Moronacity

Amateur! Yeah, I said it, and in a derogatory fashion, as well.

I usually hit the Aftermath Café on Michigan Tech’s campus before my physics class for a personal pizza and some caffeine. I usually do a little studying as well. I almost always overhear interesting conversations.

Lately, most of the conversations have been political in nature. I find it quite sad that many of these new adults, these amateurs of life, have more hate and bias within themselves than they will probably ever realize. In fact, listening to them, as a 31-year-old adult, brings about the realization of just how judgmental and irrational I was as a young adult.

Age often softens the soul bringing about tolerance, although I hope that respect is the main product of this transformation. With respect comes consideration followed by understanding. This isn’t just concerning political ideas, but other simpler life events as well, like snow.

During the election, I heard a lot of anti-religious comments. I was disappointed to find that these young, passionate students allow themselves to waste their energy hating people of different beliefs rather than trying to think of a common ground. On a smaller scale, they waste their precious energy hating snow.

You’re probably wondering why I keep bringing up snow in this philosophical writing. Well, today’s episode of eaves-dropping, even though I didn’t really have to strain to overhear her passionate, loud dialogue, was prompted by an overweight girl who had nothing better to do than complain about snow. Driving was crazy and her friend slid across a lane into a curb, blah, blah, blah. She hates snow. It’s too cold.

Interesting. Instead of addressing her complaints with possible solutions, like throwing the car into a lower gear when going downhill (we have big hills) or wearing several layers of breathable clothing and a hat and gloves to keep warm, she continues to find things to complain about.

Now, one can complain about politics and religion, but I draw the line at snow. I had the benefit of seeing the sun playing peek-a-boo behind the puffy clouds full of cool colors such as gray, blue, and purple. The snow flakes came slowly. The sun came out. The snowflakes returned in full force. Oh yes, I will be snowblowing not-so-bright and quite early in the morning. I welcome it.

There is nothing like the fresh, crisp air of the winter as one finds comfort in the day to day activities of the wintertime. Snowblowing is an exhilarating workout complete with the satisfaction of accomplishment. Skiing is the sensation of flying with a soft fwump at the end of an inevitable crash. Sledding is the laughter of a childhood past. Biking is simply crazy. Snow falling from the sky is…

…simply amazing.