Oh, sure, there have been plenty of times I've said things I wish I didn't say, things I wish I said differently, and things I wish I said but just didn't. You get the idea.
Then, there are times I say things that would seem so innocuous, but - alas, no. Words said almost without thought strike back with a vengeance. It's like some higher being is ready to say "HA! Gotcha!"
Example: Driving along some highway that is known for horrific traffic, only to be lucky enough to be swiftly moving mile after mile without any pause. Always looking on the positive side, I have to open my big mouth and say [Wait for it...]
"I'm so glad the traffic is moving."
BAM.
Red tail lights and a laborious crawl for the next 20 miles.
So, why should I be surprised that shortly after saying "I haven't been sick all winter! - knock on wood," I find myself with a scratchy throat, fever and headache. Psychosomatic? Doubt it. Self-fulfilling prophesy? Uh-uh. It's just a case of me and my big mouth, and never learning when to shut up.
Yes, I live in the Northeast. Yes, it's snowing today - alot (with a deceiving break at the moment). And yes, I'm off from work today! Hooray! We didn't get the snow from last weekend that the rest of the Mid-Atlantic received, but we're getting it today, and I'm thrilled. We haven't had a big snowfall since the holidays, so we're overdue, and I'm feeling like a giddy schoolgirl watching the snowfall intermittently with watching updates from the accurate and dependable team on the Weather Channel (who, by the way, said 12-18" total. Don't disappoint me, 'k?)
Something about the mere idea of a snow day lets me imagine snuggling up in a thick, fluffy, larger-than-life blanket with warm cups of cocoa with marshmallows, my fireplace crackling, watching sappy old movies or getting lost in a good book. And maybe, just maybe, a walk hand-in-hand with husband through the quiet streets of town just listening to the softness of the snow fall. My reality at this moment is sitting on the couch, sans fluffy blanket, doing work (well, not at this exact moment) watching said Weather Channel. Not quite the fun-loving snow day, but the day's only half-way over...and there's the possibility of tomorrow...Still, I could live the ideal snow day today, and that makes it all worthwhile.
For the last week or so, with two big snow storms arriving in the same area of the country, everyone refers to Snowmageddon and Snowpocalypse. Apparently, today is being called Snoverkill, as in snow overkill. Really, people? It's February. It's an El Niño year. Besides, we don't exactly live in the tropics. What were you expecting? For heavens sake, relax. Enjoy. [For more on this, you can also revisit this post]. If you lost power or heat, or found yourself in some disastrous situation, ok - you have a right to use such titles for this snowstorm. But for the rest of us - you can handle this. It's not like we're going to all become the next Donner Party.
For my colleagues who will most likely have to stay an extra day or two on the West Coast due to canceled flights, enjoy the sun and warmth. We'll see you soon.
For the rest of you, please enjoy one of my favorites:
It's been months since I've been on here, and when I left, I wasn't sure if I'd be back. Just goes to show, you never know what life has in store. I realized that I still love to write, and I haven't done a whole lot in the last few months, so, maybe it's time to return to this little blog here to 1) sharpen my skills, 2) have an outlet for all the things I'd like to say, 3) continue with a hobby I enjoy or 4) make a complete arse of myself in the process.
I watched Julie and Julia this weekend, and while, in no way, do I compare my meager offerings to the what Julie Powell accomplished with her blog project, I understand every bit of the frustration she must have felt before and during. My blog isn't a project with any goal, deadline or theme, but it would be nice to be able to shape it into something. Anyway, in my last post, I aired some of my grievances, and I apologize if I offended anyone. Still, they were said in honesty; so, as long as we understand each other, we can be friends.
So...why now? After all this time, why today? My response: why not?
I just felt like writing, that's all. Sometimes, that's all the reason I need.
