CALIFORNIA - SB 648 would define ecigs as cigarettes!

[FlamingoTutu]

Uma, I'm so glad you seem to have come through the fire okay. I tried to write something to you at the time but have been having massive computer problems and was stuck with a borrowed one that about a third of the keys didn't work on. Took me forever to write what I did with that thing (then couldn't post it) so I'm putting it up for you anyway. Hopefully there won't be a next time.

Quick, someone drive a silver stake through the heart of SB 648 while it’s down!

Uma, I’m so, so sorry about the fire. Last year’s Rim Fire, all 400+ square miles of it, got to about one mile from our house. I know what you’re going through.

Listen to what zoiDman has said about what to pack, it’s solid advice. Also checkbooks, tax records, insurance papers, ID (passports, birth certificates, etc.), credit cards, jewelry, heirlooms, etc. Take what is important to you, no matter how stupid you think it may be, that you can’t ever replace. For example, we have two stuffed animals that are on the evac list. They started out as a lark but now bring back extremely fond memories. There is no amount of money that could replace them and their unique dings from international misadventures, but that’s just us.

Don’t forget things like prescriptions (yours and your pet’s) and prescription eyeglasses.

Does your dog have a favorite blanket and/or toys? If the worst happens and your dog has to be kenneled, either at a shelter or vets/kennel, it will feel slightly more secure having his/her familiar things with it.

Take pictures of what you leave behind to prove to your insurance company that you really did own that 342” TV.

Our problem was that we had something like 10+ days thinking we were going to be evacuated. At first it looked like it would happen immediately, then the next day, and the next, and the next… First things out (thank god) were the horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, ducks, etc. in the neighborhood. After that it got tougher. First day you packed knee jerk stuff. Second day you regained some of your wits and packed more stuff. (We had DC-10s flying 200 feet over the house, this wasn’t a laid back situation.) By day six you’re wandering down the hallway in a stupor realizing that ugly poster is a work of art. Day seven and you’ve packed everything necessary to keep Miss Princess and the Pea comfy for two fortnights. By day ten all the vehicles left in the neighborhood looked like numerous Clampetts ready to move to Beverly Hills.

Good on your daughter for becoming a firefighter. I did it for some years and I loved it. It’s certainly not for everybody but it is a good, honest job and keeps you pretty fit.

 

[Katya]

Heya Flamingo! Long time. Nice to see you again.

And yes, you guys are heroes. Thank you!

 

[FlamingoTutu]

Hi Katya!

Thank you katya but most of us just did our jobs. There certainly are firefighters that are heros, and those that are just duds, but most are just doing their jobs. It's one of those things that if you don't love it, you don't last long and quit.

Wrenched my back, then my computer died. Now it works but not correctly. Today the internet connection has failed about 5-6 times. The joys of living in the boonies. Need it all to be ship shape by the next time they try to "regulate" vaping equipment in California.

 

[Katya]

Thank you katya but most of us just did our jobs.

Classic response of a true hero.

 

[FlamingoTutu]

That's sweet of you but honestly, we were just doing a job we loved.

Those goats rocked! Try as we might, we never did that great of job. No one told us we had to eat the brush though.

That reminds me, Uma, if the fire is advancing on you quickly, be sure to leave your vehicle running. The fire can suck enough oxygen out that you won't be able to get it started. I've seen firefighters severely burned when that has happened to them. Recirculate the air in the vehicle, don't draw in "fresh" (smokey) air. Also, don't wet yourself down or use a wet cloth over your face. The heat will turn it to steam and that can burn or kill you.

There is a nasty fire in Oakhurst tonight. People are losing their homes, animals are losing their lives. We already have smoke from it and the sky was very dark over there. Keeping fingers and toes crossed for them too.

 

[oplholik]

Thank you, and others like you, who do a great service to our communities. Great advice you posted, I never would of thought of any of that.

 

[Uma]

Thank you, and others like you, who do a great service to our communities. Great advice you posted, I never would of thought of any of that.

Exactly! Thank you so much Flame, your posts are appreciated to no end. As I read, I giggled, I sobered, I double checked, I added to the Clampett truck, and more. I'm so happy to hear you came out unscathed!! Those fires can change in the blink of an eye, nothing to be relaxed about.
The wet rag warning comes on the heels of my kid who just mentioned the same thing to me. Thanks to the movies, we really need to erase our first thoughts don't we! the steam will scald your skin and hair right off, not filter the smoke. What terrible scenarios Hollywood put in our heads!
The fire is at 95% contained now! Today, there is new smoke. . New fires are being constantly fought, mostly started by idiots doing what they do best... Not thinking.
We Californians, and every dry state, need to stay ever vigilant. I'm so sorry to hear about Oakhurst and will include them in my prayers.
Thank you so much for sharing, Flaming Tutu, I can't thank you (& everyone) enough for the advice, prayers, and concern.

 

[zoiDman]

... The wet rag warning comes on the heels of my kid who just mentioned the same thing to me. Thanks to the movies, we really need to erase our first thoughts don't we! the steam will scald your skin and hair right off, not filter the smoke. What terrible scenarios Hollywood put in our heads! ...

Very True. Water is a Great Conductor of Heat. Anyone who has Picked Up a Wet Pot Holder verses a Dry One can attest to that.

Great to Hear that the Fire is 95% Contained.

 

[oplholik]

Glad to hear the fires are 95% contained. Hopefully your area wont suffer any more losses.
I'm somewhat familiar with Oakhurst, as we used to go to a campground just before you get to Coarsegold coming up from Fresno.
Any hope for rain anytime soon for that area, and yours?

