May We Have the Strength… (aka City of Wusses)
Thursday, January 24, 2008 I don’t know how much longer I will be around to update you. This morning, I walked out the door into a freak natural calamity that may paralyze the City of Angels:
See that? No... there. No, towards the middle. No... that white stuff. No, no, no, next to the dirt. Yeah, right there.
Hail.
That’s like snow, isn’t it? Southern California is paralyzed. As I drove to the train station this morning, my outside temperature gauge taunted me with digits I have never seen before (nor ever hope to see again): 43 degrees. I cursed myself for not packing a hypothermia blanket and 3 days’ rations. And panic has stricken the riders on the LA Metro. An actual conversation that just transpired between a Metro cop and some fellow riders:
Rider 1: Did you see all that ice this morning?
Rider 2: Unbelievable! I drove by so many accidents on my way here. Did you see the one up on Huntington?
Rider 1: You’re telling me! I pulled out of my driveway and almost lost it!
Metro Cop: Don't let anyone tell you different. We have winter in Southern California, that’s for real.
I send you my love. This could be my last transmission.
Reader Comments (46)
LOL Your Boston blood has run thin huh?? hypothermia blanket .. that is the best.. Listen if we don't hear back from you I will alert the authorities.. I gotcha back like that!!
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[BusyDad] Sad isn't it? 25 years of cold weather conditioning down the drain. When you call the search and rescue, let them know that I'm the guy with Go Diego Go rescue flares.
we are praying for you!
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[BusyDad] Send canned goods!
Ah yes. We here in Michigan, where it is currently 16 degrees with four inches of snow on the ground, feel so sorry for you. 43 sounds like heaven. I'd be running around without a coat.
I know, I know...you're not used to it and all. I wish you the best. Let us know if you survive.
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[BusyDad] I've made it to work. It's next to the airport. I'm first in line for the airlift.
It was 38 when I drove my boys to school this morning. And there was snow on the lower peaks of the mountains that surround my neighborhood. It appears we were sucked up in a twister during the night and plopped down in some land that gets cold. I'm scared. I wanna go home.
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[BusyDad] Stay strong Tootsie. If Al Gore is right, all of us will pull out of this cold weather nonsense real soon. Keep the faith!
I saw on Diego yesterday that if you huddle like penguins do, you can stay warm, you might wanna give it a try.
BTW - Temp in Chicago this morning -9. And not a penguin in sight.
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[BusyDad] My hypothermia just kicked in from reading that. My boss is wondering why I keep trying to huddle with him.
First, I hope you are safe. Second, that is a LOT of hail. I haven't ever seen anything like it...literally. I mean, did you empty out the bottom of your ice cube tray into your front yard to create that effect or what? LOL! Stay safe my brudha, remember, you may not drive like an idiot but there are twelve others on the road with you that are trying their best not to notice you.
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[BusyDad] I mean yeah - the hail in this pic could fill an entire Dixie cup. Maybe two. Hahaha! The horror...
I'm sending Michael with provisions!
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[BusyDad] Send in the survivalist! I'm holding out for a hero.
Oh I better be thankful I live here in sunny Texas where it is only 40 today! I'm a wimp, my bones cannot handle it!
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[BusyDad] That's 3 whole degrees colder! Forget it. I'll take my hail (too cool down my latte).
So San Diego literally translated is "Whale's V*g*na" (Anchorman) and Los Angeles literally translated is "City of Wusses?" I DID NOT KNOW that?
Spent 2 years in Edmonton, man, you can't know winter until you have survived waiting for the bus in -40 temps (-40F is -40C, by the way, you don't find that stuff out by accident). Was fun, though. Those Canadian are TOUGH. People would take their babies for WALKS in temps -5 F. Schools had the kids stay in for recess once temps got below -7F. People would jog with these face protectors to avoid frostbite on their faces in temps -15 F! Cuh-RA-ZY!
KEEP BELIEVING
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[BusyDad] That's not human. It can't be. Don't humans shatter under those conditions?
Hahaha. So people in SoCal are as sad and pathetic as people in SoFla? lol People down here break out the parkas when the temp goes below 60. Makes me laugh, you know, being a northerner exiled down here. :)
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[BusyDad] Ha yeah - probably the same as folks here. I bet people were buying snowchains in a panic this morning at Auto Zone.
One thing I keep noticing about LA blogs - lots of humor? Do you all need humor to survive in the City of Wusses? Here we just run iron in our veins. Or actually, motor oil, I guess, since we're in Michigan.
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[BusyDad] If you can't laugh at Los Angeles and its residents, then you are probably a celebrity.
Hmm. I checked the temp this morning, before I started the car to let them idle for a while (the car was not happy about this). The thermometer read -18 degrees F (I'm in Minnesota). It's been so cold here that the streets have a layer of compacted snow on them. You see no pavement. 43 degrees would be down right balmy.
While we northerners appreciate the efforts of the So Cal residents to think that this is truly winter weather, we are sorry to inform you that, no, that doesn't count as winter. It's merely late fall to the rest of us.
