Memoirs of a Soon-to-Be Former Fat Guy

I have to think that sociologists would have a field day studying the behaviors of people who are in the path of a severe storm. Maybe they could finally answer the question of why, when there’s going to be a major snowstorm, people rush to the store to buy bread, eggs and milk. I’m pretty sure that everyone is not making French toast. Besides, without cinnamon and sugar, I’m pretty sure the French toast would suck.

Not the best place to be

Seriously, though… we here at Chez T are directly in the path of Hurricane Sandy (that bitch) and we are doing our best to prepare and stay safe. I usually dismiss storm warnings as oversensationalism from the media, but in this case I’m taking it seriously. Why my change of heart? Tropical storm Lee in 2011.

There had been all sorts of hype the week before Lee about Hurricane Irene. Irene came and went and other than a lot of rain, no real impact. Lee came along and that was just a little too much. Our trusty sump pump gave up the ghost after pretty much running non-stop for three days and just like that, the Nerd Lair was under three inches of water. It was funny… I had taken a half day vacation to keep an eye on things and it had seemed that everything was OK, so I went to work. I received a call from Supportive Partner Woman (Mermaid?) 45 minutes later informing me that the SS Nerd Lair was in danger of sinking. I rushed home, stopping at Home Depot to buy whatever I could find that resembled a pump. I wound up with a submersible pool cover pump… but it was a pump. I arrived home, fully expecting to deploy Commodore Furious (SPW’s name for me when I get pissed is usually Captain Furious)… since it was flooding, I elected to go with a nautical theme. Instead, I only had to commission Ensign Furious.

Point is, a slight tap to the float switch started the sump pump right up and the water was pretty much cleared within a couple hours. We ran fans and blowers for about two weeks and damage was minimal. This time around, I’m not so sure we will escape so easily. To make a long story short… if the power stays on, we should be OK. If not, we’re pretty much hosed.

So, if you are in the path of Sandy, please take precautions. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Keep flashlights and batteries handy. Make sure you have non-perishable food and a supply of potable water. Keep water in the tub to flush the toilet. Keep you electronics charged. If you are fortunate enough to have a generator, don’t run it indoors.

In short, be smart and protect yourself. Your life is worth more than your possessions.

Song of the Day: Rock You Like a Hurricane – Scorpions

Currently Reading: Isaac’s Storm – Erik Larson

Weather-related quote of the day:

Anyone who says they’re not afraid at the time of a hurricane is either a fool or a liar, or a little bit of both. – Anderson Cooper