There is no photo credit on this Broadway.com picture but it is quite lovely. Thanks to producer Linda for sending it to me! http://www.broadway.com/buzz/winter-weather-alert-2010/
Wikipedia defines fear mongering as:
“Fear mongering is the use of fear to influence the opinions and actions of others towards some specific end. The feared object or subject is sometimes exaggerated, and the pattern of fear mongering is usually one of repetition, in order to continuously reinforce the intended effects of this tactic, sometimes in the form of a vicious circle.”
New York City decided yesterday, before a single snowflake had fallen, that it was going to take the day off today. The whole city. Banks were closed, Flights cancelled, Schools were empty; everything was dark it seems, except Broadway.
As a victim of the fear mongering weathermen and women who decided to do live coverage ALL day, I too stayed home because “they may be suspending train service in certain areas and you better be out of the city by 4pm…blah blah blah…foot of snow….blah blah blah…don’t travel unless you have to….” Then they proceed to stand in the snow and try and make it look like they are doing some serious Anderson Cooper reporting and all they are doing is interviewing people their news bradcasts have convinced not to go to work and then they talk about their furry snow hats and how they are enjoying Central Park with their dog. If it was a real blizzard, would you be in Central Park with your dog? It was insulting really. And not just to this Colorado girl.
Many in the Memphis community expressed their outrage through their Facebook status updates at the terror that seemed to sweep the city over what looks to me as I look out my window, to be about 5-7 inches. For those of us from places where it actually SNOWS, this was an embarasssment. I stayed home over 5 lousy inches of snow? I did not get to partake in the cozy picnic catered by Carmine’s for the cast and crew in between shows over 5 inches?
The scene at about 3pm today. Pretty pleasant actually. Samson quite enjoyed himself as he romped through the snow.
I am completely and totally ashamed as I type this, wearing my Snuggie and listening to the snow plows outside that are doing not much of anything but making noise.
Out of everyone in the office, I was the only one who didn’t come to work today. To be fair, I am also the only one who does not live in the city proper and no one else in the Memphis world seemed to be around as I literally got a whooping nine emails today, but still- Sue called to bust my chops and Sarah kept calling me a “sissy” via text. It was adorable.
So Bravo to all those who bravely soldiered out today and found their way into the Shubert or any other theater for that matter. You have more courage than I apparently.
I will see you tomorrow New York City, as I walk to my office with a bag over my head to hide my shame.
Out on on Staten Island the snow really picked up around 3PM and we did, in fact, get about a foot of snow… Having lived in Alaska, I know what you mean about snow totals, but we did get a good amount all together.
Comment by Kristin — February 11, 2010 @ 12:07 am
Hi Kristin, when I went out this morning, it did look like we probably got closer to a foot then I was reporting yesterday but it was just such a non event it seemed in the city. I know I have to let it go, but I’m not sure I will be able to trust the weather people anymore- they are definitely the boy who cried “snow.”
Hope things are getting back to normal!! Thanks for posting a comment!
-Carolyn
Comment by Carolyn — February 11, 2010 @ 1:09 pm