the ice continues

I'm up at 8am to try and determine if I'm going to work today. Of course, the weather information for our office says "This is a personal decision." Conditions are icy around the office though, and it is sure as hell icy here. I can't make it to work without crossing at least one bridge, even by the most around about measures. I'm not sure that's any better of an idea, to be driving less used side streets. Damn it. I can't even get out of where I live without crossing one bridge, or attempting a hill with a very steep incline. I think that pobably makes my decision for me.

I sure am starting to get tired of my house. Yesterday, I watched the entire fourth season of The Sopranos, which has some shockingly funny moments I had fogotten. (Such as Christopher accidentally killing Ade's dog, and Ralph's terrible toupee.) Still, twelve hours of the Sopranos. I played a lot of WoW, and we'll see how much WoW I can play if my mail gets delivered today. Tyler and I both had our explansion packs coming in the mail. Oops.

My neighbor has started up with the damned stereo at 8am this time. What gives with this guy?

Somehow, I cut my finger open yesterday. I really, honestly don't know. It's not cracked skin though, because it is not in a place logical for that.

My balcony is all one solid slippery mess of ice. they are predicting more rain and sleet, with possible snow for today. Even if I could get to the office, I'd probably get stuck up there and that would be so much worse than being stuck here. At least at home I can take baths. They would probably want me to work all night if I went to the office. I feel bad not going into work, because I imagine it has to be pretty sparse up there by now. But I really don't feel crazy enough to attempt the drive. A) I am utterly unprepared to drive in ice. B) The vast majority of the city is unprepared to drive in ice. C) Last time I drove in icy weather, I spent hours stuck on a freeway, and then skidded across a bridge. I nearly smacked into another car and was only magically saved by grabbing the emergency brake. (I don't know, because that goes in with no braking, but it stopped the car.)

I think right now I'm just going to go back to bed.

снег! snow!

It has started to snow now. You can tell it isn't sleet because it is whiter and bigger. My winter coat and hat are covered in melting crystals. No one ever told me that icicles have a strange lattice inside. It makes them look like clear amber holding some fossilized piece of plant life. My car is covered in ice, as are the steps, my balcony, and everything else. I walked to the two different bridges over the creek between me and the road. Both of them are covered in at least a quarter inch of ice. I don't fancy driving over that honestly. I might be able to make it out without a problem, but coming home would be scary. Truth be told, I'm not sure I could even actually get in my car, as it appears to be wearing a solid coat of ice.

I've lost some weight as my coat doesn't fit quit so snug round my hips. Maybe today I'll make some macaroni. The apartment office remains closed, so I don't think I'll be getting my mail today. I just got off the phone with my mother who says the snow is coming down pretty heavy up in northwest Austin. Looking out the window, it seems like it is picking up here too. It makes a crackling, slithering sort of sound. Strange, strange sight to see. My cheeks still feel cold, and I imagine them to be red like apples and fairy tale girls.

why yes, I have nothing better to do than post a lot

If I thought anything was open, I would walk. It is kind of fun, novel for someone who never really sees this kind of weather to see fluffy bits of white dropping down. (It sort of stings to get snow in your eye though.) Even the threat of falling and injuring myself like last year could not deter me from wandering a little bit. I'm going to go check the mail in an hour or so, in vain hopes.

While there have been a remarkable number of car accidents, there have only been a handful of serious ones. (Mostly involving the highways and eighteen weheelers.) The local news is full of hysterical photos of five inch tall snowmen, cactus covered in ice and the kids at St. Ed's sliding down the hill by the soccer fields in laundry baskets and plastic tubs. The last time we had anything like snow was about four years ago. Melynda and I talked some neighborhood children into pelting Gene's bedroom window with snowballs. It was a riot.

At the moment there is no mail. The tips of my fingers are numb. I cracked a six inch icicle off my car, and wrote Russian graffiti in the snow on my hood. Someone by the bridge made awesome snowmen. I took pictures.