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photo by josephp
Yup, it is nasty out there! No, really. So nasty in fact that the Chicagoist offices have declared a Snow Day. Which doesn't mean we'll be slacking off today, no siree; we'll just be working from home. You should too, if you can! Traffic conditions ain't pretty. We could get six inches of accumulation out of this thing before the storm moves out later today. Check this handy website to see if your place of business might also be closed today; and if it's not listed, for Pete's sake at least call ahead first!
So, those of you getting a free day from work, what will you do with your newfound time off? And those of you who have had to brave the elements to get somewhere, what is it like out there?
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Snow Day! Snow Day!
Taunting Snow Day!
Accursed Laptop!
Evil request to work from home sometimes...
:(
Chicago Public Schools, the world's most expensive babysitting service, will never close for snow.
I am at the only suburban high school that probably isn't closed. The hardest part of my commute was backing out of my alley. 290 was alright- very slushy. I saw one plow during my whole commute. It took me less than an hour to get to work and now I'm sitting here waiting for the students to show up at 10. I am just glad I made it safely!
I just made it to work and the worst part would be the huge puddles at the corners of intersections. And watch out for all the slush the cars and buses are kicking up!
I passed so many snow plows on the way in to work today. It must be the rapture!
Also, I've never been more proud of my snow boots. We made a great team this morning. I love dry socks!
I don't drive.
I don't scrape.
I don't shovel.
I love being a denizen of THE CITY.
Good luck to all of those unfortunate enough to have to drive today. Everyone else, stay home, watch "The Three Stooges", and get drunk.
Working from home today. So nice.
Best. Weather. Ever.
In weather like this, style takes a back seat to function on the commute. I'll be the guy in the dress pants and snow boots - stop and say hi.
I'm working from home today too. Well, first a jog, then a few phone calls, then some fetal position tai chi moves, then a full two hours of hair brushing and then some sweeping for bugs.
Blago
I'm sitting here drinking coffee, fortifying myself to go out and shovel what amounts to 300 pounds on each shovel full and feeling really sorry for myself because I just saw TWO plows come by pushing 5 tons of wet snow into my driveway and seriously ready to cry and then I read your post, Stealth and I laughed out loud.
I will need more of those when I come in, if I make it, and my back is ready to break in two.
It's really not that bad out, I got to work in the same amount of time I usually do (WOOOT CTA!). Then again, I don't have to shovel or dig out a car so my main complaint is how exhausting it is to walk on un-shoveled sidewalks. It was my exercise for the day.
From what I saw, the side streets are sloppy, but the main streets are clear, curb-to-curb. And traffic was a breeze - thanks for staying home, everyone!
I'm sitting here drinking coffee, fortifying myself to go out and shovel what amounts to 300 pounds on each shovel full
I actually volunteered to shovel snow tomorrow for older people in my neighborhood (an Ald. Smith project) but, damn, did it have to be the wet, heavy stuff.
But I haven''t shoveled snow in a while (live in an apartment) and it keeps me grounded. Call me crazy...
You're crazy, Stealth.
No, actually, that's awesome. Kudos. You deserve a beer or something.
I drove into the west loop from logan sq. and it really wasn't THAT bad. It's sloppy out there sure, but I can tell you that I'm one of the ONLY people in the office, even right now at 9:30! I saw a lot of snow plows too, and last night I happened to be looking out my window (Kedzie and Belmont) RIGHT as it started to snow, and it wasn't 45 seconds before I saw a snow plow. I agree with the above comment, it must be the rapture!
I drove my wife into the office from Wicker Park to her office right by Union Station. Traffic was nonexistent. We left at 830 and got there at 845, same commute time as usual. Main roads were clear, my alley and side streets were pretty bad. At least the side street was rutted out, we almost got stuck in the alley, but going in reverse ten feet in my ruts helped us get out no problem.
The majority of people must have left early, or late or not at all because I have never seen 90/94 that clear at 830 in the AM.
What a joke this "storm" was. It was raging when I went to bed last night...must have stopped overnight.
Look, I know we're not getting flying cars any time soon, but can I get a decent flamethrower? This wet snow sucks it deep, hard and long. Which is a lovely quality in a lover, but not in meteorological contexts.
Wait! Science has found an answer!
http://www.unique-idea.com/BB-100.htm
Yeah, burn that fucking snow! Burn it all down.
Give me Autumn, with rain and cool nights and rustling leaves.
