Interesting sidenote

I didn't notice this at first, but upon reflection I saw the change. Note the difference between the pre-flood and post-flood pictures of the same section of the Monocacy.

This is what the river looked like on Monday, before the river hit flood peak.

And this is a shot of the same section of river on Wednesday. Note the yellow bush on the far bank in both pictures. Of course, the bush is actually on the bank in the earlier picture, but is in the water in the second shot. In any event, the island of growth in the first shot is just fricking gone in the Wednesday shot, and I don't think it's under water. Carrie Underwood, baby - blown away.

Traffic

So, traffic was down last month. We had six months of steady growth, then  drop-off. I'm a little bummed, but realistically speaking,  I haven't done much to drive readership beyond the core audience. Even with traffic down, it was one of my better months. Should I make major efforts to drive traffic? I don't know. Maybe I'll buy Blogging for Dummies. Couldn't hurt.

Frankenstorm ,after

Having spent yesterday at home, languishing without work (not true -- more on that later) I went back out today to get some after-storm photos. The flood peak of the Monocacy was supposed to be sometime Tuesday, so the flooding here is not at its peak. Still, quite a contrast to the "before" pictures.

This is the southwest view from the 355 bridge over the Monocacy Wednesday afternoon. The river is clearly well out of its banks, even 24 hours after flood peak.

 Same here, with a focus more toward the south (from this perspective, left bank).

 Now looking northeast along the right bank. Hard to see, but the river is well out of its banks on this side, as well.

 Looking northeast, trees under water.

 Wider angle view, same perspective.

Looking down while facing northeast, trees underwater. Usually, you can wade across the river here in less than knee-deep water. Even well after flood stage, not today.

What does all this mean to contract attorneys? The job I would have started Monday didn't materialize. Now, it starts this coming Monday. While doing next to nothing in my area (I seriously don't give a fuck about New York), this storm cost me about two grand. Sucks to be paid by the hour.

Cows don't care

I guess rain doesn't damage leather on the hoof.

Taken Monday afternoon.

Frankenstorm, before

On Monday, while DC was shutting down and any possibility of a new project starting was washing down the drain with all the rain that was falling, I decided to do a quick tour to see what the area waterways were doing. I had to take a few detours because of roads closed by flooding (or, I suspect, expected flooding), but I was able to get a good look at the Monocacy River and its main tributaries. Here is the Monocacy Monday afternoon:

These two photos are from the northeast side of the Route 355 bridge over the Monocacy. The river is high, but not out of its banks.

This photo is taken from the southwest side of the bridge. Again, the river is high, but not out of its banks.

The tributaries, on the other hand, are another story. One of these is Bush Creeek; I don't know the names of the other tributaries, although I think at least one is also Bush Creek, which meanders. In any event, these are all taken from or near some of the one-lane bridges in the area.

As you can see, the tributaries were getting pretty full up on Monday, and often already over the banks. The peak flood stage for the Monocacy was supposed to be Tuesday sometime. The next post will focus on the post-peak Monocacy.

Frankenstorm? What Frankenstorm?

Sure, Metro, the federal government, most DC agencies, a lot of private employers are closed because of the impending wallop from Hurricane Sandy, but not all of the federal government is closed

That's the Old Guard, the 3rd Infantry Division Tomb Guard Platoon. They're always marching post at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery, no matter what the weather.

Hat tip to Ace, who got it via @KristinaRibali from the Facebook page of Dan Marshall.

More game food porn

Packers won ugly, but a W is a W. Trimmed-down menu today, as the Marine now sleeps all day Sunday (due to work schedule) and his girlfriend comes by later as a result. Cuts the game crowd in half, so I fix less.      That said, today we did stuffed potato skins (as always)

and nachos. This is before the sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos and onions were put on the sides.

Good grinds.