Random Bits

So between the rain, sleet, and snow last night into this morning, we got about three inches of the white stuff by the time it stopped - fading back into rain a little bit. But it was three inches of beyond heavy, wet, icy crap to shovel.

Described on the evening news as "like lead or cement" to remove. Joy. So I went out to shovel (and OMG, this was the worst bit of now we've had this season so far! Much prefer two feet of the white fluffy stuff than the three icy, saturated inches I tried to scrape off the drive). I was just starting the head of the driveway which had about two feet of plow deposits when The Mad Walker came down the street with her dog. Now, The Mad Walker is an elderly lady who got a dog not too long ago, and this must be the most well-exercised dog on the planet. Rain or shine, snow, sleet or dark of night will not deter her from her appointed rounds through the neighborhood at *least* four times a day. She used to walk by herself, but now she has the dog to keep her company. She is sweet, and I am sure that I once knew her name, but I can't remember ever introducing myself to her. We wave, and smile, but today she stopped and we chatted. I crossed the street to say hello to her sweet puppy.

And down the cross street comes a guy pushing his snow blower. And without a word or a look to us he makes a bee-line for my driveway and starts to carve into the ice-bound drift plowed-in head of the driveway.

Neither of us recognize him. But wow, he just tore through the bank and started to clear what I hadn't yet got to. I stayed out of his way, but I did go back to clearing walkways and cleaning up the drive behind my car. And without a word, he'd finished his appointed task and when I look around for him he is halfway up the cross street, done. I yelled a "Thank YOU!" but, he didn't make any indication he heard me.

So I feel I have to pay it forward. Which may take some thought, but I usually can find an opportunity to do so.

Who was that mystery man with the snow blower?

Yeah, totally screwed. I got just acclimatized enough to California to have my sleep schedule fucked up for the last few days. So yeah, after 1am and I am still wide awake. It is snowing here. Supposed to turn to rain in the morning, and rain for while tomorrow (later today). Whatever - its gonna be messy. But the snow won't stick around since it is supposed to get up into the forties.

No response to the email I sent detailing *why* I said no when asked to do something for the production this March. The president of the group responded, and we talked a little bit tonight. But the producer(s) - nothing. I know they got my email. I did find out one producer has dropped the project entirely.

Still feeling conflicted and crappy about it. But I still feel I made the right decision, so. There is that.

Was at rehearsal for the children's theatre production tonight. I am filling in for the stage managers because one is sick, and the other can't come to rehearsals until after Jan 15. Blocking act 2 - in a tiny tiny space. But I think they'll be fine - even if they only have about a month to mount this production. Wish they had about ten more feet in every direction to play in. Because the stage they will be playing on is frickin' huge.

Ah, well. How can it be December 17th already? I am so not ready for the holidays. Want to sleep now, please. And it seems I am really damned random when twiddling my thumbs in the wee hours...

And I've shoveled out over 14 inches of snow. Since I have somewhere I need to be early tomorrow, I went out just after the snow ended to clear the driveway and car. All I have to do tomorrow is clear what the plows plow into my driveway.

So yeah. What was supposed to be 1 to 3 inches and then 5-8 and then 6-12 ended being a "wintercane" (winter storm with hurricane force winds) and 3-6 inches of snow *per hour* at the peak of the storm. We also had thundersnowshowers (like a thunderstorm, but with snow instead). So, yeah. I spent most of the day inside my house. A little bit of cabin fever, but on the whole not bad.