Jan 21·edited Jan 21Liked by Glenn Harlan Reynolds
Yep. I worked in local government for a while and believe me there was nothing like the hustle that happened when the local pols got (legitimate) public flak for failures. The blame was sometimes misdirected, but the scurry that was apparent everywhere was almost comical to see after experiencing the normally somnolent work climate there. Heh indeed. I left after a short time, before my mind turned to oatmeal.
Yes, bitching strategically can work wonders. In regards to winter prep, couple of other items to suggest. If need be, keep extra jacket/sweatshirt, socks and perhaps blanket in vehicle. Carry extra water with you for drive. Also, for home ... stockpile in freezer some soups, stews, breakfast items, breads to have. Can heat those up w/gas stove if you have one, or even in pot on bbq grill! And have at least two Sam's/Costco cases of water on hand.
I too cut my snow driving chops in a VW Beetle in 1968 in New York State. My high school girlfriend’s family decamped to Florida for Christmas break, and her dad asked if I’d drive their Beetle around every day to keep the battery charged (Beetles were not known for their excellent electrical systems.) We had several blizzards during those two weeks, and I dutifully drove the Beetle every day through at least foot deep snow. The Beetle had rear wheel drive, but the little engine was in back over the rear axle, so it had decent traction, and a manual shift. I got pretty good over those two weeks.
" CU Boulder study finds that technological advancements and cost reductions are driving this trend, with utilities on track to achieve or exceed state goals."
Net Zero apparently will save us money? from cost reductions? How does California rates nearly double the national average inform that prediction?
Very sensible advice. We have an apartment in a retirement community, but still store extra amounts of our medicines, and of our priority foods. One modest suggestion: we have a number of ice packs from shipments of cheeses sent by our daughter. We keep all of the packs in our freezer. If the power goes off, they will keep it cold for quite a while.
Can we have a PSA on DO NOT try to get a car out of a ditch? Do not put anyone on the downhill side of a vehicle stuck in a ditch. I've seen a grown woman have her two kids trying to rock her car out of a ditch from the downhill side of the car. I imagine the car surges uphill, the downhill people lose footing and slip forward as the car's tires lose traction and it fails to exit the ditch. Car returns to rest in the ditch with predictable results. I am stunned at how often I have seen people attempting this ridiculous maneuver. Saw it today and had to explain the possible physics to all involved. People don't always appreciate this. I'll try to help you survive even if you curse me for it. Call a tow truck.
Take it from a guy who lived in Fairbanks for three years (flying A-10s out of Eielson AFB): clothing-wise, when going outside, ALWAYS "assume the worst condition."
We had a saying in the squadron: "Fly wearing what you plan to sleep in." That goes for driving as well. We had one of the wives try to make a quick trip to the store in North Pole (yes, that's a real town outside Fairbanks). Her car had been parked outside and when she had gone about a half mile, all four tires went flat after the flat side of the tire popped the rest of the tire loose and rolled them all off their rims.
The "Bush" in Alaska, in the smaller towns. is about 50 feet off the roadway, i.e., she was "in the middle of nowhere," with only light clothing on in a place where -40F is common in the winter. Fortunately, she was able to make it to another house and call for help.
The Green proclivity for demanding a lowering of living standards, rather than encouraging innovation, to meet emission/climate goals, is one of the stupidest...and deadliest...characteristics of these people.
Don't just bitch at the utilities, make sure your state Public Utility Commission gets and earful as well as the Gov who appointed them (if they are not elected) and the legislators that approved them.
I remember being in Nepal quite a few years ago. (This was our staging area for a couple of clims including Shishapangma in Tibet) They had rolling blackouts in Katmandu. The locals shrugged them off as normal, but I remember thinking that I certainly was in a third world country. I wouldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams that a few decades later we would have rolling blackouts in the United States. Sadly, there is no excuse. We've caved to insanity.
Glad the bitching worked to keep the heat and lights on.
Sadly, bitching is falling on deaf ears with respect to the stream of illegal immigrants flooding our country and the idiotic anti-Semitic protesters blocking roads. Likely the difference between the utility operators and regulators also being affected by their malfeasance while the national pols are immune to the effects of their decisions.
I would like to share some winter driving tips. I have over 750,000 miles under my belt driving a semi truck throughout the lower 48 states but gave up that glamor to become an accountant. Makes perfect sense to no one, but I can handle a vehicle in winter.
Rule #1. Don't drive on ice without studded tires or chains. Rubber's coefficient of traction on ice is almost zero.
