Blizzard of 2010-11...NW Style

After nearly a week of dire forecasts last night the Great Blizzard finally struck.  The forecast started with the storm coming noon Wednesday and a total accumulation of 4 to 8 inches on the valley floor -- then it was due Wednesday afternoon and 2 to 7 inches -- then Wednesday evening and 2 to 5 inches.  It finally snowed early this morning (Thursday) with a total of 2 inches of snow -- and it stayed warm and sunny enough today that the roads cleared by themselves with no freezing (hurrah).
   I had already canceled a doctor's appointment (still a reasonably good idea since I would have had to drive over the West Hills and that would have been a hassle this morning) -- the appointment wasn't critical (it concerns continuing adjustment to my heart meds) so delaying it a week didn't matter. 
   And concerning the heart meds:  I went to get refills today for the first time this year (starting a new insurance deductable season) and was stunned with sticker-shock (over $100 for one of the three).  I guess I should be proud that in today's economy I'm helping drug companies maintain their critical bottom line.
   dw drove to work this morning and when she called to announce her safe arrival, she said the drive was quicker than normal -- due to the light traffic (people staying home because of the snow) -- And for snow belt readers, you need to understand that Portland drivers don't get snow.  They either drive as if the pavement is dry -- turning their cars into giant pin-balls bouncing off other cars and buildings (actually that's fun to watch -- as long as you're uninvolved) --  Or they drive as if the snow on distant mountains is going to leap onto the pavement in front of them, sending them into a death skid that will only stop when they crash into the river and drown.  Snow brings untold terrors to Portlanders. 
   As snow storms go this was a pretty good one.  It started early so we woke up to a winter wonderland, and then it was melted by 11 a.m.  DA

Valentine's Day

   Usually not a big ticket manufactured event at chez DA@dw.  And it wasn't this year.  dw worked yesterday, so the festivities were limited to her gift to me of a selection of small bags of flavored chips and a few other samples of junk food-type stuff.  It was great and I quickly inhaled it all.  I got dw some flowers and four pieces of nice chocolate.  (cards from both to both).  Today we went out to dinner at a neighborhood fish restaurant (The Fishwife).  We both got fish & chips and a beer.  Nothing fancy about the place but the food was moderately priced and good, if not worth driving any distance for.   We got a card from Laurie L. which was a pleasant surprise
   As a new feature (I'm getting a little desperate):  I've just started reading "The Letters of the Younger Pliny" which I'm hoping will be as entertaining as Tacitus.  And I just finished reading  "The Golden Ratio" -- "the story of phi, the world's most astonishing number"   If I continue with this feature I suspect I'll only note the
a-list books.  The "well, isn't that special"  sort of book.  DA

     Yeah, yeah, yeah, high brow reading.  I don't even know who Tacitus is!.  I'm reading 'Blacklist' by Sarah Paretsky - a stunning achievement from one of the most compelling writers in American crime.  It says so right there on the back cover so it must be true.  Beats the ACLS manual (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) which I renew certification of on Thursday and have been spending every day since NOT studying or preparing.  Procrastination is my new mantra - maybe I should try reading Young Pliny.  It's got to be better than reading how to do rescue breathing?  Dinner was fried fish and fried chips and creamy tartar sauce and cole slaw.  Delish.  Chocolates for dessert.  Have a great day.  dw
  

Nothing Changes

   Next week perhaps I'll create an adventure, since we're not having any real ones.  The high-light of my week was losing a crown.  Fortunately I didn't swallow it so no unpleasant adventures were required to save it.  Went to the dentist and had it glued back on.  We took the books into Powells to sell -- I got about half of what I had hoped for.  Oh well.  The day after we were selling the books I read in the paper that Powells was laying off 31 employees so perhaps I was lucky to get what I did. 
   I'm continuing my gym sessions.  Went in today and got spanked on a climb I should have done easily.  Not a stellar day, although the bike ride there and back was pleasant:  Nice weather (just a little cool) and light traffic.  
   dw was turned down for a job she had applied for.  The job wasn't a particularly good fit (because of scheduled hours and location) but the rejection is still upsetting.  It all could be a lot worse, but still ...DA

     Yeah, the job market is not good.  Why am I even looking?  Because I have not been getting enough hours at my current per diem job.  Hearing that Powells laid off 31 employees makes me question the rhetoric that the economy is improving, if slowly.  Well not in Wessel World and it's frustrating.  On a more cheerful note (and because I cannot remember if it was in a previous blog) I will brag about my quick escape from the Blizzard of 2011.  I was in Madison when Part I of a two part blizzard struck 22 states in the middle of the country.  My return to Portland was scheduled for Wed - smack dab in the middle of Part II which mentioned 22 inches of additional snow so I called Delta and found an early flight - that Tuesday afternoon.  Fortunately my traveling light habit allowed me plenty of time to get ready and hop on board and get back to Portland via Minneapolis without any problems.  My flight was the only one leaving that Tuesday  - all others were cancelled so I lucked out.   That was a good thnig or I could still be there...
     My only regret is not being in Wis. when the Packers won the Super Bowl.  I think I could hear the cheers from here (not including my own, of course).  Good times.  dw

Home Again

   Amid huzzahs and hurrahs, balloons and fireworks illuminating the pellucid evening sky, dw returned on Tuesday (a day early).  She got an earlier flight because of the great winter Storm of the Century -- which does seem to be quite a storm.  Otherwise absolutely nothing of interest has happened.  We walked yesterday, making a point to pass and gawk at the oak damaged house.  I went to the gym a couple of times which isn't any more interesting than usual.  And so it goes.  DA

     Yes, I have arrived safely back in the land of green grass, sun, 40 degree and a rare blooming daffodil.  True, we saw two blooming daffodils yesterday when we were walking.  Had to be in the world's most unique microclimate because there is nothing blooming anywhere else.  It's all good.  Checked in with Steve to see if I really missed Stormageddon and I did.  Twelve plus inches of snow fell in the 24 hours since I left Madison at 3pm on Tues.  Amazing.  Hope everyone is safe and warm back there and enjoying the snow days.  dw