This morning, it's 11 degrees with a wind chill of around 5 below. Translation: It's cold. It's very cold. As my father used to say, this is "snot-freezing weather". If I were still employed at my old job, I would have to be outside in the cold. Right about now, I'd be standing at the bus stop freezing my ass off. But, I don't have to do that this winter. It's one of the advantages of being laid off. I don't have to go out there if I don't want to. I don't want to.

It's been really nice not having to commute every day for an hour and a half via bus and subway. I don't miss it at all! I don't miss seeing the rats on the subway tracks, the people pushing and shoving themselves into the two inches of space on the seat next to me, the smells and the dirt. It's amazing how much dirt we encounter during a daily commute and it doesn't phase us. One of these days, now that I have the time, I'm going to take my camera and take pictures of how much dirt and filth New Yorkers are exposed to during their daily commute. It really is pretty amazing. It's not just the subways, either. It's the city itself. It's a very dirty city, which is one of the reasons I'm thinking of moving. Someplace clean, with fresh air and lots of natural scenery. I haven't figured out exactly where yet, but I'm thinking Colorado, Arizona or New Mexico right now. Time will tell.