Thursday Afternoon Open Thread: Snowed Under

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 04:25:29 PM EST
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It's still snowing. Three days straight now. We're getting buried:

Wind-whipped snows are roaring across the Eastern Plains this afternoon, creating blizzard conditions, forcing road and highway closures, including a 150 mile stretch of Interstate 70 from Denver to the Kansas line....the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 north from Wellington to the Wyoming state line remain closed....Snow totals reported to the weather service at about 1 p.m. today include: 38 inches in Evergreen; 37 inches in Genesee; 26 inches in Golden; and 24 inches in Littleton.

It's been great to have a snow day and stay home, but enough is enough. (Thanks to Skippy for making this graphic last year.) [Update below]

Update 10 pm: The news just announced we are in our 50th hour of continuous snow. It's not over yet. My pal Jesse Csincsak, who is driving from Breckenridge to Denver to get to LA to host the former Bachelor/Bachelorette contestant Halloween cruise to Mexico, e-mailed, "We just came inches from hitting A MONSTER ELK in this snow storm on I 70 close to denver!" And yes, Wes will be on the cruise.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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Thursday Afternoon Open Thread: Snowed Under | 73 comments (73 topical)

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So different here in NYC (5.00 / 2) (#2)
by andgarden on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 04:33:25 PM EST

sunny and in the mid-50s.

I've glossed over the healthcare discussion today because I'm feeling full election mode: there actually a fair number of important races on Tuesday, not the least of which is a race to determine the partisan majority on the PA Supreme Court.

Geek. :) (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by jbindc on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 04:40:44 PM EST

: Yeah, and I wear it on my sleeve (5.00 / 4) (#5)
by andgarden on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 04:43:37 PM EST

Thankfully! (5.00 / 2) (#8)
by nycstray on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 04:55:26 PM EST

I could do without snow and freezing temps for awhile longer :)


Impossibly busy day (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:03:05 PM EST

But for anyone interested, I think the House bill is progress. Not perfect of course. But passage of this bill would be better than non-passage.

That said, I hope people to the left of me on this scream bloody murder. Move that Overton Window.

That's my feeling too: the House bill (none / 0) (#10)
by andgarden on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:06:31 PM EST

is a real step forward.

Pelosi made a pitch on the call (there's a recording somewhere) that public option included was Kennedy's. Well, a pitch is a pitch, but I really like the funding mechanism.


: Optimism here. CalPERS is pretty (none / 0) (#13)
by oculus on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:17:09 PM EST

successful, with it's large population of insureds, in getting better deals out of insurers and health care groups than others do. No ability to force--just bargain.

The polls have NJ gov fundamentally tied (5.00 / 2) (#12)
by andgarden on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:14:53 PM EST

SUSA has it exactly tied.

It's going to be a long night IMO.

Guess what. I'll be watching Phillies @ (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by oculus on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:18:08 PM EST

Yankees. Wonder why no one else is talking about that? Huh?


: 'zactly (5.00 / 3) (#18)
by DFLer on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:39:08 PM EST

I just heard on ESPN radio that most of the Yankee "fans" left the stadium in the last three innings last night, with the exception of the Mayor, who was caught dozing in his boo-coo-bucks seat behind home plate.
Then again, post-season seats are often filled with making-the-scene dilettantes rather that the true fans, who can't afford the tickets.

: heh (none / 0) (#15)
by andgarden on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:19:34 PM EST

Maybe I'll tune in, maybe not.

I cannot wait for Wed AM (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by nycstray on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:45:25 PM EST

no more Christie commercials!!


: The RGA is more annoying (and IMO, effective) (none / 0) (#22)
by andgarden on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:50:00 PM EST

The whole "Tax, waste, debt, failure" theme superimposed over an ugly Corzine mug is crude, irritating, and exactly their message. The tone seems designed to turn off white liberals and keep them from voting. Example here.

24 Inches in Littleton? (none / 0) (#29)
by Cugel on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 06:49:12 PM EST

I've got 16" in my patio right now in central Denver and I doubt it will be much more. How did Littleton get 24"?

Hopefully this will all be melted by Sunday after two days of 50 degree plus weather.


: Littleton is about 500 feet higher (none / 0) (#51)
by jimakaPPJ on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 11:37:53 PM EST

: It's always been that way (none / 0) (#72)
by sj on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 09:21:05 AM EST

Different parts of the city/suburbs can get dramatically different levels of snowfall.

