Snow: let me explain it

[cleolinda]

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?

Comments

[xturtle.livejournal.com]

I live in Minnesota, where nothing closes unless the governor closes it, and he's busy planning his run for president. We're supposed to have -35 windchills tomorrow, which will result in... a colder commute.

[darth-snarky.livejournal.com]

I'm currently in Minnesota, too, and today it felt warmer. I checked the temperature, and that's because it got all the way to 0! WHOOHOO!

Though to be fair, we can't really have any snow-related closures when it's too cold to snow.

[xturtle.livejournal.com]

There was one day when I was in high school when the governor finally said, wait, students shouldn't be waiting for buses in -65 degree windchills. I worry much less about snow, and much more able cold.

[thecolourclear.livejournal.com]

THIS. I worry much more about how cold it is than how much snow there is. If it's snowing, that means it's warm(er) out.

Though ... oh my goodness, the high where I am is double digits today!

[darth-snarky.livejournal.com]

Chicago had a few days like that when I was growing up. (But it was maybe -12 windchill, since we're sane further south.)

I would like to point out, though, that is current 10 ABOVE zero here!

[xturtle.livejournal.com]

I was so excited to take the train home in double digits... until I stepped outside and felt the wind.

Keep warm!

[meimichan.livejournal.com]

I'm in Wisconsin, and I think our one bonus is that we're not as cold as Minnesota.

We've got the blowing snow advisory for tomorrow, hey! :p

[rosewood39.livejournal.com]

you sound like me, I live in Wyoming and we never shut anything down, only highways. Keep warm.