It was quite surprising at how mild the air felt. You'd think with all the ice and precipitation about, it would be much more chilling.
Ah, Monday. A favorite among the working class. That of course implies you belong to the "Nine to Five." I always question myself when I awaken on a work day. Do I really want to do this? My thoughts were populated by visions of me just driving away, past my workplace and off to God knows where. This idea was especially fallen back to on monday. On this particular monday, the existential agony was amplified by the early arrival of winter. Some of us love winter. I like to call that insanity. For once in my adult life today, I had a plan. My alarm was set to Four AM, that would allow me ample time for any shoveling. The evening before I already knew it was coming. Snow fell before I shut my eyes for the night; I felt as though I was mentally prepared.
The sun wasn't up yet of course, but moonlight graciously provided me with a pretty picture of my front lawn. Not a single car on the road in sight. Could this mean freedom today? I walked to the top of the driveway, lunch pail and trusty notebook in hand. It seemed as though echoes of distant snow plows were my only company. Then, I witnessed something strange.
My road appeared to not have been touched. Sure, tire tracks from probably some lost madman were visible, but besides that the snow was just callously sitting there. This poor uncared for street. Not paved well and coated in potholes, and now unplowed too. The street has seen some abuse over the years like it's extended family of other weak Connecticut roads. Why did I find this strange? Well, although the road I reside on is no main road, it is frequently used by way too many people I suppose trying to find "a shortcut" from my town to the next. There are several other routes available, but no. Lets go 75 down this back road. Have you ever almost been unceremoniously murdered by a driver on their phone whilst attempting to retrieve your mail? Give it a shot; you may rethink your life.
It was enough snow to rate poor driving conditions. I thought to myself, I am not an expert on this, I do not spend my life on the road. Who could I turn to for advice at this early hour? Suddenly, as this thought enraptured me, headlights appeared down the street. A snow plow! It wasn't going fast (obviously) but it was putting in work. I elected to grab the attention of the driver to maybe ask them what they thought about the roads. His/her entire thing is the roads, right? So I raised a hand and started to wave. My hope was that they wouldn't take me as a hitchhiker, because that would be embarrassing. The darkness outside and blinding headlights prevented me from getting a solid look at the person behind the wheel. Who knew what type of personality they had. Would they be kind? Give me a quick or perhaps drawn out concise answer on road safety today? Alas, I would never find out, as the plow passed me without even slowing down. I chuckled to myself as the brake lights disappeared down the road. I more than likely looked crazy to this person. That's an interesting story to recount for them if they even saw me. "There was this guy just standing there in the snow with a lunchbox, waving at Five AM!!" I hope they laugh about it.
My next venture was to saunter down the road to see what condition the main drag was in. I made it one hundred feet or so from the mouth of my driveway, and stopped. It was fruitless. I wasn't getting anywhere today. It's odd that we allow our jobs to make us feel guilty for not risking our lives and the lives of others. I turned around and started back home. What would I do now with this free day? Hopefully something with meaning. The snow was beginning to fall faster now, almost as if the Earth itself was mocking me. A prisoner to the elements. My home fast approached, and I soon shut the front door behind me. The comforting warm air wrapped around my frozen extremities. The Maddening drone of the outdoors faded, and only the sound of my living room's ticking clock captured my ears. Returning to bed would be foolish. I was now wide awake and ready.
As children we turn on the television to see if school is closed on days like this. We hope it is. There are even myths about making it snow a lot, such as putting a spoon next to your bed at night. School in most cases is not a choice, and kids usually would rather not go. Here I am, an adult. I was just given this opportunity to do whatever I wish for an extra day. I don't plan on riding a sleigh down my lawn. Building a snowman sounds fun, but only with a lovely friend to help. Maybe I'd file some papers of mine, or work on fixing some personal issues. Catch up on some reading.
It felt as though I was awake and my home was not. The only light on in the entire house was where I was. I was like a specter among a still sleeping world, yet I was fully awake. It was a lonely feeling, but I smiled. Do adults have snow days?
