Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: lotus on September 26, 2008, 10:33:10 AM
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Many of you do not know me as I do not actually "fly" AH, but became interested or involved in the game via WMLute. To his WM squaddies, I am affectionately known as "Red". More of you may know me as "LadyLindy" on HoboWars. I am posting today to ask that you keep Lute in your thoughts and prayers as he struggles to get back on his feet after his home burned down early yesterday morning.
He was renting a first floor apartment in a large Victorian that was renovated into several apartments. From what he told me and what he knows right now, it started in one of the upper levels. The cops and firemen knocked on his door alerting him of the fire. He was able to get his pc (which took on a bit of overspray from the firehoses), guitar, tv, and most of his clothes out, but lost everything else. He said that if there was anything left to salvage, it would still be trash due to the smoke and water damage.
The American Red Cross is providing hotel accommodations for Lute (and the others that lived in the house) through the weekend. One of the ladies that lived there worked at a local restaurant and her boss offered them meals for today or through the weekend.
Here's what they have said on the news:
The fire started just before 7 a.m.
Neighbors said they could see the flames shooting through the roof.
"Oh yeah it was shooting out of that loft, it was as high as my roof, that's how bad it was,"said one neighbor.
Another neighbor stated, "From what I understand the floor was already gone by the time the firemen got here. It had already fallen through to the second floor."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Red Cross is helping five adults with food and shelter.
He suffered a great deal of smoke inhalation and collapsed a couple of times trying to save his belongings. He said that just mintes after he made his last trip out, the second story floor collapsed into his living space. I can tell by talking to him that he is still in a state of traumatic shock and reality has not quite settled in as of yet.
At the suggestion of members of the HW -Aces High- gang, I have set up an account via PayPal to accept donations. Anyone wishing to make donations to WMLute (aka FlockEwe on HoboWars) may do so at the link below. Please trust that all proceeds will be made available to him, and all transactions will be kept anonymous/confidential.
I will keep all of you in the AH Community updated as Lute recovers from this tragic ordeal. Hopefully he can salvage his pc (once he finds a new home) so he can get back online and in the air.
WMLute/FlockEwe Fire Fund (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=mandajaneconnor%40verizon%2enet&lc=US&item_name=FlockEwe%2fWMLute%20Fire%20Fund¤cy_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted)
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So sorry to hear of his losses. On the other hand I'm very glad he got out in time and managed to save something, but mostly that he got out in tie. The rest is just "stuff" and can be replaced, people can't.
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Oh wow! Very sorry to hear this, glad he is going to be ok. Please send him our best wishes.
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tell the dumbarse he has smoke inhalation and needs about 4-8 hours of high flow o2. Being a respitatory therapist, man this is what I do! Lute get well and if he went to the ER they should have drawn a met-hemaglobin and gave him :furious :furious some oxygen.
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I have been telling him since yesterday that he needed to go get some O2 and get his tail to the ER to be checked - in the medical field myself I kinda of know a couple of things. I'll tell him what yousaid ;)
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I'm so sorry to hear of Lute's misfortune.
Is Lute also "Lutrel" of warbirds fame?
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No to the warbirds was in airwarrior, in the widowmakers :aok
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Extremely sorry to hear this! Please pass along my best wishes to him!
:salute
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Holy cow...Glad he is ok.....sorry to hear about this. :salute
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:salute Lute hope everything works out
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Hope to see you back soon buddy :salute
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God Speed Lute, Glad you are ok, and you all keep telling me to be safe, sheesh...
Does anyone know how I can donate without paypal, cannot access the page where I am at.
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Easiest way I see is send a check to someone with PP, and they can donate for ya. Or mail it to his GF......Skip :D
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Don't screw around Lute dood .. O2 is your friend.. keep the lil doods in yer lungs workin instead of dyin off and losing lung capacity!
You do NOT wannabe a COPD case.
(Chronic Obstructed Pulmonary Disease for those who dont know it, generalization applied to anyone who loses O2 exchange ability thru any pulmonary problem)
Sucks to suffocate.
Slowly.
-GE
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Deepest sympathys for Lute, he is a good guy, like most in AH, and would hate to see this happen to most people in the game.
<S> Lute, hope you get back on you feet soon.
P.S At least you saved the computer! :D
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Very sorry to hear of Lute's loss. Get well soon Lute. :aok
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<S>WMlute best luck to ya. Glad to hear your OK.
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Talked to Lute yesterday/last night - he did go to the ER (finally) to get checked and get O2 - all's well as far as his general health is concerned.
His pc does work - having some issues with it - but it does boot up and run - and the hotel the Red Cross has put him up in until Monday is having technical internet issues. So I continue to be his internet liason for the time being.
