n-Ice

.

.

A deluge descended upon our area last night, after the initial snowfall, n the water ponding was extensive. Driving n walking the path to the building were tough. Alot of frozen, snow-covered ground n ice-covered drains contributed to the slippery water-world to navigate to n from work.

.

Then everything refroze in the early am, thawed a bit again today, n refroze again.

.

If I had ice-skates it would've been a good day for skating thru the trees at the little park next to the icy b-ball court. I didn't attempt the futile excercise of trying to walk across it. My butt is sore enough already, thanks-

.

They actually had pics on the Boston news of people rear-ending on the slidewalks! I don't know who would ever sign a release form to let them show that- how embarrassing... They were reporting on stepped up ticketing efforts for poor quality of required snow removal in the city. I'm sure every one has money to pay fines if they don't have money to buy the needed salt (not).

.

All of the many stores in our town are sold out of salt today, btw. I saw alot of folks looking for it on my errand run. I'm really glad I thought to save a bucket of sand from several months ago, n have been using alot of it on the driveway. A little sand goes a long way to fend off butt-bruising, (n more importantly, keeps the neighbors from sliding into Little Truck).

.

Most of the snowpack we had is now diminished into glossy lumps. Luckily, the roads drained off during the warmth of today's daylight, n driving is much better than yesterday.

.

All the stores are pushing Superbowl goodies. I have to work, so I'll be taping on the ancient VCR while I'm out. The young guy who correctly predicted last years winner didn't get his choice from back in August to win in the play-offs this turn.

.

The other young man who said it was going to be his year, as placed in ESR's current header text, quit a couple weeks ago. I miss his smile n daily hellos, but ya- he's lucky to have had a better, second job to fall back on. I wish I did.

.

Orders at work are way down. That does happen after the holidays, but it's less than slow was last year. Hours are further axed this week, n less people are again doing more in less time. Every one is taking a pay hit they can't afford. Everytime I complain about rushing around more just so I can leave early, n then not getting paid for it, (what kind of motovation is that?) I'm told that I should just be quiet n greatful to have a job at all.

The managers on salary haven't given up any income.

.

Everywhere, people have given up so much in this economy madness already. We've all been buttoned down as far possible, pared down to essential expenses. I guess we're suposed to go without those next. There's no where left to cut down.

.

We're all hanging on by our toenails to the ice, penguins waddling slowly along trying to keep our precarious balance. One false step of our own, or of another's fault, will send us tumbling into the pool of sharks to be devoured.

.

I'm going to go watch the documentary film "Deep Blue" now, with penguins n polar bears in it, seeing as I'm already soggy, icy, n depressed...