YEA BABY, I'M A SPIRIT ANIMAL...GRRR

You know you've made it when you've become someones spirit animal. Humorist Shane Brown of the Dispatch/Rock Island Argus says I'M HIS ANIMAL in an article he wrote about the recent blizzard that buried the Quad Cities.

Not wise about the spirit animal world I decided to check the definition. I came up with this.

Spirit Animal

In pagan religions and systems, a spirit animal or totem is meant to be a representation of the traits and skills that you are supposed to learn or have. Online, saying something or someone is your spirit animal is a statement that said person or thing is a representation of you or what you want to be.

Holy crap, if I understand it right, deep down Shane wants to be me! He also indicated that I'm the biggest meteorology nerd he knows! OK Shane, which is it...spirit animal or nerd? Perhaps you can be both. I like that idea so I'm running with it.

Shane also stated, "that there’s a whole lot more to meteorology than announcing temperatures, making a wisecrack, and throwing it to Chuck on the sports desk". He's right, I throw it to the anchor, not the sports desk. I've figured the toss thing out but I keep calling the anchor Chuck. He now holds up a sign saying Chris which is working pretty good. I'll get there.

Shane doesn't like the fact that I have to wear a tie. He used the word yuk for that accessory. I like 'em because they make me look like I'm smart and just might have some class. More important, ties are great for those times when you cant find a napkin or kleenex. Get the kind that wash up nicely.

Shane also notes that, "Whenever there’s even a whisper of snow for our area, Terry’s job is to terrify us with a never-ending parade of charts, models and forecasts that make even small storms sound like the apocalypse." This is true! Nothing is more fun than terrorizing half the Midwest. I wish I could do it more often but I've found that if you terrorize too much the fear factor is diminished. It's a fine line that only the best meteorologists understand.

Last but not least, Shane indicated that he's learned that "despite advanced technology and near-instant streaming communications, weather forecasting is still a high-tech guessing game". Bingo! That's why I do it. It's the only job you can be wrong at and still get paid. Ha, I'm laughing all the way to the bank...have been for 42 years! Heck, I don't ever want to retire. No wonder I'm a spirit animal!

Ok, enough of that. Personally, I think Shane is a terrific writer who sees the lighter side of life. I just wanted him and you to know I have a little sense of humor myself and two can play this game. Brother Shane, I'm dang proud to be YOUR spirit animal/nerd! Roll weather...TS

Here's the link to Shane's piece. Give it a read...