[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Bitter winter

[Sheryll Townsend]

> Geoff:
> > <snip>
> > I blame the Jetstream.
> 
> Carol responds:
> 
> Our weather forecasters are blaming La Nina (can't do a
> tilde, sorry), which, as I understand it, is responsible for
> the behavior of the jet stream. We've had two unusually cold
> spells but otherwise warm, dry weather.
> 
> Carol, who prefers an El Nino (supply a tilde for the
> second "n") winter with more normal (and stable) winter
> temperatures and occasional rain
> 
Sheryll:

Overall it's been a pretty warm winter here. Aside from the cold snap about 2 weeks ago. So cold that a customer of mine wouldn't let me bus home (he knows I have a 4 stop walk on my end) and came back to the store with his van to drive me home. 

We've had a couple blizzards in the past month, the last of which caused schools to cancel their buses. Other than that it was business as usual. Unlike Toronto, Ottawa doesn't shut down at the threat of snow, we just leave earlier to get to work and allow for slower public transit.

The previous snowstorm had me waiting at the bus stop for ages. The bus that is supposed to run every 30 minutes showed up 25 minutes late. The bus driver nearly went right past me even though I was the only person on the sidewalk for blocks. She was annoyed that I didn't politely accept her apology ("I couldn't stop in time" - she had the entire block to see me and slow down!) and proceeded to berate me for not dressing appropriately for the weather. I was wearing boots, hat, scarf, gloves and a perfectly warm winter coat. I wasn't cold, I was becoming late for work! Not like it was rush hour, either, it was a Saturday afternoon. Have to chalk that one up to the poor standards of service (both in timeliness and attitude) of my public transit system. My bus for work probably has an on-time rating of 5%. But public transit rants are a whole other kettle of fish. :)

Sheryll