cleolinda: (Default)
cleolinda ([personal profile] cleolinda) wrote2010-01-06 11:35 am

Snow: let me explain it

The thing you have to understand about snow panic in Alabama is that it's not about the snow. Mostly, it's about us not being prepared for snow; a meager two inches is considered an epic blizzard. It's also about the side effects of snow--I live in a heavily-wooded suburban area full of giant, beautiful, old trees. Very old trees. And they all have dead branches here and there hanging on by a shred of bark, so when you have just enough snow to weigh them down, they break off and fall onto the power lines. Or worse, the entire tree is mostly dead and it falls across the road or onto (and usually through) your house. There was one Epic Two-Inch Snow that ended up with a three-foot-thick, forty-foot-long pine lying across our street (and in what used to be someone's sun room), while live power lines were sparking in the road. In fact, my mother reported last night that, as she was driving home, she saw a number of official-looking trucks on the side of the road, presumably stationed for speedy tree removal.

It's also about the ice. None of us know how to drive on it, because we don't get it often enough to figure out how and then retain that knowledge. One time there was a Special News Report on Safe Winter Weather Driving, and I am serious, it was, in its entirety, "Drive slow." And now, over to Jim with the sports! So basically, entire schools, businesses, and highways will be shut down for safety reasons while all of Chicago points and laughs. I am not even kidding: my sister may not be able to get to work on Friday--

Oh God. I just realized that if we are all iced in together for the next four days, a remake of The Shining is going to break out.


While we're here, a teensy bit of Twi-spam, because I am getting a lot of email about this, and also, I enjoy the progression of the headlines:

Attn. Jackson Rathbone: Missing something?

'Eclipse' Script Wasn't Leaked, Says Summit. 

Nikki Finke: Yes, That Leaked Movie Script Is 'Eclipse.' 

1. I don't want to read it. I'm to a point where I don't even watch clips of movies I know I want to see anymore. I get so bored in the theater if I feel like I've already seen the movie. 2. I suspect the wink emoticon in the script (as seen at the first link) is forced product-placement sarcasm from screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg. 3. My dazzle is somewhat chagrined that (people tell me) the werewolf-vampire nose-fist bump is not in this version of the script, because, quite honestly, the Edward/Seth stuff is the only thing I find remotely likeable about Book!Edward. Also: COME ON! WEREWOLF-VAMPIRE NOSE-FIST BUMP! If there is anything funnier than that, I can't think of it right now.

Meanwhile, I am trying to work--I got a good bit of novel note-sorting and categorizing done yesterday--but am having a hell of a time. Lots of interruptions, and I can't concentrate for shit. Also, my new calendars (50% off!) came in from Amazon yesterday, but without the books I had bought for research, and then I realized I had forgotten to order a couple of other researchy things anyway, fnarr. Also-also, I bought another pair of fingerless gloves because I was concerned that my homemade recycled ones were fraying a bit from being worn so much, and I am really hoping they arrive before the cold snap is over. This is Alabama, after all.


OH OH OH I ALMOST FORGOT I have two questions to ask you:

1) How do we get e-books from my stepfather's Kindle onto my parents' computer? They can't figure out how.

2) Those identity protection/theft-prevention services, are any of them actually any good?



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[identity profile] brainchild129.livejournal.com 2010-01-06 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I've felt worst. I can't remember whether it was this last winter or the one before it, but eastern Iowa was consistently getting -30+ windchills for most of January. (This was also combined with ridiculous amounts of snow). The thing I remember about that kind of cold is how it hurts - you can feel it biting and pricking what little skin you can't cover up.

Goddamn those winters sucked. By March I was nearly insane from cabin fever and lack of sun.

[identity profile] wildcatlizzie.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
Attn. Jackson Rathbone: Missing something?

I read about this earlier today, and someone mentioned that a New Moon script was also leaked? Apparently Anna Kendrick's name was attached to the leaked script? I don't know. If it's not related to Jacksper I have a hard time paying attention. If the New Moon script did leak with Kendrick's name attached to it, she's certainly no worse for wear because of it. Hell, if leaking a script for one of these movies gets you a role opposite The Clooney, sign me up.

[identity profile] cleolinda.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, the NM script was found in the trash at her hotel while she was doing Up in the Air, so, logically: hers.

snow panic

[identity profile] gringa23.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
Adding my two cents to everyone saying that snow panic sets in no matter where you live. I currently live in Buffalo NY, we've been having lake effect snow for like three days now, and people still can't drive in it! I mean, come on! This is what Buffalo is known for! Though I will say, having to clean off my car every morning to get to work is getting old fast.

Someone else mentioned the October 2006 storm... yeaaaahhh. Freak snowstorm on October 13th, the leaves had barely begun to turn, so there was so much area for wet snow to land on and weigh down. Walking outside was like walking through the apocalypse. I was in college and classes were suspended for almost a week because so many people were without power. I completely understand why people worry about trees falling down!

Kindle/PC

[identity profile] cadee49.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
Install Kindle for PC and read all your stuff:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=ms_sbrspot_2?ie=UTF8&docId=1000426311&pf_rd_p=497882511&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000426581&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1NBJG2MB91T9BE4AT244

[identity profile] ravenclawxlove.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
I'm from northwest Louisiana, and about an hour ago I got a text message from my workplace/university that informed me that "due to impending inclement weather, LSUS will be closed tomorrow." Our impending inclement weather? Temperatures will be below freezing, and there is a small chance of ice on the road from precipitation.

Basically the whole town is shutting down because it's a little bit colder than usual. Tsk tsk.

[identity profile] stellans.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
I'm on jury duty here in Madison County, TN, and they've already canceled court for tomorrow. :{ I want to get this term of jury duty over with already.

