23 Degrees

When I got to work this morning the temperature was at, you guessed it...23 degrees. Not sure what the windchill was, but I am thinking that the wind here in DC is definitely more biting than the winds of residences past. Here, Jack Frost doesn’t think that it’s sufficient to nip at your nose. He also finds it necessary to slap your face and tousle your hair, leaving you somewhat disheveled. Don’t read this as a complaint, though. I’m just stating the facts here. A weather report of sorts. And each season has its merits along with its challenges, yes? Now I am getting philosophical. To everything...turn, turn, turn...there is a season...turn, turn, turn...

So as I stepped outside of our building at 8:24 a.m. to embark on my brisk 10-minute walk to the metro station, I found myself thinking about this scene from a certain movie...

Perhaps a little dramatic of me to relate my venture into the great urban DC tundra to the winds that violently swirl in places like Antarctica. Let’s be honest. I’ve got nothing on this penguin. But when I arrived at the metro I did do a quick check to make sure that all of my fingers were still there and that one had not accidentally fallen off without my noticing. Onetwothreefourfivesixseveneightnineten. Phew! No permanent damage done.

Minutes later, while riding the train I began thinking about another scene from a different movie. This time I imagined myself bundled up in the same fashion as this little boy, and thought that in mimicking his getup I would probably be able to put up a more resilient fight against ol’ Jack. Moreover, I would not feel the need to dart from one heated, enclosed space to another with the frenzied desperation that a mouse exhibits as it scurries from a place of limited shelter and into its enclave. Now observe the little boy’s Jack Frost-proof gear (and marked resemblance to penguin in above photo)...

I’m sorry, what? You said that you can’t put your arms down? Small price to pay, man. It’s a wintery jungle out there. I’m thinking about buying a one-piece suit just like this if only I can find one on Amazon. Surely there is a way to make this look fashionable and attractive.

At approximately 8:51 a.m. I exited the metro at Farragut West, said goodbye to the monochromatic, subterranean warmth, and plunged myself once again into the icy realm. And rather than thinking about a movie scene, I was now reflecting on a scene from my own life. A scene that took place mere months ago at a lovely resort in Mexico...(cue the tropical music, please)...

Monkey-head drinks + bright Mexican sun + Hubs by my side = BLISS.

Ahhhh...thanks, Memory, for pulling this image out of recent archives and projecting it to the forefront of my mind. It’s thoughts like these that will keep me warm both inside and out on chilly days such as this one. Poofy jumpsuit no longer required.