How Other Chicagoistos Handled the Blizzaster
By Chuck Sudo in Miscellaneous on Feb 3, 2011 10:00PM
You know now how Benjy fared in the blizzard. I was in the middle of a surprisingly packed house at The Beer Bistro holding an impromptu "Screw the Blizzard" tweetup Tuesday night, part of me ruing that I chose to go out instead of sit at home and watch the snow pile up with my dog. When word came yesterday morning that a couple of folks on staff had no power or access to internet, I knew it was going to be a long day.
For those who did, I asked them to briefly recount their personal accounts of braving the storm or sitting it out at home. Tony's is the keeper.
Rob: I left my office around 2, took the Red Line to Lakeview (no delays whatsoever), then walked down Belmont to Sheridan. I pity the poor people who thought that using Lake Shore Drive was a sound idea. Walking home was gusty and stormy alright. But compared to my childhood winters in Colorado, nothing bad. My boyfriend made some 3-bean chili and I made a Mai Tai. We stayed home watching some "Twilight Zone" and reading.
Steven: I lost power at 6:30pm Tuesday night, which had still not been restored Wednesday. It was 51degrees in my apartment when I woke up this morning, so I un-snowed-in myself to find somewhere with wifi and heat where I can charge my phone (which died about 7:30 Tuesday night). Today was not a good day not to have access to bus tracker.
Anthony: My boyfriend and I were safe and sound at home, after I convinced him not to take Lake Shore Drive from the Merchandise Mart to Rogers Park (thank God) and come here instead. We lost power at around 5, and it went on and off in half hour intervals all night - it got a little bit chilly! By Wednesday morning, everything seemed fine, though my building had no hot water and all the water we did have was yellow and a bit strange.
Tony: I get home from my office, which is next to Northwestern Hospital via a cab driver who just happened to live in my neighborhood and was calling it quits after dropping me off — not worth it, he said. I tipped him big. And so time passes, and I decide to take a fun little pic for Facebook. I grab a bright yellow tape measure and I decide to measure the snow accumulation on our deck. (We're on the very top floor of our building.) So, I figure, no need to get all bundled up, I'm in my "after-school" clothes of gym shorts and Green Lantern t-shirt and I don't feel like putting on sweats, coat, gloves and all that jazz, so I just tip toe out a foot or two, insert the tape measure (7 inches! Woo-Hoo!), get the pic...and I go to open the door and it's locked. I locked myself out. I can barely see my hand in front of my face, because of the wind and the snow (we are near the Montrose Harbor) no coat, in shorts and t-shirts. I panic. I bang on my neighbor's door...and bang and bang. Finally he answers. He was annoyed and kind of not believing me, as I tell him my dumb tale and wait for him to invite me in. Eventually, I find a locksmith willing to come and open the door… for $250. He got here like in 20 minutes though, so there was that, at least. And THAT, is what my silly gay arse gets for trying to take a cute pic for the damn facebooks!!!!