"This Is It" (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by lilburro on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:48:13 PM EST

was awesome. I recommend it. I guess if you hate his music you shouldn't see it of course. I thought MJ was about at the top of his game and his renditions of some of the songs were beautiful and seemed more open than some of the live onstage performances of his I've seen on Youtube say.

the House bill (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by mikeel on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:51:33 PM EST

What a storm! This morning (Escondido, CA) the temperature when I left for work was a crisp 41, more than ten degrees colder than the night before.

Getting to the House bill, while not perfect, is much better than what on offer from the Senate, and overall is a pretty good bill. I know there are some whiners out there, but this is probably the best we're going to get.

Friday morning in Japan (5.00 / 3) (#25)
by ruffian on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 06:39:32 PM EST

I've been travelling for work this week to Iwakuni, Japan, near Hiroshima. I think I'm almost adjusted to the time change since I got a full night's sleep last night. We'll see if I hit the wall again this afternoon.

Beautiful weather where I am, though being snowed in sounds attractive if it would get me out of this work.

Thanks to TL for keeping me up to date on things. Good thing I have not been able to follow the Lieberman drama. The whole HCR debacle seems very far away since all I get is international news in my rare moments of being able to watch TV. I've seen more stories about climate change than I have on American TV in the last year. Seems the world has other priorities than we do, since most of the industrialized world has their health care concerns squared away. Hmmmm.

Anyway, welcome to Friday everyone!

Please inquire: when is the best bet (none / 0) (#28)
by oculus on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 06:45:41 PM EST

for seeing cherry blossoms in Kyoto? No guarantees, natch. Thanks.


Springtime, I think probably April (5.00 / 3) (#30)
by ruffian on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 07:07:22 PM EST

I was there in late March one year and they were just starting to come out. Kyoto is so beautiful. I spend 3 days walking around the east side of Kyoto in the Philosopher's Way area and it was one of the best times of my life. The temples and gardens there are just magical. I'm hoping for a weekend off at the end of my stay this time so I can go back.


: Gee, I'd so love to (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by gyrfalcon on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 12:08:45 AM EST

see Japan some day. I doubt it'll ever happen, though, so all I can do is envy you (even if it is all bound up with work!).

: First weeks of April (5.00 / 1) (#67)
by jimakaPPJ on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:04:27 AM EST

: Me too, it sounds not only (none / 0) (#78)
by sallywally on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 12:38:11 PM EST

gorgeous but spiritually uplifting. I love a number of things Japanese - Haiku, tiny antique carvings, drawings and paintings (neat show about Hokusai on tv recently, and the paintings he did late in life, when he signed his work something like "old man crazy about painting." Just so lovely and elegant.
And fountain pens - the finest points in the world: Nakaya, Sailor, and a bit behind, Pilot....the amazing art in the pen and nib designs and the Maki-e and other wonderful artwork, always signed by the artists.
I even have a license plate with "HAIKU" on it....I try to write them, a bit miserably.
And, I'm quite short, under 5 feet....friends tell me I should move to Japan - fear of flying if nothing else will keep me from going there...
But - wow, reading your post really touches my heart.

As if blogs aren't distracting enough... (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by magster on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 06:43:36 PM EST

...when you are your own boss and work from home, try having your wife and daughter have 2 snow days from work/school. It's been a lot more fun around the house though.

: Heh (none / 0) (#55)
by gyrfalcon on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 12:10:02 AM EST

No spouse and kids, just the cats' demands to come in and then go out again every half hour or so in bad weather is trying enough. My sympathies.

Help me out here :) (5.00 / 3) (#33)
by nycstray on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 09:48:16 PM EST

Hasn't the state been run by a Repub for the past 8yrs?

You just made me realize, no matter which state I'm hanging in (NY or CA), I'm going to get stuck with a freakin' Gov race along with a state in deep sh*t. Just shoot me now . . . .

Ugh, it's balmy here (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:10:03 PM EST

Both Josh and Zoey took a bath and set off the smoke detector. Photos of Naomi Grace (Pleasant Blessing)

: what a beautiful baby (5.00 / 3) (#35)
by Jeralyn on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:11:48 PM EST

congrats! And I love her outfit.

: And what a lovely lil' blessing :) (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by nycstray on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:13:20 PM EST

Congrats! Beautiful name for a beautiful blessing.

