Frozen Memories

For this week's homework, Scalzi asks:

>Weekend Assignment #42: Share your favorite story of Winter cold -- preferably (but not necessarily) involving something freezing inconveniently and humorously.

I grew up in sunny Southern California.  I went to Law School, however, in Connecticut.

Connecticut.  They have winter there.

When I went East for my first semester, I took with me my California winter supplies.  This included lots of sweaters.  Of course, they were all made of rayon, or maybe a loose-knit cotton.  In Southern California, you don't really pay attention to what your sweater is made out of -- the fact that it provides an extra layer of clothing is usually sufficient.

I also brought my coat.  This would be one of them trenchcoat-style raincoats with a zip-in (polyester) lining.  Advertised as an "all-season" model.  Which is true, I guess, as long as all your seasons are Spring and Fall.

So, here's me, in my first Connecticut winter.  FREEZING.  My roommate taught me lots of four letter words.  Important words like "down" and "wool."

And then the snow came.

My first, oh, ten seconds in the snow convinced me that zip-in furry lining was no match for a New England winter.  I went back inside and got on the horn to The Company Store, a mail order catalog that sells down blankets and outerwear. 

The following is my end of the conversation:

- I'd like to order a coat please.

- I don't know what style number.  Just send me something warm in an extra small.

- Long sounds better.

- Sounds great.  Send me the coat.

- I don't care what color; just send the coat.

- Fine.  Fine.  JUST SEND ME THE COAT.

I had them overnight it.  I spent the next 24 hours going to classes and the cafeteria via underground tunnels that connected the dorms to the rest of the law school.  They were dirty and cockroach-infested, but had the major advantage of not being outdoors, and I managed to make it until the arrival of my brand new (steel grey, it turned out) down coat without setting foot outdoors.

To this day, my old roommate still remembers the time I yelled "Just send me the coat!" into the receiver.