Winter has officially arrived in the People's Republic of Maryland. Yep, the temperature is much lower than my age, therefore, in my book it's winter.

Tonight, there's a forecast for rain changing to snow by late night and into the early morning, and that's for Baltimore, which is much farther south. Here, maybe a half-inch or so, but that's too much as far as I'm concerned.

I have a policy, which is also clearly spelled out on the contract that I send to every person and facility where I perform. "If there is snow or freezing rain at either the venue or the route to the venue, the performance will be cancelled for that day and rescheduled." Over the past decade, I've had to reschedule at least a half-dozen jobs each year, on average. Some years more, some less.

The way I look at this is it's not worth wrecking your car, possibly getting injured, or worse, for $125 an hour. It just doesn't make good sense. The customers all feel the same way. If's it snowing or freezing rain, there's a good chance that no one will show up for a private party, definitely no show for a restaurant or nite-club job, and while there will be people at the Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities and Retirement Communities, they fully understand the situation and are more than happy to see me when I eventually do get there.

So, as the commercial says "What's in your wallet?" What policy to you utilize when the weather gets nasty? Inquiring minds would like to know!

Gary

39°F (or 4°C ) and cloudy here at 11:35 PM or so on Cape Breton Island...we had hail yesterday, and a bit this morning, so it's dipping into the freezing area.

This winter, for me, will be stress free like last winter, as I'm not gigging, I don't have to shovel snow, my apartment is warm and comfortable, and I'm starting some recording in the next week or so, after fine tuning some of my own styles.

So I'm snug as a bug inna rug.

When gigging, I followed a policy just like yours Gary, "If there is snow or freezing rain at either the venue or the route to the venue, the performance will be cancelled for that day and rescheduled." We get some wickedly deadly snow storms here, and driving can be very dangerous, so I err on the side of caution.

Are you booked for any office Christmas Parties?

Ian

guys it was 82 and sunny here in so cal the funny thing is we sometimes wish for snow . But never get it. Ron

Ron, believe me, you really don't want snow. The attached photo was taken about four years ago. I had to shovel off the deck to prevent the weight of the snow from caving it in. It took three days to snow blow the driveway, and we were not able to get out of our neighborhood for a week.



Ian, I only have about 25 Christmas parties booked this year, which is about 10 less than most years. The parties begin the 1st of December here and continue on till Christmas Day. I'm booked Christmas Day, but that's normal. Just a one-hour job for an assisted living center, then when I get home the grandson and kids come over and rip through all the presents my wife has been buying all year.

Cheers,

Gary

Fridged here in Louisiana, high was only 70 today. We do have a cool front coming this week though, dipping into the 40 s at night.
Schools close here if they even forecast a chance of snow, and many places close. Then everybody stands in the yard and hope to see a few flakes.
DonM

We've been lucky thus far out here on the prairie - hey, it's still only November. Our snow is usually dry powdery stuff, not the heavy wet stuff that Ian gets. That said our temperatures get down to the mid -30s Centigrade, then, when the temperature suddenly jumps up to around the zero mark, the snow's moisture content increases and I've been in the same scenario as Gary's photo above.

I think the the worst thing is being exposed to unimpeded wind, nothing to stop it on open prairie. Last year, or the year before, we were the second coldest place on the planet on one day, -51C with the windchill. We were beaten out by some place in Siberia by one degree. Nothing much moves out here when it's like that.:)

Yep, the prairies are definitely the coldest part of Canada. We sometimes get -24°F (or -31°C ) but strangely, and again like the prairies, it goes up to 90°F (or 30°C ) or more in the summer.

A land of extremes.

Someone told the story, of the power going out one prairie winter, and it got so cold in the kitchen, the picture of grand-dad on the wall had his hands covering his ears. To top it off, the flame on the candle froze solid, and they couldn't blow it out.

So, they tossed it out the window, and that spring, the flame thawed out and set the field on fire.

We haven't had it that cold here in Cape Breton, but one particularly nippy winter morning, I looked out the front window, and saw several men pushing a cottage down the street, trying to jump start the furnace.

Poor Don...how do you manage those awful 70°F temperatures...you guys must be a hardy bunch?

Ian

Gary, My condolences on the nasty weather, my wife and I are getting a little break this week we're in sunny and warm Florida its been in the low 80s every day with low humidity. Been spending our days pool side that's attached to the house. Great way to relax and read all the Tyros5 hype. The bad news we'll be back in the north sooner than later.

In the UK we have had a very good weather year so far every month and even now into November today it's still a reasonable 14C.
Our winters appear to get later each year so the bad months are around Feb..Mar..Apr.
We would all moan if it was very hot all the time. The main object is to wake up every morning knowing we are still here.

Here it is unique. We are at a bit under 5000 ft. and to the north there are the Bookcliff Mountains maybe 15 miles from my front door. To the south Colorado National Monument and Glade Park gets up to 9000 ft or so. To the East is the Grand Mesa at 11000+ ft. It gets the most snow. I can be in tons of snow in an hour and 1/2 on the Mesa, and there is Powderhorn a ski resort.

At 5000 feet it looks like we are in a valley. I shovel snow 2 to 5 maybe 6 times a year. Sometimes 1 or 2 inches. The most I remember is between 12 and 14 inches, but only a handful of times in 30 years that I remember.

We've been in the 60's but cold at night. Later this week we'll be in the fifties, but it can get real nice again until December 21 or there about. It can get cold but still not a bunch of snow. Like I said it's pretty unique around here. I don't like the cold but I don't like even the high 70's especially with high humidity. Anyone know where it stays between 55 and 65 all year round? I want to move there.

This is from a couple of winters ago. It was a frosty morn, as I recall.

