Snow

Normally I love the snow, and for the first couple of days it was fun. No trains, no way the car was moving from the garage, just snuggle up in a comfy couch and enjoy. Three weeks (yes, 3 weeks) later and my enthusiasm is beginning to wane.

I know there are those who have snow for months on end, but that's not our norm. In fact, living near the beach as I do, we rarely get to enjoy the white stuff. The city council are beginning to get the hang of clearing the streets, I just wish the guys would use their brains. They clear the snow and ice to the edge of the pavement, creating huge mounds. This requires significant mountaineering expertise for any pedestrian unfortunate enough to find themselves needing to actually cross from one side of the street to the other. Luckily, I have crampons and the required skills to deal with such impediments - although I have not yet found it necessary to carry my ice axe, any more snow and that too might become an essential accessory for the determined pedestrian.

Some of my fellow writers have commented on how this change in climatic conditions has made them think about how they portray weather in their writing. It's a good thought, and made me wonder if I was neglecting some vital elements in my story telling. I mentioned this to my friend who is an expert in glaciers. I truly wish I hadn't. I really didn't need to know about the jet stream currently occupying a different position to normal, nor that the outcome of this meant that the cold will last until late January at least. My friend was less forthcoming on the long range prospect of a white Christmas - more snow, he told me, is down to local circumstances but chances are the remains of what we currently have will hang around for some considerable time yet.

My nephew thinks that we all could learn from Santa Claus, afterall no matter the weather every Christmas Eve he manages to deliver the presents all around the world. Here's hoping he isn't disappointed.....

Mechanical refill

There was this guy on the train. Big guy. He was obviously trying to lose weight, he turned down the complimentary biscuit in favor of some berries he'd bought. A whole punnet of raspberries and one of strawberries. He first polished off one of those huge chicken salad baguettes, full of mayo. Then the berries. He tipped both into the one punnet and didn't stop eating 'til they were gone.

My journey's only 20 minutes and he had consumed all of this in half that time.

I'm trying to eat healthy too. The chocolate bar I'm eating right now is my cheat treat. One square at a time. Slowly. Savor that chocolate taste. Chew at least 10 times. Swallow slowly. Let the brain register that the chocolate has landed.

I've had one square. 5 minutes ago. I'm thinking about the flavor. Still tasting its residue in my mouth. Sure, I could eat the whole bar right now. But would I feel any different having consumed all 6 squares? Well, yes because I wouldn't have the expectation of the 5 delicious mouthfuls to come.

I've put my chocolate bar away. I can look forward to the next piece later.

It occurred to me that the guy on the train wasn't eating. He was consuming what he had in a short period. He didn't savor his food, each mouthful was cleared simply to make way for the next. Did he need all he ate? The berries may have been healthier but in those quantities the sugar levels are pretty high. And he could have chosen the chicken salad minus the mayo. My wife got quite mesmerised watching the constant movement from berry box to mouth to berry box to mouth, over and over again. No pause. The brain not getting a chance to figure if the stomach is full or not. By the time the signal gets through, he'll be overfull and the food gone.

"Mechanical refill" said my wife.

News Junkie

My darling wife gave me an ipad for no other reason than because she loves me. It's changed my life. I've become a news junkie. You name the news app. I've got it. LA Times, NY Times, The Guardian, Discovery News, MTV, CNN, BBC..... reading it all and loving it.

It's now July....

So I kind of guess that the new year resolution thing was a bit of a no show. It seems that the things I decide to do, turn out to be the exact opposite of reality. Pay more attention to blog = completely ignore it for 6 months or so.

So here's my new, half way through the year resolution. I'm going to ignore the blog. I'm also gonna make thousands of new resolutions.

Right.

My New Year Resolution

..was to pay more attention to my blog. I know it's February, just consider me a slow starter.

So. How you been? I'm freezing my butt off here in Scotland, looking forward to being back in California later this year.

My wife said have some soup for lunch, that'll warm you up. I burned my tongue. Hot stuff that soup.

So I thought what other hot stuff do I like?

My wife - hi sweetie.

Chillies - spicy pasta, yum

Log fires - especially on a snowy day

Oh, and soup when I'm cold!