Today I was dressed like an Eskimo (or what an Eskimo with access to the Columbia outlet might dress like). I wore knee socks under my rain boots, jeans (electric blue skinny ones, of course), a camisole, a long sleeve t-shirt, a zip up fleece, my Columbia jacket with the lining zipped in, a scarf and a hat. This was my attire to trek to the bus stop (3 blocks), get off bus 1 and walk to bus stop 2 (1 block), then get dropped off at the corner of the building in which I work. I was outside for 15 minutes max. It was 42 degrees and drizzling.
Remember the days when I lived in Chicago and 42 degrees in November was totally bearable because we all knew the 20's were coming in January? California baby-fied me. My tolerable temperature zone ranges from about 60 - 75, a mere 15 degrees. That's it. I better toughen up or move back to San Diego... how many years of school do I have left in Portland? Yikes.
While waiting at the bus stop (crabby, of course, because it's a cold, wet morning and I'm not in my bed), a lady on a bike rode past. Picture this: Bike with a wheel-barrow type basket built into the front of the frame. Basket is covered with a clear plastic rain shield with bright yellow trim. Lady peddling the bike is wearing a bright pink jacket, a cute hat and little brown pig tails peeking out the sides. Just too darn cute for a late November morning in Portland. As she rides by my bus stop, I look in the basket and see two equally cute kids riding along with Mommy. Just adorable. It made me want to stop being crabby. And take a picture. (Sadly, I knew I wouldn't be quick enough so I didn't even reach for my phone.)
But for reals - different perspectives on the same situations - not even the same, because my commute required far less effort than hers - and she was so cheerful that it showed. Time to take notes.
Not time to let the Portland weather get me down!
Thoughts I've had today:
1.) The English language offers many acceptable verbal space fillers (uh, um, so, like, etc). F*ckin' is not one of them.
2.) I am inconvenienced when 1 person takes up 1.5 bus seats. Do I squeeze into the vacant .5 seat, or do I stand on the bus ride home from a doctor's appointment for which my chief complaint was dizziness?
3.) If you're going to cross-dress, fine. But don't stare at me waiting for my reaction. I don't care enough to react. Really.
1.) The English language offers many acceptable verbal space fillers (uh, um, so, like, etc). F*ckin' is not one of them.
2.) I am inconvenienced when 1 person takes up 1.5 bus seats. Do I squeeze into the vacant .5 seat, or do I stand on the bus ride home from a doctor's appointment for which my chief complaint was dizziness?
3.) If you're going to cross-dress, fine. But don't stare at me waiting for my reaction. I don't care enough to react. Really.