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That's what the storm that dropped nearly 5 feet of snow in some areas in 72 hours was being called.
Personally, I called it an inconvenience. Imagine three days, stranded at work, little food, no power after the
middle of the 2nd day and no other person in the building.
BIG MISTAKE #1
Ok, ok, it's not like the storm was a complete surprise. As a matter of fact, I did go to work that Monday night,
March 17, 2003, with a bit of a cocky attitude. I had figured that I wouldn't need my snow boots, extra clothes or
a shovel since I'd be leaving work by Tuesday morning at 8 AM. Let's not forget to mention that I brought
enough food for just that night.
Personally, I called it an inconvenience. Imagine three days, stranded at work, little food, no power after the
middle of the 2nd day and no other person in the building.
BIG MISTAKE #1
Ok, ok, it's not like the storm was a complete surprise. As a matter of fact, I did go to work that Monday night,
March 17, 2003, with a bit of a cocky attitude. I had figured that I wouldn't need my snow boots, extra clothes or
a shovel since I'd be leaving work by Tuesday morning at 8 AM. Let's not forget to mention that I brought
enough food for just that night.
"Storm of the Century!"
BIG MISTAKE #2
I started getting calls from fellow employees around 6 AM Tuesday morning that they could not get out of their
driveway. Later... much, much later, I found out that although this was the case for most people, many used the
excuse so that they weren't the ones who'd end up stranded. By this point, I had agreed that I would stay on at
work until somebody could make it in and relieve me. Guess what? Nobody came!
I started getting calls from fellow employees around 6 AM Tuesday morning that they could not get out of their
driveway. Later... much, much later, I found out that although this was the case for most people, many used the
excuse so that they weren't the ones who'd end up stranded. By this point, I had agreed that I would stay on at
work until somebody could make it in and relieve me. Guess what? Nobody came!
BIG MISTAKE #3
By Tuesday afternoon, a cat died in my mouth and I was sorely in need of a toothbrush and toothpaste. The
roads appeared to be passable, especially since I was driving a 4 wheel drive. I drove up to the local
convenience store. Some people had made it up the mountain by that point (where were my fellow employees?).
Toothpaste: $4.75 for a small tube. Toothbrush: $3.85. Frozen Chicken dinner: $6.85. Volunteering to stay
another night at work: Pricless and stupid. As you could have guessed, I should have just kept on going and
would have been ok getting home.
By Tuesday afternoon, a cat died in my mouth and I was sorely in need of a toothbrush and toothpaste. The
roads appeared to be passable, especially since I was driving a 4 wheel drive. I drove up to the local
convenience store. Some people had made it up the mountain by that point (where were my fellow employees?).
Toothpaste: $4.75 for a small tube. Toothbrush: $3.85. Frozen Chicken dinner: $6.85. Volunteering to stay
another night at work: Pricless and stupid. As you could have guessed, I should have just kept on going and
would have been ok getting home.
BIG MISTAKE #4
Wednesday morning, two and a half days after coming in to work, my director asks if I mind just sticking it out a
little while longer. He was positive that somebody would be in at any time as others had been in phone contact
with him and said they were attempting to make it up. Sooooo, I agree. I now have other employees calling and
telling me that they have frozen food in the cafeteria refrigerators and that I'm welcome to it. Wednesday
afternoon, power goes down for the entire building. You can't use a microwave without power.
Wednesday morning, two and a half days after coming in to work, my director asks if I mind just sticking it out a
little while longer. He was positive that somebody would be in at any time as others had been in phone contact
with him and said they were attempting to make it up. Sooooo, I agree. I now have other employees calling and
telling me that they have frozen food in the cafeteria refrigerators and that I'm welcome to it. Wednesday
afternoon, power goes down for the entire building. You can't use a microwave without power.
Thursday, March 20th. After restoring the network, I was able to grab a lift from our Network Administrator and
my manager. Total time spent on the mountain was exactly 72 hours. As you can see by the pictures, my truck
was stuck and had to go back up Saturday morning for it.
Moral of the story: Just say no when asked to cover for everybody else!
my manager. Total time spent on the mountain was exactly 72 hours. As you can see by the pictures, my truck
was stuck and had to go back up Saturday morning for it.
Moral of the story: Just say no when asked to cover for everybody else!
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