Snow, Ice and the Winter Olympics

Every time we get a big snow storm, people seem to forget that the cold, white stuff accumulating on the roadways makes for very dangerous driving conditions. There are plenty of drivers who think they can drive 60 mph in 30 mph conditions. Often, you will pass these drivers later. They are the ones sitting on the side of the road staring at their car which has somehow managed to nosedive into a ditch or a guardrail.

Only one thing will really help driving in snow or any less-than-optimal driving conditions; slow down. Even if you have 4WD, you still need to be able to stop. If you are driving faster than conditions allow and have to hit the brakes, you are going to slide and more than likely collide with something.

So SLOW DOWN!

Speaking of snow and ice, I've been watching the Winter Olympics. I have a deep appreciation for all of the athletes who compete in the Winter Olympics, but I am especially in awe of the figure skaters. I have ice skated a few times. It is NOT easy! I can water ski, snow ski, snowboard and wakeboard, and can manage to wobble around an ice rink on skates.

The jumps these athletes perform, trying to land on that narrow blade, leave me in awe. And every time they fail to land one of these seemingly impossible jumps, I wince in pain when they land on the concrete-like ice. Ouch! I know, plenty of skiers and snowboarders and speed skaters wipe out as well. But they wear a lot more clothing.

The Olympics are on too late. I get up around 6 AM and cannot sit up until midnight. I tried to stay awake the other night to see the skating pair that was favored to win the gold. I made it to the commercial break right before they skated, then fell asleep. They won, I lost, because I had to get up at six and was so tired the next day I could barely hold my eyes open. I think I will have to just catch the hightlights on the news. No more late-night Olympic watching for me.