: Meant to say it earlier (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by vicndabx on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:50:58 PM EST

Congrats to you and yours.

: What a sweetie. (5.00 / 1) (#41)
by caseyOR on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:51:08 PM EST

She's gorgeous, MT.

: She's so pretty! (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by byteb on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:56:23 PM EST

Congratulations and blessings

: Wow (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 11:11:26 PM EST

so pretty.
The world is her oyster!

: Oh! (5.00 / 1) (#56)
by gyrfalcon on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 12:11:02 AM EST

SUCH a cutie-pie!

: What a little beauty!!! (5.00 / 1) (#75)
by desertswine on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 10:41:51 AM EST

That picture made my day.

: Congrats (none / 0) (#76)
by CST on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 01:27:16 PM EST

On the new family member!

I was wondering what caused this sudden (5.00 / 2) (#60)
by nycstray on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 12:48:48 AM EST

shift for you. You went from looking for a job, to finding one and it sounded as if you were settling in and happy. I was surprised to start reading you were going over.

Do you have someone here tending to your 'life' (garden, pooch, etc) so when you return you will have some of your life back?

You will keep us UTD with what's going on and stay in touch after you're there, right?

Please take care and stay in touch if you can.

that's what I thought (5.00 / 2) (#61)
by Jeralyn on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 01:04:17 AM EST

I remember Jeff writing about changing jobs and teaching, I had no idea.

Jeff, good luck to you and if you do go, thank you. Regardless of whether we approve of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, the service of you and others is appreciated and to be lauded in its selflessness.


Jeralyn, if I go, (5.00 / 2) (#63)
by jeffinalabama on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 01:46:47 AM EST

and that depends on the final physical-- no reason to fail unless there is active agressive prostate cancer-- I don't think I'll be coming back from this one.

I'll still go. A long time ago I swore an oath. You did as well. It might not have been exactly the same, but we uphold and defend The Constitution of the United States of America and the laws of certain states.

We took the oath without duress.


: thank you (none / 0) (#77)
by CST on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 01:29:05 PM EST

thanks for remembering (5.00 / 4) (#62)
by jeffinalabama on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 01:22:23 AM EST

from nothing to something, or as my brother says I never get one offer, i get an offer and then a demand.

I'm in my 50's now, and I have a retirement, as such... a child I can't see because he isn't in the US, no property but that which the family can take care of...no house, a trailer i am tying to sell because i live away from there...
I have a great job, decent students, and my buddy, the dog.

And obligations. To those I led in combat years ago. Well, some years ago. In the French Foreign Legion the motto is,"legio patria nostra,' which in my years-ago Latin means "the legion is our (my) home."

That's the US Army to me. I didn't, couldn't stay to retirement. But my love for it doesn't diminish. Certainly not my loyalty to those people still serving.

My... I have a wonderful position now. Excellent insurance, my previous time in the militry can be purchaded in three years, I like and enjoy my colleagues, ntcstray, I could say here till 65 with no issue.

Except my comrades-in-arms have asked me to come back. Whether a civilian, a conractor, or military.

It may sound feudal, but I owe them. I have to go back.

My personal opinion? we losr Afghanistan aout five years ago. Will I go? Yes.

This isn't about logic, nor about being 'sensible.' As my brother said tonight, "you're fat. You're old. You run like old people f(uck. Really slow. Why go over there?"

I was asked.

Maybe I can do some good. I can at least make some top sergeants feel better even if I never see them, just by being incountry.

I ain't happy about the way I might go. I think it's a waste. But I won't say so to the folks there. I'll be happy shiny do the mission jeffinalabama in afghanistan, I suppose.


Jeff, I think I understand (5.00 / 3) (#65)
by caseyOR on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 03:06:55 AM EST

why you will go, even if, as you say, Afghanistan is lost. You're going because your people are there and your people need you. I get that; I really do. And I hope you being there does help them. Sadly, I think that Afghanistan is a lost cause. I hate all the posturing by the administration, by McChrystal, by even frikken' John McCain (whom I wish would just STFU). I swear, all these people care about is gaining the political advantage. I want us to bring everyone home right now, even as I know Obama will never make that decision.

No one in my life is in the military or in a war zone in any capacity. I find, however, that even though I don't know him, I am concerned for Mr. MT in a way that differs from my more abstract concern for our servicepeople in general. MilitaryTracy has made him very real to me, and in so doing personalized these wars for me in a way our various military ventures have not been since Vietnam. And now you.

