So…if you live in Jersey or on the eastern seaboard, it’s been an interesting couple of days where the weather is concerned. I remember….I think it was last Saturday (so long ago..) that I was on the treadmill at the gym…watching the newscasters talk about Hurricane Sandy and how yeah, we might feel a few effects, but hey, no biggie.

And then….biggie. The “no big whoop” storm has morphed into an unprecendented monster “Frankenstorm” and now, it’s coming for us. The weather maps show that the storm is going to take a nice left turn into Jersey (tonight/tomorrow…I still can’t quite get a handle on it) where it’s going to hang out for a while.

So, as I write this on Sunday morning…waiting for it all to begin, here are a few of my thoughts.

1. I am sort of hoping for one of those deals where everything builds up…then cut to the weather channel people looking sheepish as they detail how the storm missed us entirely as it headed out to the Atlantic. Barring that…I hope everyone stays safe and gets through this storm with minor difficulties at best.

2. I don’t always agree with Governor Christie, but I do like him when he’s telling people not to be stupid and to get the hell off the beaches, roads, out of the casinos, etc.

3. We were watching someone reporting from Point Pleasant on the Weather Channel last night. Of course there was a crowd of people behind him. I felt several moments of Jersey pride as several people took the opportunity to skip or dance across the screen behind the weather guy and in front of the crowd. Even better, one or two of them were zombies, probably because Halloween is coming up, but in Jersey, you never know.

4. Two years ago I had to evacuate from the Outer Banks in North Carolina thanks to Hurricane Earl. Last year, I got stranded in Chicago thanks to Hurricane Irene (my heart goes out to everyone whose flights today were probably canceled). I was actually in Virginia for a few days and got home yesterday…(95 was wonderfully clear…). I’m trying to determine the relationship between my travel and these storms.

5. The weather porn. I get so annoyed at how worked up the weather forecasters make me feel…but I can’t look away.

6. It’s weird to be sitting around in the calm, contemplating the storm to come and the many things it might bring. We’ve been told to expect power losses (like have cash in case the ATMs go down kind of losses); to get water and have plans to stay warm (if we lose power) or a place to go (I follow the humane society on twitter and really appreciate how they tell people where they can take their pets..).

7. I have a tendency to get panicky about stuff like this. It helps nothing. When I was in Virginia contemplating coming home yesterday, I could feel the panic rising. When I actually looked at a forecast and saw that I’d be fine weatherwise and told myself that I could always head inland to find another route (I was afraid 95 would be crawling), I calmed down. On one hand, I don’t want to be so calm that I minimize danger…but I don’t want to be a hazard to myself or others because I’m panicking.

8. As panicky/nervous as it all makes me, I feel for the people who live by the shore and where it tends to flood. Not to mention the people in West Virginia who might get walloped with a snow storm.

9. During my drive to Virginia (and back) I saw some really spectacular leaves on the trees. I’m thinking that they won’t be around much longer as the wind takes care of them. I’m glad I got a chance to appreciate them.

10. Once again…everyone affected by this storm, stay safe!