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Show Ten 0'Clpck Whistle I by David Fleisher Notes on Winter. The month of September is already upon us, and that means 'winter's riot far off. Early signs of winter are evident all over town. The Softball season officially ended last week, temperatures are dropping, and people are wearing more: clothes. And the pipes in my apartment bang incessantly Vhenever I turn up the thermostat; this banging resembles the sounds heard in the movie, Apocalypse Now, and with each bang I am reminded that summer is drawing to an end. Quite frankly, I'm not looking forward to winter just yet. Park City summers are pleasant; there aren't as many tourists in town, and the lines at local restaurants are shorter. There's far less anxiety in the summer than in winter, plus I think people are generally friendlier in the summer. People's veins tighten up in the winter because of the cold temperatures, and this makes people ill at ease and short-tempered. And then, when it shows, the snow covers our bodies and insulates, even protects that tension. Consequently, as the theory goes, more people get snockered in the .winter in order to release the built-up tension. I'm sure private club owners are anxiously awaiting winter, but I'm not sure I share their anticipation. It is important to face reality, and the facts are, winter is just around the corner, probably waiting at some intersection for the right time to invade Park City. One long-time local resident told me you can never predict the weather in Park City. We could get four feet of snow this week. Depressing thought, isn't it? But entirely possible. At any rate, you d better set your sights on the nearest private club, just in case. There arei several things you can do to. prepare for the, onslaught of winter. Jhe first thing of course is to buy several pairs of long-handle underwear They're probably on sale now, so you can get them cheap. ! would also suggest buying a large pair of water-proof boots, preferrably the kind that come up to your shoulders.-Having these elongated boots will save you from having to buy winteaqlothes,1 such as sweaters, shirts . and pants. But the long-handle underwear is still important as if helps to maintain even body temperature during the cold winter monthsThe --only disadvantage -with? this type., of , underwear" ls'tliat it noWs all that tension insJer but I guess that's the price you have to pay for keeping warni; ' ' ; .V ;As far a your car goessell it in aboiit a month. I have never quite. understood why people; including myself, drive vehicle's in Park City during the "winter. They're useless; they only cause ulcers in the winter. Some of you may remember that I recommended last year that the city council pass an ordinance creating the establishment of ;ajlafge Underground parking facility. During ; winter all residents and tourists would park their cars in the facility for the duration This would also save vou ' from having to sell vour car. Unfortunately, the underground parking idea was never acted on. Believe me, when your car is completely covered with snow in three months, you'll wish it was underground and out of sight. Another means of winter protection is to move to Miami Beach, but this could be impractical, especially if you work in s Park City. Commuting from Salt Lake to Park City is one thing, but driving from Miami Beach to Park City every day is a little far-fetched, I'll admit. tPlus, if you're under eighty years old, you'll more than likely feel out of place in Miami Beach considering the average age there in ninety-eight. But it is warm down there as evident by a recent testimony given by a long-time Miami Beach resident who said, "God, I'm dying of the heat." But he's not buying studded snow tires, and he's not wearing long-handle underwear. He's dying, true, but at least he'll go to heaven warm. Don't get me wrong. I like winter, and I like snow. I just don't like to see both of them at once. It's too bad we can't throw snowballs in the summer and play softball in winter. That would be a nice change of pace, and who knows, maybe that will happen someday. As the old-timer said, you can never predict weather in Park City. As I walk up Main Street, I hear the Ten O'Clock Whistle, i , v ,! : ' ' '. ' -T' . ". " ;:: -:'T ' ': - ' 1 ;.:'-,t v ',, ;V -r.,;. ' 1 . (.. |