Now I will be concerned for you, too. It pains me that you sound so sure you will not make it back from that war. Please be wrong about that.

And if you can, write to us.


: I second those sentiments... (5.00 / 2) (#69)
by kdog on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 07:58:45 AM EST

Stay positive jeff...do what you must do, watch each other's backs over there, and get your arse home somehow, someway.
I can't express how I admire your courage and loyalty...nor can I express the anger I feel towards the lambs who use and abuse such lions.
All the luck in the world to you my friend....

Oh No........another one! (none / 0) (#71)
by Militarytracy on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 09:07:00 AM EST

I'm surrounded by iconoclasts.....because these are such times. I drove home last night with kids in the backseat sleeping having one of those "moments" where you are telling someone in your head that this is enough of this hero thing :) I was tired. I think Obama needs some big help though Jeff in dealing with the cultural aspects, and I think he has been listening to a few voices on the subject that are not the wisest or best educated. Yes, they need you. They need you a lot if for no other reason than to understand and deal with if and when we will not be able to produce this functioning Afpak strategy. Rescue an Afghan woman and bring her home with you! The military does it all the time. I was reading about your physical....and when my husband went for his blood tests on his liver function a couple days ago the doctor asked him what the hell he was doing there in the middle of this RA attack. My husband told him that he couldn't be the most broken person the doctor was treating and the doctor told him that he was the most broken active duty person he had seen, but yeah....the contractors are a lot more broken :) If you can email me your address please do. I know that some of you are going places though that aren't supposed to register on any acknowledged grid, but if you can send me an APO I would really appreciate it. I have to send out a box every two weeks or so and it isn't anything to simply double up.....it's the same trip to the post office with slightly more paperwork.


No snow here (5.00 / 1) (#68)
by Fabian on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 07:25:30 AM EST

...just lots and lots of leaves to rake.

My kids would rather have the snow.

As an old Denver hand (none / 0) (#1)
by jimakaPPJ on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 04:29:01 PM EST

now in warmer climes..... You have my sympathy! My daughter lives in G Villiage and says its nasty!

As an old grumpy disbeliever in Algore....

"That man made global warming is the pits!"

Stay safe!

Jim

I swear I'm going to retire.. (none / 0) (#4)
by desertswine on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 04:41:55 PM EST

to Costa Rica. One day.

You got to stay home today? (none / 0) (#6)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 04:44:39 PM EST

Lucky duck.

I must say, the city have done a fine job of keeping the roads clear and the DIA operational. The later was especially important since my Mom flew through on her way back East last night. I really wasn't looking forward to the prospect of driving out to get her for the night (or two).

I'm definately ready for the weekend thaw though! Bring on the 50's!!!

Am quite worried about my sib, who slid into (5.00 / 4) (#11)
by oculus on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:14:21 PM EST

Denver and a bit beyond last night and plans to reach St. Louis by Friday. He is towing a U-haul. Hope good sense prevails and he is staying put somewhere warm for now.


highway (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by dissenter on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:34:09 PM EST

is shut down so hopefully your sib is having some hot chocolate in Limon:) I just shoveled two feet of snow off my driveway. The snow blower is broken. Ahhh


: Good. I am very much regretting (5.00 / 2) (#21)
by oculus on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:49:06 PM EST

we didn't "intervene" and insist on a second driver and/or no U-haul. Not that he would listen.

Yes, after the drive home (none / 0) (#16)
by Jeralyn on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 05:21:01 PM EST

from the jail in Golden yesterday which was awful, I locked myself in. Just defrosted green chili and red chili for dinner and spent the day reading the health care bill (which is semi-greek to me) and the Colorado opinion on med marij, which is much more understandable.

Snow removal people have shoveled my walkway three times in 24 hours. And the flame in my gas fireplace went out yesterday after 3 minutes (although the pilot is still on.) I have no idea if it's the fireplace or the snow blocking the vents or flue or whatever its called. Guess I'll wait until the snow is all melted and try it again before deciding whether to have fireplace or heating service people come out.


I hope... (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 07:34:59 PM EST

...you have a CO2 detector?

Have you read Calhoun's article on MM is the Westword? It will be interesting to see the specifics Romer puts in his bill.


