ARCTIC BLAST 2008!!!

I wonder how long it takes television news crews to come up with such clever names as, ARCTIC BLAST 2008? Anyway, I am sitting in a Safeway having a peppermint coffee at one of those faux Starbucks. I walked from Reed, braved the snow and freezing rain. Did you know that Accuweather.com depicts freezing rain as ICE CUBES falling from a cloud!?

Today I got to reflect on the semester (Higher Ed Admin always think in semesters). I also realized that I have become somewhat of one of those crazy Northwestern people. I love Portland. It's my home. It was fun walking with other people in the snow to find food. Our interactions were mere smiles and nods, but it was still refreshing that these people, specifically SE Portlanders, are my neighbors.

I was disappointed to find that both the Funky Door and Sbux were closed. Hence, why I had to walk a little further and ended up at the faux Sbux at Safeway. My feet are cold, as I still refuse to purchase some goofy Northwestern footwear. I am content with my clubbing and emo shoes.

On the walk over I saw cars buried in the snow, folks getting there cars stuck in snow, a man skiing on Holgate, Tall Pawl riding up 39th wearing a cape, and children sledding down their streets. It was also the first time I experienced freezing rain. The cord to my iPod was coated in ice and ice stuck to my face.

I am looking out the window as the snow and freezing rain falls and falls and falls. It's so beautiful. I just pray that I can get home tomorrow. The Arctic Blast is an experience that I have long awaited but it's keeping people I care about from getting home. I shake my fist at you ARCTIC BLAST 2008! Your beauty is deceiving! Blast you...ARCTIC BLAST! I was contemplating walking all the way to Hawthorne , but that may been foolish. I have been known to do crazy things before.

A part of me wants to finish my Christmas shopping and a part of me wants to be home and build a fire. Crap, I'm looking out the window again and can't seem to tell the sidewalk from the street. Well, I think I have had enough of Safeway...