2/12: Prepare for Literally Anything

If the last handful of months had a catchphrase, it would be “Do you want the good news or the bad news first?”

In case you don’t follow the news or are living under a blissfully warm rock, February 2021 was a series of catastrophes in Texas involving snow, ice, a failed power grid, and awful state leadership. Millions were without power, heat, and water for days in sub-freezing temperatures, some lost their homes and possessions due to flooding and fires, and some lost their lives.

‘Sub-optimal’ is a diplomatic way to describe what this month was like in Texas.

But amidst the chaos, good things were still happening. The Austin community is strong, helpful, and optimistic. Restaurants gave away free meals, friends and neighbors came together to help each other, and, once again, HEB handled the situation better than the government did.

It sometimes takes a crisis to reveal who the true leaders are.

Brett and I came out okay: the power was out for a couple days, so we bundled up as best we could while the house was freezing. Our hot water heater succumbed to a burst pipe and the dishwasher is dead, but no structural damage to the house. We’re some of the lucky ones, and this disaster once again illuminated the ever-growing chasm between the haves and the have-nots.

The big winners of Snowpocalypse Clusterfuck Texas 2021? Everyone’s pets, meme culture, and a few billionaires.

Despite the chaos, something good did happen this month: I was promoted at work, officially taking effect March 1. I’ll be moving from my current role in the Creative department to the Director of Communications at my company, and I’m excited for a new challenge. If anything, work has been a constant and a distraction from pandemic/natural disaster upheaval, and it’s nice to “see” people on Zoom during the week.

If this was the first two months of 2021, what the hell’s the rest of the year got for us? All we can do is prepare as best we can, take care of each other, and vote like our lives depend on it—and they do.

And I’ll never take a hot shower for granted again.