The time is nigh to be outside. This weekend, our clocks rolled forward and after-work-sunlight has finally returned to grace us with its presence. Every year before the time change, I find myself at the brink of serious winter blues. Mind you, I live in Santa Barbara, CALIFORNIA, so it's not like I'm emerging from hibernation amid blizzards and darkness. I'm not all beach-girl-wuss though—I lived in Norway once. Do you know what happens when a born-and-bred Californian moves to Scandinavia? I'll tell you.
Summer months trick you into falling in love with the toe-head capital of the world, when stunning landscapes—verdant mountains dotted with handcrafted sod-roof cabins, glassy fjords, and, lest we forget, gorgeous viking people as far as the eye can see—coupled with dusky light throughout the night lead you to believe that Norway has only the best intentions, as if she's saying: "Stay up all night and enjoy the beauty of my terrain! Drink Hansa beer and become BFFs with everyone you meet—even if shy Norwegians will pretend they never met you after the buzz wears off! Hike for days without seeing a soul! Skinny dip in my fresh fjords!" And you might feel right at home with your beer and friends and adventures. Then things change. Norway turns a little cold and distant, and you can't figure out what you could have done to cause this. What follows is darkness from 3 pm until almost 10 am (and this is nothing compared to the northern reaches of the country, where people go for months without seeing the sun). You're left with little to do but plan your day around the line at the vinmonopolet (wine monopoly) where you stock up on booze, then hunker down with friends to tie one on in remembrance of the days when you could bask in more than snow flakes and solarium light. On the darkest nights, I'd tell tall tales about a far off land called Santa Barbaraaaa. "Like the soap opera?" they'd say. "Better," I'd reply. I'd regale my drunken cohorts with stories of barbecues and surfing IN THE WINTER! They'd gasp, and I'd feel a little homesick. That said, when I reach "the brink" here at home, I do realize I'm spoiled. Whether you're ringing in this year's daylight savings in sun or snow, it's officially time to crank up a little Bob Marley with a margarita in hand. Cliche? Maybe. Going to do it anyway? Already did.
I hear ya! Cold chardonnay on a floating dock in Sausalito...
Posted by: Deelish Dish | Mar 16, 2010 at 04:54 PM