Better luck next time! (You'll all make it...trust me...it would take HOUR
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[BusyDad] Well... at least we're pretty fireproof here. Kiln-like summers with forest fires engulfing our city from 3 sides. What the hell am I doing here??
S to die of hypothermia at those temps)
BD, please, PLEASE, don't venture out in that weather!
Make sure you have fresh water, a can of Van de Camps pork 'n beans, and candles. That should get you through the next few days. Stay strong, my friend, stay strong!!
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[BusyDad] Ok, we're down to two granules of ice in the yard. It may be safe to venture out. I'll keep the beans at my side, just in case...
I know I'm older than you guys, but I needed a magnifying glass to see that dust/fluff/dandruff?!!!
We're at -6 deg. C today, and it's considered balmy for this time of year. Canadian tropics. You must miss those Boston winters.
I fear for you, my friend.
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[BusyDad] Haha Canadian Tropics? Gives new meaning to the term Frozen Margarita.
The Nerdy Redneck wrote it was so cold in IL today he could hear his nose hairs freeze and break off. I agree with him.
This is why us Northerners have less nose hairs. Might have more body fat to keep us warm. But way less nose hairs.
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[BusyDad] So that's why mine have gotten so out of control! I couldn't figure it out.
Hahaha :) I think you need some snowboots now :)
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[BusyDad] d Wife has been asking for rain/snow boots lately and my answer has always been "it rains 3 days TOTAL here! You'll never need them!" The weather just pwned me.
Oh yeah! We had about 10 seconds of that in Northern Florida at Christmas... it is the beginning of the end. Next it will be dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria.
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[BusyDad] Yeah. It's just wrong. This is screwing with the natural order of the cosmos. And it's wet. Yuck.
That is hysterical! It's 42 degrees here in S. Texas and if that frozen precipitation type stuff were to occur here... well, the whole frick-a-fracking town would shut down. You think I joke? Not so much.
We're sporting a fire, blankets and socks. These 3 things are really rare here in the 'royal banana' household. :-)
As always, thank you for amusing me :-)
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[BusyDad] Ha - I thought we were the only ones with "Killer Storm Deathwatch 08" whenever this happened. On the TV at my coffee place, they were doing dramatic live helicopter shots from Malibu of the "Winter Storm" battering the southland on TV. I thought the writers were on strike??
I am so disappointed. This poor showing from the same guy that has met John Cusack and listened to Johnny Cash in the recording studio? OK the Cusack thing has little bearing but Mr.Cash would be ashamed. 43 is the temperature in my basement! :)
Good luck!
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[BusyDad] I'm ashamed to say the balmy California sunshine has slow roasted the weathered New Englander clean outta me.
Ha! I was so jealous of my husband because he got to spend the week in LA instead of freezing here in Maryland. I can't wait to call him tonight!
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[BusyDad] He'll be like "what storm? There was a storm?"
Well, I think you just may be the "go to man" if they find out that you have braved and survived the wilds of New England. But dont worry I wont tell anyone, so they dont surround your house seeking the answers of the white stuff...shhhhh
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[BusyDad] Oooh! I can dazzle my neighbors with my snowblower skillz!
oh man....that sounds horrible. HAIL????? say it isn't so! :)
Fun post!
Have a great evening!
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[BusyDad] heh heh. What else can you do but laugh at all the drama a little ice produces in this nutty city. Thanks for visiting!
snow in LA is pretty wild
and yet, back in my old old old days as an asst buyer at neiman marcus, I was always amazed the LA store was the neimans that sold the second most fur and cold weather items. gearing up for a day like this I suppose...
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[BusyDad] Oh you KNOW the fur wearers are out in droves today. Hmm maybe that's why traffic is so bad when we have inclement weather...
I want my Hunter boots!!!
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[d Hubby] uh oh... heeeere we go...
The same thing used to happen to my relatives in Virginia. They'd get a dusting of ice and be out of school for days! Meanwhile, I now live in Maine where they won't cancel school unless the snow is piles over the heads of 40%+ of the kindergarteners.
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[BusyDad] And if you stand on a snowmobile, you can get an extra, what, like 24 inches? Go to school and quit yer whimpering!
OMG Hail!!! Say it ain't so...SAY IT AIN'T SO!!
you're funny. loved this post.
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[BusyDad] And it's raining now!! I'm getting soaked. I SO did not sign up for this. Why do us SoCal folks always get the short end of the stick?? ;)
LMAO. I got on the freeway at Murtle, and there was a car spun out. HAHAHA. People are so stupid.
BTW, this post is what makes you a better blogger than me. I didnt think that far ahead to take a picture.
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[BusyDad] I just have a bigger jacket into which I can stuff a camera. I carry it around to catch Fury doing crazy stuff, and now to also play stormchaser...
Yeah, and LA people and precipitation of any sort -- slapstick comedy.
AAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh, wait. I'm so, so sorry. I'll be praying for you every minute. (snicker)
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[BusyDad] grrrr... just wait till summer. 110 degrees. Blazing sun. No sunscreen. Cuz I'm hardcore, playa.
no joke! I saw four accidents today on one stretch of road, laughed that Californians can't drive in "stormy" weather, then went wait....I'm freezing to my bones now and wearing a big parka in weather I used to wear shawts and tee shirts in! Remember - I went to school in ME and VT too! Doesn't take that long to wimpify does it? God forbid I do a full conversion and get something like uggs thinking they're boots! brrrr....must make hot cocoa now and get into some long johns. I'm FREEZING! mom laughs at me now :(
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[d Bro] Yup. The transformation is complete. You have been wussified by LA in one short year.
You answer all the comments! SO, you must be alive! Hope everything is fine. I'm too far to help in anyway but I can pray.
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[BusyDad] I love my wireless PC card. It keeps me warm.
14 here in Buffalo this morning, just par for the course for us though! Enjoy the cold! BRRRRRRRRRR!
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[BusyDad] 14 is par? I forfeit this game.
It's -13° here this morning. Last night I went shopping with my best friend & it was -8° If it had been 43° we wouldn't of worn a coat! Maybe you should get battery operated socks & mittens. They would slow down the the frost bite & give you a better chance of survival. :0)
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[BusyDad] Maybe I should find a mall! Yeah, I must be freezing my ass off to say that.
I'm in San Diego, and I've had to put away my sandals in favor of shoes for the past month. It's really throwing off my mojo.
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[BusyDad] I hear you! And, what, I gotta buy me a raincoat now? Crampin my style...
Damn fogangled weather. Sucks to be you. I think that you guys are spoiled!
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[BusyDad] As d Wife would say, we're not spoiled. We're loved.
You Cali pansy asses would really have trouble with tornada season in Oklahoma! ;)
You are on your funny game with this post BD... I really did LOL.
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[BusyDad] My pansy ass only curls up in a bathtub if there's bubbles and bath salts in there with me.
Wow. That may possibly be the silliest post you have written. And one of the funniest. I'm finally back in business bloggin again and this is what I get to read. Awesome.
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[BusyDad] Hmmm... must've been the frigid weather messing up my head. Glad to see you back and buzzing around!
ROFL! What happened Beantown homeslice? I'm squinting to see that "hail"....and snickering at your 43 degree weather. You should be breaking out the board shorts. If you don't need a shovel, don't complain! C'mon, Boston missed you... it's a friendly 10 degrees out today ;)
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[BusyDad] Miss SoCal much? wahahaha!
Oh, my. You are so cute.... try - 45C with the windchill and lots and lots of REAL snow.
That photo looked like early Fall up here!
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[BusyDad] Wait... don't you need like a Kelvin scale to measure temps that low??
-13 F here this AM. About 2 feet of snow/ice on the ground. Suck it up and be a man!
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[BusyDad] I choose my battles. Cold ain't one of em!
"Don't let anyone tell you different..." Bah-ha-ha-ha!!! I was just marveling to my husband this evening how warm 20 degrees feels versus the 20-below we were experiencing earlier this week. He replied, "Oh, no! You've become one of THEM!" (A Minnesotan, he means.)
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[BuzzeeDad] Is California that fleeting and shallow? Yes, yes it is.
I WILL TRADE YOU! We here in Missouri are looking forward to the warm spell they are predicting. It should hit 30 to 40 degrees today. We have been averaging temperatures in the teens. I wish it would snow then the cold would not feel so bad.
Anyhoo, a little of the white stuff is not so bad, just do not over excellerate.
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[BusyDad] SURE! Oh wait... what do I get out of this again? damn! foiled again.
SUCK IT UP BD! Geez it's like 21 in Ohio and it's snowed every day for the past 3 days...IF it were 43 I'd be driving around with my windows down!!
:) Blog Hopping I am! Momminitoops!
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[BuzzeeDad] You're just bitter you couldn't get to CVS and you're taking it out on me! ok ok, I'll put on some short, stroll on over to CVS (yes,there's one within strolling distance) and I'll give you mine. I am SUCH a good friend...
Hahahahaha! I just drove home from my parents house in an inch of fresh snow. It was pretty! And the temps around here haven't gotten ABOVE 20 degrees in a week! And yes, we do still have school (which my husband wishes would get canceled every once in awhile!)
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[BusyDad] If it snowed like that here, they'd cancel life for a few days, not just school.
hmm soon I won't even have THAT! For now, I suppose I'll be happy with the mounds of snow I got. If you could only see what I'm looking at you would probably faint.
I don't think **I** can handle this winter!!
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[BusyDad] Funny thing is I thought I was toughened by 25 yrs living in Boston. I was cursing the 43 degree weather while laughing at myself for doing it.
man. thats funny. well, its been raining all day here in NYC and honestly, it isn't as cold as i thought it was going to be. I guess I should shut up though .. incase it does decide to hit that 12 degrees or -10 with windchill. Hmm..
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[BusyDad] Julia! You made it to NYC! I bet you'll have some subway stories before long.
Oh, I so miss SoCal. I thought that since Texas was hotter than LA, it wouldn't be colder than LA. Stupid me.
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[BusyDad] Hmm made sense to me too. Stupid me by proxy.