crushed earth

if i move here, i will be cartographically prepared. doubles as weatherproofing. [thx g + c]

snow

if on a winter's night a traveler, this morning he would be a little bump in the white and smooth expanse. the mayor of new york city says BLIZZARD2013 is a good opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep. for some others of us, it has been a time to stretch out, guilt-free, with a good book and a hot beverage. in connection with this state of affairs, it should not go unremarked that rex stout's very first nero wolfe book, fer-de-lance, contains thrillingly specific uses of the words "myrmidon" and "excelsior." love of language is always a pleasure.

pithy

this summarises most of my feelings about cars and bicycles, though it leaves out the grim frustrations of parking in crowded cities, motorists who don't look when they open their doors or make turns, the particularly dispiriting nature of bicycling in wintry mix, and the gloom of car insurance and deductibles.

[found thanks to david neale, who is very cool*]

* did you click on the link and think "wtf?" don't fret: it is a feature not a bug. david neale is an australian jeweler and that is some item of personal adornment in the shape of a slice of rye. it is also available in danish.

west coast weather report

i passed through san francisco this week on my way back east, causing two days of nearly continuous mild drizzle across much of the bay area. weather notwithstanding, i walked through the mission as usual to inspect the latest crop of artisanal cafes and stores selling things that are nice but unnecessary, this time beginning at the blue bottle on mint street. by the time i got through soma, i had become most moist. this condition, for which tacos are indicated, coincided with the close proximity of el norteno, a taco truck in the parking lot on the corner of 6th and bryant. the carnitas tacos did not disappoint, nor did the pickled carrots that came with.

aggressive weather promotes the development of moral fibre and philosophical thinking, for instance when you hole up in an ice cave with your sled dogs and reindeer carcase to ponder the transience of life while escaping a blizzard and polar bears. san francisco weather, in contrast, is much more like trying to fall asleep in an uncomfortably chilly room with a buggy thermostat, a too-thin blanket, and abundant finger foods.