Winter Wonderland
A big snowstorm is hitting us right now. Not just a big storm, but the dreaded nor'easter! The weatherman says we have already received about 8 inches of snow since midnight and may get 8-10 more before the end of the evening combined with blizzard-like conditions. Of course, the weatherman likes to exaggerate, so we might not get that much snow in the end.
You know it's going to be a big storm when airlines have cancelled all flights in and out of Hartford before it even starts snowing and businesses have shut down in advance. No, actually, that's just because Connecticut is WEAK.
When it comes to panic about impending snow, CT has got to be the worst. While some southern states panic more, at least they have the excuse of rarely getting any snow. We get a lot of snow here. Much, much more than I ever saw growing up in southeast Michigan. However, schools close in Connecticut on the forecast of snow. It may end up not snowing, but the schools will be closed. No place is open today. Never mind that people around here have 4 wheel drive vehicles since they are used to driving in snow. There's nowhere to go. I may as well sit around on my ass all day today because it makes no sense trying to go to the gym or the grocery store. Both will probably be closed. I'm sure I'll still try at some point, but it will be to no avail.
What's the one exception to all this panic? Work. I don't get any snow days. If we are lucky, we might get sent home at 3PM so that those who live more than 15 miles away can still get home by 5 or 6, but that's about it. There was one storm about 3 years ago that was especially vicious. It started around 8AM and when all was said and done, it dropped a little over two feet of snow on the Hartford area. I still remember interruptions at work that day over the emergency PA system. Here is a summary. You can guess which of these are not real:
"The shuttle between the two buildings will be ending for the rest of the day, effective immediately" (the two buildings are about 1/4 mile apart).
"The mail office will be closing at 10AM. Please make sure you take care of any mail related items before then".
"The cafeteria is closing at 11AM. Please continue working without lunch, but don't go out to eat anywhere because the roads are too dangerous".
"The electricity will be turned off in 20 minutes, but please continue working".
Finally, around 1:30PM with blizzard conditions outside - "The state has asked that all businesses close for the remainder of the day. You do not have to leave, but if you do, please drive home safely".
Storms like the one today remind me of this story.
One other rant while I am at it. I hate how the apartment maintenance staff feels the need to shovel the sidewalks and plow the streets when it snows on the weekend. Well, I don't mind that they clear the roads in the complex, but it bothers me that they start at 6AM!!! I can understand getting a head start on weekdays, but when you start at 6AM on Sunday, you are doing nothing other than waking up and angering all of your tenants. Argh.
You know it's going to be a big storm when airlines have cancelled all flights in and out of Hartford before it even starts snowing and businesses have shut down in advance. No, actually, that's just because Connecticut is WEAK.
When it comes to panic about impending snow, CT has got to be the worst. While some southern states panic more, at least they have the excuse of rarely getting any snow. We get a lot of snow here. Much, much more than I ever saw growing up in southeast Michigan. However, schools close in Connecticut on the forecast of snow. It may end up not snowing, but the schools will be closed. No place is open today. Never mind that people around here have 4 wheel drive vehicles since they are used to driving in snow. There's nowhere to go. I may as well sit around on my ass all day today because it makes no sense trying to go to the gym or the grocery store. Both will probably be closed. I'm sure I'll still try at some point, but it will be to no avail.
What's the one exception to all this panic? Work. I don't get any snow days. If we are lucky, we might get sent home at 3PM so that those who live more than 15 miles away can still get home by 5 or 6, but that's about it. There was one storm about 3 years ago that was especially vicious. It started around 8AM and when all was said and done, it dropped a little over two feet of snow on the Hartford area. I still remember interruptions at work that day over the emergency PA system. Here is a summary. You can guess which of these are not real:
"The shuttle between the two buildings will be ending for the rest of the day, effective immediately" (the two buildings are about 1/4 mile apart).
"The mail office will be closing at 10AM. Please make sure you take care of any mail related items before then".
"The cafeteria is closing at 11AM. Please continue working without lunch, but don't go out to eat anywhere because the roads are too dangerous".
"The electricity will be turned off in 20 minutes, but please continue working".
Finally, around 1:30PM with blizzard conditions outside - "The state has asked that all businesses close for the remainder of the day. You do not have to leave, but if you do, please drive home safely".
Storms like the one today remind me of this story.
One other rant while I am at it. I hate how the apartment maintenance staff feels the need to shovel the sidewalks and plow the streets when it snows on the weekend. Well, I don't mind that they clear the roads in the complex, but it bothers me that they start at 6AM!!! I can understand getting a head start on weekdays, but when you start at 6AM on Sunday, you are doing nothing other than waking up and angering all of your tenants. Argh.
posted by GaryGinew at 9:03 AM
2 Comments:
When was sitting on your ass all day a new concept for you Gary? I didn't realize it took a snow day for you to do that :) j/k You usually get up to grab a bite to eat.
I just read my comment.. it sounds meaner than I intended. Sorry Roomie.
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