snowed in

people pretend to despise extreme winter weather and particularly being "snowed in". they are lying. people in north dakota/minnesota have made this situation into a ritual. it is tradition. i think that sometimes our meteorologists invent terrible blizzard predictions so people can justify locking themselves in their homes and doing less than nothing. once the prediction has been made and the "no travel advisory" has been issued, the deal is clinched. families flock to grocery and video stores in droves. and only junk food is allowed. chips, popcorn, chocolate, cheese in an aerosol can... these are snowed in foods. you can't get snowed in and eat fresh asparagus or a leafy green salad. you have to buy food that matches the weather. heavy snow, heavy food to make heavy people. it's the law. even if the weather is considerably better than expected, everyone stays home. and when you are home on a "work day" or a "school day" there is absolutely no expectation that any home tasks will be accomplished. after all, you should be at work. the vacuuming wasn't going to be done today. it's as though achievement on snow days is universally banned.
i was snowed in this week. and i followed all of the rules. expected it. planned to enjoy it. confirmed the presence of chips and cheese in the house. checked out the saved episodes of svu on tivo to be sure i had adequate entertainment. called a friend who likes board games. i was ready. kind of. then the power went out. then it came back on. then it went out again. then it came back on again. on off on off on off on off on off. and finally it was just off. we all know this to be a significant element to being snowed in. it is always a possibility. and initially while we run around the house gathering candles and flashlights and food and blankets and cell phones, it is kind of exciting. an adventure. but soon it is just fucking cold. so you shiver and pout. and it sucks. and when you finally free yourself from the imprisonment of the blizzard and re-enter society, you have to suffer 1500 random strangers introducing their presence with: "cold enough fer ya'?" perhaps i shouldn't have shoveled my way out.