With the new year upon us, my plans are pretty simple – stay the course as much as possible. While there may be some things out of my control, I plan to continue to live modestly, save and work towards a better future. I really don’t need all those fancy toys all the kids have these days. I’m happy with things as they are and I have a lot of hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Two state lawmakers on Thursday introduced legislation meant to limit outdoor lighting at night in order to better protect migrating birds.
The measure backed by Manhattan Sen. Brad Hoylman and Albany Assemblywoman Pat Fahy would require most non-essential outdoor lighting be turned off by 11 p.m., be motion activated or covered by an external shield.
The bill is meant to prevent birds who travel at night from becoming disoriented by bright nighttime lights and striking buildings
“Buildings don’t have to be bird killers,” Hoylman said. “On just one night this autumn, building workers found over 200 migratory birds dead at the base of two buildings in Manhattan. While Albany enacted legislation in 2014 to reduce excess light from state-owned buildings to help prevent migratory bird collisions, we must build on this success and reduce the impacts of artificial light throughout the state."
In New York City alone, it's estimated 90,000 to 230,000 birds are killed every year by striking buildings.
Today’s sunrise was at 7:25 am. The next time the sun will rise later then today 🌄 is in 296 days on Sunday, October 30.
wiThe average high for today is 33 degrees. 🌡 The next time it will be on average warmer then today is in 28 days on Friday, February 4 when the average temperature will be 34 degrees.
The highest point for the sun today will be 25° from the horizon at 12:02 pm. 🌞 The next time the sun will be lower in the sky mid-day is in 332 days on Monday, December 5.
Today has 9 hours and 27 minutes of daylight. ⏳ The next time the day will be shorter then today is in 332 days on Monday, December 5.
Today’s sunset will be at 4:38 pm. The next time the sun will set earlier then today 🌆 is in 307 days on Thursday, November 10.
The average low for today is 17 degrees. 🌡 The next night it will be on average warmer then tonight is in 39 days on Tuesday, February 15 when the average temperature will be 18 degrees.
While it doesn’t seem that way it is January already. One thing that is noticeable with the latest climate averages is that the coldest week of the year has shifted about a week or so later into January, although even that is a few degrees warmer then it once was.
I thought about heading out of town this weekend but it looks rather cold especially up north and I’m concerned about the storm they are talking about on Sunday. Plus I’m hopeful for the following weekend which is Martin King Day Weekend and maybe I can get a three day weekend if it’s not frigid or snowy.
| Today. Cold ! |
|
Snow likely, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy.
Northwest wind 7 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
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31 degrees | 13 max wind chill | 4:38 sunset |
| Tonight. Cold ! |
|
Partly cloudy.
Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
|
13 degrees | 1 max wind chill | 7:24 sunrise |
| Saturday. Cold ! |
|
Sunny.
Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.
|
27 degrees | 1 max wind chill | 4:39 sunset |
| Saturday Night. Feels like … February 18th. |
|
Partly cloudy.
South wind 5 to 9 mph.
|
18 degrees | 12 max wind chill | 7:24 sunrise |
| Sunday. Feels like … February 13th. |
|
Freezing rain and sleet before 1pm, then rain and snow likely between 1pm and 4pm, then rain likely after 4pm. High near 35. South wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
|
35 degrees | 4:40 sunset |
|
| Sunday Night. Feels like … February 28th. |
|
A chance of snow showers, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy.
Chance of precipitation is 50%.
|
21 degrees | 7:24 sunrise |
|
| Monday. Cold ! |
|
Mostly cloudy.
|
27 degrees | 11 max wind chill | 4:41 sunset |
| Monday Night. Cold ! |
|
Mostly cloudy.
|
3 degrees | -8 max wind chill | 7:24 sunrise |
| Tuesday. Cold ! |
|
Mostly sunny.
|
11 degrees | -10 max wind chill | 4:42 sunset |
| Tuesday Night. Cold ! |
|
Partly cloudy.
|
1 degrees | -6 max wind chill | 7:23 sunrise |
| Wednesday. Cold ! |
|
Mostly cloudy.
|
25 degrees | -5 max wind chill | 4:43 sunset |
| Wednesday Night. Feels like … February 22nd. |
|
Cloudy.
|
19 degrees | 13 max wind chill | 7:23 sunrise |
| Thursday. Feels like … February 13th. |
|
Mostly cloudy.
|
35 degrees | 4:44 sunset |
Back when I was younger and we got more snow, we’d call this nuisance snow although it seems like the Delmar Bypass is a bit greasy this morning, after the snow had picked up. But we’re making good progress downtown and I’m not driving.
The modern buses with traction control and anti lock brakes are so much better in the snow than back in the day. I do however question the wisdom of them running the pusher articulated buses in the snow downtown although if it gets really bad I’m sure they either ground them or they remain sidelined jack knifed on the road.
Snow and 25 degrees at the Elm Ave Park and Ride. ❄ There is a north-northwest breeze at 7 mph. 🍃. There is an inch or two of snow on the ground. ☃ Things will start to thaw out at Sunday around 1 pm. 🌡️
The 7:55 express bus 🚍 was right on time ⌚ today. I think they may have changed up the driver schedule to help keep things on time as Monday and Tuesday where a disaster for those hoping for timely arrival of the bus. It was so cold waiting for that bus on Monday that didn’t come.
It’s good as I like to get as many of my steps in as possible before work. 🚶 I really don’t like doing my evening walk in the cold and dark, when I can do it in the morning before work. 💼 But next week is a session week so I will be dressing up 👨🏻💼 so I’ll probably have to wait until after work to try to get as many steps in as possible. 👣
I did the walking thing on the Plaza for a while 😷 and then decided with the sloppy wet snow 🌨 it wasn’t much fun so strapped on the muzzle and headed into the Concourse. I don’t like walking with the muzzle on but what’s the alternative? That seems to be my motto lately. It’s just the times we are living through, the 2020s are a lot like the 1970s, a decade we have to get through one day at a time. ⏳
My paystub arrived late this week, 🖨 and I was pleasantly surprised that my salary was more then I thought it was — $5,000 more a year then I thought it was. 😮 One I got promoted, I thought the agency director gave me one number, but I thought that seemed too high, and I was sure it was a lower number. But that’s good, means I can save and invest more. Already, it seems like some of that additional money is automatically going to deferred comp — they raised the maximum to $20,500 a year from $19,500 — which I am doing as I have it set to 25% of my income. I just think it’s so important to save for retirement anything I can, so I can use it on my homestead when I get there eventually.
