rather, I am talking about times when you have a choice of chasing or doing something else you really want to do and, like a chase day, might not have another day to do (this was pretty surely my last chance to ski this season).

 

[Jason Boggs]

If it's a good setup I will chase. The only time I won't chase is when I'm busy doing........................haven't thought of anything yet.

 

[Tarmo Tanilsoo]

If it's a good setup I will chase. The only time I won't chase is when I'm busy doing........................haven't thought of anything yet.

Same here. If I ever get into chasing and could afford it then I would be chasing when there is good setup

 

[Glenn Dixon]

Outside of any sort of planned vacation chasing is a very tricky, frustrating decision. Long, grueling bust days cause opposing reactions - on one hand it makes me want to offset the mistakes of the previous day, make up for it. On the other hand the pain is fresh. Work is another consideration. I can pretty much take days off when I want, but I have to hoard vacation days this year for a booked and paid for Alaskan cruise this fall. Saturday was decided at about 8:30am. Up until that time I was uncommitted. Today I may take this afternoon off, but only if things are developing close to D/FW before dark.

I am trying to offset this frustrating pattern by getting my ham license (passed two Saturdays ago) and getting more involved with local spotters and emergency management. We'll see how that goes.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day,

I have cancelled trips and "ate the fees" of changed airline reservations because of a good setup that just happened to be ON that same day. Murphey's Law does have work-arounds after all!

 

[Terry Tyler]

if there was ever a time that monetary or vehicular constrains were not an issue...i would chase all day, every day...ive dropped jobs over chasing, and will continue to drop jobs for chasing...

the way i see it...you never know what your gonna see unless you go out there...

 

[Laura Duchesne]

If I can, you sure as hell can bet I will. I figure my other hobbies can wait... my chase opportunities come only so often and I can do my other stuff another time. This doesn't apply to work though, I believe work is important since I need money. But I have taken vacation time off work for two weeks for chasing. Minor squall line stuff I can pass up and do my non wx hobbies instead, but if there's a chance of tornadoes or a really nice big photogenic shelf cloud, or a supercell.... I want to get out there. I've missed some good Ontario tornado setups due to work and it's maddening... I guess I would be more upset if I lost my job though... c'ai la vie (no idea if I spelled that right).

 

[Chris C Sanner]

Many times I have chosen other activities because of prior engagements. However, this year is the epitome of bad luck for me as I'm still on zero tornadoes because I had a hurt back the March 28 event and sick this last Saturday. Both of those days I could have easily chased, no doubts about it but it would have been very stupid to do so. Every other event I've attempted to chase has been full of crapvection or just plain ol' busted.

 

[Angie Norris]

There's something other than chasing????? Surely you jest, sir!!!!!
If it's a day off and "good weather" by "normal" people terms, there's hiking, shopping, that kind of stuff, but even if it looks like a marginal day, I'm out the door.

 

[Mikey Gribble]

There are a lot of times when I REALLY don't want to chase, but I do anyways because nothing scares me and motivates me more than missing out on tornadoes. My competitive side always gets the best of me when it comes to chasing. I don't know why, but I can't stand the thought of other people getting tornadoes when I miss out. I can't believe this is true, but by the end of every season I am ready for it to be over because I am so wore out from all the driving/chasing. Then two weeks later I'm ready to go again and can't wait for next season.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I wish I was able to skip chases for other things that I should do, but can skip out on. I've chased this way long enough now to see it's not worth it. I will cancel out on anything(not that I have much of a life anyway) to chase about any setup, at least any setup that's a days drive. Hell, I wish I could skip chases with nothing else planned. It's truly scary some of the chases I'll know I should sit out but can't. I actually hate that side of myself. It's a bad addiction, not a good one...in every sense. When I say addiction I don't just mean something one enjoys a lot. I mean like smoking or drinking(you enjoy, but) and you'd like to stop at least SOME, but never let yourself.

People like to wear that like a badge, having an addiction to this. Not sure it's really an addiction though, if that is the case. Maybe it is though, I don't know. I never felt honestly addicted until I wanted to stop some, and never can. It really does become frightening. I sort of think there are very few out there who are honestly addicted. You can love something without being addicted, which I think this topic is sort of about.

I'm sort or like MikeU anymore, I'm really only looking for photogenic ops. Most things that used to make me happy, just don't do it anymore. I couldn't care less about most little tornadoes I see, in person or ones I missed via others. I don't regret missing any of the tornadoes yesterday(that I've seen so far), but I DO regret missing the structure above them....jeez.

But anyway, just as recent as last night I was thinking about a way to STOP this addiction to having to chase all the time. When you make a living from it, that becomes a bit tricky...which I HATE. Doesn't exactly help the addiction. What sounds so nice anymore to me, is being a photogher of things, who also chases a fair amount. I keep thinking if I changed things somehow, that I'd be more apt to let myself skip a lot of chases.

