Giving Thanks This Holiday Season...

I hope you and your family had a wonderful day. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukah there is so much for each of us to be thankful for. For me it is my family, my new fiancée, my new job here at CBS46, and much, much more.

I know we all have different holiday traditions, but this year we did things a little differently in my family. Before coming into work I celebrated Christmas at my sister's down in Newnan. It is my nephew's first Christmas so my sister wanted to celebrate it at her house. 'Hank' will be one in February so he is still a little unsure of what is going on. All he knows is that that guy in a red coat is very scary, that he got to tear some paper, and play with some cool stuff!

Despite asking for nothing I still got plenty. Isn't it funny how that works? I am probably the most difficult person to buy for because I never ask for anything. If something breaks or needs replacing I can usually go get a new one, but there is not much that I wish for or think I will die if I do not get. Gosh, I might be growing up! Because my wish list is short, that leaves my family and fiancée in a tough spot. One day they may just get me nothing to teach me a lesson!

My sister's in-laws came up from the Columbus area to each supper with us after they opened their presents at home. My mom and sister handled the sides, dad babysat 'Hank', and my brother-in-law and I fried the turkey. Good news! The Coweta County Fire Department did not get called! :-)

Supper was ready by 2, but I had to leave for work. I grabbed a few slices of turkey (yum!) and headed up 85. Once here it has been a busy afternoon of forecasting. There may be some snow in the mountains tonight. Right now no problems are expected, but still, anytime you are talking snow things get interesting. The clouds may linger some in the AM on Monday, but things are looking sunny and pretty warm over the days ahead.

I hope you got to spend time with your family and had the best Christmas/Hanukah ever! I want to make sure to send special thanks to those that are serving in our armed forces and are not able to be home. Thanks for all you do!

I am working Monday (12/26), but will be off until New Years Eve. Have wonderful week and I will see you Saturday!


Best holiday wishes,


--Chris

R U Ready??

Today is Monday and there's only 5 shopping days until Christmas! I grew up in the North (New Yawk) to be precise and I have fond memories of cold, cold Christmases. Thankfully, the South is more civilized and I've yet to have a White Christmas in the five years I've called Georgia home. In fact, this year is shaping up to be fairly mild for both Christmas and Hannukah and there could even be some light rain on Sunday (but not cold enough for snow).

Did you buy whatever you're going to buy for whomever you're going to buy it for? For me, the holidays do mean presents, but as I age - rather mature (that's it), I find that the simple company of my family is the greatest gift. I know, it sounds corny. But its's funny, when I was growing up, I'd ask my parents what they wanted. They'd occasionally answer - "peace and quiet". I get it now.

I hope you have that this holiday - whatever the weather.

I love the South...

Watching our own Gil Tyree and Renee Starzyk at 6pm and during our Falcons preview show tonight reminds me of why I love the South. See, like most Atlantans, I too am from another part of the country; Oil City, Pennsylvania to be specific. Now thankfully mom and dad had the sense to pack things up and move south back in the 80s. Although I am many years removed from the snow and cold, I do not miss it one bit!

Of course having lived in the South now for 20+ years my blood has thinned and the 30s and 40s are brutal to me, but when watching things like the game tonight in Chicago remind me that when it is all said and done... I would rather live here despite the occasional ice storm or 2" snow event.

For those of you like me, you will like the week ahead. We will start cool (50s for highs and 20s and 30s for lows) but warm to near 60 for highs and 40s for lows by the end of the week! Maybe not perfect Santa weather, but I think he will make his deliveries just fine around Atlanta.

Have a safe week and good luck with the last minute shopping!


--Chris

Love The Weather Chase Van!

The weather van got its first chance of tracking down winter weather and it did a super job. I took the van into the mountains on Wednesday morning tracking the early precip which was sleet and a little snow. Once I positioned the van in Gainesville that nightI knew I was in a great position for the freezing rain because of what the radar and van weather instrument package was showing. We hope to add a live video capabiltiy in the future so I can drive and send video back at the same time. This will be an added bonus especially tracking severe weather and be able to show you exactly what its doing while moving. This weekend may give us a little snow north and I may make a trip Saturday night to the mountains. Have a great weekend and keep watching cbs46 weather.

Greg

ICE AGAIN???

I know, I know. At times, it seems that we cry wolf around here, threatening ice for North Georgia. Don't worry, this isn't the time to clear out the bread and milk at the grocery store. At most, there could be a cold rain that mixes with sleet or possibly forms some icicles on tree branches. Don't worry, this isn't cause you to lose power.

I'm a northerner (I know, I know - but I got here as fast I could). It seems like the mere mention of snow or ice causes a near panic in the A-T-L. However, the signs are coming together for us to see a few close calls over the next few weeks.

It will certainly make holiday shopping more fun and perhaps put you in the mood.

Random musings from Midtown Atlanta...

