It’s cold, but then again, it seems to be cold everywhere, so what the hey.
This afternoon I went out, foraging for nerd lore and vittles in the bland wasteland that is Grant Park mall. For those of you not from “these parts”, Grant Park mall is one of those malls that is so overwhelmingly beige it’s almost painful.
But, this post is not about Grant Park mall. No, it is instead about the weather. This is partially due to the fact that I am Canadian, and thus I, like ever other person in this vast, hinterland-dominated country of ours, am obsessed with the weather.
There are people who revel in the cold grasp of winter. These people almost always end up seeming (to me, at least) to be incredibly, almost preternaturally cheerful, with an endless supply of Gore-Tex clothing, and tuques with large, bouncy pom-poms hanging from the top.
I am not one of these people. I hate winter.
That said, I can’t imagine living somewhere that did not know four distinct seasons. Winter (and fall before it) brings out the deep introspective side of me, which is probably a damn relief to anyone who has put up with my superficial “who-gives-a-shit” spring and summer demeanour. Warm seasons are for mucking about, languid lounging, and letting my cajones get the better of me; cold and blustery equals pensiveness. When it becomes cold out, the smog lifts from my brain, and I can think again.
And it’s damn cold out there, which means that there’s a lot of thinking going on. Walking through the parking lot of the mall this afternoon, the one thought that dominated my brain was:
It’s time to get the hell out of here.
The Weather
It’s cold, but then again, it seems to be cold everywhere, so what the hey.
This afternoon I went out, foraging for nerd lore and vittles in the bland wasteland that is Grant Park mall. For those of you not from “these parts”, Grant Park mall is one of those malls that is so overwhelmingly beige it’s almost painful.
But, this post is not about Grant Park mall. No, it is instead about the weather. This is partially due to the fact that I am Canadian, and thus I, like ever other person in this vast, hinterland-dominated country of ours, am obsessed with the weather.
There are people who revel in the cold grasp of winter. These people almost always end up seeming (to me, at least) to be incredibly, almost preternaturally cheerful, with an endless supply of Gore-Tex clothing, and tuques with large, bouncy pom-poms hanging from the top.
I am not one of these people. I hate winter.
That said, I can’t imagine living somewhere that did not know four distinct seasons. Winter (and fall before it) brings out the deep introspective side of me, which is probably a damn relief to anyone who has put up with my superficial “who-gives-a-shit” spring and summer demeanour. Warm seasons are for mucking about, languid lounging, and letting my cajones get the better of me; cold and blustery equals pensiveness. When it becomes cold out, the smog lifts from my brain, and I can think again.
And it’s damn cold out there, which means that there’s a lot of thinking going on. Walking through the parking lot of the mall this afternoon, the one thought that dominated my brain was:
It’s time to get the hell out of here.
Comments
As parts of my body begin to thaw after the long walk to my car, I couldn't agree with you more. Get me out of here! The snow in my yard is about 3 feet high and there's more snow in the forecast. What in the HELL happened to our mild winters? I didn't sign up for this!
Post a reply to this comment3 | solitary78 said on January 20, 2004 9:54 AM
I walked out to my car in the Eastern US today to find half a bottle of Sprite from yesterday frozen solid. This did not bode well for my comfort on my short drive to work. Brrrr.
Post a reply to this commentGood things about cold weather:
1. You can buy a bottle of wine and it will be chilled by the time you walk home.
2. The satisfaction of looking tough like a Mt. Everest climber by just walking to the corner store.
3. It's Canada - if we didn't have the weather to talk about.. what would we do?
God, I hate the Grant Park mall. I know what you mean. But in terms of temperature, I love the snow! But the temperature has to stay above -20 or I complain.
Post a reply to this comment6 | The Purple Poet said on January 21, 2004 2:17 PM
You're all a bunch of wimps!
Nothing is more depressing than winter and Xmas with grey skies and no snow (or grey, slushy snow). Pretty much most of the U.S. and Toronto (and let's not forget Vancouver et all).
Snow makes everything fresh, new and different. Snow banks are always fascinating, the sun dogs are scintilating (Look it up dummy) and it always feels great to enter a warm house to warm up with a cup of warm glog or tea.
And best of all, the cold also kills any venomous insects and reptiles.
Post a reply to this commentAhh yes, those reptiles always get me in Winnipeg. ;)
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I have no problem living in places with four distinct seasons, as long as the winter season only lasts at most a week. It's too bloody cold at your side, man!
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