Friday, February 7, 2014

How Oregonians Handle Snow


1      1.  Newscasters begin predicting snow days in advance, however they rarely say “snow,” instead calling it “the white stuff.” Lower ranked reporters, stationed along highway overpasses, come up with new ways to announce that nothing is happening, while attempting to remember why they majored in journalism. Since local weather forecasters have cried wolf one time too many few believe there will be any snow anyway.

        2. Those who do succumb to the media-fueled frenzy crowd local supermarkets to load up on food they fear will not be available again for a long time. Only a few prepare by putting chains in the trunks of their cars.

        3. When it does begin to snow school district administrators carefully monitor road conditions and wait until roads are at their worst to release all children from school.

        4. Panicked parents leave their jobs and hurry home as quickly as possible. People without young children see parents leaving and the herd mentality kicks in. Everyone flees all places of employment at the exact same time.

       5.  Having nearly every single person in the metropolitan area getting behind the wheel at the same moment causes gridlock. Many drivers put their cars and SUV’s in ditches. Most of these vehicles are four-wheel drive or were being driven by people who grew up in warm climates, like Southeast Asia.  

       6. Transplants who grew up in places where there’s real snow go about their business and wait until the crazies get off the road. Despite their winter driving experience most Oregonians do not listen to them.

7      7. Upon arriving home the Oregonian becomes a whirlwind of activity, attempting to make cocoa, put on a ski sweater and slippers, light a fire in the fireplace, make a tiny snowman, and Facebook everyone about it all at the same time, while being pleased with having once again come through the weather event unscathed. 

And thus the pattern will repeat next year.


Photo KOIN-TV

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