There seems to be a lot of precipitation in the air recently. Not all of it rain. Well, a few days back it did rain here in Los Angeles. There’s a big ass storm pushing through a lot of the U.S. that is pounding a large portion with snow. You know, that frozen version of rain. I’ve been told that nearly 24″ of snow has piled up in the mountains of Utah. Woo Hoo. It appears that it will be a white Christmas in Park City.
There are others who aren’t having a very fortunate time with all the snow. Knocking down power lines, toppling trees, cars sliding off the road, etc… Typing of cars sliding off the side of the road, I have this to unload. I grew up in Park City for a good portion of my childhood. One thing I’ve learned is that there are too many people that don’t have a proper ability to drive a car in snow. Snow can be a tricky thing. So can a large amount of rain too. Did you know that there are restrictions for things on drivers licenses? Like if you have eye-sight problems, or maybe you only passed a test to drive a motorcycle. So why is it that they don’t have a restriction for snow driving?
Seriously. In a place where there is a ton of snow on average, it seems silly to me to not create a license restriction for specifically driving on snow. I’ve had too many close calls by people who have zero clue on when it’s appropriate to use brakes or how to turn or slide on snow. I’ve seen numerous accidents from that lack of sense as well. Mind you, I’m not a fan of overregulation, but that seems to be a thing the DMV has overlooked. Knowing that you could get a ticket if you didn’t have a license to drive in snow would sure give those of us who could have a such a license, peace of mind. It might also reduce insurance costs. That would be a big plus.
This song is sorta bizarre. The tone of the vocal is so somber, yet the idea of the lyrics is fairly positive minus the actual hook. Usually rain signals a bad omen in a movie, or denotes massive sadness, depression. In this sense, I don’t hear procity. That’s really weird to me. It pulls you in two directions at once. It certainly makes you think. There’s not enough times where you turned in two directions like this in music.
I do like the duet that Jan has here. It is a sweet melody, despite being dark and somber in nature. I like a lot of the chord inversions being played on the piano. I’m surprised they haven’t pushed this song to iTunes. It was recently nominated for a song award from JPF in 2006. See I’m not the only one that likes it. This song provides a huge change of pace in relation to a large body of the music I’ve showcased. Hit up Jan’s website, support her and JD. I think they deserve it. It’s one of those things where you’ll buy the CD and make them feel good, you’ll feel good, I’ll feel good, and it’s a win win win situation. Buy it! Then tell ’em you want it on iTunes too. Go ahead.
BTW- tell me your favorite snow story. If you don’t have a snow story, lets hear a rain one. Have fun commenting.
Hi Jody,
What a beautiful tune! I love the snow. I grew up in Northwestern Ontario where we had snow from Hallowe’en to mid April on a regular basis. My happiest memories are winter snowy memories with frosted eyelashes, wet reddened wrists, sledding, skating and cross country skiing by moonlight on the golfcourse. I couldn’t resist your call for snow stories, so I’m sending a little something I wrote as a writing excersize not long ago…..
A winter memory comes to mind whenever I hear the lyrics of a Nat King Cole tune. “If I had to choose just one day, to live my whole life through…†For me, it would surely be that snowy winter’s eve in 1977, when I was 15 years old.
I had planned to spend Saturday evening at the home of my best friend who lived at the opposite end of town. As I prepared for the long walk, I looked out the kitchen window. Fluffy snowflakes as big as quarters drifted down from the sky, settling gently onto the white blanket covering our back yard. I grabbed my warm boots and coat, and looped a long scarf around my neck. I pulled my touque firmly over my ears, and tucked the ends of my mittens into the sleeves of my winter coat.
As I stepped out of the house I breathed deeply, filling my lungs with cold winter air. I began walking at a brisk pace, my boots squeak squeaking over the snow pack. Few cars passed me and as I neared the bright and noisy downtown, I realized that I didn’t want to spoil the peace and quiet. I decided to detour across the railway lines that ran parallel to Front Street. On the other side of the tracks lay a large open area, a little bigger than a football field. Beyond the field was a gentle slope leading to a smattering of houses, one of which belonged to my friend.
I crossed the tracks and slipped into the darkness, my breath fogging the air in front of me. Guided by moonlight, I wadded ankle deep through the white expanse. All was quiet save the swish of loose powder around my ankles and the crunch of my boots compressing the snow beneath my feet. I alternated between feeling the frosty air on my face, to snuggling my cheeks and chin into my scarf where my warm breath seemed to both create and melt tiny crystals in the damp wool.
Pausing in the middle of the field to remove my mittens, I enjoyed the feel of cool air on my heated hands. I closed my eyes and turned my face heavenward. Thick flakes tickled my cheeks and melted on my eyelashes. I opened my mouth and chased snowflakes onto my tongue. Over my shoulder I could see the narrow trail I had made, leading back into the darkness. It was the only thing marring the pristine carpet behind me and I felt like I was the only one on earth. A feeling of immense joy and serenity seemed to seep into my soul. I continued on, a smile on my face and warmth in my heart.
All too soon I was standing in front of Cindy’s door. I looked down at my jeans, now true bell bottoms, stiff with the snow that had first melted, then froze along the trek. Heat radiated out the neck of my coat as I began unraveling my scarf. I raised my hand to knock, and hesitated, fearing my rapping knuckles would break the spell. Catching sight of my rosy cheeked reflection in the window, I smiled. There was still the walk back home.
Great little story there.
I’ve had several people tell me privately that they really dig the song.
My fave snow story? I was taken tubing for the first time ever by an old friend of mine a couple of years ago in Park City. DEFINATELY the most fun I have had in the snow. Trying to take pictures of the person behind you with a brand new camera phone, trying not to drop it, whilst shooting down the hill!! 🙂
Heh, tubbing is fun isn’t it? What a way to have silly fun. Yeah, that was fun.