Earl = Hysteria & Panic

 Jeebus, one would think that living in a beach town on the Atlantic coast folks would be able to cope with the side-swipe of a now downgraded hurricane - that promises to diminish even more by the time is passes us heading north. But no!  People were rushing to the markets to stock up on whatever the newscasters told them to, and hunkering down to ride out this "monster" storm.

Even the governor of Maryland jumped the shark when he issued a statement this morning (at 10 am) advising tourists to stay away from Ocean City MD this weekend, thereby potentially destroying the economy of the resort on the busiest, most profitable weekend of the Summer.  Smart move, gov.

Oh Earl honey, I hate to be the one to tell you, but you ain't all that!

From what I gather, we're in for some heavy rain and winds of about 20 mph beginning around midnight with the rains becoming heavier and the winds increasing to about 35 - 40 mph tomorrow.  Hardly "gale force" as Earl stays well off the coast. The storm surge is expected to be between 1 & 3 feet.  Not a killer.

I live on the second floor of a building that has weathered many hurricanes and nor'easters since it was built in 1948. I feel safe and secure and yes, I have candles, batteries for the radio should power be interrupted at some point, and Gin, tonic, and lime. I'll be fine.

I plan to walk to work tomorrow, as usual, to continue prepping for the rest of the weekend (which is going to be beautiful and cooler with highs around 80'F) and the tourists who will undoubtedly "weather" the storm through tomorrow. I may get a bit wet, but that will be welcome after the high temps and humidity of this week. Besides, getting rained on, or wet at the beach is a sort of baptism this time of year.

Don't fret, people. Enjoy the ride to the end of summer 2010.

And so it goes.
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