I'll try to make this brief, as I have a bunch of use cases to write up for… well, I can't tell you what since I'll get killed by the DoD if I do, but either way they're time consuming.

Yesterday was the first snowfall of the season down here in the DC area. When I was a little kid growing up in New England, any snow was great because it usually meant at least a delayed school day or cancellation. There was also sledding and skiing to look forward to on weekends. However. Now that I'm all grown up (ha!), snow means having to deal with moronic drivers.

Down here in "NoVa," the annual accumulation of snowfall averages to about 16.6 inches, whereas in Hartford, it's around 49 inches. Basically, I'm used to a lot worse. The low frequency of snow plus the large amount of imported Southerners and West Coasters equals horrific driving conditions when it actually DOES snow… due to the drivers, not the weather.

Around here, as soon as a flake falls from the sky, people freak out. Yesterday's commute to work was NOT fun. At that point in time, it had only just started snowing and wasn't sticking to anything that was above 32 degrees. Snow not sticking on warm road = no accumulation, no ice - just water… you know, the stuff that drops from the sky while it's raining. However, everyone on 66 decided this was just too dangerous and felt the need to go 25 mph. It actually could have been a lot worse - a co-worker driving in from MD had a 3 hour commute yesterday. Yikes.

Going home was a little different. Cass got the day off, as I had to stay late at work and it was down to 25 degrees and still snowing… so I found myself doing my least favorite chore: shopping at the mall. Sadly, I wasn't able to find the perfect gift for my mother OR father (hey, if you're reading this, please drop some hints as to what you want… I can't face the humility of gift cards), but walked out with some new stuff for my own wardrobe. Oops.

(That reminds me - I'm looking forward to the day that this "tunic top" fashion goes out of style - what is this crap? I look like I'm wearing a freaking maternity shirt - clearly not the intention when I'm out at bars/clubs.)

Heading home, the roads were a bit slushier, but not nearly enough to cause any real alarm to my Yankee self. I've got to say, though - Arlington County, the whole purpose of snow maintenance is to plow, THEN salt. Not just "salt salt salt."