Beren's World

As I've been getting older, I've noticed my tolerance for cold weather has been decreasing. I don't know if it's that I'm getting more frail in my old age and more sensitive to climate changes, or if getting older is making me grumpy and hate everything, including the weather, hot or cold.

Here in the Northwest of the US, we're getting ready for what is supposed to be brutal winter. Snow, ice, rain, sleet, hail and more have all been predicted. I'm ready to head for warmer pastures, and sunnier skies.

Do you prefer cold or hot weather? Do you like the rain or does it make you gloomy?

While summer isn't technically over, it feels like it is long gone. The days are getting shorter, there aren't as many invites for summer bbqs, and I have a cold.

No matter what, whenever the season starts to change, I get sick. Without fail. Between spring and summer, summer and fall, fall and winter, I get a cold. I never get the flu, I just get a runny nose, scratchy throat and watery eyes. I always try to tell myself it's allergies, but the way people run away from like I'm carrying the plague means I look like a cold sufferer to them.

I've tried all the tricks to not catch a cold: wash my hands incessantly, drink tons of orange juice, take lots of vitamins, and get lots of rest, but nothing works. Do you know of any safeguards against colds? Any remedies for a cold once it has already been caught? Any tips would be much appreciated.

Ah, the holidays! I love them, but they also bring a certain amount of stress into my life. There are only so many parties one can attend without being on the verge of collapse, only so many presents one has the patience to shop for, and only so many hours one can spend around family. Starting from Thanksgiving, which is traditionally a big deal in my family (big, as in up to 50 attendees at the evening dinner) and ending with the work holiday party, it seems as if the festivities are endless.

Not that I’m complaining. I spent part of December in Detroit, and attended a great Christmas party complete with a white elephant gift exchange. In a white elephant, everyone brings a gift and everyone gets a gift, and you play a game to figure out who gets what. I didn’t participate in the gift exchange because my number was 46 (there were a lot of people at the party), but did see some of the amazing gifts lovingly wrapped by the masses, including a stuffed deer head and painted picture of a can of PBR. It was a fantastic party.

The end of the long holiday season is signaled with the annual holiday party held by my boss, Mike, and typically held at a bowling alley. It too includes a gift exchange, and last year I was lucky enough to receive the Clapper, a devise from the '80s for turning on lights by clapping your hands. I also got everyone to gamble on the bowling game and ended up with cash as well. It was an excellent party. Tomorrow this event will be held and it remains to be seen who will hold the title of most unruly, although bets have been placed. Look here next month for a full recap. Happy New Year.