Rule #2. During winter, your tires can only do one thing at a time. They can accelerate you. They can steer you. Or they can brake you. They cannot do two things at once. Key take away, if you are braking and turning your steering wheel at the same time, you are likely to become what I refer to as 'statuary' meaning something on the side of the road that I will admire as I drive by it.
Rule #3 Slow down. You may have four wheel drive, but you still only have four wheel braking. Increase your following distance, be patient, and remind yourself that it is better to arrive late than to not arrive at all.
Agreed on the bitching and the preps. For the bitching - This year I'll be bitching about Nashville's failure to treat neighborhoods at all. Main roads and interstates have been clear for days but we've made national news because we can ice skate on our neighborhood streets. This is the pattern so, we'll speak up.
For the preps -
Most of Glenn's recommendations, plus I bought 320 pounds of de-icer this year for about $120, and didn't pour it on the driveway. Instead, I left it in the bed of my 2wd truck, covered with a tarp to protect from precip. The weight helped get me down 1-mile hill and back because:
I didn't go with cheap tires. My truck came with 3-season and I replaced them with Michelin LTX 4 season.
I've learned to get the most out of the tires--learn how your car/truck traction control or limited slip diff options work. I turn OFF traction control and engage auto-lsd on ice/snow. Power to both rear wheels, plus the extra weight, and the computer still engages some traction control braking if things go weird.
Use the shifter-I can switch from automatic trans to a version of manual trans. This give more control, but once you get moving, shift to higher gears and float across that ice. Don't linger in 1st gear. I've tried relying on the auto trans in the past and it sucks.
Keep the momentum in hilly neighborhoods, but too much speed on ice and you're in the ditch, 4wd or not. On ice, do not stop unless you have traction to get started again. Sure, we avoid ice if possible, but don't get cocky if you drive on it, to coin a phrase.
I work in a lot of different locations across middle Tennessee. Whenever I leave home in this weather I have the right clothes/boots in case I have to walk home, snacks/water in case I need them, $100 or $200 in different bills, a pair of nines, and, no kidding, a 12-pack of really good beer. If I can't turn all of that currency into a way to get home, then we have really big problems.
Same thing happened in Texas, i.e. nothing this time. Don’t accept incompetence. If it’s insufferable, don’t suffer it.
Yep. I worked in local government for a while and believe me there was nothing like the hustle that happened when the local pols got (legitimate) public flak for failures. The blame was sometimes misdirected, but the scurry that was apparent everywhere was almost comical to see after experiencing the normally somnolent work climate there. Heh indeed. I left after a short time, before my mind turned to oatmeal.
Bitching is a noble force for good. Loud sustained bitching even more so.
Yes, bitching strategically can work wonders. In regards to winter prep, couple of other items to suggest. If need be, keep extra jacket/sweatshirt, socks and perhaps blanket in vehicle. Carry extra water with you for drive. Also, for home ... stockpile in freezer some soups, stews, breakfast items, breads to have. Can heat those up w/gas stove if you have one, or even in pot on bbq grill! And have at least two Sam's/Costco cases of water on hand.
I too cut my snow driving chops in a VW Beetle in 1968 in New York State. My high school girlfriend’s family decamped to Florida for Christmas break, and her dad asked if I’d drive their Beetle around every day to keep the battery charged (Beetles were not known for their excellent electrical systems.) We had several blizzards during those two weeks, and I dutifully drove the Beetle every day through at least foot deep snow. The Beetle had rear wheel drive, but the little engine was in back over the rear axle, so it had decent traction, and a manual shift. I got pretty good over those two weeks.
Bitching works. In Tennessee. Or Texas. I don't think it will work in New York or California.
Got a laugh from the CU article early:
" CU Boulder study finds that technological advancements and cost reductions are driving this trend, with utilities on track to achieve or exceed state goals."
Net Zero apparently will save us money? from cost reductions? How does California rates nearly double the national average inform that prediction?
Very sensible advice. We have an apartment in a retirement community, but still store extra amounts of our medicines, and of our priority foods. One modest suggestion: we have a number of ice packs from shipments of cheeses sent by our daughter. We keep all of the packs in our freezer. If the power goes off, they will keep it cold for quite a while.
Can we have a PSA on DO NOT try to get a car out of a ditch? Do not put anyone on the downhill side of a vehicle stuck in a ditch. I've seen a grown woman have her two kids trying to rock her car out of a ditch from the downhill side of the car. I imagine the car surges uphill, the downhill people lose footing and slip forward as the car's tires lose traction and it fails to exit the ditch. Car returns to rest in the ditch with predictable results. I am stunned at how often I have seen people attempting this ridiculous maneuver. Saw it today and had to explain the possible physics to all involved. People don't always appreciate this. I'll try to help you survive even if you curse me for it. Call a tow truck.
