My dog and 100-300 of my favorite records...The gear would have to stay....
What would you save in a fire?
Had the unpleasant experience of the Palisades fire nearly burning my house down. As in, I left driving through a firestorm and when I returned all except the actual structure was blackened. I then had to choose what to take with me before fire makes it way back the other side of the hill (which it’s doing now) and stuff my car. I was able to take about 300 out of 10k records, 2 turntables (one that is 250 lbs and almost gave me a hernia), my DAC, 2 phonostages… but had to leave my Aleph 1.2 monoblocks and speakers. Although I did also save 4 TAD woofers, 2 compression drivers, 2 horns and tweeters. I left everything else, spare a shirt and underwear.
I know it sounds materialistic or petty, but the music means everything to me. My wife saved 20 pairs of shoes haha. My question for you is… if you had to choose quickly, what would you save? Would your system make the cut?
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@au_lait So sorry to hear of your situation and others here in California also suffering w loss or the threat of loss… What would i take ? The better 7/8 , passport, insulin….. A 50# TAD under each arm would remind me a bit 2 much of a certain TAS cover ( i’m surely dating myself with that… ) and for those who think they know water… a must read; The Dreamt Land by Mark Arax But seriously, a Fox best seller…. |
Interesting question. I am divorced and my cat passed last year, so it's down to "things". A couple of hard drives, my passport and a few family photos and mementos. Add in some artwork and ceramics and that's about it. All the audio gear can be replaced and will sound identical, so wehy bother. That's why we have insurance. |
The turntable was a personal triumph and that’s the only real reason I saved it. The records though are so much more important to me than most things. Not one or two or ten, but the whole thing. It’s almost existential. Those are my memories, stories, keepsakes, and thousands of them have profound meaningful attachment. “I am a DJ, I am what play.” |
Well perhaps California can makes things quick and easy to rebuild. Somehow I doubt this will be the case. The whole purpose of "the blame game" is to bring to the forefront which mistakes were made and then to come up with a solution to avoid future catastrophe. Negative connotations are only used in association with this game when your side is being attacked. |
I have a completely different take on it. First, I’m very sorry to hear about your experience with the fire. What a catastrophe. However, I’ve been lived in Southern California, and had to evacuate quickly in the past, I’ve learned that the only thing I would take are those things that are irreplaceable. Stereo equipment is not one of them unfortunately as important as it is to my life. That’s what insurance is for instead, I will grab my server which has all my work documents, my important personal documents, all my photos, and most important, my entire music collection. I would take my pets. If I had any time left after that, I would probably grab my old wine, which would be difficult to replace.. I currently live in Miami, and with hurricanes, I would just cover all my equipment with trash bags and plastic, and make sure everything is insured. My record collection from college is potentially valuable, but bulky and probably difficult to save. Other Momentos from my career as a lawyer and famous clients and that sort of thing I would probably also grab. Bottom line is my rule of thumb is take the things you can’t replace leave the rest. |
Well, if just enough time TSMA...me. Then my laptop. If I had warning and could only fit enough in my vehicle, my business gear, audio equipment, media, some clothes (better stuff), some food, etc. Most would be left behind. Starting to downsize now realizing I do not need so much stuff and it only complicates my life. But yea, losing everything would hurt. |
. . . or bad acid.
