It's gonna be an arctic blast, man!

So, yeah. We've been hearing it...Portland is full of a bunch of pussies that can't handle 2" of snow. Normally, I'd agree but in this case let me tell you something, world. (1)I saw a kid (a neighbor) take a spill yesterday that landed him on his head, knocked him out cold and essentially stopped traffic for about 5 minutes. Then, just today, I found out that this guy I work with also fell and broke his goddamn neck. He's alive but having surgery as I write this. Because it doesn't happen very often, Portland isn't equipped to handle all the mess/cleanup, hence the city "shutting down."
It all started on Sunday. The weather was in the 20s and it was snowing when we arose around 9:30. We thought it'd be fun to go for a walk to the grocery store, approximately 1 mile from our apartment. The best intentions, eh? It was messy outside but we got the stuff we needed including the rather large bottle of wine that I knew would carry be through the night as well the now Sci-fi classic, Sharks in Venice. Matt made a delicious butternut squash soup for dinner. When the movie was over and the wine gone, I somehow agreed with Matt when he suggested that a walk around the block was a good idea. Have I mentioned it was midnight? The snow had stopped but the temperature had dropped into the teens and the ice was gleaming at us in such a way, that we were all but promised a stumble or 2. The 2 stumbles came easily, though we managed to avoid any downfalls. And I was really counting on a Darwin award too:( Once we finished the beer we brought along for the walk, we were back at the apartment. A gentle slumber awaited me then...
Monday was a snow day for me and by the grace of God herself, did not see fit to bestow a hangover on me. Matt was not so lucky and by noon and 2 bus rides later did he make it to his vile place of employment to sit on his ass all day, for all other reasonable minded businesses were closed. Fuckers. We both made it in today albeit a little late. Waiting for the bus was pretty cold but the lovely sun so rarely seen during Portland winters was out in full force and kept the fierce chill at bay.
My boss decided to have a little party at her house today for our "Policy Team" and it included pizza, salad, soup and a variety of desserts I was sure were made by Satan himself (seriously...Andes candies chocolate cookies?!??!?!). So, an easy workday to be sure and I'm watching the news right now to see if I will have off tomorrow as they are calling for another storm.
Tonight we're off to a Christmas party and I'm a little anxious. We haven't tried to get out of the driveway yet so wish us luck. The main roads don't seem bad the side streets are in bad shape.
I can't believe that I'm leaving sunny, freezing Portland for rainy, warmer Philadelphia. There's something strange about that. Hopefully, all will go well with our travels on Saturday. We'll be flying between storms. It's pretty cold in Chicago right now, but for them I think it's mild. It'll be interesting hanging with Matt's family. I'm sure you've noticed he'd not the chattiest of fellas and I'm counting on his sisters to stave off the awkward silences that came so easily with his dad and stepmom.
I guess that's it. I love you all and can't wait to see 2 of the 3 of you next week and Chrissy, I'll be seeing you and Little Mattie soon enough.
Here it is...your moment of Zen.
Big Matt said something funny last night. Since we call Pat's dad Big Pat, does that mean Terry's Pat is little Pat? And if so, had you had a boy, would he have been Tiny Pat?

Cheers