Slide with style
I’m safe, at home now. The risk of falling has ended. You see, we’re in the midst of a thaw, and the city is in the midst of a budget crisis. Ergo, no abrasives or saline for pedestrians. My trek from here to the bus stop (and back) was equally suited to testing my ability at walking in zero gravity. Shuffle, shuffle, very carefully. If not, prepare to be very wet and cold, for water at the freezing point has little else to offer the supine citizen.
At least winter isn’t a boring season. Given the sudden changes in temperature (30 degrees at a bound), we have a wider climate range than most. Our collection of frozen precipitation can lead to records, or at least allow us to forget how mundane the back yards of the neighbourhood really are. We develop great reflexes, dodging walls of airborne slush (thank you, drivers). And once in a while we even score a day at home.
We’re heading into the festive season at work, with the coming reward of a few days at home (to cook and clean and otherwise wish we were wealthier). Comparison comes naturally to the “less than rich”. The daily paper pointed out that the average age (here) for retirement is 60, and that we should accept the largess of the pension system earlier rather than late; don’t plan on living long enough to get rich on the government’s sleeve.
The seven kilos of clementines I received as a “gift” for purchasing groceries in large quantities are already down by 30%. Not bad for less than twelve hours on the kitchen counter.