Not a badge to me anymore, it's an infected wound. Don't get me wrong, I still love chasing like always, I just can't stand how much it owns me anymore. It's a very interesting topic to me, and a long one.

 

[Tom Romero]

Jeez Mike. That's kind of depressing! I understand the addiction and like any addiction the only people who understand it are other addicts...and they sure won't tell you to stop.

I lost a job because I got back a day late from chasing. Fortunately they hired me back a week later.

You just have to clear your schedule for the season. Last year I did a movie and was only able to chase ONE DAY. From Santa Fe to Missouri and back in 24 hours.

Obligations suck (like my sister's 50th b'day memorial day weekend) but they are obligations.

I'm lucky because my wife is my chase partner and loves chasing as much as I do. Actually, she's fearless. And we're both incredibly silly which makes long drives fun. We've been chasing for five years and I can honestly say there has not been one day chasing that I haven't enjoyed.

But to answer the question..."Do you always chase if you can, or sometimes pass it up for something else you enjoy?"... If we CAN chase we DO chase.

 

[Mickey Ptak]

So far I have chased every setup I have wanted to in 2007. I told myself in 2006 that 2006 would be my final year of chasing hard core (as much as possible). Well, 2006 sucked and I have always told myself if I am going to quit chasing I am going out with a bang. 2007 has already given me more great chases than I have ever expected and I owe that to a mixture of decent forecasts and a lot of good luck.

At what price though? I have skipped out on many things I would have done had there not been a chase. Things that were far more important than chasing. To be honest things that I would have much rather been doing at the time.

At this point, chasing is a love / hate type of relationship for me. I love it yet it interferes with my REAL life so I hate it. My life and chasing just don’t mix well together. I have far too many responsibilities to deal with to chase like I am now for the rest of my life. It’s just impossible. The hard part is the fact that I will most likely not be chasing with my partners much. Shane Adams and Chad Lawson are probably the only two chasers on the planet that could possible put up with me for that long while on the road. Plus, for the most part, we all work very well together when it comes to chase time.

So yes for the 2007 spring season, I am chase as much as possible which will be at least 95% of chases in my chasing area. After 2007 I will be chasing when there is time. However, I will never completely stop chasing. I am just to the point now that I want it to be a hobby again, not my life.

Mick

 

[Billy Griffin]

I think everyone has a few little "secret ingredients" they look for in just the right setup. A lot of that just comes from experience, some from just being lucky I guess.

I'm just too old to be chasing every single storm, even if it's close. Even yesterday, I could have, but chose not to. My gut feeling was that Oklahoma was hosed from the start. Many years ago, I would have probably been out 'til midnight and second-guessing myself the entire time. It doesn't make me a good forecaster, just as I get older, I start to recognize things that make me hold out for better days.

I've been very blessed over the years to have seen a few good storms in my lifetime. It's something I'll always remember and share with my kids. But I think that, at some point, we're all in the same situation... priorities change, people change. I can't count the number of IOUs I owe my wife because I would take off chasing and leave her alone on Mother's Day! I know, shame on me! She has always been very understanding. But as I look back, I probably should have been a little more grown up and a more responsible husband!

At the end of the day, I think we're all just happy to chase when we can. I understand Mike's comments on it feeling like an "addiction." It darn sure can become one! After going through health issues and personal things that affect you deeply, it kind of puts things into perspective, and suddenly storm chasing doesn't appear at the top of the important list anymore. A passion, yes. My life, no! And I also agree with Mick above 100% - I have dedicated myself to letting this be a hobby again, just a hobby!

It's awesome to have this forum to share thoughts, feelings and emotions with other chasers, even if we all tend to get a little short-fused every now and then.

 

[Gabe Garfield]

A very interesting topic...

I thought about this yesterday when my chase group and I decided that we would go no further (we hung out in Edmond, OK pouring over the latest data). I actually felt really good about the decision, even after I found out about the tornadoes near Hutchinson. Even if the tornadoes had been more photogenic and whatnot, I still would've been happy about the decision. I suppose a little of that has to do with the fact that I saw the Sitka/Protection event the night before, but frankly, I think it has more to do with the fact that I'm worn out and want to do work.

How strange that is! Last night, I really wanted to get back to doing "normal" things. I guess I just don't want to be consumed by chasing. I've seen a number of people who are consumed by chasing, and it's not pretty. They neglect family responsibilities, school responsibilities, work responsibilities, etc. to chase. To me, that's not admirable; that's foolish.

In a given year, the most aggressive chasers will chase 30 times. But what about the other 335 days? What do you do then? If you neglect your responsiblities and make a lot of people mad to go chasing, you have to face them when you return from your chase. Is it worth it? IMO, I don't think so.

I must be growing up... LOL

Gabe