Signs of Winter

How can a New Yorker tell when it is officially winter?

1. The temperature drops from 80° to 40° in a week


2. There are a million commercials and other ads for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular invading our lives


3. Every store window has either winter clothes and fake snow or gift idea signs donning snowflakes


4. Mercedes starts showing the commercial with two little boys that get cheated out of a snow day because their dad has an E-Class that can take on blizzards


5. Soup Kitchen International opens its doors again (I saw them stirring today!!!)


6. The radiator in your apartment becomes a very noisy yet welcomed roommate


7. Your 1 ½ hour commute each way is entirely in the dark


8. Street Fairs are now called Bazaars


9. Buses and subways are overflowing during rush hour - you have to wait for at least 2 buses or trains to apss before you can even get close to the doors


10. The sound of leaf blowers is you wake-up call

I guess that means we are in for a chilly season. In the words of Magic 8 Ball, All signs point to Yes.