Let It Snow

Oh my! It's the first day of December in Chicago and there is a winter storm. What a shocker. Winter descended on the area last night and if you paid attention to the local media (which I now proudly am a member) you would have thought the world was coming to an end. TV stations had reporters stationed on every overpass and at both airports, and radio station had roving reporters, all to cover a storm that hadn't arrived yet. It always amazes me that we in the Midwest are surprised by Winter weather. Do we get so drunk being house bound for three months that by the time Winter comes back around we have forgotten it?

The storm did come. It started with freezing rain and sleet that turned most of the roads here into Olympic speed skating rinks. The problem is that our cars have radials, not razor sharp blades, so the results are disastrous. I was trying to get to a rare stand-up gig last night at a club about 48 miles away. I left the house with plenty of time and was greeted by the road company of the "Ice Capades". I had gone about three miles when a van in front of me spun out on a bridge. I should have known I was in for trouble, but I got on the freeway anyway. I had gone about eight miles in thirty minutes and was at a stand still. By the time I had gone 11 miles, I had been on the road for two hours, and the show was already a half hour old. I had been in contact with the club the whole time and had told them to not expect me. I even sent the owner a picture of the traffic jam from my cell phone. It's amazing the things you can learn sitting in your car for two hours.

Today we woke to a combo of ice and snow. It's always kind of exciting when the first snow hits. After braving the elements and the roads (thanks to four wheel drive and a lack of common sense) it was time to blow some snow. I had taken some steps yesterday to get my sweet snow thrower ready. It was gassed up and lubed and I had started it so that when I needed it, I would be rockin'. Man do I love not having to shovel. I fired up my Airens and off I went. I finished my driveway in no time, did the sidewalks and then even did part of my neighbor's driveway. I wish I could take the credit for being nice, but "Wife" had seen our neighbor out shovelling and suggested I help her out. I didn't tell her that of course. Let her think I'm a hero. It might come in handy down the line.

I'm going to head back out and see if I can make the show tonight. If you're up late Saturday, don't forget to listen to Laura and me on WGN from 1-5 am. We have a new game that we're playing with chances for you to win valuable prizes. It should be fun. Have a great weekend. Later...Brian