the city prepares

Some would find the headline predictions scary; I find them thrilling.

Historic blizzard; the biggest New York City has ever seen.

Hurricane force winds.

Storm of epic proportions. 

Snow falling 2 to 4 inches per hour.

A foot and a half to two feet of snow expected.

Early this morning I go to Agata to pick up a few things.  It looks like the entire eastside is there, expecting to be locked inside for weeks.  Shopping carts are over packed.  These people must think they won't be outside for the next month. The line to pay snakes through the entire store, starting at the coffee bar at the entrance.  People are generally in a good mood.

Except for the lone woman behind the prepared foods counter; she is not happy.  Perhaps it's because she is the only one working this section and the line keeps growing.  As she is cutting up the whole roasted chicken I just selected (albeit while wearing rubber gloves; her, not me), she says (with attitude) to a nearby fellow employee, "I'm leaving soon.  I'm feeling sick."  I'm hoping she's just saying this because she doesn't want to handle all the crowds and is angry that she has to.  I even ask, "Are you really not feeling well?" but she ignores me.  Now I wonder if I'm buying a chicken that's been infected.  But there's no one else there to help, and I don't want to stand in any more lines.  I buy it and hope for the best.

It is snowing lightly and it's only 10am.

By two, the snow has picked up. 

East 79th, a major crosstown street, is deserted.

The governors of NY, NJ and Connecticut declare states of emergency. Businesses close early. Rush hour begins at one pm. Buses and subways will stop running at 11pm. And a travel ban is announced for all roads, also beginning at 11 pm, except for emergency vehicles. Even Judge Judy is cancelled in favor of more storm updates.

The snow keeps coming, but it's wet, and not that much has accumulated. But that's expected to change later tonight.  And so we wait. Some in awe. Some with dread. And some just happy for a day home from school.