Coats

I was on my way out of the house this morning when the zipper on my parka broke. In the elevator, I reached to zip it closed, and the pull came off in my hand. cattitude and I inspected it briefly, and concluded that we can't fix it.

Fortunately, I also have a long wool coat. I don't wear it as often--it's less convenient in a number of ways, and I'm not convinced it's as warm for my torso, though it does help keep my legs warmer. I bought it a few years ago, I think out of a vague feeling that it looked more "businesslike" or some such; that aside, redundancy in important equipment is a Good Thing.

Also fortunately, this happened on my way out the door in the morning, rather than, say, on my way out of the office tonight. The question is whether to go to the cleaner/tailor and spend probably $20 or more to have the zipper replaced, or to buy a new coat. I'd been thinking of replacing this parka anyway, preferably with one that has More Pockets. I don't recall exactly when I bought either coat--but I remember stuffing the parka into a plastic shopping bag, and wearing the wool coat home, after the latter was delivered to my office. That was when I was working at ACM, and in weather chilly enough that I'd worn the parka to work, so at least five years ago for both.

Since I'm leaving for Montreal tomorrow, I'll either be buying a nice warm coat while in Canada, or going to the tailor or the Web when I get back. (In theory, I could buy a coat on my way home from work today, but I don't feel up to braving the after-Christmas sales by myself.)

Coats

I was on my way out of the house this morning when the zipper on my parka broke. In the elevator, I reached to zip it closed, and the pull came off in my hand. cattitude and I inspected it briefly, and concluded that we can't fix it.

Fortunately, I also have a long wool coat. I don't wear it as often--it's less convenient in a number of ways, and I'm not convinced it's as warm for my torso, though it does help keep my legs warmer. I bought it a few years ago, I think out of a vague feeling that it looked more "businesslike" or some such; that aside, redundancy in important equipment is a Good Thing.

Also fortunately, this happened on my way out the door in the morning, rather than, say, on my way out of the office tonight. The question is whether to go to the cleaner/tailor and spend probably $20 or more to have the zipper replaced, or to buy a new coat. I'd been thinking of replacing this parka anyway, preferably with one that has More Pockets. I don't recall exactly when I bought either coat--but I remember stuffing the parka into a plastic shopping bag, and wearing the wool coat home, after the latter was delivered to my office. That was when I was working at ACM, and in weather chilly enough that I'd worn the parka to work, so at least five years ago for both.

Since I'm leaving for Montreal tomorrow, I'll either be buying a nice warm coat while in Canada, or going to the tailor or the Web when I get back. (In theory, I could buy a coat on my way home from work today, but I don't feel up to braving the after-Christmas sales by myself.)

Exercised

I stopped off at Burlington Coat Factory on my way to the gym, and now have a down vest that I can wear under my wool coat. That combination should be fine even for the cold end of Montreal weather.

It was a good, thorough workout. I expect the gym to be more crowded the next time I'm in there (plan is for Jan. 6), given that this is an off-week for a lot of things and that a lot of people go "Yowza! January! Must do healthy things!" (which is fine, though few of them continue through March and May and November). In the interim, I'll be settling for walking, stairs, and maybe my mat work while I'm in Montreal.

( by the numbers )

Exercised

I stopped off at Burlington Coat Factory on my way to the gym, and now have a down vest that I can wear under my wool coat. That combination should be fine even for the cold end of Montreal weather.

It was a good, thorough workout. I expect the gym to be more crowded the next time I'm in there (plan is for Jan. 6), given that this is an off-week for a lot of things and that a lot of people go "Yowza! January! Must do healthy things!" (which is fine, though few of them continue through March and May and November). In the interim, I'll be settling for walking, stairs, and maybe my mat work while I'm in Montreal.

( by the numbers )

Travel prep

Expecting to pack for a week in Montreal in winter in one carry-on bag may have been over-ambitious. But I probably could have done it if my parka zipper hadn't died; I'd collapse from the heat on the way to the airport if I tried to wear my wool coat and my down vest, rather than packing the latter, and that's enough bulk to have put it over carryon size. I am resolutely not throwing in more stuff "because I'm checking the bag anyway," because I still have to carry it to and from the airport. Tomorrow, I'm packing a handful of things that I can't pack yet because I'll need them in the morning, and I might allow myself one paperback.

Relatively soon, I should stop talking to cattitude and adrian_turtle, put away the last of the laundry, brush my teeth, and see about getting some sleep.

Travel prep

Expecting to pack for a week in Montreal in winter in one carry-on bag may have been over-ambitious. But I probably could have done it if my parka zipper hadn't died; I'd collapse from the heat on the way to the airport if I tried to wear my wool coat and my down vest, rather than packing the latter, and that's enough bulk to have put it over carryon size. I am resolutely not throwing in more stuff "because I'm checking the bag anyway," because I still have to carry it to and from the airport. Tomorrow, I'm packing a handful of things that I can't pack yet because I'll need them in the morning, and I might allow myself one paperback.

Relatively soon, I should stop talking to cattitude and adrian_turtle, put away the last of the laundry, brush my teeth, and see about getting some sleep.