Take this job and shovel it

OK, a new time-killing entry. It has been snowing on a weekly basis. Nothing earth shattering but enough to just annoy. The first level of annoyance is hearing the plows which gear up about 3 am with no concern for sleeping people. So, I'd rather have clear streets than good sleep? The sound of these clunky trucks/plows is significant and signals us that there is accumulation.

The next step is to survey the estate when the sun rises (about 6 45 or so) to see what you're up against. How much snow. Is it still coming down. Is it fluffy or wet. Is it cold. Is it windy. Have the plows built a giant wall of snow at the end of the driveway? What does this all mean to me? More than ever..

Being a free spirit I have no excuse other than to clear the property of the dreaded snow accumulation. Once I expertly survey the area I can determine is this a "shovel" deal OR is this a "snow blower" deal...You have to be able to justify the noise of the machine especially if it's early and you will alarm your 85-year-old neighbor. One good thing about the shovel deal is that it replaces a trip to the gym..It equals or surpasses the cardio effect of a treadmill (ha, I don't use one anyway). The shovel is slower but quieter and good for the four-inch and under job.. Everything over that means FIRE up the Toro and put on the goggles & boots..also, hope that Ms neighbor is out. She has a plow service..

It is interesting to be shoveling and stop to hear the sounds of other block members.. Some are shoveling and some are blowing. AND, this is 11 am on a Wednesday. To get a handle on the unemployment rate just look down the block and count heads...12 houses, 2 shovelers & 2 blowers. That's a 33% unemployment rate for this block. Next storm this Saturday - damn, there goes my methodology..