Lights are flickering here.

Loving the personal storm updates! It was kind of icky (but typical and kinda weather I like) in Seattle and lovely here in LA where I just got to my hotel.

On facebook one of my relatives posted a picture of a sign that says "NO Mr. President! Hard work, initiative,and sacrifice built THIS Small business." And someone else commented "EXACLTY"

So I had to comment that's pretty much what Obama meant and linked Mitt Romney saying almost the exact thing about the Olympic athletes. Not sure if they'll respond, but I couldn't let that go.

We lost power for about 30 minutes, but it is back now. Without power we have to bail the basement to keep it from flooding, so it could be a long night. Stay safe, everyone!

My Internet is down intermittently. And we just got a notice that all medical center employees are considered essential personnel and must report to work even if the university is closed

Good luck Sparky (and everyone else dealing with the storm). How is K dealing with it?

My apartment is a walkup garage apartment that's cut into the hillside, so it's a bit like a duplex, but with just a small patio before it turns into the hill. So it's a bit protected, with the wind howling fiercely through the canopy, but it's pretty still at my level, so much so that the curtains at the open window are barely moving.

Still, the sound alone has me in sustained state of nerves.

In Ohio Is Still A Swing State news, I've been watching ABC for the news since 6pm, and there have been only 2 positive commercials - one for an Ohio House race, and 1 for Obama (which I have seen twice.) The rest are loathsome.

In unrelated news, I kind of want Diane Sawyer's hair.

I've been watching the news - over 200,000 people without power in the DC area. I expect to be fine - power lines are underground, heat is from an oil-burning furnace, good sturdy walls, and my windows face into a courtyard so no trees to worry about. I do, however, keep losing my internet connection and the TV (I rely on broadcast) is iffy. But! I have books. With the number of books I haven't read yet, plus the ones I like to reread, I won't run out of reading material before the coming of the third millenium.

Also, in regard to something earlier - I think one of the reasons for taping windows is to keep some kind of control over the glass in case it breaks.

Pretty much everybody I know in NJ is reporting a ton of downed trees, most of them taking power lines with them. At least one fire from those power lines.