Ptorchwood Ptales & Ptimely Pthoughts

FREDDIE & ELOISE

The owner of these cats died unexpectantly and there isn't any family to take them. Some friends are taking care of the cats, but this is a temporary fix at best.

They are around 10 years old, and don't have any health problems. They are good natured and friendly. Please boost the signal and if anyone is interested they can PM me.

Here are some pictures, I know they aren't the greatest but you can see they are pretty chill cats:

Freddie & Eloise. Third picture is Eloise, Fourth is Freddie.

We're fine! The city is pretty much closed for business today. I'm seeing a small number of cars on Sheridan Road, one bus in the last hour and no one at the bus stop.  The ELs are running for the most part - but a few sections aren't. Metra commuter trains are hit or miss - those that are running are on a weekend schedule.

They closed Lake Shore Drive around 7 PM last night after there were several pile ups and they couldn't get in to get people out until this morning in some cases. Not good. There were people who were stuck as early as 3 PM so not taking a LSD express bus yesterday was a good call.  Lots of folks ended up abandoning their cars which are now being slowly towed off the Drive.  Good news, the lake flood warning has been canceled though there were waves coming over parts of the Drive last night.

A plow just went by - its hard to tell but it looks like they aren't plowing much at this point - I would call the main street passable but the side streets, forget it. Snow over the knees so the few people out are walking in the street. Their dogs seem to be having a good time. Looking closer - its a malamute, LOL! Two more plows just went by - hard to tell if its making a difference.

Last night was pretty scary. We all had trouble falling asleep - with the wind howling (they said there were gusts up to 70 MPH) and windows rattling and some weird building noises - it was not fun.

It just began ot snow again - that sure came on suddenly! We're supposed to get maybe another 6 inches today. There are scattered power outages around the city but we're fine.

Hmm...the same two garbage trucks equipped with plow are making a pass on the other side of the street now. Pretty much a losing battle with new snow coming down heavier by the minute. And here's another one.  And a bus. And its a another whiteout. Man with Malamute is heading home.

And so you can 'enjoy' some thundersnow, here's a little vid from the Weather Channel. you can't say that Jim Cantore isn't an enthusiastic reporter! (Weather channel pulled the vid from YouTube so here's a link).

http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/cantore-surprised-by-thunder-snow-19541

So that's all for now - time to snuggle with the kitties, do a little work and maybe write a little.

We have some BIG snow in Chicago tonight.  In the city the snow began around 3 PM. I got out of work at that time (and no work tomorrow).  Made the commute home OK.  The buses were really few and far between so I took the EL (elevated train) and then a bus. I was able to wait inside the EL station for the bus so it wasn't too bad. And there wasn't much wind, and it wasn't that cold.

But when I got off the bus it got a lot scarier. Crossing the main street (Sheridan Road) near my house was challenging; I'm right off  the Lake and the wind was already blowing pretty hard.

Within 15 minutes of getting in the house the wind was blowing so hard that it was a virtual white-out. There really wasn't that much snow coming down but the wind gusts were astounding.  I was really excited about getting some video out my windows until I realized that my camera is at work (meh).

It's just become worse as the night as progressed. The wind is howling, They've shut down Lakes Shore Drive (apparently there are still cars stuck on the Drive - thank goodness I didn't take the express bus that uses that route) and we've had Thunder Snow!! And lightening!

Strange thing is it doesn't look like there's all that much snow on the ground - not sure if that's the case or if its just blowing around so you can't tell. The visibility is really low - I can hardly see to the end of the block.

And we still have the storm passing through for most of the night and then on the back side of the storm we're supposed to get some more lake effect snow. Total accumulation is expected to be in the 18 to 24 inches.

But I've got food in the house for me and the kitties, its warm, we're safe, so everything is fine. As long as the electricity stays on that is. Everything in my apartment building is electric including the stove and the heat, so we could be in a bit of trouble if we lose power. We've had a few moments of dimming, but so far so good. And yeah I have a couple of flashlights if necessary.

The company I work for decided not to open tomorrow which I think was a very good decision. I did bring some work home but I'm sure I'll have some extra time for writing as well.

Woah! There was just another BIG lightening flash. Well there goes Teddy to hide from the scary lightening. Ida is totally unphased and is napping on my lap. I think its about time to go wrap things up here ...nighty night.

