February – worst month of the year
WHINY WEDNESDAY
Most of us, as children, enjoyed the winter months. There was hot chocolate, Christmas, ice skating, sledding, snowmen, not to mention the possibility of a snow day to keep our spirits up. But as adults we are made broken and bitter by the harsh reality of winter. Let’s examine how we arrive at this most unpleasant reality.
Because it’s cold and dark we basically live indoors all winter. If your “indoor” area is a spa with a swimming pool, massage table, tanning bed, and personal assistant, then you probably fair better during these months. The rest of us are trapped in the stuffy little boxes we call home. My house turns into Cold Comfort Farm. All of a sudden it feels like I’m living in the 1700’s. Everything is so laborious. Our humidifier is broken so the air that blows from the vents is dry, so dry that my skin gets chapped and becomes like sandpaper. It’s nothing short of disgusting.
Chicago Suburbs 2011
After Christmas and New Years, what was already bad becomes far worse.
February is the worst month of the year. Sorry to all those who have birthdays in this most wretched of months. February is dirty snow month. It’s the ugly time of year when the old dirty snow gets piled on the side of the road, pot holes appear out of no-where and cars are covered in a film of salty grime. It’s beyond depressing. Oh, and it has the highest suicide rate. Cheers!
Valentine’s day was fun when we were kids because it meant that you’d be distracted all day at school with cards and candy and parties. For adults, this day is a shame inducing, painful reminder that we are no longer young. The possibility of romance, flirting and lusty relationships is on the decline, if not over. We secretly celebrate when the day is done. (Actually, my husband buys me beautiful roses every year– I’m just imagining what the rest of you go through…?)
So little and kind....
Anyway, I think we can all agree that Valentine’s Day offers no relief from the winter doldrums. And don’t get me started on Black History Month. I like my Black brothers and sisters as much as the next guy, but what are we really suppose to do with an entire month of Black history? Are we suppose to celebrate or just remember? This year I will remember Good Times, Sanford and Son, Michael Jackson and Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. (I know she’s not dead, I just like to remember her anyway.) And to celebrate, I guess I can go see Red Tails, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and A Joyful Noise, starring Queen Latifah? That should do it for this February. I’m just glad it’s a short month.
March 20th is the first day of spring in North America, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. God bless those crazy farmers and their beautiful almanac!
You never fail to make me laugh/think/commiserate. I am not a fan of Ugly Snow Month, either. Things start appearing that you didn’t know where out there–the one Dansko clog you are missing, now filled with mud and something that looks a bit like wet cotton–wait! that’s the matching underwear set I hung out that went missing. Damn. I also find various headless petrified rodent parts that DC has left around the yard–I’ve no idea why.
What is Black History Month? Granted, many things were done by those brought over against their will, and, with that said, I’m not sure the Irish were thrilled to ride in steerage and being told dogs were welcome, but, Irish weren’t. So, don’t we have Irish month (St Paddy’s doesn’t count)? Slobbovia month? Iceland month? I’ll just watch the Pride of Miss Jean Pittman again and Driving Miss Daisy.
I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. I’ve received flowers around 10 times in my life. I enjoyed them, though.
Haha! the missing Dansko clog! Funny stuff. It’s an ugly month for sure.
Oh, Chicago in 2011? heheheheh.
Feb is definitely the grossest. But Paul’s and Natalie’s birthdays occur in this month, so I have some more delights to look forward to.
Haha about Black History Month. That’s more of an effort than I would ever make! Why is “A Joyful Noise” the worst title ever?
Because it sounds so wrong, somehow.
Lily,
I know, so bad. I tried to think of things with the best comedy punch. Black History month is loaded with good material! Haha
For me, the cold weather serves one single purpose. Snow that gets me a couple of days off work.
If that doesn’t happen then it is an entire waste of a season.
England really shuts down with the smallest amount of snow, doesn’t it? Must be nice. Over here, your roof would have to cave in before they let you stay home.
Yup, it’s great! It also depends which end of the country it is and I live slap bang in the middle of the part that is most likely to shut down.
It’s largely due to the fact that we don’t really get all that much snow so it’s not worth spending too much money on gritting and that.
Don’t forget to mention how we have President’s Day in February. Oh wait, school’s and most places of business are open that day now. Screw this month. It starts with a Groundhog and ends on a day that switches every 4 years.
haha! I totally forgot about Groundhog’s day and Presidents day! Great, now I feel like a total Moron. Thanks for triggering all my childhood academic trauma!…..just kidding! But seriously, how did I overlook those two “special” days?
No matter how you slice it, February is a loser month.
I like the cold weather, I’d rather wrap up warm and be nice and cosy than a hot sweaty mess when it’s too hot. The hot weather really makes me uncomfortable, which is why I hate going abroad to nicer places.
We haven’t had one lick of snow here this year which is a big difference from last year when we were covered in it by the end of November. Maybe Global Warming is starting to kick in haha.
I agree with you, actually. I hate extreme weather of any kind. I like to walk outside and feel a subtle cool breeze, look up and see the sun shining, and never require more than the clothes I would wear inside. I hate humidity/heat as much as I hate freezing temperature.
Yeah, I hope global warming kicks in soon, so I can enjoy it! haha!
I don’t find the cold temp so bad, it’s the awful weather that comes with it. Like having to drive 40mph on the motorway because it’s raining so much you can only see a foot in front of you haha.
Yeah, England is ill equipped for snow. That much I know. I guess cause you don’t get it often. The rain on the other hand… No one does it better! Haha