I was last outside about an hour ago. A few trees are down, and most businesses are closed--the ones I saw open were the local Domino's, as well as a couple of bodegas (largely denuded of supplies) and a Mexican restaurant on Graham. Rainfall's been moderate so far, but the winds are quite strong. The residents of the gentrifying yuppie scumbag building visible from my window left their potted plants out. Is it wicked of me to hope that the wind knocks a few of them through those ridiculously large windows of theirs?

No, Quincy, it's not. But is it terrible of me to find comfort in knowing that residents of The Edge are in more danger than poorer people further inland?

Not in the slightest, Walter. Actually, thinking of that from the rather nondescript building on the Montrose stop of the L where I live makes me happy.

In any event, it warms my heart that New Yorkers won't let a small matter like a hurricane get in the way of complaining about gentrification and the bourgeois scum who are laming this place up at an alarming rate.

Report from south of Boston:

We've had lots of rain and wind here; there's been much more drama half an hour east and south (at the coast), including evacuations. We lost power here for about an hour--I was astonished when it came back on!

My university canceled classes today AND tomorrow. So I have a little time to write!

Hope everyone will stay safe.

Best,
Jean

As we've had no more messages from Bill, I wonder if power is out in the Beltway?

Gail, the Washington Post has been doing graphs of the DC area power outages. NoVa is getting it worse than the Maryland metro, it appears, but this is a broad-brush picture.

Where power is out. Click the appropriate link.

Gail,

We're ok so far. Wind is raging outside, car alarms going off (from tree impacts?), the rain is incredible, and we can't see the river to gauge its rising. But the power has held, although the flickers are troubling...

No matter what happens here, we're far more concerned for Kate's family in Connecticut. One house abuts the Long Island Sound, and things aren't looking good. We had to do substantial cleanup after Irene, and this one's way worse than Irene. I found this picture from earlier today:

.

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/15/75/71.../3/628x471.jpg

.

As you can tell, that one was taken sometime in the afternoon, well before the water really rose. The house is about a hundred yards out of sight, but at the same level. Kate's mother is safely ensconced (albeit powerless) in the Fairfield hills, we talked to her in the last hour. But I'm not holding out much hope for the house...

Thanks,

Bill

Of course it's wicked of you, Quincy. But glad to know you are safe. Best wishes to our East Coast friends.

Pictures and reports this morning are humbling. I hope our friends and their families are OK. Thoughts to you all.

David R.