In 1985, Chicago recorded its lowest ever temperature – a staggering minus 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The wind chill hit a walloping -83 (yes that’s a MINUS Eighty-Three). I was 16. Being a doofus at that age, I stuck everything I could get on including several scarves, two hats and ski goggles. Just so I could say I did it. It’s the kind of cold where your nose hairs freeze, and you have to breathe through your nose no matter what, otherwise you may freeze your lungs. It’s the kind of cold where engine blocks freeze then crack and you have to make sure you start your car every few hours to keep that from happening. It’s the kind of cold that only comes every so often. But, it is exactly the kind of weather that draws a doofus like myself out in to it because…. Its there :D. I am such the doofus that I almost relived several moments of the yet-to-come “A Christmas Story”, in that I was soo bundled up it was near impossible to move, plus I couldn’t resist the opportunity to stick my tongue to the lamp post in our front yard it being the very tip, it didn’t stick long for several reasons and I lost no skin in the deal. That was January 20th, 1985. Its almost 24 years later, and really… if it gets that cold again, I will likely do it again. Just so that I could say “I went out in that temperature” - because it was there.

By the way Ms. Tart… I DID email your office… “Out of Office Auto-Reply: BlahblahblahIamnothereleaveamessageafterthebeep” So!! Who’s the party pooper NOW?? HMMMM??? :D