Winter Weather Expected in Atlanta

Today was an interesting day for the wintry wonderland of Atlanta, Georgia. This icy weather for normally known as "hotlanta" was more of a hindrance to those attempting to get home, to work, or to run their errands. You see the oddity is it that in the south because the weather tends to be on the warm side, ice and snow are never a big issue. Just two weeks ago we had wonderful warm weather in the 70's.

Being a resident within the Metro Atlanta area believe me when I say that people drive crazy when there's a drop of water on the ground, and even worst when snow flakes fall. You can't imagine how many schools and businesses are closing on January 17, 2008, due to severe weather. I can tell you having been born and living in Washington D.C. as a child, traveling to Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and many more northern states. My hot state has nothing on the winters there. The amazing thing is that everyone knows how to drive without too much incident in the north.

It's even more comical after speaking with J.R. Levy, a resident of North Atlanta, on his views of the chaos of the snow and ice. "Did you expect the snow and ice the news channels predicted?" Mr. Levy chuckles at the thought of the Atlanta winter experience and explains, "No I did not I thought they were joking when I heard on my radio on the way to work." I nodded at the response, because even though I saw the billowing gray clouds I doubted seriously that we were going to get snow. How wrong I was, because not only did we get medium to heavy snow but then we started getting ice as well.

The worst part is just walking on the slushy ice and me having an uncanny resemblance to a penguin preparing to topple into the snow covered grass. Driving in this weather is just fine but I pass on the walking. I even put my hand out the window to feel the flying snow flakes, at least until my hand started going numb with the follow-up of something that felt like a dozen needles sticking in it. Hey I say enjoy life and the gift of snow at the normal driving speed, however beware of welcoming frost bites.

Continuing my interview with Mr. Levy, a successful gentleman within the Health Care Industry I wanted to know, "What was your first thought when it started snowing?" I know mine was wow...pretty, and it's about time, but his thoughts were, "I thought the people in the south won't know how to handle this, the traffic is bumper to bumper going 5 miles per hour when they can go at least 20miles per hour." His humor is evident in his voice if not lacking a bit in his expression at the aggravation of it all.

Being just a bit curious I wanted to know where he was from originally which he applied with no hesitation "North Illinois." I nearly laughed, this was absolutely nothing to him and "Brrrr" was all my mind could comprehend as I make sure there's no cold air coming into my established defenses.

Now allowing his aggravation to show a bit he has much to say about the employees who seem anxious and happy when the snow gets to flying, "As an employer of a successful business, I think people use it as an excuse to get off from work."

Before it's time for him to see about his meal, partially store bought and partially homemade, I wanted to know, "What advice would you give the non experienced drivers?" His Illinois drawl was a bit thoughtful and amusing as he answered, "Stay they tale in the slow lane, or stay at work late until traffic clears up, so that it can keep moving."

For his winter wonderland night he has already made pretty simple plans," I am going to pray and meditate and I will still prepare to be at work in the morning."

Sounds smart enough to me but I wanted to know what he thought about his employees that worked for the company he represents, "I've already told one, that we have to play it by ear; to see what it looks like in the morning, and it kind of disappointed me because she was from New York, and knew how to drive in this particular type of weather."

It seems even the people use to such weather will take advantage of this once in a blue moon type of weather in Hot'lanta, and hope for businesses and schools to close. Just stay tuned to the winter advisory fellow "Atlan'tans"