NYC Tornado 2010

Another wacky day in the Big Apple yesterday. Work was as hectic as ever and, as usual, still at my desk at 5:30pm. I started hearing thunder & catching glimpses of lightning bolts. I waited a bit longer before leaving for the pounding rain to slow down. By the time I made it outside, I was surprised to see that not only was it not raining, but streets were drying out as well.

Made it to Penn with no problem. And then...big problem! All trains were suspended due to bad weather and a tree down on tracks outside tunnel. That is how the long night began.

I found a nice AC vent to stand under to wait for an announcement. I started texting when an old bus-commuter friend came up to me. {{{Flashback}}} Fiona & I often met at bus stop a long while ago where we would chat through the bus ride, throughout subway to final destination - Penn. I immediately said "Drinks?" Her response in her thick Irish Brogue, "Sure." So we went up to the bar, had some nips 'n sips and caught up. Once we realized we weren't getting a train we both grabbed our cells and texted our bosses. My boss is bigger then hers, within 15 my plight was handled. Fiona's shortly after. (SPOILER ALERT! Fiona got home way before me)

Now some folks may have bitched, moaned, groaned, & cursed at this hiccup in getting home. I saw this as an unexpected adventure. As I twittered (Facebook-style) "Stranded with people everywhere. Maybe I'll fine my Prince Charming in this crowd. After all, isn't that how good love stories begin?"

So now that you have a feel for how the night was headed, I'll bullet-point you through my night.

• Went to Hotel Penn to meet one of Lenny's drivers - Khan
• Blackberry locked - had to approach strangers to help me unlock it
• Lost texting- didn't know it & felt lonely while waiting and nobody responding to my texts
• Khan finally arrives
• Avoided major highways as all were stopped at a standstill
• Stopped for gas
• And talked to my new bestie Khan for 4.5 hrs. Simply stated...I hope drivers honor 'client confidentiality.' As long as "...whatever is stated in car STAYS in car..." Lots of laughs, shared secrets, and OMG comments for all the trees torn in half.
• Finally hit some open road after tree-strewn Woodhaven Blvd. accelerated from 0.05 to a good 65.
• Walked through house doors by 12:10a.a.m. the next morning. Logan, dad, animals...happy I made it!

Shout out to phone supporters: Jen, Tina, Karen, Dad and Logan
And thanks to Jen, Carol, Kate, Lenny, & of course, the mighty Khan (very tall man when he stepped out of car)

I had no complaints other than tired and long commute home - 7 hours since I left the office.

On a very serious note, it certainly was not an adventure for many people. It was especially sad to hear that a 30 year old woman was killed after pulling over to the side of the parkway and changing seats with her husband. Keep her in your prayers as well as her husband who is resting in hospital.

The National Weather Service has confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in New York on September 16, 2010. The tornadoes turned the sky from day to night, tore down trees and caused damage estimated to be in the millions.