Settling in for Sandy

I work from a home office, so I didn’t have to change my plans all that much when Hurricane Sandy started to shut things down in the DC area. My wife, on the other hand, got to experience the joys of telecommuting today. We’ve had the local news on, watching things get worse for us and even worse for people further up the East Coast.

Here’s the view from our window:

I took this photo about a couple hours ago as Sandy was just starting to hit the area. The rain and clouds have since limited our view by a bit. The tent and port-a-johns are left over from yesterday’s Marine Corps Marathon. The tent’s skin has since been removed, but I’m waiting for the framework and, even worse, the port-a-johns to go flying (shudder) when the wind gusts hit something like 75mph later tonight.

I mean, we’re fine. I grew up on the Gulf Coast, so we’re prepared: food, batteries, ice, and liquor. We’ll be ok if we have to hunker down for a few days. So far, the worst thing I can complain about is that my bathroom renovation project will get delayed. That, and I have a Spaniel who hates water, so taking him for walks during this weather is always a pain. But compared to people who are experiencing power outages, property damage, injuries, or even death, we’re sitting on easy street. Heck, I need to remember that there are three guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier just blocks away from my place who will be there, come (metaphorical) hell or (possibly literal) high water.

So for everyone out there in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and beyond, settle in, be safe, and pay attention to emergency announcements. But most of all, be kind to your neighbors and strangers. Take care of each other in terrible times. We’re all stressed in emergencies. Work together to make things better.