Baby, it's cold outside.

And I'm trying to find the positive.  Really.  I've been in New York since '99, and one would think that I would have gotten used to it by now.  And seriously, California and I never got along that well, but I still miss its beaches, and have far more respect for it's comfy weather patterns.  My poor forgiving husband understands that every . . . oh, end of February . . . I'm gonna get mad.  I will get home on a day that was probably particularly cloudy and windy and I'm gonna lose it.  I'll arrive home, and he'll be sitting there, waiting for my wrath.  He will have sensed a particular bitterness in that particular wind, and he will know, that today is the the day.  This means that I'll stagger home, and Sal will be smiling, armed with a cheeriness that only he can summon during those dark days of Winter.  It is his only counter attack, and it is very good.  I, of course, announce that today is the day, and he will respond with an over-confident "I know".  Then he'll try to hug me, but I will try with all of my might to resist, because Winter must be punished and, being a lover of the cold and the dreary, he must represent it.  He sighs with compliance, and off I go.  Before you tell me I'm a bad wife, at least let me defend myself by saying that I give him fair warning, and always clarify that it is not in fact, him that I'm yelling at.  I also try my hardest to be very funny.  Then he eggs me on by espousing all of Winters qualities, which only drags this out. 

Now I generally manage to make it to the end of February, but as soon as the craziness of Christmas and the parties of the New Year end, I am on that countdown. 

In a vague attempt to counter this emotionally destructive, but, granted, I think relatively amusing behavior, I am going to make a list.  To devise a list descriptive of New York City's Winter joys will be my biggest challenge yet, but I am up for the task.  Perhaps I exaggerate.  But I'm cold.

1.  Christmas lights in my neighborhood.  Astoria keeps them through the winter (and sometimes awkwardly through the spring).  Reminds me of Christmas when the cold didn't bother me quite so much, and they're pretty.

2.  Cute hat and gloves.  I got two sets for Christmas this year and I love them.  Also, my new winter coat.  This one, as opposed to last years, actually fits.

3.  Staying home.  Warm, beautiful weather gives me energy, which inspires weekends of outdoor running, brunches, parties and hanging with friends.  Wow.  That sounds like fun.  I miss that . . . whoops.  I had a point here, I swear. This last weekend I stayed home, unabashedly playing with my itunes, pictures, dvr and netflix.  We went out to dinner and a movie (The King's Speech - see it!) on Saturday night, our only respite from the apartment, and truth be told it was glorious.  Getting a coffee maker at home seems to be a game changer for me.  And we made waffles.  Twice. 

4.  Hot chocolate tastes better.

5.  Cupcakes taste better.

6.  Let's be real, snow is pretty.  Really pretty.  And though it turns disgusting, and the city shuts down while feigning ignorance of these white fluffy flakes and their impact on trains and people, it's a really nice break from the norm.

7.  Valentines Day.  Sal will get me flowers.  Because he's a good man, and he knows I'll be sad without them. And even if you don't have a honey, there's still a prevalence of dark chocolate to be eaten guilt free.

8.  Holing up with dear friends at a coffee shop with delicious coffee and a cupcake for hours, because going outside would be an act of insanity.  In fact, I have some friends to call . . .

9.  I suppose people go skiing, and I would be remiss to leave it off this list, but I don't, because A. Sal thinks skiing is a bad idea (I like it, but it's been years) and B.  Why argue, when instead we can spend our money at the beach?


10.  Winter makes us appreciate the beauty and power of Spring so much more.


Pirates vs. Hobos update:  Music is being created as we speak.  Looking forward to a possible screening February 20th.  Let me know, via this blog or Facebook if you're interested!

In happier times.