“We’re forecast to get a wintry mix on Sunday Adrian,” my editor told me this afternoon.
“Oh, that sounds nice!” I said, envisioning some sort of delicious Christmas-themed assortment of snacks.
For the record: I’m not very clever.
Wintry mix involves a combination of ice pellets, freezing rain and snow. Thankfully I stocked up on snacks and frozen pizzas today, because I envision not leaving the house all weekend once I knock off work on Friday night.
My editor also told me this week that Mainers are “weather-obsessed”, and I’m truly beginning to see why. For instance on Tuesday, my second ever night of work at the KJ, I was called in early because the newspaper deadline had been brought forward to accommodate for an incoming snowstorm that was going to make it difficult for the delivery trucks to bring the finished product up from the presses in Portland, an hour south. Makes sense, right? I thought so too.
Work aside, I’m already joining in on the weather obsession. The temperatures don’t particularly bother me – I’m wearing layers, a beanie and gloves, so who gives a shit if it’s -6*C or -26*C? – given I spend most of my time indoors anyway. But even when I’m outside, it’s not the cold but the conditions underfoot that give me cause for concern.
You see, powdery snow like we’ve been having looks real pretty, but gets dirty and slushy fast once cars drive over it. This of course wouldn’t be a problem if I was also behind the wheel, because then I would only have to get the stuff on my shoes and pants legs when I go from the car to the supermarket, or car to work, or car to…well, you get the point. Unfortunately, dear reader, I’m not driving because the state of Maine requires me to sit both written and driving tests before I’m eligible for a driver’s license, which then permits me to register and insure a car. Well then.
Since I’m somewhat home-bound (a story for an upcoming post) without a car in a town that hasn’t got any public transit, there are only a few ways I can fill my pre-work hours. Gym is about to return to my regularly scheduled programming, so today I decided to walk the mile and a half to the local 24-hour fitness center to check out the facilities.
Problem is, snowplows only plow roads, not sidewalks. That leaves two options: walk in ankle-deep brown slush on the “footpath” or walk on slippery brown slush on the asphalt. I chose the latter, but it was still a slog and after almost two kilometers in three layers of warm clothing, I was (ONCE AGAIN!) wiping sweat off my brow for the entirety of the 20-minute tour of the gym, which is just a great first impression to make on a bunch of fit people.
God, I can’t wait to own a car again. I’ll never have to walk anywhere again.
(Look at me assimilating!)Â
Crawfin' USA 
Make sure you get good insurance. Lol. You driving on ice could get interesting I reckon you should a dash cam just so we can laugh. Take it easy and enjoy the weekend.
Jealous of your fridge! Obviously goes against your gym work but on the fresh CLEAN snow pour on some maple syrup – you get an amazing toffee like treat. – Fatty for life
Hey there. I moved to Georgia from Perth WA 12 months ago. If I can get a drivers licence so can you. Terrifying at times and I reckon it took me 3 months to stop having that feeling whenever I arrived at a destination of “thank God I am alive”. The kids had to be quiet and I did not have the radio on as I had to concentrate so much. Having over 25 years of driving experience on the OTHERSIDE OF THE ROAD was hard to overcome. 🙂 I still have moments when I just am not sure what side of the road I am meant to be on – car parks especially. If the State of Maine has a similar written test to Georgia it is so stupid you will pass. I burst out laughing at a few of the questions. Have never really mastered the left or right thing very well and combine the feeling that turning left is the equivalent to turning right in Aus in regard to danger I made a few errors in the practical test too. Still passed! 🙂 Gotta do it kiddo though. You need transport and you need insurance. Check your work healthcare coverage too as to what it actually covers. Healthcare in the States is not like in Aus.
Is Maine like Georgia where if they could I am sure they would eat cereal in a burger and most people have never left their State let alone the country? Geographically challenged is how I would describe most people I have met so far. Have had some classic comments / questions such as – “Did it take long to drive here?” — Ummm … “Australia? That is near Germany right?” – I think you are thinking of Austria! and our favourite (yes I still spell things THE PROPER WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Q: “Where is Australia? East or West from here?”
A: “Kind of both really”
Q: “What do you mean?”
A: Well Australia is on the other side of the world so you can get there going both way – it really is about the same time and distance no matter which way you go.”
Q: “What do you mean the other side of the world?”
School childish giggles start to emerge from me at this point …
A: “Well you know the world is round and ………………”
I’m definitely not taking any chances with my written test. It’s taken me a month to get this appointment, and I’m afraid that if I fail I’m gonna have to be waiting that long to get another date to do it, so I’m cramming like a madman this week. I’m fairly comfortable with the actual driving part (living in a town of 18,000 people lends itself to less traffic on the road, and smaller roadways to navigate) but you’re right, it’s absolutely necessary to have a license and transport.