As whiny as I can be about things like cold, and wet, and wind and just about anything that is not comfortable and lovely, I was absolutely delighted by Saturday night’s snowstorm.
I was delighted to avoid any contact with it. Hunkered down under my comforter on the couch with some cocoa, Netflix and my stinky-breathed foot warmer, Hal, there was no damn way I was going out. And then my friend Matt called.
“Have you been outside yet?â€ù
“No way. I don’t need to make contact with two feet of snow.â€ù
I forget the words he used to express how wrong I was, but I was unfazed. I was warm and squinting at subtitles. What did I need winter wonderland fun for?
“Come on. Let’s get dinner in your neighborhood.â€ù
“I can’t. I’m broke.â€ù
“I’m not!â€ù
And… I was out of excuses. He even let me pick the restaurant. So with change of clothes and some warm socks, I was off to see the blizzard.
I don’t know what I was expecting. But the moment I was out of the front gate and my feet hit the sidewalk, I felt like my face split wide open and a bunch of goofy-ass happiness rays came pouring out. I couldn’t stop smiling. Even in the 7:00 darkness, everything was bright. Eighty-sixth street had become suddenly charming under 26 inches of snow — all white and clean and dare I say, almost enchanting.
It was like Disneyland! Only, you know, colder. And with way fewer dwarfs and princesses.
I don’t have to tell you that today was far less enchanting, what with the lakes of slush at every corner. But last night, I was sort of in denial about what all that pretty snow would mean once sunlight hit and I walked to the restaurant, grinning like an idiot. The Second Avenue drunks were out, throwing themselves into snow banks. And I grinned some more. Aw, look at the publicly intoxicated! Aren’t they charming!
It is a winter wonderland of fun!
You know, this is really all just a testament to how easily amused I am. Maybe it also says a bit about what I’ll do to get a free dinner. But let’s not get into that.
You see, in L.A. no one could make a blog post out of the weather. It’s not that interesting. But then, you have a way of inserting interest into the perfunctory.
Happy almost-Valentine’s Day, Fish! Thanks for sharing the snow with us.
Read the Fashion Week article about the blogger pajama party. You looked great!
You lead a fun life. You live in a great place. You get out and do and see and savor. Your posts make me smile.
I really truly lament the lack of midgetlife on our street. We have no Wizard(ary) of Oddness here at all – unless you count the skinny with the birds on his shoulders.
I was thinking how you guys get all the snow and all the heat. What a weather center, huh?
We got that much snow one time when I was in college – the most for that area ever, and I’d only seen that much a couple of times in my life.
It was awesome. My favorite part? How quiet everything becomes – but you can hear the snow fall. I LOVE THAT.
Funny Freezing Fish.
“Come on. Let’s get dinner…”
“I can’t. I’m broke.”
“I’m not!”
I know how that goes. Beautiful, considerate friends always have a way of foiling even the best-laid, dinner-less plans. Darn them and their free dinner offers and their big hearts! Oh, and here’s to being easily amused, buddy. Rock on with it.
Happy Valentines Day Fish!
Hi Fish! Your post made me desperately homesick for Canada (am currently living in Amsterdam). It’s amazing how a little bit of fluffly white stuff can make you giggle like a 5-year-old. Thanks for reminding me
p.s. Happy V day!
There’s nothing like a fresh blanket of snow to make you feel like a kid again. I also live in the northeast and I got to take my three year old out sledding for the first time. I haven’t been sledding in YEARS! It’s as much fun as I remember. Now if we could get snow days at work, and my car would clean all the snow off by itself!
HAPPY VALENTINE’S FISH!!!!
I’ve read a lot of posts about this blizzard – your title is by far my favorite! Glad you got out to enjoy it!
This post makes me want to move to New York, and I haven’t wanted to do that for about a year. I’m glad you took child-like joy in the beauty of the winter wonderland
“…off to see the blizzard.”
Perfect.
What Kimberly said.
I want a blizzard too! But as long as I don’t have to drive in it…and school cancels…and my husband’s work cancels…
ahh, the beauty of pristine snow blanketing an otherwise grimy world! I miss living in a snow climate – one of my favorite memories is of walking downhill in newfallen snow, gripping a guardrail – then glancing up at an absolute stranger at the other end of the rail, and with one serendipidous eyelock – the snowball fight was ON! hehehhee.
dang, he was cute, too….
This line rings true with me: “I felt like my face split wide open and a bunch of goofy-ass happiness rays came pouring out.”
I think we’ve all felt unexpected happiness at some point, but you knew exactly how to word it. Awesome.
I hope you are having a great Valentine’s Day, Fish!
Fewer dwarves and princesses than Disneyland? I’ve been to NYC, so I don’t believe that particular claim.
Truly great post Fish. I live in Wisconsin so in regards to the whole snow thing – not the biggest fan but there have definitely been times when it snows and I don’t have anyplace to be that requires driving and I can actually ENJOY the beauty of it from my window! Then it’s pretty… until the next day when it’s slush and salt. ICK!
As for the easily amused… hell yeah! it’s such a great way to be ain’t it? something so simple makes you grin like a fool – gotta love it.
Oh also – Happy Valentine’s Day!
I love the snow. I’ve been up near Canada for three years now, and the new snow never ceases to amaze and delight.
How much weirder that would be in the city rather than on the prairie, though!
I am available to buy you dinner pretty much all the time!
I had to call my sister, who lives a few blocks from you, and roust her off her sofa to enjoy the blizzard for me, as I am here in Alabama, praying for snow but looking at cold rain. Sigh.
awww it’s not fair. here i am living in the cold northern mid-west and expecting snow… only to wake up daily to 50+ degrees. my poor little boy has only played in the snow twice all year.
enjoy it while it lasts.
natalie
Great post! And here I was worrying about you when I heard the news. You almost make me wish it snowed more often here.
I’m all smiles and giggles the first snowfall every year… that giddy, it’s so damn cold, but I just don’t care kinda happy.
But then it stays. Until April.
What were the subtitles you were squinting at?
Yesterday two guys in a car let me cross the street and as I passed them, one rolled down the window and said “Happy New Year!”
What??
Especially on a holiday when he could have said something else.
Bizarre.
Ah, the snow was WONDERFUL. I just moved up here from the south no even a year ago, and I was all stary-eyed and glee stricken about the snow storm. Seriously, I layed down in it, AND I was sick all weekend. Although, in hindsight, that probably didn’t do so much for my recovery.
All the same, I think that when ever it snows, anyone and everyone should go out and par take in the festivities. It makes you feel like a kid again. And it’s far less expensive than a trip to Disney!
oh, i want snow! i want, i want! but i also like sunshine and beaches and mangoes and guavas so i guess we don’t always get what we want
It is supposed to be 80 degrees here in Texas tomorrow and snow this weekend, bring a wrap for your OLD dress for the wedding!
snow is rad!
When I was a kid in Pennsylvania, I loved putting on my ski stuff and going to lie down on the cellar door the night after a huge snow storm. The sky was brilliant with stars and it was always eerily quiet. I used to think nothing in the world could beat that.