Mess of slush and snow and dirty water

We have had such bad weather in the last two days. What a mess the streets are in.

It was reported in the news that there have been hundreds of car accidents in the last few days. The city workers are on strike. Tension mounts.

However, my experience is that the number of accidents is not necessarily solely due to the poor road conditions but lousy winter drivers. They just don’t “get” how zero visibility, icy streets, and grimy, slushy, slippery conditions can force you to drive more slowly or even cancel plans for an outing. It is like people here just do not want to believe weather rules.

Enough.

It’s birthday party time today. I am off to buy some balloons and other kitschy decorations. Our daughter turned eleven this week.

Today’s party agenda is: 14:00 guests arrive, birthday cake and cookie celebration, watch Spy Kids I on DVD, out to our local Italian Ice Cream Café for ice cream, Spy Kids II on DVD, a short break for party games (accent on short), off to the restaurant for their children’s special, parents pick up their daughters at 19:30.

The older Brother of the birthday girl (our teenage son) also decided to hold a DVD marathon with two or three friends today. So, he is: a) on his own with all the arrangements (e.g. food and drink), b) going to have to do the shopping for both parties, c) keep the volume down, and d) all of the above. The answer is, of course, d. If he and his friends comply with good grace, they might get some of the birthday cake, which will substitute for lunch.