Snow In Boston

My first post seems a good opportunity to remark on the weather, that stereotypical opening line  and awkward conversation starter of introductions the world over. This is a blog, not a chance meeting in a cafe, but there isn't any reason I can't make courting new readers just as hilarious and somewhat awkward as meeting strangers. I'm also watching it snow out the window, and it's what's on my mind right now.

So the mid-atlantic is being hammered by snow, and DC is mostly shut down. For the most part, Boston has escaped the onslaught. However, the experience down south and Boston's past history has left everyone a little on the nervous side when it comes to snowstorms. Three years ago, Boston fell victim to a sudden snowstorm around 3pm. It wasn't particularly heavy, but the mayors office decided to advise everyone to leave work early so they wouldn't be trapped if it got worse. The result was that everyone in the city poured onto the streets right around the same time the heavy snow began. One can imagine the end result; heavy traffic ended up preventing the snow plows from getting out right as the snow began to accumulate. In the end, the result was a rush hour disaster. It took me 4 hours to get from Newton back to Brighton, and took many people 8 hours to get from downtown out to the suburbs.

Fast forward to yesterday and today. The weather forecast was for a heavy snowstorm to hit around 3pm today. As of this morning, BC had already cancelled all classes after 3pm, most people who can decided to work from home, and everyone else is getting released from work early at staggered intervals. It seems the city learned its lesson well. I drove out the BC this afternoon for something at 2:30 and the roads were almost empty of traffic. Still, it seems like everyone jumped the gun a little, as the snow still isn't really sticking and the storm appears to be delayed. All the same, I think its better to be cautious rather than suffer a repeat of 3 years ago, especially in light of the absolute blizzard that has engulfed the mid-atlantic.

For my part, I'm going to get out of here, head home, pick up some delicious beer (I'm feeling imperial stout), and get cozy for the Duke vs. UNC game tonight. Go to hell, Carolina, go to hell!