To follow up on Laura's recent entry... I can certainly understand her frustration about traffic! When I was growing up in Atlanta I went to Lovett my last two years of high school. That meant I had to drive 35 miles to school from my home in Lawrenceville! That was 70 miles to and from school. Back then in the early 90s if you left before 7am you were cool with traffic. A second after seven and there is no telling when you make it to work or school. Now a days that traffic free window is much smaller to non-existent. Regardless, it was always an interesting ride each morning. I drove my sister and needless to say we kept one another entertained. Right after I graduated and went to college my folks bolted from the 'burbs to midtown because of the traffic. I always mention that it was so convenient that they only did it when my sister had to drive! Ahhh, those sibling rivalries are slow to die!

Since my folks live in midtown when I moved back to Atlanta to take the job at CBS46, it made sense that I would call midtown home too. The one thing that baffles me is why does the power always goes out? I swear to you, the power has gone out a minimum of 10 times since I moved from Macon and I am not talking about for a few seconds either. Sometimes for hours and even once for more than a day! Did 30309 do something to the power company? Are we late on our bills? I really amazes me. My friends and I joke that it is like living in a third world country sometimes.

Other musings on a more positive note...

Have you been to the 'new' High Museum of Art lately? I really is fantastic. The Andrew Wyeth exhibit is great and a must see. Sooooo, get together your significant other or grab a few friends and head down to the High and check it out.

Friday night is date night for me and my fiancee. Since she lives in Macon and I am up here and work weekends, Friday night is out only night to do something so we try and do something fun together. This past Friday we went to see The Nutcracker at the Fox. I have probably seen it 2 or 3 times before, but it always entertains. The best part is seeing the smiles and looks of amazement on the children's faces that are watching. So, if you are looking for something to do with the kids, check out The Nutcracker. They have matinee and evening performances through the holidays.

Thank you to everyone at the Festival of Trees for their hospitality on Saturday. Laura, Gene, and I were invited to emcee the events on the entertainment stage. It was a fun and festive time and you gotta give props to anyone that would get on stage in front of a bunch of people and dance. I stuck to telling bad jokes giving away shirts and pencils. Thanks for everyone for showing up and supporting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

If you are feeling generous this holiday season and want to help out someone less fortunate. Consider helping the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. The weather folks have been busy sharing stories of the families that will benefit from the program and I can assure you that their stories will touch your heart. For more on the program click here.

Finally, lets talk some weather....

I was talking with our weather producer, Greg, at the station holiday party tonight and things could get interesting Wednesday into Thursday. Right now it looks like a cold rain, but few changes here and there could make it real interesting if you know what I mean. Stay tuned to Gene and Laura over the next few days to see how it shakes out.

Until next time....

Chris

Perspective Is Everything

Much like every other commuter outside the perimeter, my morning routine is ruled by the clock. Every morning it's me against the second hand and even though I hate to admit it - more often than not - I am defeated.

The fact that my daughter insists on watching through the very last credit of "The Wiggles", coupled with the fact that my car keys seem to elude me every single morning of the week - puts me at, already, three beats behind the other road warriors that take on 75 South every day.
OK.... so blah, blah, blah you probably go through the same thing on your way to work right?
Here's my point - or, rather, my observation.

It's never ONE commuter set-back for me. My road troubles will always come in twos. Here's what I mean...
Driving down the road... opting to save a little time, I bypass the coffee shop and decide to settle for (the now luke-warm) beverage I walked out the front door with. But it never fails, the sacrifice is for naught. Trying to save a little time 'here' usually ends up costing me MORE 'there'.

It won't be one school bus that I'm behind as I trying to find a morning radio station that actually PLAYS MUSIC on my way in to work. It's one school bus AND a Marta bus in front of that - that will bring me to my knees. Or, heaven forbid, TWO school buses. Or what about a garbage collection truck and then, just a few miles away, an out of service traffic light (does anyone in Georgia know how to do the 4-way-stop right-of-way thing?). If it's not that, then I've left something at home AND I realize I need gas at the same time.

What is occurring to me is : It's never just the traffic --- I'm realizing that it's the traffic AND my attitude about the traffic ... I mean, lets look on the bright side:
Luke-warm coffee doesn't burn your tongue.
"The Wiggles" really ARE funny guys.
Dozens of spare keys are a good thing to have around the house.
School buses are a necessity - and driving slowly is much safer.
At least we have people that will come around and collect our garbage!
Practicing our 4-way-stop knowledge keeps us sharp (and by the way, it's the guy on the
RIGHT that has the right-of-way).
Leaving something at home forces me to make the best of what I have with me - because Lord
knows I'm not turning back around to get what ever it was that I left!
And gasoline? It's over rated. We should all walk more.

See - there ya go. Turn that frown up-side-down, Laura.
Life is good! :)

ICE STORM COMETH?

