'Irene-ageddon'

I haven't even been in New York a year and I've already survived the worst winter in recorded New York history that included two record-breaking blizzards. I've also now experienced an earthquake here and a historic hurricane is approaching.
Jeez! What a welcome.

Remind me why I left sunny California???

Now, Hurricane Irene has really become what I'm calling "Irene-ageddon." The media's sensationalist coverage of Hurricane Irene hurdling towards New York City has gotten the nation all worked up.

Sure it's a major hurricane that will most definitely cause flooding, wind damage, and even a few deaths but the media has latched onto this thing and are spinning out of control, creating unnecessary fear and panic. Safety is important and it is absolutely essential to be proactive in preventative measures but I feel that the sensationalization of these events is extreme. It seems as though the news and government need these high ratings so that they can "pat themselves on the back" for a job well done once this Category 1 storm has blown through.

I walked around Brooklyn for 2 hours earlier this afternoon and it's as if the apocalypse has happened. Every shop is closed. Subways are shut down. Windows are boarded and taped up. Aside from a few delis, pubs, and Game Stop being open, you'd think that the world had actually ended. It was eerily quiet and not even a bum could be found begging for money or crack!

Yesterday, I braved the supermarket to load up on my hurricane survival essentials: water, beer, and non-perishables. You couldn't find even a morsel of bread and shelf after shelf of packaged goods were almost all sold out. It. was. bananas.

I have a feeling that all will be ok here in the Big Apple once Irene is gone. Sure, it'll flood a bit and hopefully our power doesn't stay out for long but we've got booze and iPads, iPhones, and laptops. We'll be a-ok.

If I've learned one thing from living in this city, it's that New Yorkers are a strong and stubborn people. Despite the seriousness that the media is preaching about Irene, we're gearing up for "storm parties" and "hurricane pub crawls."

I'm starting to actually consider myself a 'real' New Yorker and I think Mother Nature is helping me earn that badge one crazy record-breaking event at a time.

yeeeehawwww!
Bring it on Irene! Bring. It. On!