Yes as Don we have 70's here in South Alabama, but in the Summer high 90's with humidity being high 90's too is a bit much.

Bill G

It is so cold here today, that I am seriously considering wearing a light jacket when I play golf. Top that!
DonM

I love winter Yeah!! gigs galore, no sweating, cozy fireplace, christmas, new years, less traffic....whats not to love...WINTER YEAH!

And you are welcome to it.

Yep...fill your boots, Donny!

9:10 11/12/13 - today's time and date when the first snow of the season was falling - WEIRD - ... but it was very light and it quickly changed to rain ... forecast for Thursday has temps in the 50's so I will be playing golf - I know, that's too cold for you, Don ...

I don't normally do this, but last week I left the gear in the car overnight in the attached garage - laziness on my part, really. Anyway, the overnight low was only about -6 outside, so I figured it would be okay. So, on the following day's gig the screen on my keyboard was almost greyed out. It took about 15 minutes for it to recover to its normal brightness. Didn't affect the screen on my Bose Tonematch unit, though.

LCD displays don't like cold weather - it takes them quite some time to heat up to normal operating temperature. Had the same problem with my GPS when I was sailing south last fall.

Gary

Only good reason for snow is a nice mountain and two skis..!

Oh, and snow bunnies!

I agree, if you skip the part about the skis.
DonM

And, and ditch the mountain too.

Ian

Flash - we really ARE having a cold front come through right now. No precipitation, but the temp will be in upper 20's tonight. I'm taking my portable heater to the job with me!
DonM

Geez I don't know how you blokes put up with all that cold.
Last week it got down to 7 degrees one night and the wife put on a extra blanket.
I have no idea where the heater is. I know we have one but it's gone missing. Only tried it out once to see that it worked.
I have a suggestion. Why don't you all move down under. We could do with the expertise and could put away our boomerangs for a while. If you move near me, I'll gladly come to your place for lessons.
baz

Baz, when I was quite young I spent a month in Woomera, AU, fell in love with a young lady that worked at the NASA Tracking station there, the weather and local area was incredible, but alas, I had to come back to the wilds of Maryland and freezing cold weather. I would love to return to Oz one day, if for nothing else, just to meet some of the wonderful people I've only met online.

Cheers,

Gary

"I cried because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet".

Anyone happen to notice the pictures coming in from the Philippines right now? Check out what you can do to help; it'll take your mind off of the cold.

chas

We're planning a holiday for next year in Perth with some relatives and, in a way, I'm a bit concerned with how hot it's going to be. I couldn't stand that kind of heat for the greater part of the year. I'm sure I can take prairie winters more than I could take outback summers. It's all in what you're used to, I guess.

Absolutely, Chas. Folks, get some cash into your local Red Cross today.

What's Snow??????????

hehehehehe..........

Done, Chas!

Thanks for being the voice of conscious.

R.

We had our first snowfall early this morning...

Thankfully, I don't have shovel...I did have to clean off the car's windshield.

More to come, no doubt.

Ian

This morning's temperature was a brisk 26-degrees f. I just got home from a job and the temperature has skyrocketed to 41. I repeat, Damned I hate winter!

Gary

I'm always thankful we usually have quite a mild winter here in the west of Germany. Considering it is 51 degrees of latitude (the same as Calgary, 500 miles more northern than Toronto), it's amazing that it remains above freezing temperature on average (35F in January). We've had no snow yet (only on the state's highest mountain, which is 2,800 feet of altitude); usual November temp of mid 40s high and mid 30s low. If it only wasn't so dark, the sun has an angle of 18 degrees at noon, that's where you notice the latitude...

That was one of the neat things about living on my boat in the Florida Keys last winter - never got below 55 degrees all winter long, and sunset was breathtaking and didn't occur until about 6:30 p.m.. Sure wish I were there right now. Just brought the keyboard in from the van and thought I would freeze to death in the process.

Gary stop torturing yourself pack up and head it out of town baby !!! The keys are calling your name.. life is too short here you come!

Been to Dubai twice this year. Summers...winters...all terrible!


R.

I've been to Dallas twice this year. Both times against my better judgement btw.
DonM

Ah the joys of travelling the world.
124. Perth is hot and muggy during the time you'll be there but we do know about aircons so you'll be okay. And there's always the beach's.
Never smile at any of the crocodiles and don't go any rounds with boxing kangaroo's and you will enjoy.
Most friendly people on earth apparently. (unless you are a refugee).
baz

Thanks for that, Baz. At least it looks like I won't have to pack too much. Looking forward to a cold Fosters. Cheers!

I have he fireplace fired up, and a tall, Green Coconut Margaretta. Donny Pesce took me to a place on the Jersey Shore that served these things several years ago. I've been hooked on them ever since. They taste much better when you're sitting at a Tiki Bar in South Florida, though.

1 ounce Melon Liquor
1 ounce Coconut Rum
1 ounce silver Tequila
2 ounces Margaretta Mix

Served over ice - Oh Yeah!

Cheers,

Gary

Sounds like a real arranger player's drink, Gary......as opposed to a nice single malt scotch for a 'B3' player .

chas

Chas, I have about three bottles of Malt Scotch here and you can have all three if you ever get up this way. I'm definitely not a Scotch drinker. If I had to haul a B3 around, though, I might have to become one.

Bottom's up,

Gary

Winter baby bring it on!!

There it is: first frost at my location in Germany, 31.5F this morning, measured in the professional Stevenson screen in our garden (I was quite crazy about meteorology many years ago when I built it).
Here you can find all highs and lows of the station since July, and a pic of the most snow we ever had (not really much: 12 inches).
www.rolfrosenbaum.de/wetterstation/