No, I do get it.

It's not like when I shoveled my walk during a break in a snow storm I expected it not to not attract more snow. It's not that I didn't realize the Sisyphean task I embarked upon. After spending the better part of a week in the beginning of February in what turned out to be sunny Oregon, I was excited to come back to DC and clean the walk from the 18 or so inches that accumulated there. Someone had come through already and did a quick job, but armed with my trusty $11 CVS plastic shovel I cleared a path 5 feet wide while listening to a mix of the the new Jay-Z album and songs from the Funny People soundtrack - there is nothing like the juxtaposition of the humor and self-assurance of Jay-Z's "D.o.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" and Ringo Starr's strong, wistful and sad song, "Photograph" to make you smile.

The rhythm of the scoop of the shovel and the swiftness of the clean swipe it takes at the snow shared moments of catharsis and exhaustion. Proudly I got to the corner and admired my work. What could make this better? Hmm...a sit on the couch, a warm up, and then a walk to Harris Teeter for some of their lovely "chinese food".

Sounds like a plan. But wait. Once you've gathered your jacket and lashed your laces around your ankles you've found that proverbial rock has yet again begun to roll down hill again and a light dusting has fallen onto those beautiful red bricks you exposed.

Quickly you navigate the streets of snow and the trenches dug for passage from one corner to the next. There is a silence falling as swiftly as the snow now. They are one in the same. It's like you're the only one moving in this space, but as you look around you see others trying to get out of, or venturing into, this mess.

Get your food. Stand in line. Go home. Quickly. But how do you approach the scene in front of your home?


The rock is now back at the bottom of the hill, and you can do nothing but approach it with some optimism, warm gloves, a smile, and maybe an IPA.