I really wanted to avoid posting an entry on my blog like this, but I have fallen to a cliche - talking about the weather. The thing is, I think I have good reason to talk about it, because something as simple as the temperature outside has a huge effect on my day to day life.

For example, I tend to run late when it is cold because I need to spend extra time getting all bundled up before even leaving the house. I would love to the use the cross country skis I got for Christmas, but I am not inclined to until the temperature returns to a balmy -10 C. The thing is I am less inclined to leave the house when it is this cold.

I took a few pictures today, perhaps fifteen. Not a long time by any means, I took probably forty five seconds to take them, and by the time I was done I had lost most use of my thumbs. I really forgot how much fun it is to take pictures in the winter.

The cold also leads to interesting social patterns. Earlier this week the malls were simply dead, because no one wanted to leave the house. On the weekend the mall was packed. It was like Christmas all over again. The thing is everyone seemed to be around the food court. The mall wasn't a place for shopping as much as social interaction. People stayed inside for a week, and when cabin fever got to them, they went out regardless of the cold.

So anyway, I am waiting until the temperature rises a bit before I pursue outdoor activities or a social life again. I have to say that Emily sure picked a good time to leave for South Africa.