When we were kids, making each other take turns in "repositioning" the bunny ears on the t.v., was just another part of life. As we grew, the bunny ears turned into A-B cable, and you always needed to know what was on B as opposed to A.
Next thing we knew, we weren't watching real television at all, we were watching "cable" and it was all the rage. HBO brought us into the world of paying for entertainment and our news stations weren't as easy to remember as channels 3, 4, 5, and 9. Now News channel 3 was on channel 13, and News 5 was on channel 10.
When a big storm would roll in, we counted on those bunny ears to get us through, and to help us tap back in to our favorite news station, just to make sure we knew if the tornado was coming or not. Now, we just have to wait and see if the roof of the house flies off, and the wicked witch blows by on her broom. This fact was highlighted in my mind just a few nights ago.
My husband and I, as we sat in our little third story walk up, looked out the other night on a horrible scene. The lightening and thunder had rolled in fast, and we werent sure how long it would last, or if we were in the bulk of it. See, we have cable, and when a big storm rolls in now, the cable shuts out. Comcast puts up a cute little message saying, "this channel will continue in a moment." That moment could be the one moment where the roof of our apartment complex could blow off.
What will become of the people who need the warning. We had tornado warnings as a kid because we were lucky, living on the same block as the tornado sirens, but also because we watched on our little t.v., adjusting the bunny ears, to see when it would hit our neighborhood.
I realize now, even more, as the government announces our all new, totally digital t.v. digs, that we need a NOAA radio to keep in our house. In fact, at this point, the more I think about some poor old lady in some small midwestern town, whose television just went out this morning, that everyone needs a NOAA radio in their house (maybe the government should send one to every household, on them).
Needless to say, the first thing we're doing on sunday while running errands, is picking up a weather radio. If you start to think about the weather around your own area, maybe it would be wise to invest in one as well. Don't wait to see the wicked witch fly past on her broom... at that point, Dorothy, you're already gone.
Friday, June 12, 2009
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