I have been reading him the posts that you continue to write on the threads here on the BBS - he is very touched by all the thoughts and fellow flyers he has heard from. He expresses his thanks to you all. I believe this has been a humbling experience for him. (yeah - he'll hate that I said that outloud!)
I know how passionate Lute is about being able to log on and get a few sorties in, and I have often teased him about "playing airplane" with his friends. He has always spoken highly of everyone in the AH Community - I can see why now. You are a wonderful group of men and women that have rallied together to show your support and concern. It is now my turn to salute you. :salute Thank you. Bless you all.
I will keep checking in with updates on his return to the virtual skies and recovery to "normalcy".
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Hey Lute,
Sorry to hear it. Glad your OK!
Best of luck getting things back together.
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Very glad to hear he is alright. :aok Please send my best wishes to him.
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Wow ~ I'm glad he's safe. That sounded like it was pretty dangerous! Send him regards from TxDad & I.
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Im also glad he checked out OK.
My best wishes go out to him in to getting back on his feet soon. Cant wait to see him back in action :aok
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i'm sorry to hear of your loss lute. going through something like this is very hard, i know from experience. rebuilding your home, your life, your belongings isn't as easy as people think. my house burnt down janurary 2005, we had a total loss, the kids lost their bikes that was too close to the house outside as well as my son's power wheel john deer gator. i will keep you in my thoughts and prayers lute, if you need anything please let me know. <<S>>
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Give me a Call Lute when u can. I hope u still have my #.
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Lute,
I don't often prowl around in the O' Club where Lotus posted this message, but 4440 saw it and linked to a post in the CM Forums.
I am so very sorry to hear about your loss of "stuff" but am glad that we can thank the good Lord for your life.
Hope things get good for you again real soon, although the reality of it is that it will take you some time to recover.
Beagle Prayers from my family and I.
(Lotus,
Thanks for caring enough about that old fart to let us know, and feel free to keep the updates coming.)
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here here, best of luck ,,, I and hope ya get back on your feet faster then we did .
oh yea Craigslist is your best bet for fast free furniture ect...
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Best of luck Lute, glad you are OK
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Thank GOD you went to the hospital for O2, it is very dangerous especially if you actually have burned airways, believe me you dont want to go there brother! I have seen it and it aint purty at all!. Chris e mail me or give me a call 775-329-6037, I have taken 2 weeks off my wife just got home for her months stay at the hospital, so ill be around! Skip :aok
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sorry 'bout your stuff but glad to hear you're safe, Lute. Best of luck getting things back in order... :salute
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IS good to hear that you are ok and health checked out to be OK Lute, I know first hand what you are dealing with, just remember Friends and family are here for ya, and all material things can always be replaced.........one's life can not
Chin UP, Lute..... best wishes and thoughts for ya :pray
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Damn shame.Hope everything gets replaced in good time and you get back up and running. :salute
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YIKES!! Good to hear Lute got out with his health mostly undamaged and was able to salvage a few things.
And thanks lotus for keeping us informed.
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best wishes! :pray :salute
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I replied on the other topic, and I would like to extend a donate to WMlute if anyone can contact him and let me get his mailing information,
I am not going to accept no, so if someone can pm me a cell number to him, or way to contact him or have him contact me, please just send me a pm.
It won't be enough cash to replace memories, but I lost my birth home to a fire many years ago and many memories were wiped clean,
I hate to see that happen to friend of the community.
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Sheesh - best wishes Lute, hope your doing as well as can be expected.
Lemme know if there is anything I can do - dont have paypal, so if someone could pm/relay some contact info, would be appreciated.
Wurzel
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I replied on the other topic, and I would like to extend a donate to WMlute if anyone can contact him and let me get his mailing information,
I am not going to accept no, so if someone can pm me a cell number to him, or way to contact him or have him contact me, please just send me a pm.
It won't be enough cash to replace memories, but I lost my birth home to a fire many years ago and many memories were wiped clean,
I hate to see that happen to friend of the community.
there is a link to donate through paypal if you are not afraid to use it, I donated through the paypal link. :salute
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Just checking in to express thanks again to you all. Anyone posting phone numbers - I am giving them to Lute when I speak with him.
As this thread has become multiple pages - I am reposting the donations link for anyone who cares to do so. He does not have an address where mail can get to him as of yet - if you wish to send anything - you may PM me and I will give you mailing information. I am hoping to go see him next week and help him find a place to live and get settled. I know he was calling on some today.
Thanks again for all the good thoughts and kind words that keep pouring in. Truly a great bunch!
WMLute/FlockEwe Fire Fund (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=mandajaneconnor%40verizon%2enet&lc=US&item_name=FlockEwe%2fWMLute%20Fire%20Fund¤cy_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted)
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First off I would like to thank everybody for their kind wishes. This community never fails to surprise me, and I am honored to be a part of such a wonderfull group of people that play "airplane". (as Lotus calls it) Gota keep this fairly short as I am on the Hotels office computer.