[identity profile] cassandralz.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
ahaha... I moved from snow country, south some to not really snow country... and I totally relate to your comments. Snow freaks me out now not because I can't deal with it, but because NO ONE ELSE knows how to deal with it. We had a snowstorm over the holidays when I was back up in snow country, and it was wonderful, because people knew how to drive!!

Good luck with the snow, hope your power stays on :-)

[identity profile] ms-tooey.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, right - I remember visiting my parents in June, having it be a sunny day, and seeing the "Severe Weather Center" on one of the tv channels. I thought it was weird at the time. Actually, I still do.

[identity profile] thewretchedpoet.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
This. I went to Kroger to grab some milk and Morningstar Farms sausages and OMFG the parking lot was full and the aisle with canned goods was completely clogged with carts and frantic people. It cracks me up a little.

Signed, West Tennessean.

Re: Native Miami-an

[identity profile] storms-at-sea.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, a few of my friends who go to school in Orlando were seriously complaining about heading back. "What do you mean it's going to be in the 30s?!" I dunno, it's a nice change of pace from the 80% humidity or 80 degree Christmas, but at this point it has just gone on for Too Long.

And my mom did the same thing. Muttered about her orchids and brought them all in while wrapping our little fruit tree in a towel. I'm not sure how much good it'll do, but it's the thought that counts I suppose. =)

[identity profile] wumbawoman.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Re identity protectio/theft-prevention services. Just call the 2 major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TRW and tell them you want to put fraud alerts on your credit report. That's essentially what those identity theft protective services do. edit: And it's free to put fraud alerts on your credit report and they don't have any expiration dates.

By the way, I used to work in the credit reporting industry and hubby worked in Fraud Prevention.
Edited 2010-01-07 04:15 (UTC)
kiralamouse: (Default)

[personal profile] kiralamouse 2010-01-07 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
North Carolinian. My Michigan mother likes to laugh at us, but was not above laughing at herself when she happened to need both bread and milk immediately before a snowstorm.

Dad took pictures to document.

[identity profile] stargategirl82.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
Hi fellow Austinite! Hey last "ice storm" school systems announced closures before anything happened, and then looked silly when *nothing happened*!

[identity profile] rosewood39.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
you sound like me, I live in Wyoming and we never shut anything down, only highways. Keep warm.

[identity profile] rosewood39.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
They do the same here in Wyoming, the people who have had snow their whole lives drive the worst sometimes I swear.

[identity profile] iamnotanoctopus.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
Word (from Iowa). I actually consider myself a pretty good snow-vigator, but I'll still hide inside if I can because of the sheer level of stupid that ensues when we get more than an inch or two.

[identity profile] cat-eyed-fox.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
I know. It's like "I've lived here my entire life, I've been driving in snowing since I was 14 on the farm and in the city, and yet five inches of the white stuff and all I want to do is drive 65 miles an hour with my eyes closed and my cell phone glued to my ear! WHEE!!"

[identity profile] foresthouse.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
I'm to a point where I don't even watch clips of movies I know I want to see anymore. I get so bored in the theater if I feel like I've already seen the movie.

I think I reached this point a couple of years ago - it's funny; I used to not mind seeing a bit about the movie, but now when people post sometimes they post EVERYTHING and then it's like, "Well why am I even going?" So now I watch trailers, and barely that. Heh.

Yay, writing! But booo, slow mail. (P.S. I just got Watchmen the Director's Cut in the mail and am GLEEFUL. I shall be watching it this weekend FOR SURE.)

Good luck with the snow! :)

[identity profile] 7tree-hugger.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
Only because our relations betrayed us by going over to your side. We were the last real English Kings Damnit!

(I'm even worse, my parents are only immigrant northerners, Sommerset and London of all things [though I had a Scottish grandfather], consequently -and rather embarrasingly - I have no foundation for my Yorkshire rage)

Lol.

Oh Jazzzzzzzz

[identity profile] countykent.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
I think Jasper is just worried about Alice Out-Awesoming him out of her un-life. I do hope Summit doesn't mess with him. I always thought his back-story was quite interesting. I mean, OMG, he kinda acts like a....VAMPIRE!!!

As for your snow panic....here in San Francisco we actually get rain panic for fucks sake! It literally drives me nuts and totally fuels my road-rage. I find myself yelling at other drivers "YOUR CAR IS WATERPROOF YOU DOUCHEBAG....JUST DRIVE!!!"

Okay....maybe I need to re-read the de-stressing posts.....

[identity profile] killer-penguin.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
I know I shouldn't laugh. I mean I know that places like Alabama don't get snow, I know that you guys have no clue how to deal with it, I KNOW these things. Yet still, every single 'effin time I hear anyone freaking out about an inch or two of snow, I just sit there and laaaaaaugh and laugh and laugh. I can't help it, I've lived in Minnesota my entire life. Two feet of snow fall and the entire state turns to ice and I don't bat an eyelash.

It doesn't help that my best friend moved down to TN and tried calling me to whine about it being so cold in the 30s. The conversation ended with me going "you do realize that it's 8 degrees here BEFORE you factor in wind chill... right?"

lol. that's all I've got to say: l.o.l.
msilverstar: (billy-viggo Narita)

[personal profile] msilverstar 2010-01-07 07:25 am (UTC)(link)
Did you ever get an answer about the identity protection?

I got some free time because someone might have lost my SSL when a laptop disappeared, but I'm not sure what good it did.

[identity profile] cleolinda.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
A couple of answers to the effect of, "You can get free fraud alerts put on your stuff, that's all they really do anyway." What happened with you?

Re: ha. hahah. hahahah.

[identity profile] ohsnapcat.livejournal.com 2010-01-07 09:29 am (UTC)(link)
yeah... totally agree...

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