: yes, I do (none / 0) (#57)
by Jeralyn on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 12:17:11 AM EST

I had the detectors installed about six months ago. They show no problem. Thanks though.

Go out and check that vent (none / 0) (#53)
by gyrfalcon on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 12:05:16 AM EST

before you light it up again. People die here in VT every year from too-low heater vents that get blocked by heavy snow. Both my plumbing/heating guy and my woodstove/chimney installer guy flat-out refused to do the work to vent my basement oil boiler that way so I could avoid having a second chimney put in, and VT folk are not known for religious adherence to code.


how do you know where the outside vent is? (none / 0) (#58)
by Jeralyn on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 12:19:04 AM EST

Wouldn't it be high up in the chimney? (I'm actually not even sure I have a chimney, but the fireplace has a top vent, called a "direct vent" according to the manual.


: Call a service person (5.00 / 1) (#66)
by jimakaPPJ on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:01:13 AM EST

Have them show you so you can check it yourself in the future. It is that serious if your house is very tightly constructed.

: I don't think (none / 0) (#74)
by gyrfalcon on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 09:57:21 AM EST

it's possible to have a chimney you aren't aware of having...
As to where your heater is venting, Jim is right that you should get a professional out there to find it for you so you know where it is. But you can probably find it yourself by checking from outside the wall the fireplace is installed in/against.
It would be close to criminal negligence to vent the thing lower than 8 or 10 feet from the ground where you live, but if it happens in VT, it can happen there. (Although here there's a huge DIY culture, and people who aren't professional installers can do some pretty dumb things.)
With several CO detectors, you're probably OK if you're sure the batteries are working. Might be good, though, to change the batteries on every other one every six months so they can't potentially both fail at the same time on bad/low batteries.

Happy Beggar's Night! (none / 0) (#7)
by Fabian on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 04:51:13 PM EST

Traffic is all a'snarled here. My son is trying to convince me to drive somewhere. No dice. We walk.

I wanted to do a demonic Santa Claus - perfect for Denver!

: I'm going to be (5.00 / 1) (#47)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 11:12:58 PM EST

a female version of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory.

Two in the books (none / 0) (#37)
by CoralGables on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:37:48 PM EST

Burnett spins a gem.
Thirty three million gets zip.
Tied off to Philly.

33 mil gets zip? (none / 0) (#38)
by nycstray on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:41:03 PM EST

confused?

{yes, I was up all night cooking . . . brain barely functional}


33 (none / 0) (#39)
by CoralGables on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:49:25 PM EST

million is A-Rods 2009 salary. He's oh for eight with 6 strikeouts for the Series. But AJ Burnett can (and did) win without him.


Ah, ok :) (none / 0) (#42)
by nycstray on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:55:55 PM EST

Well, none of the other Yanks have produced a heck of a lot on their salaries the past 2 days, so it seems a bit p*ssy to be bustin' A-Rod's chops in this case. And he did help out in the prior 2 rounds and season in general . . . .


Sigh of relief in the hometown. (none / 0) (#44)
by caseyOR on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:57:24 PM EST

No,I'm not talking about NYC. I'm happy for the boy from my hometown, Joe Girardi. Talked with my mother tonight, and she told me most folks she knows back home (Peoria, IL) are rooting for Joe and his boys this year. Given that most of us are Cubs fans, this is our closest brush with World Series success.


But, per ESPN talking heads, once (none / 0) (#48)
by oculus on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 11:22:32 PM EST

A-Rod gets his timing down--watch out. They didn't opine when that might happen.


: Usually in April (none / 0) (#64)
by Steve M on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 02:20:55 AM EST

I guess... (none / 0) (#70)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 08:55:22 AM EST

...I won't have to get the broom out. Not that I could find it under a foot of snow...


Banksters get bailouts, but not public option! (none / 0) (#45)
by lambert on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 11:03:44 PM EST

Here.

Wow. Way to close the barn door. (none / 0) (#49)
by oculus on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 11:23:54 PM EST

: And one wonders . . . (none / 0) (#50)
by nycstray on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 11:29:19 PM EST

how many ponies escaped . . . .?

Oh my! (none / 0) (#52)
by nycstray on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 11:38:37 PM EST

Project Runway could end up with all women competing in Fashion Week . . . we shall know after next week ;)

50th hour of snow, eh? Me hopes your weather pattern stays to the south of us (or north)!!!