Monday
Dec062010
A Weekend of Nothing
Monday, December 6, 2010 at 5:00AM
Ever have those weekends where you have so much to do, a long list of things you have planned to accomplish, but then suddenly, somehow, its 10pm on Sunday night?
That was this weekend. I am sure we did plenty of something, I am just not sure what! We certainly didn't sit around doing nothing I know that! Unless of course you count a nice long lie-in on Saturday (unproductive I know, but you have to catch up on sleep at some point.)
We did manage to plan out some Christmas presents, which certainly took its time, and we even managed to buy some Christmas decorations too. A trip to Target took us a nice long 3 hours, but we got essential items, and a nice small Christmas Tree and some fairy lights! And then listened to Christmas music while we decorated.
The trip took us a little longer than usual, thanks in large part to the snow. That's right, Madison has now had its first snow fall of the season. Thankfully only about 4 inches, but I am certain that will not be the last of it. Of course, the buses still ran, largely on time, and didn't have any trouble on the roads. That's because Madison is organised and prepared for the snow, unlike another country I know. Wisconsinites know how to deal with the winter, as they must face it every year. In fact, the City of Madison budgeted $5.98 million in 2011 just the removal of snow and ice. Almost $6 million! This includes the use of 175 plows the city can draw on (half city owned, half private) and the 14,000 tons of salt on hand ready for use on the 1,708 miles of road in the city. Some big numbers, but necessary to get the job done. England take heed.
I suppose the snow was bad enough for Madison to issue a "Snow Emergency", which sounds kind of ominous, but actually really just means that alternate side parking is in operation. What does that mean? Well it just means on even days you park on the even numbered side of the road, and odd days, on the odd side; this is just so that the plows can get up and down the roads, without being blocked by cars on all sides of the street. Common sense right?
We also succeeded this weekend in getting tickets to see the Wisconsin Badgers play in the 2011 Rose Bowl against TCU. This is a huge event just to even attend, marking UW as one of the top teams in the nation. Currently ranked 4th by the media, 5th by the computers, a win at the Rose Bowl (which just so happens to be in California on Jan 1st!) would place UW as at least the 3rd best team in the country. Let's Go Badgers! We didn't exactly do much to get the tickets though, which sold out within 20 mins (with a cost of at least $145 each). We got tickets thanks to Jason, and we certainly appreciate it! And thanks to Nicole's dad Steve for letting us use his credit card, and offering to buy the tickets for us for Hanukkah! What an incredible gift. Too much though.
One final I thing I did this weekend was to read the newspaper. And I found some shocking news, about what was once a paradise, but is now lost. The Disney developed town of Celebration in central Florida was quite literally picture perfect, the epitome of small town America, where people moved to for its community atmosphere, safety and values. In less than a week however, the picturesque view of the town was shattered as it experienced its first ever homicide over the Thanksgiving weekend, followed by the violent suicide of a man who had barricaded himself in his foreclosed home and shot at police in a standoff.
Desperate times, and such terrible consequences.
On a happier note, despite not doing an awful lot this weekend, it was very relaxing, and I had fun. Time enjoyed, just hanging out and smiling, therefore cannot be time wasted. So the weekend was productive after all.
That was this weekend. I am sure we did plenty of something, I am just not sure what! We certainly didn't sit around doing nothing I know that! Unless of course you count a nice long lie-in on Saturday (unproductive I know, but you have to catch up on sleep at some point.)
We did manage to plan out some Christmas presents, which certainly took its time, and we even managed to buy some Christmas decorations too. A trip to Target took us a nice long 3 hours, but we got essential items, and a nice small Christmas Tree and some fairy lights! And then listened to Christmas music while we decorated.
The trip took us a little longer than usual, thanks in large part to the snow. That's right, Madison has now had its first snow fall of the season. Thankfully only about 4 inches, but I am certain that will not be the last of it. Of course, the buses still ran, largely on time, and didn't have any trouble on the roads. That's because Madison is organised and prepared for the snow, unlike another country I know. Wisconsinites know how to deal with the winter, as they must face it every year. In fact, the City of Madison budgeted $5.98 million in 2011 just the removal of snow and ice. Almost $6 million! This includes the use of 175 plows the city can draw on (half city owned, half private) and the 14,000 tons of salt on hand ready for use on the 1,708 miles of road in the city. Some big numbers, but necessary to get the job done. England take heed.
I suppose the snow was bad enough for Madison to issue a "Snow Emergency", which sounds kind of ominous, but actually really just means that alternate side parking is in operation. What does that mean? Well it just means on even days you park on the even numbered side of the road, and odd days, on the odd side; this is just so that the plows can get up and down the roads, without being blocked by cars on all sides of the street. Common sense right?
We also succeeded this weekend in getting tickets to see the Wisconsin Badgers play in the 2011 Rose Bowl against TCU. This is a huge event just to even attend, marking UW as one of the top teams in the nation. Currently ranked 4th by the media, 5th by the computers, a win at the Rose Bowl (which just so happens to be in California on Jan 1st!) would place UW as at least the 3rd best team in the country. Let's Go Badgers! We didn't exactly do much to get the tickets though, which sold out within 20 mins (with a cost of at least $145 each). We got tickets thanks to Jason, and we certainly appreciate it! And thanks to Nicole's dad Steve for letting us use his credit card, and offering to buy the tickets for us for Hanukkah! What an incredible gift. Too much though.
One final I thing I did this weekend was to read the newspaper. And I found some shocking news, about what was once a paradise, but is now lost. The Disney developed town of Celebration in central Florida was quite literally picture perfect, the epitome of small town America, where people moved to for its community atmosphere, safety and values. In less than a week however, the picturesque view of the town was shattered as it experienced its first ever homicide over the Thanksgiving weekend, followed by the violent suicide of a man who had barricaded himself in his foreclosed home and shot at police in a standoff.
Desperate times, and such terrible consequences.
On a happier note, despite not doing an awful lot this weekend, it was very relaxing, and I had fun. Time enjoyed, just hanging out and smiling, therefore cannot be time wasted. So the weekend was productive after all.
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