Take it from a guy who lived in Fairbanks for three years (flying A-10s out of Eielson AFB): clothing-wise, when going outside, ALWAYS "assume the worst condition."
We had a saying in the squadron: "Fly wearing what you plan to sleep in." That goes for driving as well. We had one of the wives try to make a quick trip to the store in North Pole (yes, that's a real town outside Fairbanks). Her car had been parked outside and when she had gone about a half mile, all four tires went flat after the flat side of the tire popped the rest of the tire loose and rolled them all off their rims.
The "Bush" in Alaska, in the smaller towns. is about 50 feet off the roadway, i.e., she was "in the middle of nowhere," with only light clothing on in a place where -40F is common in the winter. Fortunately, she was able to make it to another house and call for help.
The Green proclivity for demanding a lowering of living standards, rather than encouraging innovation, to meet emission/climate goals, is one of the stupidest...and deadliest...characteristics of these people.
Don't just bitch at the utilities, make sure your state Public Utility Commission gets and earful as well as the Gov who appointed them (if they are not elected) and the legislators that approved them.
I remember being in Nepal quite a few years ago. (This was our staging area for a couple of clims including Shishapangma in Tibet) They had rolling blackouts in Katmandu. The locals shrugged them off as normal, but I remember thinking that I certainly was in a third world country. I wouldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams that a few decades later we would have rolling blackouts in the United States. Sadly, there is no excuse. We've caved to insanity.
Come to Idaho.
Glad the bitching worked to keep the heat and lights on.
Sadly, bitching is falling on deaf ears with respect to the stream of illegal immigrants flooding our country and the idiotic anti-Semitic protesters blocking roads. Likely the difference between the utility operators and regulators also being affected by their malfeasance while the national pols are immune to the effects of their decisions.
I would like to share some winter driving tips. I have over 750,000 miles under my belt driving a semi truck throughout the lower 48 states but gave up that glamor to become an accountant. Makes perfect sense to no one, but I can handle a vehicle in winter.
Rule #1. Don't drive on ice without studded tires or chains. Rubber's coefficient of traction on ice is almost zero.
Rule #2. During winter, your tires can only do one thing at a time. They can accelerate you. They can steer you. Or they can brake you. They cannot do two things at once. Key take away, if you are braking and turning your steering wheel at the same time, you are likely to become what I refer to as 'statuary' meaning something on the side of the road that I will admire as I drive by it.
Rule #3 Slow down. You may have four wheel drive, but you still only have four wheel braking. Increase your following distance, be patient, and remind yourself that it is better to arrive late than to not arrive at all.
Rule #4 What was Rule #1?.
Agreed on the bitching and the preps. For the bitching - This year I'll be bitching about Nashville's failure to treat neighborhoods at all. Main roads and interstates have been clear for days but we've made national news because we can ice skate on our neighborhood streets. This is the pattern so, we'll speak up.
For the preps -
Most of Glenn's recommendations, plus I bought 320 pounds of de-icer this year for about $120, and didn't pour it on the driveway. Instead, I left it in the bed of my 2wd truck, covered with a tarp to protect from precip. The weight helped get me down 1-mile hill and back because:
I didn't go with cheap tires. My truck came with 3-season and I replaced them with Michelin LTX 4 season.
I've learned to get the most out of the tires--learn how your car/truck traction control or limited slip diff options work. I turn OFF traction control and engage auto-lsd on ice/snow. Power to both rear wheels, plus the extra weight, and the computer still engages some traction control braking if things go weird.
Use the shifter-I can switch from automatic trans to a version of manual trans. This give more control, but once you get moving, shift to higher gears and float across that ice. Don't linger in 1st gear. I've tried relying on the auto trans in the past and it sucks.
Keep the momentum in hilly neighborhoods, but too much speed on ice and you're in the ditch, 4wd or not. On ice, do not stop unless you have traction to get started again. Sure, we avoid ice if possible, but don't get cocky if you drive on it, to coin a phrase.
I work in a lot of different locations across middle Tennessee. Whenever I leave home in this weather I have the right clothes/boots in case I have to walk home, snacks/water in case I need them, $100 or $200 in different bills, a pair of nines, and, no kidding, a 12-pack of really good beer. If I can't turn all of that currency into a way to get home, then we have really big problems.