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Health & Fitness

Social Networking Helps Weather The Storm

Tweets and status updates kept friends in family in the know -- and comforted -- during Hurricane Irene.

I noted how social networks have become a wonderful tool for keeping family and friends -- whom distance and years would normally keep estranged -- in much more regular contact these days.  And while it's in no way a substitute for actual human content, portals like Twitter and Facebook can often be a virtual support group, especially in trying times.

This weekend was obviously one of those times, as we all hunkered down in our homes (or in some cases, shelters), riding out the fury of Hurricane Irene.  As fast as the winds outside, tweets and status updates flew back and forth between those affected as well as those outside the storm's reach, but no less concerned for our safety.

There were 'Hurricane Survival Virtual Parties,' with hundreds of folks posting to one another about how they were faring.  Others did their best to lighten the mood by posting music videos such as the Scorpions "Rock You Like A Hurricane" or The Doors "Riders On The Storm."  Even the Hurricane "herself" got into the act with her own twitter account (For the record, Irene has been very apologetic about the trouble she caused.).

One of the best status updates I saw was that of my colleague, Phil, who wrote:

"I've got a box of Cheez-Its, a jug of iced tea and plenty of candles. Ready to weather this storm."

As I read his post, I glanced back towards the kitchen at the jugs of water, coolers filled with ice, dry goods and other provisions I had purchased.  Phil's an apartment dwelling bachelor, so I could understand -- and maybe envy just a little bit -- his relaxed approach to the whole thing.

The hardest part of the event (other than hoping my roof wouldn't pull a 'Wizard of Oz?') was when we lost power, and those precious connections were lost.  Sure, I could text or call a couple of people here and there (sparingly, so as to avoid draining my phone's battery), but there were alot of folks that I have regular contact with through Facebook; not hearing how they were doing for all that time was terribly unsettling.

Meanwhile, like we made due with crafts and games and finally went to bed in the dark, both literaly and figuratively, until at about 2:30 this morning the power kicked in.

So as the rest of the house slept soundly (thanks in part of now spinning ceiling fans and air conditioning) I jumped online and caught up with how everyone else was.  Fortunately just about everyone I know made it through with minimal damage.  I hope the same goes for you and yours.

Finally, a special note of congratulations to my old  college friend, Chuck Monsanto, who got married this weekend!  He, his lovely bride, and their families proved beyond a shadow of doubt that New Yorkers don't let anything stand in the way of love -- not even a hurricane!

(Oh and the picture?  A flip-flop that I found stuck between the branches of the evergreen tree in my front yard.  So if anyone's missing one, let me know).

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