I just had a series of very vivid dreams of driving down the freeway with my roommate in a snowstorm. There were flocks and flocks (schools? clusters? bevies? gaggles?) of calico patterned deer bounding across the powder-covered expressway in lovely, speckled abandon. Automotive peril and deer carnage were nonissues as we gracefully wove and dodged like no corolla has done before. It was sublime.

Ahem.

A story worth telling:

Two-and-a-half weeks ago (Valentine's day) the same cast decided to bow out on Corporate America for some free dental care. Having heard that 2006's event had been over-publicized and therefore completely over-patronized we arrived at the venue at 5:45 a.m., 195 minutes before the doors opened. Both of my warm coats were at the cleaner's so I did my best to layer heavily under a black fleece. Upon arrival we quietly filed into line behind three fellows of astounding fortitude and foresight and settled in for a long winter's queue.

Shortly thereafter I began to freeze from the outside-in. It was seriously miserable. A truck pulled out -- two guys who were eating ice cream bars (horrifying!) in its heated interior claimed the 6th and 7th places in line. Ok. Great. Jake's new sneakers had soaked through and he was getting worried about the status of his feet so I went in search of some coffee/socks while he held our place in line. Dunkin Donuts came through re: coffee, but re: potential foot-covering(s) the convenience store had only nylons. I returned and he set out to dry his socks in the laundromat abutting the convenience store. Brr. It got colder.

In fact, the freezin' temps are an overarching theme here, so please imagine numb-footed and numb-nosed misery through the rest of the tale.

Briefly placated physically we began to get friendly with the folks in line. A lovely mother of two who lived in the neighborhood had settled in behind us, accoutered with a transcription of some Terry Gross interviews and a lawn chair. The well-clad (one wore a full Carhart suit) gentlemen from the truck had also joined the sidewalk queue and some very lively banter was beginning to transpire.

More to come shortly.