New York provides so many ways to enjoy a snowstorm.
1. In the run-up, I got into watching and listening to NYC newbies freak out and try to empty grocery stores.
2. Early Saturday morning, about 14-16" in, I hiked up to Amsterdam Avenue through Morningside Park. Some parts of the walk had no other visible footprints yet, but most of it had tracks from a few intrepid walkers. When two of us would pass each other, we'd nod and smile.
3. The ER at St. Lukes was almost empty, as I had calculated on Thursday when I decided to postpone a necessary visit in order to minimize waiting time. I was right--in and out quick, even with a buncha x-rays.
4. By noon Saturday, folks were out in force even as the snow swirled down and piled up. I helped push a couple cars out and the park was now chock-a-block with kids in multi-hued snow gear and equipment (along with less colorful parents).
5. By mid-afternoon, the powers that be were freaking, banning cars, cancelling Broadway shows, dialing mass transit way down and
generally bellowing dire warnings. When I called my 24/7/365 laundrymat to see if they were open, a sad voice said they were just closing. So I vetted the house with my Bundy-inspired check list:
Snacks--yep
Batteries—yep
Dildos--yep
I was good to go so I decided I was officially snowed in for the evening.
6. This morning, everything was rocking. Ecstatic kids out in force again. Sidewalks passable, storefront churches resounding with keyboard and tambourines, coffeeshops selling out, mounds of snow twice my height or more piled here and there by garbage trucks with plows attached during the night.
Is this a great city or what?