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I’ll level with you and admit something – we’ve had some crap weather here the past couple of weeks. There is no denying that. But you won’t hear me complaining about it because that’s already being done by the rest of the 20-something population that lives in my neck of the woods. I’m constantly hearing something like this out of people’s mouths on the street, at bars, and in restaurants:
“Man, I’m so sick of this. I need to move to Calabasas or something.”
I can guarantee that you’ve heard some variation of those two sentences while staring out the window of a bar and watching rain or snow fall down onto the sidewalk outside. This is a topic of conversation that people bring up all over the country, but I feel as though it’s especially true here in Chicago. This is a classic case of a classic case — comment on the shitty stuff around you and then when everything is peachy keen say nothing. Things are never good enough.
You might be in Chicago where it feels like it’s been rainy and a bit chilly for the past month. Maybe you’re in NYC or Philly where (at least I’ve been told) the sun just refuses to come out on the weekends. Or perhaps you’re down south in Texas or Florida, where the heat is so unbearable that you can’t do much of anything outside for more than a few minutes without becoming light headed and absolutely drenched in sweat.
My point is that wherever you live, the weather is never going to be one hundred percent flawless and yet every single day I hear someone in Chicago make a remark about how awful the weather is here and how they should just pack up their things and move west to Colorado or California. I’ve touched on how our generation seems hell-bent on moving just for the sake of moving.
They bitch and moan about how for six months out of the year the cold is simply too much to handle, and yet whenever it’s gorgeous outside I’ll see that same person posting boomerangs of them on the train going over LaSalle Street, a caption reading something along the lines “So blessed to be living in this city.” I mean, which is it? Do you love it or hate it here? You can’t bitch and moan about rain and then turn around the next day when it’s sunny outside and tell everyone how much you adore this place. I mean, you can, but it’s fucking annoying.
I don’t know what it is about the weather turning from snow to no snow that gets people into these flighty moods, but I’ve noticed that at least here in Chicago, people are constantly talking about how they need to get the hell out of here and go to a coast.
If you’re reading this somewhere that isn’t Los Angeles, I’m sure you hear a similar tune every weekend from one of your friends as well. But it’s always just talk, isn’t it? Rarely does anyone ever actually get out of the current place that they’re in for the simulation that is L.A. or some other city that promises perfect weather year round.
Perhaps this is an indictment on our generation and not the commentary on weather that I thought this column was going to be when I started writing it. We’re never really content in the city that we live in, are we?
Constantly making backhanded remarks about how you can’t do anything when it’s “like this” outside, applying for jobs while on the clock at our current job and telling our friends that we’re really going to do it this time – “This is the year that I get out of [insert your city here] and make the move out West. I’m going to buy a weekend ski pass and then spend my summers hiking because that’s what I should be doing with my time.”
I think sometimes we all just need to take a few steps back and relish in where we’re currently at. Yeah, maybe your Saturday brunch plan got fucked because it’s pissing outside. The weather is never going to be perfect and that’s what I think people don’t realize when they cavalierly say that they want to pack up and move. Just chill out. The sun will eventually come out and you’ll be able to get that patio Instagram that you’ve so desperately been pining for. .
Respond
jduda@grandex.co
Can’t wait for winter so I can stop complaining about how hot it is and start complaining about how cold it is.
Winter needs to be here so you cover yourself up.
Direct quote from every man who has ever seen me so I feel you.
Do you live in DC? Because that seems to be the pastime here. People spent MONTHS complaining about that absurd cold and are now already complaining about the handful of super hot days we’ve had.
Fortunately I do not live in DC. In most cities with both hot and cold szns, I would imagine it is a common complaint tho.
Depends, if your meetings have you going back and forth between the House and the Senate side and it’s 90+ degrees you’re gonna be complaining.
San Diego says what up
California sucks but I have to admit, San Diego weather is the GOAT
You in SD?
I’m stoked there are other San Diego PGP’ers. Thought there was only myself and one other.
I Too, am a San Diegan. Is this how meet ups happen?
All in on the SD meet up
I posted about a San Diego meet up in the Reddit thread a while back and didn’t get much of a response. Perhaps it is time to try again!
san diego reporting for duty
Can you link me? Long time reader, new to the participation game.
Let’s make it happen
Best city in CA, no question. More chilled out than LA, better fishing opportunities, and a stones throw from Mexico
You boys like Mexico?
San Diego weather is crazy. The Padres only average ONE rainout every six to eight years, and there have only been three rainouts since they opened Petco Park. It’s perfect there.
Team SD Checking In
Count me in on the meet up!
Boy, we sure needed that rain, though.
You know what they say about the weather in (insert city/state/area), just wait (some number) minutes and it will change
I’ll take my Texas heat and being able to be in or around water 6 months out of the year. No complaining from me
Did Duda just tell us to stop complaining about stuff? Confused.
Humid and hot AF here in Mississippi, but the summer vibes bring me so much joy.
I’ll take my chicago seasons. I’m not fucking leaving! (Leo voice)
SD represent.
Come to Pittsburgh our weather only shifts every two days as opposed to daily.