Color me disappointed. I really wanted an excuse to "work from home" but the storm was really just too pathetic to justify it. In my area (Wicker Park) it was really no worse than Tuesday morning. In fact, the snow this time was slightly "crunchy" and easier to walk on than the fluffy stuff.
@RaggedyAnne:
Exactly, the intersections were the only part of my commute that really gave me grief. Crossing Division at Ashland was pretty bad. I had to take off one of my shoes in the train station to de-slushify. The Blue Line was no problem. Much better than Tuesday.
Albany...you're such a curmudgeon!
If I lived in an apartment (which, hopefully at some point I will when this house gets sold), I would LOVE the snow!
I don't mind walking in it, or driving in it. It's just the shoveling bit that I am getting sick and tired of. Especially this heavy, wet shit.
What fell today is some of the heaviest snow I've ever dealt with...this is really heart attack snow.
But, it is so pretty and it's nice to be inside by a fire and it feels even better when you've earned it either by clearing it out or trudging home from work.
Ok...this is me...stepping away from the computer and getting out there to face my task. If you don't ever hear from me again, it's because I had a heart attack out there...adios amigos!
It is now 10:14 and I am the ONLY person in my office.
@StephanieSays:
I hope everyone in your office lives far north or in one of the heavy icing areas. Because there is really no reason for city-dwellers to stay home today. This was nothing.
ingrid, why don't you buy a small snowblower?
they're like $100 on craigslist and will save you from the vast majority of digging....
Albany,
I'm sure with a few minor modifications, your prayers could be answered. Never shovel out your car again.
www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9812/11/flame.thrower.car/
It is now 10:14 and I am the ONLY person in my office.
That means you're in charge. Go crazy. Order a new copier. Order two. Hold a board meeting with yourself and declare massive cutbacks in toilet paper and microwave useage. Change the name of the company and then change it back ("Helloooo...Creepy Foot Massage, please hold...")
It's your world today, baby...
I was already planning to work from home today for various reasons, and boy am I glad I did. I'm guessing there will be 5 people in the building today (out of about 600).
My husband just ventured out to meet two clients, but he took the morning off. I expect roads to be mostly OK by now.
Hey! Party at Stephanie's office!!!!
It's coming down
Snow pains on the motor veins
Keeps your business on the ground
It's coming down
Slow day for the teacher
And her wheels are spinning now
On account of winter, Mrs. Braintree
All the roads are closed
And the stores are loot for vagabonds
It's coming down
Go home!
It's coming down
Snow lays on the chainfields
There's a blessing on the ground
It's coming down
If your lanes are crammed with children
There's a blessing on your town
On a lucky Monday, Mrs. Braintree
All your lanes are waxen silver
And the stores are loot for vagabonds
It's coming down
Go home! Go home and take a snow day, Mrs. Braintree!
Mrs. Braintree, you're a chilly northern woman
Go home from yonder bus stop
Because there's a blessing on the ground
Mrs. Braintree, it is written
When the snows come over Dixie
All the roads are closed and the stores are loot for vagabonds.
It's coming down
Snow lays on the chainfields
There's a blessing on the ground
It's coming down
If your road's patrolled by children
There's no order to be found
On account of winter, Mrs. Braintree
All the roads are closed
And the stores are loot for vagabonds
It's coming down
Go home!
-- "Snow Days," Trip Shakespeare
We do have a pretty sweet stereo system here...
@Stephaniesays:
Shame you've rejected company
@staticfritz,
Well, I made it.
Actually, I do have a snowblower, but there is so much to shovel that the snowblower can't get to. And it may be hard to believe, but when the snow is piled this high and it's this heavy and wet, even with a snowblower, it's a lot of work to keep pushing it against the snow.
Also,I live on a corner lot AND I have a driveway. The majority of houses around here, have their garages so they face the alley and don't have driveways or the corner side to shovel. (think twice about ever buying a house on the corner - unless it's mine :)
I'm not really complaining though...well, I am I guess, but when I put a lot of effort into shoveling, I consider that to be my workout for the day. So, in the end, it's all good and as the esteemed Bobby McFerrin said "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
Hey Smussy, that song has been stuck in my head since Tuesday. My wife is quite sick of me bellowing it out all day and night.
Man, those were some great Trip Shakespeare shows at Schuba's back in the day. (Or was it Gaspar's then?)
We do have a pretty sweet stereo system here...
Crank that sombitch UP!!!
"Wolf Like Me" would an excellent snowed-in-at-work-alone song.
Afterwards, hook up a karaoke mic and serenade the empty office with Wind Beneath My Wings... or Nine To Five.