Good morning,
Who can forget the effect of "Murphey's Law" too?
http://www.sky-chaser.com/america.htm#MURPHL
I took 2 weeks off in May 2009 (using 3 days I had, plus BORROWING one week for the next year, and 2 without pay) to chase (I was only at new IT job for a year). Then, the famous "ridge" threads began showing up on ST, along with all models showing the "upside-down" horseshoe.
I was lucky as I cancelled my May trip entirely, eating the nasty fees from the airlines, and saved my time off for another "rainy day" - literally.
I was able to get out for a very short trip in early June 2009, and actually saw the La Grange, WY tornados late stages. I was happy to get in the Plains, period.
Ofcourse, 90% of the good stuff was in Mid June 2009, of all times, and I dubbed the bad luck / timing as the "Wednesday Curse" because most activity happened on Wednesdays where taking time off was most difficult.
Even worse, my boss decides to go on a cruise during that 2-week period across mid June 2009 and they decide to do a system upgrade - Effectively snubbing out any hopes of an extra trip.
Next year (2010) I'll try to keep May AND June open (in case May decides to crap out with "Rex" again). My avatar pretty much tells my story.
I know many people did make 2009 very fruitful - So kudos to all those (lucky) folks.