Brave Cold World

You know when you start becoming impressive simply because you're old (shoutout to my 100 year-old grandpa! It truly is impressive), or — this might be racy but I swear I'm drawing on recently acquired academic teachings and case studies — because you have something like a physical disability and the world expects nothing of you but then you do something completely within your realm of possibility and people are disproportionately impressed? Basically, you become impressive for just being you (I swear I'm going somewhere with this!).

Well, the past week has made me look at humanity in a whole new light — albeit not very much light because sun exposure is still quite limited (also I just learned how to type an em dash on purpose, can you tell!? I swear I'm not using AI! ) — or rather, anyone who lives in sub-20 degree conditions on a regular basis in a whole new light.

Chicago got so cold last week that some news reports were saying it would feel as cold as it does on Antarctica!! ANTARCTICA! "Windchills in the negative 30s," they said. "Potential frostbite on skin possible in under ten minutes," they said. Basically "go into lockdown," they said.

So don't think I'm exaggerating when I tell you that I was scared to leave my house**. In a post-COVID world (yes people are still getting COVID — do you capitalize this?? how do I still not know this — but you know what I mean). But as you know, I'm a strong independent woman who can't say no to a fun social event, especially when that event happens to be a craft night within a mile from my house. So out into the world I went!!! And let me tell you, I made far too-prolonged eye contact with the first person I saw simply because I was impressed/inspired/dazed/confused by them. In fact, every person and car and dog I saw on my 15-minute walk left me speechless — granted it was hard to talk because my face was going numb and my body was trying to conserve as much energy as possible while my eyelashes were literally freezing. 

And then guess what? There were several other people at that craft night, including many from California. I was so proud of myself just for showing up, but it turns out that leaving a heated establishment when it's cold outside in a place that is well-known for being very cold does not make you very special. And as the days have gone on, I have realized that life really does go on; people are still going on runs. I saw a woman carrying a handbag today without a glove! I used to admire women in STEM (especially when I could claim to be one lol) but now I marvel at women in SNOW just the same. 

All's to say that 1) em dashes are way too fun and 2) people are amazing and 3) I have lived a much more sheltered life* than I ever realized. So if you live in place that doesn't get parka-level cold, the next time someone tells you they're from the Midwest or the East Coast (but Boston really did not feel nearly this bad) or Siberia or Alaska or most countries in Europe, take a moment to gawk. Or maybe don't because, as I've just articulated, I guess they're not that special? I don't even know what I'm trying to say. I guess the next time you encounter me in the wild tell me that I'm strong and brave in this Brave Cold World.

Ok that's it, thanks for reading. Wish me luck (but maybe don't tell me to "stay warm" — see my Q&A) on making it to the next season.

*I recognize that I have lived a very privileged life extremely sheltered from many of the world's injustices, and don't get me wrong, for that I am extremely grateful!

**I also recognize that many individuals were/still are afraid to leave their homes due to ongoing ICE raids!