Hatred

I used to complain about the weather with everyone else, mostly just for conversation or to have something to complain about.  Sure, it was an inconvenience to have to clean snow off the car, sweep & shovel the steps, sidewalk, driveway.  Yeah, it was annoying & sometimes scary to have to drive on icy & snowy roads, especially at night.  But I grew up with the 4 distinct seasons.  And winter = snow & cold.  Every year.  Big deal, right?  You would think I would get more used to it as time went on.  I am finding that not to be the case.  In fact, with each passing year, I come to dread winter more & more.  Nowadays when I complain about the weather, I really, really mean it.  With all my heart & soul.  I HATE January & February.  Absolutely.  In fact, during the holiday season, when I think about facing a new year & the coming winter months, I actually feel anxious.  Just the IDEA of winter gets me all worked up.  In a bad way. 

It does not help that we live in the 2nd cloudiest region in the continental US (second to Washington state; but they have cute vampires).  In fact, I have had 2 doctors recommend sunlamp therapy.  There is a lot of published data indicating definite health benefits.  So I ordered a sunlamp. I have been sitting in front of it as I eat my dinner for about 2 weeks now.  It feels good.  Like I'm doing something good for myself.  I have no idea if it's going to help my vitamin D levels, immunity, energy levels, mood, etc.  But my cat likes to lay in front of it with me cause it gets a little warm.  And he's cute, and we bond during our sun therapy.  I can't really talk any more about my cat because he's old & now has some health problems.  I have to give him pills & special food.  It makes me very sad.  I feel like Angela from "The Office".  I apologize for this digression. 

Back to the hatred at hand.

The only exciting thing about snow in the weather forecast is the idea of not being able to go to work.  I have no idea why this is should make me happy.  I think it must be left over from my school days.  The idea of a delay or cancellation was so exciting back then.  The difference is that, although we are told to check our local news stations or websites if there is inclement weather, Bayer NEVER closes.  I think maybe once or twice since 1996 do I recall such a thing.  BUT it does become more acceptable to work at home when the roads are bad.  Lots of folks do it for various reasons when it snows.  These are not limited to the roads being treacherous.  When school is cancelled, some folks don't have anyone to leave their kids with.  Some people live far from work or in rural areas, and they physically cannot get out of their driveways.  But I live like 5 miles from my office.  I am just lazy & like working in my PJs sometimes.  I do fear driving on icy roads because I wrecked once many years ago. 

The notion of being excited to stay home because of bad weather used to make sense, but these days, it really doesn't.  There is no longer a reason for it.  Here's why:  1.  Staying home does not mean that I am not working.  Some people equate "working from home" with "pretending to work".  There was a time when this may have been partially true.  But now, on the contrary, I usually get more work done at home & work longer hours.  2.  If I happen to have left my computer at work, I just fret about all of the work that is piling up & how behind I am getting while I lounge at home watching movies instead of just enjoying.  Ok, maybe I enjoy it just a little bit.  But in between those moments of bliss, I am worrying.  I think this is all yet another sign of old age setting in.  Youthful people are not nearly this nerdy & responsible about their jobs.  They are carefree & enjoy getting away with some rule-breaking.

The point to all of this is that with each passing year, I am becoming exponentially averse to wintry weather.  I am not sure what to do about this.  My tolerance wanes.  When other people have talked about relocating to warmer climates when they retire, I've never really thought much of it.  I have always thought I'd like to stay where I am.  With my family & friends.  But lately, I am starting to think all of those old people with their plaid shorts and early-bird dinners in their Florida condos are onto something.

Geeky Things I Like To Do - Number 10

I am an imdb.com junkie.  I can't watch a movie without reading all about the cast & trivia & goofs.  I like to leave my imdb session open to the last movie or actor I looked up.  Then when I watch the next movie, I like to see how many clicks it takes me to get from the page I left off on to the page for the new movie I'm watching (without starting a new search; searching is cheating).  It's kinda like that game Seven Degrees of Kevin Bacon.  It's fun!