Here’s where your help and input is needed and deeply appreciated. Since yesterday I have been doing an email exchange with Charlie English who is a journalist from London and who works for the Guardian ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/ ) is working on a book about snow and its effect on people? Charlie visited family in CNY in February of 2006 and really liked it and wants to know how we all feel about the snow we receive each year. I’m hoping for a good response from all of you New Yorkers who visit the Golden Snowball website so that Charlie can get a good feel as what kind of effect it has on all of us. Obviously some of us hate the snow and some of us love it.
Quite often the Golden Snowball website gets some interesting emails from people all over the state and even the entire country either asking about the weather or contest or voicing an opinion about the snowfall that New York state receives. Only once in awhile do we get emails from other countries asking about the snow and the Golden Snowball contest and in my opinion it’s pretty cool when it happens.
Below are a few questions that Charlie English is interested in for any of you willing to help out. You can just post your answers and feelings by clicking on the comment link and remember they get moderated before they post so don’t worry if it doesn’t show up right away. You don’t have to sign up to post a comment here, you can just check either the anonymous spot or the nickname box and type a name in there. You don’t have to use your real name but PLEASE let us know from what part of New York you are from and thanks for your responses.
Some Questions;
One of the questions Charlie has is about the Psychological effect the snow has on you. Does it put you in a better mood when it’s snowing out or does the snow get you down a little bit or a lot.
Does it have an affect on our sense of humor during the snow season? How about your family or friends?
What helps you to get by during the snowy months? Playing in it or just trying to avoid it completely.
I know that there comes a point for most of us other than the sledders and skiers where enough is enough. When is it enough for you? In other words come the first snowfall is enough already or can you deal with it much longer.
What do you like about our winters or for a couple of you what don’t you like about the snow? Yeah I know it’s more than a couple who don’t like the snow.
In summary I think what Charlie is looking for is pretty much your general opinion and how you feel about all the snow we get in New York. whether it’s a good or a bad opinion, mood swings and so on. Just chime away and your answers are appreciated. Make sure to add where you are from though whether it’s the Tug Hill area up north, Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica or wherever and thanks for taking the time. Have a great day all!
I think snow definitely gives me a better sense of humor. Even if classes don’t get canceled, I usually end up having a lot of fun with the whole situation…even just with snow predictions.
Most of my friends are Meteorology students, like myself, and really love the snow. My family on the other hand…not so much. Though, they have the same opinion as one of the previous posters…it’s better than hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc.
Playing in the snow does help a little bit, but what helps greatly has nothing to do with snow: basketball, in particular college.
As long as I don’t have to shovel it, I’m fine with snow for as long as it falls. Once I have to shovel though, then I’m ready for it to stop.
Being in Pennsylvania for school, there really isn’t much I like about the winters here. It’s just cold and doesn’t snow that much. I think that’s what I like most about the Upstate NY winters…at least we get a good amount of snow to go with the cold. I mean, if it’s going to be cold, it might as well snow every now and then. It just seems nicer to have snow than not if it’s cold outside.
That last one was from Brighton, NY (just south of Rochester)
Q.Does it put you in a better mood when it’s snowing out or does the snow get you down a little bit or a lot.
A. I love the look of snow, especially when it is sunny the days after a big snow/ice storm. The “magic” of Christmas is spread from October to March every year. What gets depressing is winters when the weather can’t make up it’s mind and we end up with muddy slush, as well as prolonged periods without any sunshine.
Q. Does it have an affect on our sense of humor during the snow season? How about your family or friends?
A. Driving is definitely interesting. We often compare with friends and family how many times we fishtailed on a given car ride or how many times we hit paches of black ice. Stories about slipping and falling on our bums in large crowds of people (and how many people we took down with us) are always good for a laugh, because everyone can relate. I think you have to have a sense of humor, because otherwise you would just stay locked up, too afraid to drive or walk anywhere.
Q. What helps you to get by during the snowy months? Playing in it or just trying to avoid it completely.
A. There are so many snowy months that I think we have learned to just live with it like normal. My routine doesn’t change in the winter – I exercise indoors instead of walking on the Erie Canal, but otherwise not much changes. Obviously you avoid blizzards (they’re a good excuse to get housework done and lounge around your house), but overall life goes on as normal.
Q. When is it enough for you? In other words come the first snowfall is enough already or can you deal with it much longer.
A. I can deal with it for much longer. What I hate the most is when winter starts changing into spring, and it goes back and forth between snow and a slushy, mucky, muddy mess. As long as it stays cold and white, I’m good until about March/early April.
Q. What do you like about our winters or for a couple of you what don’t you like about the snow?
A. The beauty of the white, the crisp air (as long as the wind chill stays above 0 degrees F), winter activities (sledding, skiing).