The past 5 days have been far from pleasant.
Was woken up last Thur. morning to a Police Officer trying to kick down my front door. Hurridly put on some jeans and got to the door before he got it kicked in and was told "your house is on fire! Get the hell out!" and he ran off. So I flip on the lights and notice @ a foot of smoke near my ceilings and immediatly walked to my computer and started tearing the cables out and prepping it to move. I started staging things by my front door, clothes, a TV, computer, guitar, etc. Not much, but what I could grab quickly as the smoke was filing up my apartment.
Then I started moving that pile a bit away from the house down a walkway on the side. @ then is when I first collapsed. Just suddenly had to lay down and not move for a min. or 3. Forced myself to get back up and got the pile o' my worldy possesions moved into a neighbors yard (casting angry glares at the several people 20' away just watching me do this filming the fire on their cell phones) Got it moved (mostly) into the neighbors yard and suddenly had to lay down again (not that I had a choice, found myself on my back) and it was a good 10min untill I could get up. At THIS point I found someone who helped me move it from the yard to my car as what I did manage to save was getting hosed down by the fire dept.
There were around 12 fire trucks from 4 diff departments there. The fire was so far along that when the fire dept. showed up they could only fight it from the outside. Why I don't understand is why I was allowed to keep going back for more stuff, but i'm glad I did. SOME stuff is better than NO stuff. Granted, i'm an idiot for doing so as the house could have collapsed on me at any time and the place was full of smoke.
The house is gone. It is a burned out shell. The roof, 3rd and 2nd story collapsed down into the first floor.
I am very greatfull to the American Red Cross who not only have put me up in a hotel this past weekend, but they decided to extend it for me untill Wed. Class act and I will be a loyal donater to that org. for the rest of my life. They really came through for me and the other people that lived there.
I don't think I will be able to fly untill I move into something a bit more permanent, but who knows... The addiction is STRONG and I am jonsin' a fix.
Funny sidebar, of all the things I grabbed that I thought I HAD to have, I grabbed not only my joystick, but my backup joystick.
So even though I do not have most of my clothes, zero kitchen items, furniture, sheets, towles etc, etc... by gosh I have two SideWinder Precision Joysticks to fly with.
(i'm a dork)
Again, my thanks to everyone for their kind wishes and prayers.
<SALUTE> to you all!
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Glad to hear from you Lute and its good to hear your doing alright! Red Cross is a really a class act organization.
:salute sir, I hope everything goes well for you and i hope to see you back in the skies soon.
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Your a lucky man Lute....Hope everything works out for ya. :salute
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Lute - I have been keeping your fellow flyers entertained while you were out of commission - as you know. Now that you have net for at least thru Wednesday - does that mean I no longer need to read to you at night? ;)
I'm sure that everyone is glad to hear from you and know that you are alright. You got a good bunch of guys and gals here. You are very fortunate in many ways.
Oh, btw - Lute, buddy, honey - we gotta talk - you couldn't get the book I got you for your bday - but you thought to grab your back up joystick???? OMG - you are a dork - you said it, not me!! :rolleyes: Oh - I forgive you - I know how important "playing airplane" is to you! ;)
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Lute, my offer still stands. If you need ANYTHING, you have the number.
As I said yesterday when chatting with you:
God Bless You. You've always been a stand up guy in the game and we're now on the same page on what "this is about".
Cheers! :rock
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I agree sidewinder II s are hard to come by, thank god you had not lost your reasoning power. Chris hope all is well and tell BIG RED to buy you another darn book, sidewinders are an endangered species as well as WIDOWMAKERS<S> :O
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Sorry to hear about your misfortune. At least your alive, thank :pray God that someone was there to wake you up in time and you didnt get hurt.
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Lotus,
You may not fully understand the addictive powers of "playing Airplane".
My house is a shambles, albeit not destroyed, only a remodel because my wife would not listen to me about NOT putting RV type filters on her new washing machine. There first came the flood, the removal of wet wall to wall carpet, the repainting of the inside of the house and since the painter is here anyway, why not do the outside, the new windows, the new granite kitchen counter tops, then an up grade to tile and new sinks in both baths, new everything, actually, in the baths, except for the toilets and bath tubs, the new dishwasher to match the new stove to match the new refrigerator to match the new counter tops and linoleum (there is more, much more, but you get the idea) We are living in our travel trailer in the front yard, and all of our "stuff" is in two 40 foot cargo containers in the driveway.....
