My dad's entire family (5 siblings, mom, and their families) all live within a few blocks of the high school that was hit. So far as I've heard they're all ok, thankfully.

Going snowboarding!:-D

That's funny. I just moved to Alaska this summer after having lived in Alabama for 5 years. I also used to make fun of the people in 'Bama that would bundle up in 40 or 50 degree weather. The cold up here (especially now that it's winter) is definitely more my style. Also, what he said about the guy to girl ratio here is true. That's the one (and only) thing I miss from Alabama ;P

Last year while driving from Alabama to Virginia in a heavy rain, I was doing about 35 mph. I hit a slick spot in the road, spun my car 3 1/2 times, was almost hit by an 18 wheeler, and almost went off the bridge into the New River Gorge. For a couple months after that I was terrified of driving in the rain. Thankfully that passed as I now live in Juneau, AK where it has been raining for almost a month straight :-)