I went to a rooftop cookout for the 4th; unfortunately, I'm the one who got cooked. So I decided to skip the second rooftop party and go home and cool off. They moved the fireworks from the traditional downtown loction to several areas along the lake front. I didn't think I'd be able to see anything from my place, but I could. The ground fireworks did not make very interesting pictures but some of the high ones came out farily well.

Ida watched the entire show with rapt attention. Teddy didn't hide despite the noise, just went and napped in his lovely styrofoam bed.

   

  

 

  

THE FINAL POST!!  Again, if you'd like better copies of any of these pictures or there was something you wanted a picture of that isn't shown (these 4 posts are about a third of the pictures I took) please contact me via PM and I'll see if I can't find it for you.

Best  two signs of the parade:
 
Broadway in Chicago
 
and a local vet
    
Terri Hemmert - she's been at at XRT since the 70s & hosts the legendary "Breakfast with the Beatles" Sunday mornings.

  

The only self-identified Republicans in the parade.
 

 

The Cheshire Cat from Lookingglass 'Alice' & a really hot & sweaty me (and not just cause he was purring in my ear).
 

Its Tree House! That's the shelter Ida & Teddy came from! We love you Tree House!!
  



That's all folks!  Hope everyone had a great weekend!

More pics!

 

  

 

  

Ok - Mom's Alma Mater was there, and UIC, but where were you Northwestern and U of Chicago???
  
Glee & Hyatt Hotels
 

  

 

 
Filipino Pride (2 photos)
 
I haven't posted many commercial floats but here are two (Miller & Illinois Lottery)
  

Please note that pictures posted are about a third of what I took. So if you are looking for a group not shown here, let me know and I'll see if I've got any pictures.

         

Chicago Cubs & Earnie Banks (please note that these pics were taken at the end of a two hour parade.  Mr. Banks appears to be a bit worn out). But ERNIE BANKS! MR. CUBS! MY HERO!

  
You'll have to biggify some of these to read the signs. From PFLAG (next 3)

      

  

Baton Show Lounge (next 2)
    

  
Took this one mostly to show where I live - tall building on the left - see Ida & Teddy waving? No?

  

  
The ROTC  (NO NOT THAT ONE) 2 PICS
   

Chicago Spirit Brigade (2 pics)
  

As promised here are some pictures from the parade. Despite predictions of thunderstorms all day, they blew out of town before noon and the day was pretty warm and muggy. None of these photos are edited, cause really who has the time. And they are lower quality jpegs so I can get a bunch (hopefully) in one posting.

For my friends in the parade:  I think I got pics of all but one of you. I will be emailing you much better quality pictures individually (yeah and I may even do a little photoshopping on yours...maybe...let's see how this week goes).

To LJ folks - if anyone in the parade would like a picture let me know via PM and I'll be happy to email you the higher quality res one. 

So without further ado:


     
                                                                                                             

 
Took a few samples of politicians' represented in the parade.  (Next 2 - Governor, State Senator). Gee, where were all the Republicans?

 

 

Law Enforcement (next 2)
 

 

Chicago Hockey - is that a Stanley Cup or are you just glad to see me! (next two)

 

We really didn't get much in the city. Outlying areas got 12 inches or more but we got maybe 3.  Getting home last night was suprisingly easy - I think a lot of folks left downtown early as the worst snow was predicted to hit in conjunction with the evening rush hour. Today the main streets were slushy but passable.  The temperature isn't too cold (mid twenties) but the wind off the lake has picked up so it feels really cold.

Another good day for kitties to stay inside. Hmmm, wonder what they'll be up to today.

Maybe some reading?



Or perhaps just some more naps.



Its tough being a cat!

We love the snow!  It makes life so exciting.  The commute to work wasn't too bad...I'll love it if I can get home from work tonight.

Meanwhile, the cats are enjoying the snow the way only cats can:

Ida likes to watch the snow especially when it comes off the lake. She'll watch it in the room closest to the lake and then run to the next room to see where it went.  Yeah, she's cute, but not the brightest bulb on the porch. Here she is sitting on the heater and enjoying the view.


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Meanwhile Teddy never let's the snow bother him.  Hey its always a good time for a nap at our house. He is my smart Tasmanian Devil cat.  He's either full go or full stop.  Or full yawn.




Hope everyone is safe and warm!