The Bricker family has left sub-zero temps behind. I’m posting this from the sunny Dominican Republic, where we’ll be until after New Year’s.
Sun? Check.
Warm breeze? Check.
High speed internet? Check.
Life is good.
Grrrr…I never got in any debates with you, or argued with you much, but suddenly I hate you. 
Enjoy yourself, Bricker.
And this is different… how?
Oh, for you. Okay.
:throws a snowball at SparrowHawk:
I love your username in a sort of silly girl way, SparrowHawk sounds like a sexy name for a spy or something
Have fun, Bricker! Get some nice rum and cigars, if that’s your thing.
Anaamika, I know you didn’t ask, but it’s a brilliant day here as well. About 75, no clouds, lots of sunshine. I think I’ll leave work early and go down to the beach for some seafood, boatdrinks and watch the sunset.
I’ve got plenty more snowballs.
C’mon, kiddo, I’ll buy you a snowcone.
It warmed up nicely around here today, didn’t it?
pah. Give me cold weather and a good jumper any day.
Tomorrow’s supposed to be even better!
Yay! A snowcone! No lemon, please.
:: looks at Shibb’s location tag ::
:: cognitive disconnect ::
-26C out here. It’s great. Your breath literally gets sucked right out of you when you step into the wind and feel the temp drop to -39C with windchill.
I wouldn’t trade it for all the heat in the world.
Ah yes, the Dom Rep. Had a fantastic and relaxing vacation there once myself. I was staying between the airport and the city of Puerto Plata, if I recall correctly. Had a terrific case of food poisoning there, due to indulgence in a beach side buffet meal (how long do you suppose that seafood was left out in the broiling sun?) Spent everyday at the beach, reading and swimming and napping. Then on the flight home (this was years ago), we stopped briefly in Haiti, where a young woman was removed from the airplane, screaming and crying, by armed militia. Talk about feeling scared and helpless all at once.
Enjoy your sunshine. Buy some local art and maybe some amber jewelry.
Cool day here in Palm Springs today, in the 60s. Yesterday was spent out at the pool, enjoying temps in the 70s. (ducks and runs away from snowballing horde)
Ah! Enjoy! I envy you so! Have a great Christmas and New Year.
You do recall that the Tampa Bay Lightning were the last recipients of the Stanley Cup, and at this rate may be the final NHL team ever to earn it*, right?
So, Bricker, how’s the tan coming? Don’t forget to wear a hat, some UV sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.
*
I knew that. I’m just sayin’ it ought to be back home in Toronto where it belongs. All that heat can’t be good for the poor thing.
:Throws a coconut to Anaamika:
Thanks. Sparrowhawk is Ursula LeGuin’s Wizard of Earthsea. But I am neither spy, nor wizard, nor male, and in my case it comes from a dream I had.
How dare you come here without notifying the D.R. Chapter of the SD? There are some of us here. How about a DR mini-Dopefest? Count on two of us.
Well curse you! It’s downright chilly over here. I was walking to the Cheesecake Factory to pick up something for lunch and I almost froze to death!
Of course, it’s 62 degrees F and I was in a short sleeved shirt, but still…
Bricker, you lucky bum! I remember when I went to the Dominican Republic in August 2003 (yes, the week after the Blackout). It was awesome fun. Have lots o’ fun and don’t get too drunk. 
And I’ve got a ton of grapefruit on the tree in my backyard to lob back at you. 
It’s currently about 64 and a bit humid, but I’m wrapped in a couple layers of blankets so I don’t freeze to death :D.
I suffer so during the summer, because I hate the heat, but I reap my reward this time of year. We started today in the low 50s and ended in the mid-70s, just in time for going to the beach on Christmas. We’re expected to plummet to 48 (!) on Saturday, but the high will still be ~65. So and again.