 

[FlamingoTutu]

I hate to bring this back to the top with other people facing bans but I do have a legislative question that has been nagging a me. Anybody have an idea when our next round of assaults on our vaping rights might come around? I know they are coming.

As for Oakhurst, they got very lucky, after eight structures burned to the ground, most homes I believe, and corralled that sucker in record time. Absolutely no rain in sight but the weather has been a bit cooler and the relative humidity higher. Considering the conditions, we've been very lucky this year.Washington had that huge fire and now flooding, eight homes damaged.

Uma, I hope they can get the rehab work done before you guys get any significant rain. It doesn't take much on scorched earth before you have a second disaster. I defy you to find all the important stuff you packed up, no joke. Well, actually it is. We still can't find some stuff. An accountant told a friend that a lot of people weren't able to locate important tax documents by the time they needed to file the following April. A neighbor still can't find an eight inch by 16 inch battery for their dogs' electric fence. (ETA: Who evacuates with a battery that big? I told you we had too much time to pack.) If you can't find something for a year or two don't panic, most everyone else is having the same problem and gets to the point of being so ridiculous you have to laugh it off. But it still sucks.

 

[StefanDidak]

I hate to bring this back to the top with other people facing bans but I do have a legislative question that has been nagging a me. Anybody have an idea when our next round of assaults on our vaping rights might come around? I know they are coming.

Soon. It's the local and state levels we need to continue to monitor because it will only intensify from this point forward. For California specifically I'm expecting a taxation proposal to come down the pipe and that fits in with the battle over the definition the ANTZ seek with a passion for SB648.

Speaking of which, given that we're in the SB648 thread. There has been some activity on it again. Yes, that thing just keeps trying to crawl out of the grave it's put in. Twice now! The proposed wording changes for the amendment are minor BUT aim to word "or other" as in "or other tobacco product". Not quite the strong definition they wanted but clearly would still serve their purpose for their proposed taxation "assault".

Right now it's not clear whether Corbett is going to accept and run with those amendments as a decision has not been made and she would have to seek a rule waiver from the committee to do so. Something that may not be as easy or supported if she tries. And then getting it passed would be yet another obstacle because while her friends that turned on her will be in support, we would be straight back in opposition on it. Since the legislative session is going to end in a week or so it looks like she has one possible shot left, which is either going to be this coming Wednesday or on the 3rd next month. In which case we can't be there since we'll be on the road to LA for ECC.

 

[FlamingoTutu]

I knew I shouldn't have looked at your reply tonight. Now I'm going to have nightmares again.

I know you will keep us posted and thank you for keeping on top of this. Now go to bed damnit.

ETA: What's ECC? I just know it's going to be something obvious.

 

[StefanDidak]

I knew I shouldn't have looked at your reply tonight. Now I'm going to have nightmares again.

I know you will keep us posted and thank you for keeping on top of this. Now go to bed damnit.

ETA: What's ECC? I just know it's going to be something obvious.

Haha, yeah, was about to go to sleep and saw your post.

ECC is the Electronic Cigarette Convention in Ontario, CA. 5,6,7 Sept. The trade show part doesn't interest me as much by itself but we're going to have a lot of meetings there (which is why we're leaving the 3rd, some happen before ECC) plus it's a chance in relatively easy distance (well, a 6 hour drive) to meet a lot of folks who I've known for quite some time but never met.

 

[FlamingoTutu]

Haha, yeah, was about to go to sleep and saw your post.

ECC is the Electronic Cigarette Convention in Ontario, CA. 5,6,7 Sept. The trade show part doesn't interest me as much by itself but we're going to have a lot of meetings there (which is why we're leaving the 3rd, some happen before ECC) plus it's a chance in relatively easy distance (well, a 6 hour drive) to meet a lot of folks who I've known for quite some time but never met.

Told you it would be obvious. Hope you guys have a wonderful time. Say hello to LA and Pasadena for me please.

 

[oplholik]

I have been looking forward to ECC as we live just a few miles from there, but dang it, I haven't been feeling well for the last couple weeks, and I'm hoping to get straightened out enough by then to make it there. It looks to be a good event.

 

[StefanDidak]

Told you it would be obvious. Hope you guys have a wonderful time. Say hello to LA and Pasadena for me please.

Funny you should mention that. On our way back we're stopping by family we have in Pasadena.

 

[StefanDidak]

I have been looking forward to ECC as we live just a few miles from there, but dang it, I haven't been feeling well for the last couple weeks, and I'm hoping to get straightened out enough by then to make it there. It looks to be a good event.

If you're that close then it would certainly be worth going if you don't mind crowd. From what I've been hearing it's going to be huge. And busy.

 

[zoiDman]

I have been looking forward to ECC as we live just a few miles from there, but dang it, I haven't been feeling well for the last couple weeks, and I'm hoping to get straightened out enough by then to make it there. It looks to be a good event.

I just looked at the Vendor list and it looks like it should be a Good Sized Convention.

Anyone else planning on Going?

 

[oplholik]

I find crowds annoying, but probably not any worse than the home shows I used to go to. The worst part would probably be, is that I kinda walk thru stuff like this fairly quickly, stopping only if something catches my eye, and there isn't a big crowd around, my wife on the other hand will be stopping and looking at everything. Trying to go there without her, well, let's just say I'd rather stay at home.

 

[DC2]

Anyone else planning on Going?

I'm trying to find a reason to want to go, but I'm not having much luck...


I'm not interested in any new equipment.
And tasting juice all day gets a little old after awhile.

Or maybe it's just me that's getting old.