Melt now!

Mother Nature is turning on us. That backstabber. We've been spoiled with a warm, mostly snowless winter...until now. The last couple of weeks have been ickier than the rest of our winter combined. First, the bitterly cold temperatures and now the snow. We got at least eight inches on Friday (sounds hotter than it was), which I'll admit to enjoying...only because I witnessed a snowplow clip a big light pole, which fell onto Mesaba Avenue and was subsequently hit by an ambulance. Oh, and I kind of enjoy watching cars struggle like the Little Tire Spinning Engine That Could trying to make it up the hill in front of my apartment. Other than that...you suck, snow! We did not need to see even more of you today! Just stop it! I know that, as a native of Northern Minnesota, I have no right to expect spring to arrive in March. I do though...every damned year, I do. It's going to be here in two short days. No more winter, please!

This morning, I got a later start than usual. I left the ol' homestead at my typical time, but I was halfway across the parking lot when I realized that oops, I forgot half of my outfit. I hurried back in, reclothed myself as quickly as possible, and was on my way again. Almost as soon as I stepped onto First Street, I realized someone was following me. I hate that. Maybe I'm a freak, but it makes me nervous every time. So I picked up the pace. I mean, really picked up the pace. No matter how fast I went (I was practically running by this point), I could hear his footsteps plain as day, right there behind me. I knew it wasn't the goth boy with big thighs that always walks at the same time as me. He's much easier to lose.

I finally reached the first intersection and had to stop and wait for the light to change. My follower stopped directly beside me and exclaimed, "God, you walk fast!" We started chatting a little and, before long, I was happy he kept up. It turns out he lives in the same complex as I do, works in the building next to mine, and also walks to and from work each day. In fact, we finished our walk together. So, yay! I met one of my neighbors and it only took me five months. Before long, I'll have him sitting in the hallway on one of my shitty plastic lawn chairs, drinking beer, and gossiping about the other neighbors.

Sigh...

I miss you, Burnsville.