Sunday, February 12, 2006
Since we've no place to go
The thing about New York in the snow is that people come from everywhere, so everyone has a different perception of what "a lot of snow" or "really cold" is. The other morning, I was getting Lourenzo dressed for school (on a day where there was no snow and the temperature hovered just below freezing), and Alexandra figured that it was cold enough for a turtleneck and a sweater, and a pair of long johns under his (lined) pants. Wimps. And she expected me to agree with her!
I hang out with a lot of Southerners, too, who all think that this unbelievably mild winter has been so freezing, and I forget that not everyone (not even all Americans) understands the concept of four incredibly distinct seasons. And I have no frame of reference to sympathize with a girl at church who moved here this year from Africa, and was about ready to throw in the towel by the time it was cold enough to get a winter jacket. I was just so glad that I didn't have to drag out the gloves and scarf (or the winter jacket, for that matter) until well into November. And even since then, there have been days where I didn't really need it.
Then again, I try to avoid the "are you kidding? this is nothing!" comments that I could easily (and justifiably) throw about. There are enough Canadian stereotypes as it is, without giving them fodder for the "we live in igloos, never see sunshine, trudge through snow every day, and travel on dogsleds" ideas. I may be proud to be Canadian, but I don't feel like explaining during every conversation that actually, Calgary's weather is similar (in temperatures) to New York's. We get colder, sure, and our summers don't stay as hot for as long, and the biggest difference is that Calgary is far less humid, but overall, I have experienced the general temperature range that New York City gets. For some reason, though, people just don't seem to believe that. Heh.
Only if I'm willing to admit that it took me a good half hour (after I was already out of bed) to convince myself to get dressed and leave the house this morning. It was just one of those days (and it's going to be one of those evenings) where the best option by far is to hunker down in sweats with a good book and a blanket, drinking something warm, and enjoying the snow through a window.
Even though I do kind of enjoy that first morning of a snowstorm. Especially if it's on a weekend. There's just a more relaxed feel to everything, and everyone who ventures out shares a sense of camraderie, an insiders' club made up of the brave and the foolish who ventured out. Plus, I don't think I've ever (with the exception of Times Square at 8:30 a.m. on July 4th) seen New York's streets so empty. It makes for a very surreal "Vanilla Sky" moment.
I kind of like it. But don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold. Which I realize that I just shot to bits by pop culture referencing "Vanilla Sky," but you won't tell anyone about that either, will you?
1 Comments:
So aren't you glad you are staying home tonight anyway, and once Lourenzo is in bed, you can drink your hot chocolate and read?? (Or will they cancel school tomorrow and he'll stay up half the night?
We tried to phone you to ask about your snow, but you didn't answer. Then we found out Carl was talking to you on MSN!
Going back to church tonight for a congregational meeting on the health and growth of the church--we even came home this afternoon!
Hunker down and enjoy the snow!
Mom
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