1:27pm Thursday 14th January 2010
By Pencils Down
Roughly this time last year I was sweeping up glass off my hallway floor after a friend got “carried away” during a snow ball fight.
Other than the smashed window, and the fact I am now living at home, my day yesterday was much like that one at uni, 12 months ago. I went for a stroll, made snow angels, built snowmen and was generally just being merry. However, last year I was surrounded by students, revelling in the opportunity to put the books down and play in the snow, whereas this unexpected downfall seems to have sprinkled flakes of negativity all around me.
I can’t believe how much moaning I’ve heard about the snow. I’ve been seeing Facebook statuses left right and centre declaring: “bored of snow now, just want to get to work.” These are the same people who spend 365 days of the year whinging about their job, then complain when finally given the opportunity of a day off as they “have nothing to do”. I’ve overheard people in shops and on the bus saying: “oh I know you just can’t get anything done in this weather.” Well don’t do anything then! We’ve been given a white golden opportunity to regress to our childhood and stay at home. If the 13-year-old you heard you complain about a snow day, they wouldn’t believe their ears.
Now, I know I seem to have an idyllic view of this weather but I’m not a blind optimist. I’m aware that people need to work and that services must resume, and it is obviously not nice to hear about the tragedies that have occurred, but all I’m trying to say is, when it comes to being trapped by adverse weather conditions, it could be worse. Out of being stuck in a boiling hot traffic jam, stranded in a rain storm or delayed, surrounded by beautiful, glistening white scenery, I know which I’d prefer.
Being jobless, I’m fully aware of how boredom and cabin fever can creep up on even the most fun loving individual. But these last few weeks are nothing like the next 50 we’re going to have, so just try and embrace the change, dust off the walking boots and cherish the small things.
As I was walking round my neighbourhood yesterday I spotted a man slip over on some hidden ice, dropping his shopping everywhere. He caught me looking and laughed his head off. Would he have chuckled if it was a giant puddle or sun soaked tarmac he landed on? I doubt it. Further down the road a postman, refusing to let his slippery nemesis put a halt to his deliveries, trundled on and even greeted me with a tip of the cap. I’m not from the 1920s; I do not receive a tip of the cap everyday. It certainly put a spring in my step. In these tough times we should be holding these infrequent treats close to our hearts. Unspeakable things are happening all around us and it just saddens me that we’re slowly turning snow into another bad news subject.
Not to get too heavy, but look at Haiti right now, I’m pretty sure they would prefer snow over their current situation. So come on, be thankful for natures play thing that we beg and beg and beg for at Christmas, rather than wishing it away just because it has stuck around for slightly longer than we wanted.
I implore everyone to take five minutes out of their day, grab some gloves, coat, hat and scarf and walk, for the sake of walking. If the sight of sporadic dog footprints, parents dragging giggling toddlers behind them on sleighs or rosy-cheeked strangers saying hello to other rosy-cheeked strangers doesn’t make you smile then… bah humbug, read the first two words of this blog’s headline and hush your beak.
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