h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

... been made an honest woman yet?! Long time no see so I apologise if I'm cheeky for asking but did you and K tie the knot? And, if so, did you get the movie theater? I've not been on hootoo much for a while and you don't seem to be posting journal entries so I hope nothing's wrong and you're fine and dandy. I'd love to hear what you're up to so drop me a line if you have the time.

My christmas cactus has nine beautiful red flowers on it and many more buds

Take good care of yourself,
Van

Hiya Van!

Nothing's wrong at all, it just seemed for a while now that there wasn't much going on worth mentioning, just same old, same old. I've been somewhat busy when at the office, had a week vacation last week, and just don't get as much time on hootoo lately. I go through cycles like this from time to time so no need to worry.

No, K and I haven't gotten hitched yet (and I don't think you're cheeky to ask). He'd said something about waiting till we find a house, so it might be a while yet. I'm in no rush, neither of us is going anywhere. Though it'd be useful for legal reasons to get it done with already.

My dad has a bunch of christmas cacti out on his lanai (an outdoor but somewhat enclosed, furnished patio thingy) but none of them had flowers when I was there. A bearded cactus did, though. I bought myself a new African violet which has blooms, of course, and the anthurium has flowers as ever.

How are you doing, my friend?

... stayed warm and happy during all the snowstorms?

I'm always late for everything but I thought about you & K when I saw how extreme the snowstorms were in Chicago (& the Superbowl makes me think of you- it was last weekend; I'm always late!) so I hope you both stayed warm and happy.

Hope you did, sorry to be late,
Van

The snow wasn't quite as bad as I was expecting, actually. We got about 20 inches here but I was sort of expecting more than two feet. It took K a little longer to drive home from work that day, I think about three hours, but he took side roads instead of Lake Shore Drive, knowing that it would be so much worse there with the wind coming off the lake and all. I actually sent him to work with a snow shovel, a couple of blankets, and a change of clothes. His parents live about halfway between his work and our place, and the plan was if it got really scary out, he'd spend the night there- but he was dsmissed early enough (3pm) that day to beat the worst of it, as it got really hairy around 5-6pm. Both of our offices stayed closed the following day, so K had time to dig out the car, and by Thursday afternoon, the City had even plowed the side streets.

Unfortunately, I was out sick all that week. I went home on Thursday the 27th feeling feverish and congested, and had a 102°-103° fever right through Wednesday, and still wasn't quite well till just a week ago. Missed six days of work (one of which we were closed anyway). Still coughing a bit, but feeling okay.

Sorry to hear you've been but glad to hear you're on the mend. I guess you expect snow in winter but the news here made it sound pretty fierce, though I still can't tell how much perspective the news here actually has on things. They reported the floods & typhoon in Australia which I think were unusual events but they'd reported the snow storms in US (which possibly weren't unusual events) with the same vigour and gravity. Anyway, glad to hear you were both ok and hope the cough clears up soon.

Well, the storm was bad mainly because of high winds- 60 to 70 mph gusts on and off for over 12 hours. A lot of people did lose power, but ours only winked out for a split second. Closer to the lake there was some flooding because of winds blowing water against the breakwater, but we're a couple miles west of the lake. All of the snow fell within roughly 12 hours as well, so it was pretty bad. But I was seriously expecting worse- I anticipated having to dig out our front door and stuff.

But it didn't affect us too much, given that K left work early and I was already home sick that day, and neither office was open the following day. Fortunately nothing bad happened.

While it's not unusual for us to accumulate this much snow over a few days' time, this is the third highest snowfall (meaning all the snow falls at once) ever recorded in Chicago, so I don't mean to make it sound like it was a light dusting. And I've *never* experienced a thunder-snowstorm before in my life. We had thunder and lightning with those winds. That was actually freaky, and the way my windows were rattling (the ones that face east, anyway), I was afraid we might lose one. I usually only fear that in autumn during the hardcore thunderstorm, tornado-warnings-aplenty season.

So... how are things going with you? It's always nice to hear from you when you pop back online.

And while this much snow is a huge inconvenience in many ways, and the storm itself was dangerous to those who were out in it (because you can get stuck in the snow or run out of gas and sit in a cold car for hours), I wouldn't say it's quite as bad as the flooding in Australia. People might have been cold or lost power, or not been able to get out and about for a couple of days afterward, but only one person died and I don't know of anyone who lost a home because of it.

Though after big snows and during deep freezes (which we had for several days after the storm), people do frequently have house fires, usually because of crappy heaters especially portable or space heaters.

I've always wanted to experience that snow-thunder thing but I suppose I should be careful of what I wish for! I saw another news bulletin the other night about masses of snow "from Montana to Michigan" so I hope that didn't stray south to you?

I'm smiling as per usual and reasonably happy in general. I've been on a few unsuccessful dates (see my journal) but I haven't made a fool of myself and the actual dates were fun if not the outcomes. My degree is going well (should graduate in just over a year) and my current module is Shakespeare so my assignments don't feel like a chore My first essay is due shortly so I'll be scribbling away for the next few days.

Still looking for my dream job and a woman to pamper who will kick my arse to stop me making the wrong choices (we can all dream) but I'm happy with my lot and glad to be studying. My sister's expecting her second child in May so the whole family's looking forward to the new addition. She has a three year old daughter and I think we're all secretly hoping she'll have a son but whatever the gender we'll all be happy.

So yes, all things told, I'm happy and healthy and looking forward to what the future brings. Sorry I don't catch up with you as often as I should but I try to check in to hootoo more often these days. How's things across the pond? Hope you and K are well but it's always nice to hear what you're up to.

Van

We actually had thunder snow again last evening. They say it's fairly rare, but occurs in the Great Lakes when there's lake effect snow. I don't think we had any lake effect, because we didn't get more than a couple of inches overnight. It started sleeting shortly after K got home, then rapidly switched to snow/ice pellets, but not much accumulation at all. Maybe we have more coming?

I'll check your journal to read about those dates. Sorry they were unsuccessful, but at least you had fun.

Glad your schooling is going well! And especially that it's not a chore for you. Hopefully it will help you land that dream job. My current job isn't what I'd have dreamed for, but at least it's not a nightmare. Congrats on the soon-to-be niece or nephew. One of each would be nice, yes.

I don't check hootoo as often as I used to and am not always what I would call "prompt" at checking in with various friends, either. No worries. But yes, K and I are doing fine- things don't always go our way, but we're reasonably healthy, we're happy, and we manage to have fun.

I heard a forecast a little while ago predicting 9". That's not much. Another 21" would be kind of a pain in the ass.