Yes, we're starting early with the ice storm scares. I've lived here for 6 years and at least once a year, we get an ice storm. It took me a while to get used to correctly identifying the tell-tale signs for ice in Georgia. But the two main ingredients are setting up. First, cold air comes sliding down the east coast and "banks up" along the Northeast Georgia mountains. Then, we need some water. Typically a storm system comes from the Gulf of Mexico and spread the rain into Georgia. This turns the atmosphere "upside-down". Typically, warm air is at the ground and it gets colder as you go up. When we get winter weather, the cold air is at the surface and warm air is above the ground. So the clouds are making rain, but as the rain falls to the ground, the rain freezes up. This causes ice on trees and powerlines.

It also caused me to choose a thesis topic. When I was in graduate school at the University of Maryland (Go Terps!), I was driving one night during a cold rain. However, I didn't realize that it wasn't just rain - it was freezing rain. I got into a bad accident totaling my "brand new" Chevy Cavalier (I was student, remember?). I wanted to learn more about how this phenomenon worked and that's how I got my degree.

Funny how life works out.

First Winter Weather Threat

From the Weather Producer's Desk....
Well officially winter does not begin until December 21st, but it looks like someone forgot to tell old man winter. The current weather models are hinting at a possible winter weather headache for Metro Atlanta starting Thursday afternoons into Thursday Night. Unfortunately we are not talking snow, we are talking about ice. A low pressure system is forecast to develop on the gulf coast while a cold high pressure sets up in a perfect wedge position over Virgina that will give us the possible freezing rain set up. Timing is critical for an event like this and there remains questions on the intensity. It is not unusual for us to get winter events in December but not usually this early in the first week. Stay tuned to Chief Meteorologist Gene Norman this week as we watch this first possible impact from winter. Needless to say, the weather van may get its first taste of winter storm chasing.

Another one bites the dust...

After many years of being the consummate bachelor, I finally gave it up the other week! My fiancee, Mauri, and I have been dating for a number of years and I guess she finally knocked enough sense into me for me to get down on one knee. No wedding date yet, but I imagine it will be sometime in '06. Mauri grew up in SW Georgia near Camilla on a farm. I love nothing more than to head south to see her family and get some of that good southern cooking. Yum!
Mauri still lives in Macon, where we met, so we try and have fun when she comes up to Atlanta. The picture in this post was taken in front of the big tree at Atlantic Station and will grace our Christmas card. This past Friday we went to the Georgia Aquarium and had a great time! If you have not been I know you will enjoy it. To guarantee a spot I would recommend ordering your tickets online.

As for the weather, it certainly was stormy today as I was busy babysitting thunderstorms. Monday will not be stormy, but it will be quite rainy. Expect for the rain to end later in the day. After that it will be just plain cold!

I am off to Gray, GA. for their Christmas parade tomorrow before returning to work Wednesday. Until then...

The Sweetest Things......

So the other day Claudia (my almost three year old daughter) and I were at Town Center Mall doing a little early holiday browsing... when off in the distance ... we noticed that a small part of the North Pole had been plucked from way up in the latitudes - and plopped right in front of Rich's (oooops, I mean MACY'S.... old habits die hard) Christmas Store.

It was actually Claudia, otherwise known as "eagle-eye", that spotted the jolly ole man seasonally dressed in his red suspenders.
"Mommy!!!!" she shrieked, "I see Santa Claus!"
Holy Cow, you would have thought her fanny was on fire. She was out of control!!! She had just spotted the most important man in her world right now - and before I knew it she was pulling me hard and fast in his direction.

I mean, they have this whole Santa village - complete with giant size packages, enormous Christmas ball decorations, a little stuffed Rudolph-reindeer... and it's all nicely placed on a blanket of "felt-ish" white snow. Even the camera operators and order-takers are dressed like elves.

Santa, and the line up to Santa, are actually sort of roped off which means you have to stand in this line (somewhat resembling the early hour-or-so waiting lines at Space Mountain in Disney World back in the good old days before 'fast-pass') before you can get close to the jolly gent.
The problem is, we're on our last "pull up" (a "big-girl" diaper) and I don't think either of us has it in us to wait in line an hour or so before our next potty break.
Conflict! Motherly guilt sets in! What do I do? Please, Lord.....

The solution comes to me as we shimmy as close as we can to the edge of the rope separating us from conversation with the large elf...
"Wave to Santa Claus," I said uncomfortably loud in hopes the big guy might have mercy on us and throw a quick smile our way.

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus and as if following the cues of a script, the Town Center Santa turned his head, looked directly at my daughter, and waved at her with a smile that would have melted your heart!

Claudia was in shock! Her eyes were glazed over (much like the first time her mama met John Taylor, bass player for Duran Duran). The man of her dreams had given her a smile and a wave and her little life would never be the same.

"He waived at me Mommy! He waived at me!....Santa Claus waved at me."
She was so happy that I really wanted to cry. It was the most precious thing I'd ever seen. Her joy and happiness were so pure -
Maybe my life will never be the same.
Thank you, GOD for my daughter. I am truly blessed!