Dr. Neil Hair

The weather people get all excited about the possibility of serious snow and go on about nothing else for three days. Allow me to elaborate:

Thursday 13th. Weather on the 9's report the possibility of some snow over the weekend. No raised voices, no extended weather on the 9's.

Friday 14th. Morning. Weather on the 9's and then 10's suggest there could be some serious snow fall over the weekend. No raised voices, no glee – just another weekend for Rochesterians.

Friday 14th. Afternoon. Weather on the 9's and 10's suddenly becomes the only news story. Serious snow fall has now become – one of Rochester's top ten weather events since records began back in 1860. Why they began in 1860 is not made clear. Perhaps it was a bad winter and someone decided they should probably start recording this stuff.

Friday 14th. Evening. All other news events suspended. Climate control in Bhali? Nothing. Election campaign? Nothing. Weather and lots of snow? The only thing on TV. Neil checks cupboards to ensure sufficient tonic water and limes for the ensuing sit in.

Friday 14th. 11pm. Its all about the snow. Up to 25 inches now estimated total by Monday morning starting Saturday night. Neil checks fridge for ample supplies of milk and then cupboard for coffee. Listens to people on tv reporting huge lines at Wegmans. Neil smiles since he was there at 3pm as soon as the faculty meeting ended. Neil goes to bed knowing that all will be well, fridge is stocked, cupboard also, Bombay brimming, limes looking lovely, organic coffee spilling and more milk than a Freijan Cow in the fridge.

Saturday 15th. 9am. 25 inches of snow revised to 5 inches, possibly lots of sleet because a warm front is heading our way from the south. Neil devastated. Thoughts of tales for grandchildren of the BIG WHITE OUT now dashed. The big sit in has become all of a sudden the big joke. And the joke is on the weather people. Neil leaves home in search of alternative entertainment. Settles for hair cut, comes home and bakes pizza and prepares Margharitas for the ensuing warm spell.

To be continued…

Sunday morning 10am. So, I raise my weary head expecting all hell to have broken loose outside and instead I am greeted with lovely Rustic Village staff – bemused looks on their faces as they clear around 1 inch of snow from the ground that fell over night. Absolutely gutted – have donned shorts and a T-shirt and will head out for a bbq with friends this afternoon. What an overly dramatized bit of spin from the weather people… Ive seen more snow in a snow globe! Who sponsors these weather reports? the Comedy Channel? What also amuses me is the local news take on the fiasco.. 'though less snow fell than was expected..' sort of stuff that goes on to state the doom and gloom / dangers of the inch that has fallen. Give me a break. Just say sorry for having gotten is so very wrong and let me enjoy my morning coffee in peace

So much for your 'Ultimate Dopplar Radar' (which upon this performance I am convinced is nothing more than a bucket of water and a stick).

Monday morning. 8am. Appears we had a little snow last night, I cant see my car exactly, but Im sure its where I left it.