"I’m so happy ’cause today I found my friends Yeah, yeah I’m so lonely, that’s okay, I shaved my head Yeah, yeah I like it, I’m not gonna crack I’m so happy ’cause today I found my friends Yeah, yeah I like it, I’m not gonna crack -Kurt Cobain |
Suitable for framing By the way: Understanding the Idiom Of "But Seriously Folks"Variations in Tone"One way in which the idiom “but seriously folks” can vary is in its tone. Depending on the speaker’s intention, this phrase can be delivered with varying levels of seriousness or humor. For example, if someone is giving a comedic speech but wants to make a serious point, they might use this idiom as a transition into their more somber topic. On the other hand, if someone is trying to lighten the mood during a tense conversation, they might use this phrase ironically before making a joke." |
Depends on how much time I had to get out. First and foremost I’d make a bug out bag for my wife, my dogs and me. Then would come what ever she told me to pack. And as far as my two rigs, I’d grab some old ARC equipment and some vinyl and CD’s that would be hard to replace. Then I’d take pictures of everything else for proof of ownership for the insurance company. Like others have said, I’d probably leave all the electronics. |
Depends on how much time I'm given to evacuate. Financial documents and money for sure, same for my cats. As for stereo, given enough time its all coming although fitting the Klipschorns into my cars would be impossible. If I have only minutes the entirety is a goner, with most of my system being custom build or diy modified I wouldn't even attempt to replace it with a new setup, I'd be finished as an audiophile. |
we faced this very scenario last year when our home was struck by lightning and fire erupted had to flee the house In less than five minutes I took my daughter, our two dogs, and our cat I grabbed my iPad everything else was left behind and destroyed In the driveway in our vehicle, we watched the whole thing play out in front of us like a movie. My daughter, who was just 21 years old at the time said “Dad we have insurance everything else is just stuff and we are safe and our pets are safe“ We said a prayer of thanks For our safety and for the safety of the firefighters And we moved on and now we have all new stuff in a completely rebuilt house We come into the world with nothing and we leave the world with nothing and in between we get some stuff, we lose some stuff, etc.
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So sorry to hear and my heart goes out to all those impacted by the fires. My wife and I discussed this a few years ago after a fire at my parents house. We decided on our files and important documents. Initially it was family pictures but fortunately those are now backed up so we don’t have to worry about the physical pictures. I hope everyone is able to recover. The one thing unfortunately that’s not recoverable is the loss of life. God bless. |
...and when the fires finally get snuffed, I don’t envy what level of blather and bs that will roil greater LA , not to mention the number looking to find shelter, some contractors to rebuild, and the materials to build with. As one who had the ringside seating for the AVL flooding but nil damage except to one’s psyche, and can barely imagine what many are going through or have just begun to wake to the next nightmare..... Recovery and/or CYA...or leave it all behind... As a ’former refugee’ in ’90, the dream was over, in ’74 was already in the rear view shrinking but not. We’re concerned over what to do with all this debris, trash, and all the dead trees that have to be dealt with.. ...as we have our own fire season here.... Livin' in a tinderbox, we are.. Good luck.. |
@schiada788 We’re in the same boat. I’m in Flores Cyn. My whole yard burnt, flames up the walls, but the house survived. None of my neighbors were so lucky. I eventually left hoping to drop stuff and get back up for more in case the fire wraps back around the other side, but now the national guard is here it’s impossible to get back in. |
@p05129 , is your Tourette syndrome acting up again? |
Water is the most corrupt and politicized asset in CA, has been for 100 years. Blame the Wonderful Co before the sexual prefs of the fire chief or the gov’s fish fetish. But I digress. I know some of you would want to remember your meds (perhaps your red pills), but the question was… Would you bring your system? Records? Shoes? |
I used to live in sh1thole California until our house was destroyed in the 1977 sycamore canyon fire, 230 hoes burned down because of the Santa Ana winds. Moved out of state and was glad we did. Part of the loan we got, I bought a $7000 audio system to replace my system that got destroyed. Get rid of these idiots, build reservoirs, and start forest management. How are the electric fire trucks working out for LA without any power to charge them? It doesn’t get any better than this!!! |
+10, @grislybutter . @awboat , you have your priorities in order. Personally, I would be most concerned about my dogs. |
@p05129 you accomplished the most amount of nonsense with the fewest characters. And we agree that it was good for you and for us that you left CA |
I can relate, @grislybutter . I guess congratulations are in order, @p05129 ; someone had to do it sooner or later.
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I actually got a bit of a chuckle, @grislybutter , when I first read your post that stirred up a separate discussion aside from the OP. However, that was probably just the leftist in me coming out. I would also admit that stuff frequently flies right over my head. But with that last sentence typed, I don’t know that anything as obvious as the reference to female firefighters who sleep with other females that are stealing water has ever whistled past me. I couldn’t help but concoct an amusing (completely nonsexual) visual from that one. |
sounds good Mr @dekay and please evacuate the weirdo, @immatthewj and @thecarpathian you can really tell I miserably failed when you have to explain it
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lol
- because that's how jokes and irony work