Major Blow Job

[susandennis]

I grew up in the middle of North Carolina where the worst weather was an ice storm. They were cold and slippery and knocked out power and were generally a major PIA.

Seattle's ice storms are wind storms. And they can be fierce. We're having a fierce one today.

I remember my first one. It was the day of the first Clinton inauguration. It was the first time in my then 44 years that a US President I really wanted to win had won. I was fascinated. I bought special 8 hour VCR tapes and set both my VCRs to tape the events all day while I was at work.

I was working inside on the 8th floor. I had heard the predictions of a wind storm, but, hey, what's a little wind?? My cubicle mate who had been through many, got a call from her son at home and reported "It appears as if our backyard furniture has gone up the block to visit the neighbors." We went to the window to look down and I remember seeing the traffic lights whipping around the wire. The few people on the street were bent so far over against the wind that they were nearly horizontal. It was wild.

Then the power went out and they let us all go home. Yeah!! I could see the inauguration stuff live!!! If I ever made it home. The office was a mile from my house so I walked or took the bus. There was no bus, so I walked, or rather road the wind. It was a difficult walk home ad loud and it took forever.

But, I made it. Only to find out the cable had gone out early that morning and wouldn't be back on until the following day. I listened to the radio and that night the coverage was all about whether Hillary's dress was dark blue or purple. I was so frustrated.

Today, the lights went out in the middle of my swim. Only briefly. But the lights in the locker room shower actually did not come back on which was interesting. Coming home I saw more than a few umbrellas turn inside out with gusts. As I type this, the long draperies on my terrace are whipping around in a fury. I think the last of the leaves on The Tree That I Hate will be ripped off today.



I'm inside and warm and dry and grateful that there is no where I have to go today. Whew.

I'm now off to the sewing machine.

Comments

[fenchurche.livejournal.com]

I've got to make a run to a grocery store because we're out of bananas and tomatoes - my husband has a banana every day with breakfast and I have a broiled tomato. So, not exactly necessary, but it's not quite *that* bad out there right now, so I'm still thinking it will be worth it. However, the closest grocery store is currently without power, we can't easily reach Monroe at the moment (most of the routes there are flooded) and the next closest store is up Woodinville-Duvall Rd which is HIGHLY prone to having trees fall on it... so it could be fun. I'm a little worried about my husband being able to get home from work. He's down in South Lake Union and takes the bus across the bridge (which may end up getting closed before too long... they were saying the alarm has gone off a couple of times already).

Gotta love the storms here! You know, from home, with plenty of supplies.

[susandennis]

Yikes!! I was thinking this morning that I was very glad I was safely in town blanketed by tall buildings in a part of town that will likely flood only when there is a Tsunami.

Good luck.

And broiled tomatoes... yum!!

[soon_lee]

I am so glad you put a space between the second and third words of your blog entry title...

[susandennis]

:)

Re: Here in New Mexico...

[susandennis]

Oh right! NO TORNADOES or hurricanes here either. I forget to be grateful. Thanks for the reminder and good deal on the no damage!

[luzclarita.livejournal.com]

Why do you hate the tree?

[susandennis]

Because it blocks my view and isn't even a pretty tree. This view doesn't show it but there is a neat apartment building across the street that has huge windows and from May to November, my view is obscured which makes me crazy.

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

I'll never forget that wind storm. My very first time on an airplane was during that storm, and it was so turbulent that I thought for sure we were all going to die.

[susandennis]

wild