My most recent discovery: Snow is more of a hassle than a joy after, oh, I dont know... the FIFTEENTH time! Truth be told, I dont know exactly how many days it has snowed... but it sure feels like it has been every other day -at least - for months! haha. Ok, well, maybe not months... but you get my point! In fact, that is why you havent heard from me since the fall. I have been in hibernation. Like a bear.
Bears are smarter than I ever gave them credit for. I mean... everyone else goes on about there business - cleaning off cars, walking around with salt stains on the bottom of their pants, dry and patchy skin, darting germs and popping vitamins like mad, everyone bundled up like hot dogs at the state fair... its miserable.. so sleeping it away without a care in the world seems delightful. Besides, the cold,dreary days sometimes make you feel like not doing a darn thing.
But, then again, snow sure is pretty when it falls.
The fact that I still love this city helps the fact that I find dealing with the snow somewhat of a burden. I have been noticing things lately that makes me chuckle a bit. Yes, I said chuckle.
1. Red heads. My entire life I can count the number of red heads I have associated with on one hand. In Florida, its a rare sight... in Pittsburgh? They are everywhere! Ive never seen so many! haha and not that its a bad thing... but when you arent used to seeing red, it stands out! In fact... they have a name. "Gingers." Now, before I get yelled at... I have no idea if this is a derogatory term or where it comes from, but I have heard that its been around for a long while. Im still waiting to meet a ginger named Ginger.
2. Ethnic food is non-existent. Or, at least in my little reality here. I have been searching for indian food (about 40 min away), Roti (about 6hrs away), Cuban food (still undiscovered), and on and on. Instead, its mostly American food. And, every place you go offers soft pretzels as an appetizer. Odd.
3. Movies must be a favorite past-time. The local movie theatre has many screens- large theatres with stadium seating. Up until January of this year I had only had to sit next to a stranger in a movie theatre once. It was in 1995 in a tiny little theatre in Lake Worth, FL and I went to see Mr. Holland's Opus. It was me, the person I went with, and a room full of senior citizens. It was a sold out show. But, now, in Pittsburgh, if I want to see a movie - even one that has been out for weeks - I still have to sit next to someone! I will put my jacket and purse in the seat next to me until I feel completely guilty for seat- hogging and the very moment I lift my stuff out of the seat, it becomes prey to a lonely person who is magnetically drawn to my right side. Go me. I think I am going to stick to rentals. Or really bad movies.
4. Cleaning floors in winter is a waste of time and resources. I was recently complaining to my dad that I couldnt keep our white tile clean for more than an hour. His response? "Well, in Florida you have sand and up there you have mud." Um, I love you, dad... but please know that mud and sand are no comparison. Mud has to be the nastiest, dirtiest, biggest pain in my butt. From this point on... I am going to boycott cleaning from mid-December until mid-March.
Well, thats all I have for now. I promise to not be such a bear and be more active with my posting. But, for now... I am going to leave you with how I feel about winter and go to sleep dreaming of spring flowers. Ahhhhhh.... :-)
"Im one of those regular weird people" ~ Janis Joplin
