Tom, therapy is a long and often difficult process. But it's well worth it for the results. And I don't know what to add beyond that.

It's been pouring rain in DC.

I vaguely remember a few events from the late '60s. A funeral -- probably Bobby Kennedy's. Going to my aunt and uncle's to watch the Ed Sullivan show followed by the first moon landing.

My parents -- especially my mother -- were of the "you don't talk about who you'll vote for" camp. The first election I really remember is '72. We did the mock class election. The mood was very pro-Nixon -- only two McGovern supporters that I remember. I voted for a random third-party candidate because I didn't think anyone should win an election by such a large margin.

My first vote that counted was the '80 general election. I voted for John Anderson because we didn't need four more years of Carter, and I didn't think Reagan had the answers.

Dear people in snowy states,

I hate you.

No love,

Globally warmed NY

(Forecast calls for heavy downpours and wind. Joy.)

Dear Resident of Globally Warmed NY

We, the residents of states currently totally engulfed by snow, would like to point out that we would rather drive through rain than snow as rain does not have to be plowed out of the way.

Thus your hatred is hurtful and thoughtless.

In response we can only say "Well, screw you too, Miss Dampy McButnotfrozensowhyareyouwhining."

Much love,

THE MIDFUCKINGWEST

ETA: Uh...this came across harsher on the screen than it was in my head. Totally tongue-in-cheek here. Sorry.

My first memory of politics was when Kennedy was elected; I can remember him being shot. And I was watching TV when Oswald was shot.

In 1968 I canvassed for Gene McCarthy; that was the year my school held a mock election and George Wallace won (yeah, scary).

My first real vote was in 1972. For McGovern.

Snow is prettier than rain. QED.

So you guys aren't getting ice?

(I could swear that the weatherman said that the East Coast was going to be in ice two inches thick - I felt for you and much prefer snow. . . but if you only have rain. Huh.)

Much love,

THE MIDFUCKINGWEST

snorfle.

goes and stands with Jessica. Rain and Ice (rice?) sucks in janbruary.

New England is probably iced over, but here in NYC it's 3 or 4 degrees above freezing, so all we've got is cold miserable rain.

Downstate IL always seems to get the rain/ice combinations that end up heading towards DC up to NJ and NY, whereas our snow goes to upstate NY and New England. Which is only one of the reasons why I'm glad I don't live in Peoria or Springfield.

I think the driving thing plays into it, too -- walking in snow is way better than walking in rain, IMO.

I prefer rain to snow. But a) I'm driving, not walking and b) other drivers seem to freak out moderately less. Note, I said moderately. Someone ran a red at every single intersection this morning. And there are probably 15-20 on my way in.

We are actually under liberal leave. For rain. (to be fair, I guess while the city and south has rain, north & west are supposedly ice.)