Apparently the dire emergency snowstorm pulled off earlier then they expected, despite all the homeland extreme security warnings without the word ICE, lest it confuse people that the federal government is invading their communities while I continue to explore options for the Ford F-350 trucks. I am actually not minding not owning a vehicle currently.
After all the warnings of the Dire Emergency Homeland Extreme Snowstorm, ☃️ we ended up getting like two inches of very light fluffy snow in Delmar and already the roads are mostly clear. It stopped snowing like six hours ago. Yes, if you have had more then 5 beers in the past hour, please stay off the roads, they’re dangerous when you’re that intoxicated. But other then that, I’m just shrugging. I guess I’m just spoiled living in the city without a car. I’m glad at least I didn’t need to run to laundromat at 6 AM this morning, though if I hadn’t done my wash over the weekend I’ll probably just waited until tomorrow.
I am not minding not having to clean the snow off my truck, 🌨️ or for that matter driving into the office. Neighbor took my parking spot last night, 🅿️ which was fine, it’s not like I’m going to be parking there until spring time. He moved his truck this morning after shoveling out his spot. Lot of snow of snow, but it’s light and fluffy, although far less snow then the warnings of the Dire Emergency 🚨 on the news media yesterday. I bet there is some big snow banks in the city, but the thing about living in the city, they never get much snow. Buses are few minutes late, but not that bad. 🚍 If my office wasn’t closed today, I wouldn’t have hesitated to catch the bus in after watching the Real Time Bus Info on my phone.
Working from home today, as the office is closed down. 🏢 I actually did not bring my laptop home, so if I need VPN access I’ll just end up riding my bike or catching a bus to the office, 🚌 honestly the snow has wound down, and I could go to the office, though the buses may be backed up in the city and running late with all the abandoned and poorly parked cars in the city before the snow emergency starts. Honestly, the biggest annoyance for me is the delayed buses after the snow. I’m hoping they declare the snow emergency quickly so traffic moves quickly again on city streets. 🚲 I am probably going to bike in tomorrow via Corning’s Hill, so avoid the delays of Delaware Avenue if there are still cars abandoned on the road. It will be cold, and I’m not sure if the paths through Corning Preserve will be plowed but if necessary I can ride city streets in.
I mean I know people in out laying areas got a lot more snow, ☃️ but in the city, it’s usually more alarmist then otherwise unless of course you park on the street. But the snow appears to be done, and if not for delayed buses or the bike path being blocked, there is very little impact on my life – working from home seems to almost be a bonus as I don’t have to shower or put on clean clothes – and I save on the evening bus fare. 🚍 Of course, I do want the snow to be gone so I can start using the Rail Trail over Corning’s Hill, especially come later in February when daylight will permit riding in both directions. 🚲
I am sure I’d feel differently about the snow 🧑🏻🌾 if I had livestock to feed 🐐, water throughs to break the ice on, a driveway to plow, a path to clear back to the barns, compost pile and burning barrel. At least no fire risk! Solar panels to clean off, generators to start, woodstove to restock, water lines to worry about freezing. 🤷♂️ I do like those timber-frame houses and that barnyard smell a bit too much. Or having to drive on icy, slippery roads to work. But I live in he city and are working remote today. Someday when I have the homestead, I’ll be able to curl up next to woodstove after getting done with chores, I really want to avoid living away from city while I still have to work there. 🚍 People mock riding the bus or your mountain bike as a unit director, and living in a very dumpy apartment, but it sure is convenient after a snow storm. And the hell of it is the city never gets that much snow, and in the more spread out suburban areas, the snow is easily pushed out of way, 🚘 traffic flows restored quickly with few issues. I get, it’s different when you live some place like Westerlo, but if I lived in a place like that, I’d not want to have to go to city on days like this or be dependent on things like the power grid which often fails in bad weather. 🔌
People are shocked 🤯 I rode my mountain bike to Walmart 4½ miles in yesterday’s bitterly cold weather, but I really enjoyed the apples 🍏 I got among other things. Made a really good apple bread in my cast iron skillet in the oven yesterday for dinner. And while my fingers were cold and numb at first riding out to Walmart, 🧤 by the way back they weren’t as bothered by the cold and indeed I took the longer route back home. Honestly, it’s just nice not having to clean off my truck or deal with snow at all, though maybe later I’ll dig out the bus stop assuming CDTA doesn’t have it cleaned up by tomorrow. Eggs this morning with onions and shredded broccoli, 🥦🥚 it had been a while since I did that. I think I overdone the pinto beans thing, though I did have onions and beans for lunch yesterday. Tonight I’ll probably break out some of the leftovers I’ve been taking home from mom and dad’s house, they’ve been accumulating again in the freezer.
I keep studying inventory at local dealerships 🔎 🛻, noting the specific models available and listed prices, not that those are real prices as there is always a bit of flexibility and doesn’t include dealer fees or taxes. Not that I’m planning to buy tomorrow, but it’s good to know what configurations are available. I was all about getting the 6.8L over the 7.3L but I’m now leaning towards the bigger engine, as it supposedly tougher and more reliable and 10L140 is a heavier duty tranny, though that does seem to be weak spot on the Fords. Also started to consider Dodge Ram HDs, I’ve heard good things about them, and while I would not necessarily consider any Chrysler products which are infamous for their defects especially their Jeeps, they’re supposedly quite good. Fuel economy doesn’t seem much different between the Ford 6.8L and the 7.3L but the later has a better reputation, though like any engine, there are people who have issues. Definately want to get the FX4 package, just for the skid plates. They aren’t perfect but they do offer protection especially against snow. And having the locker in the rear will help with traction. All HD trucks have front straight axles, which avoid so many of problems I’ve had with independent front suspension with the rough roads I drive, straight axles don’t have control arms or ball joints to break. And naturally asipriated engines require much less repairs. I know, it’s just mental masturbation over buying a big truck that I don’t really need. But I make good money and live in city where I ride my bike or bus it to work, like any greenie who burns his trash would. Sigh!