Winter Weather

For those of you who don't live in Pittsburgh, it is snowing here today. I guess it started sometime last night but I wouldn't know that because I was in bed with a book by 8.30 pm. Winter weather sickness starts and never seems to end.

Of course, everyone on the internet is commenting on it. 8 million posts about topical subjects (football, hockey, weather, shows, etc) used to annoy me for some reason but as I get older and grow less invested in the role that technological connectivity plays in the social culture of the groups of people I actually spend time with, it doesn't bother me anymore. Actually, few things really bother me anymore: maybe because I'm growing apathetic or maybe because I am becoming more laid back with experience.

My wake up call came around 4.30am when the dude crawled into bed. Falling back asleep seemed like an impossible feat so I just got up. Even though he and I are both running on the same work schedule these days (for the most part), we can't break the pattern of moon chasing the sun. I am always waking up as he is going to bed and sometimes vice versa.

After roughly 12 hours on the couch, I tried to do some things I've been meaning to, such as finish my gingerbread house and wash all of the dishes from this week. I am trying to give my hands and wrists a rest because they are starting to hurt from over-use.

I decided to venture outdoors for provisions such as chocolate chips, duct tape, and a six pack. Even though I caved and took some cold medicine today, there is nothing as refreshing as a cold beer while doing chores indoors.

Here is a list of things I like about winter:
- Walking in the snow is so peaceful and quiet.
- Wearing layers is not only my favorite way to wear clothes, I also think that I have a great winter-time wardrobe.
- Friends enjoy drinking tea and staying indoors, a preferred activity for me.
- Pleasant interactions with strangers are more greatly appreciated during this time of year.
- I can wear a pair of socks and a pair of legwarmers and pretend that they are long socks. When I was in college, I would wear long cut-off jean shorts and legwarmers over long socks and pretend that they were pants (because I had none for one winter).
- The feel of the cold air on your face makes you feel really alive. You are forced to move around for fear that the water in your blood will form ice crystals and you will freeze to death. It is different from the sweltering humidity of summer that also reminds you that you are alive and that you also might die if you don't slow down. The heat of the hot months caution you against sweating all of the moisture out of your pores, allowing your blood to congeal until your body doesn't circulate oxygen anymore. The unforgiving chill of winter forces you to be aware of your body's limits.
- I only look good in knit hats and the only time to wear them is now.
- Ice skating outdoors instead of indoors.
- The instant gratification of completing a crocheting or knitting project and being able to put it to good use later that day.
- It is socially acceptable to hermit down for a while. Seeing your friends after weeks of everyone locked indoors makes that time even more enjoyable.
- The joy of winter sports: something which I intend to experience as much as possible this year. I am going to learn to snowboard and ski and am stashing away money to go as often as I can.
- Dogs wearing clothes. This time of year I find it cute and considerate of the pet owners instead of unnecessary and frivolous.
- Baking to make the house warmer is an added bonus to the baking fever I already have.

Even though talking about the weather is trite-- it's one of the few things everyone holds opinions on and can talk about with some level of authority. I don't begrudge other people for taking opportunity to talk about something that everyone can understand. My reclusive tendencies as of late have left me feeling somewhat isolated and I'm ready to try to reconnect in small ways with other people, even if I have to talk about the weather.