The point of which is, my computer is in one corner of the garage, on the floor, and I have to sit crosslegged to fly. Not even enough room to stretch my legs with out standing up, which has to be done carefully, so as not to bump my head on her cabinets..IN MY GARAGE!
Addiction is a terrible thing!!
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I hope HTC will be kind enough to put your account on a hold until you are able to rejoin us. Thankfully, you are alright :salute
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HB555 -
Oh I truly understand the importance and the addiction to the virtual skies - I have been exposed first hand of the withdrawls that Lute has gone through when he has been without a joystick or without net or having tech issues with his pc - it is not a pleasant experience - he gets twitchy and cranky if he doesn't have his fix - I would liken it to a junkie not being able to score.
In the past I have spent many a night, sitting next to him while he flew - when any other chick would have complained and whined "aren't you about done?", "when are we gonna leave?", or "pay attention to meeee!" - I actually enjoyed watching him get into furballs. Not too many women would sit and watch an eight hour online flight tournament on a Friday or Saturday night and not get irrated. (He's so lucky to have a gal friend like me! :lol ) I know much more about WWII aircraft and flight terms than I ever imagined I would - thanks to Lute.
So, please don't take it the "playing airplane" as an insult - it is not meant to be. I realize there is some skill and talent involved - I have tried to fly, and I can't get the stinkin' plane off the runway without crashing. So, I while I stick to playing with my beads and fabric (jewelry making and sewing) - Lute and the rest of you continue to dodge the puffy ack defending your bases - and all is good. :aok
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Lotus,
No offense taken.
Many "pilots" would kill for a gal pal like you.
My wife, for instance thinks "playing airplane" is only one step up from hanging out in bars and chasing women. :lol
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Donation on the way.
Does Lute by any chance live near Seattle?
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Donation on the way.
Does Lute by any chance live near Seattle?
If my memory serves me right, he's in Missouri. Of course, he told me this about 4 years ago so I could be way off.
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He is now actually in PA.
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Funny sidebar, of all the things I grabbed that I thought I HAD to have, I grabbed not only my joystick, but my backup joystick.
So even though I do not have most of my clothes, zero kitchen items, furniture, sheets, towles etc, etc... by gosh I have two SideWinder Precision Joysticks to fly with.
Gotta love it.
It's a shame about the hardship, but glad to hear you'r ok. :salute
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Very glad to hear you are pretty much OK Lute, sounds like you have one heck of a 'keeper' for a Lady friend there too :)
-GE aka Frank
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He is now actually in PA.
this is a bit late, but i was locked out for a bit......
should he be anywhere near philly, i'm just on the jersey side of the bridge, and will gladly offer any help i can in moving things, or even if he needs some clothes, i have some that were going to go to one of the charities.
i haven't flown with him in ah, but i do remember him from aw2 or 3......
if he needs anything i can help with, pm me, and i'll make arrangements.
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I believe lute told me he was 6 foot 3, maybe a internet "I am Stud" thing, but if you are and he is that size, I am sure he would appreciate it. Like all the rest of AH, his GF(lotus) is the contact person.....hope it works out. :rock
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Lute should have reliable net in a few days - to be able to get back with you all. I think he was going to rig something up tonight so he could get on - he said he needed to fly. I hope he is able to so he isn't twitchy tomm because I will be going to see him to see what he needs and help get him grounded and organized a bit. I can't wait to see and make sure he is okay.
You have all been so kind and generous with your words, thoughts, and charitable gifts. Again - he is very fortunate not only to be safe and live to tell of the blaze, but also to be part of a truly amazing supportive group.
with much appreciation and respect - bless you all - Lotus
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some side notes -
teufl - lol - no "internet stud" thing - he really is 6'3" - seems even taller standing next to me - 5'1" - lol
Grayeagle - I'll take that "heck of a keeper" compliment - thanks!
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just got to Lute's - got smacked on the head right at the door cause I shorted him an inch - he's 6'4" - my humble apologies for that mistake - now I have to go make nice with him
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lotus, next time your over at Lutes and he's flying, when he goes afk light up a stick of incense and put it behind his computer.
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Or even better when he is AFK play with the plane alil bit let the red guys get him<S> :t
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You know GONZ was 6/4 maybe you be gonz? Million AIRE?
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Lute, im so sorry to hear about that. If I remember correctly, he just moved in there recently (Or at least the last time I talked to him). You've always been a GREAT guy. Donation is on the way. Its not much, but it will at least get you another month or two of AH.
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Even though Im not LUTE, he is a great guy, I have known him for 10 years, and I want to say that all you AH folks have been great. Donations, good wishes, all I have seen is a GREAT COMMUNITY! In this age of recession and people losing jobs, YOU have really earned my respect(yes even you skyrock). It is good to know that even though I might "kill" you, you all are the best :devil