The storm was so big, we could see it from space! In the end, Chicago got 20.2″ of snow. In 1999, we got 21.6 inches in a storm that started January 1 and ended on the 3rd. In 1967, we got 23 inches and crippled the city. This time, we were well prepared, at least! I’ve now lived through the #2 and #3 snow storms in Chicago-land history. I think it’s freakin’ awesome.
Last night was intense and amazing. I ditched work at 2pm, made it home by 5pm (lost a glove AND a mitten, and yes, I’m pissed off because they were my best pair and both gifts…), and settled in for a nice, cold night at home. As we watched TV, reports came in of Thundersnow. For those who didn’t believe me when I said “Yes, I’ve seen lightning in a snow storm before,” you can all suck it. Lightning, thunder and snow was all over Chicago. Multiple times we saw flashes and heard the muffled thunder. Ask around. It happened.
This morning I got up and first things first, called my aunt to wish her “Happy Marmoset Day!” Long story. Search the archives. I won this year. Then I tried to log into work from home. We had crashed the VPN (Virtual Private Network … it’s what lets you work from home). I called my boss and said I was going to shovel out instead. It took me an hour to dig a THIN path out the front. It’s not much, but it’s enough to get in and out of the building. I took photos and shot some video of the effort.
Then I came back in and my boss had texted me to say it was a snow-day, and they’d call if they need me. Only critical people were to log in, and I was on 3rd level support, so it was an ‘as needed’ basis. I uploaded the pictures, did some housework, had lunch, and went back down to shovel the car out. The car is … well. It’s dug out, but I can’t drive it. The snow drifts on the side of the car are about three feet high, and the alley is impassible. We have no ETA on when it might be passable, but since it’s supposed to get to -20 tonight (with the wind), I thought I should get as much off the car as possible.
After that, I came in, got warm, and just hung out. It’s been kind of nice. Tomorrow my boss wants me to TRY and come in to work. It’s a jeans day, so there’s that. If I can make it to the train, I can make it to work. But that’s really iffy right now. We shall see.