This comic is perfect for anyone who has a commute during Michigan winters. Getting up extra early because you know the roads are going to be bad which means more traffic and slower speeds. Walking outside to be "greeted" by sub-zero temperatures only to sit in a car that tells you its so cold because it sputters when you turn the key. You get it started then get back out to scrape 3 inches of snow off the car. You think you're done only to find a nice layer of ice. Why isn't the defroster working more quickly you wonder? I'm going to be so late. Five minutes later you get back in the car and wonder if you are going to be sick because your sweating profusely but you can still see your breath. Now the question: Do I take off my coat because I'm so hot or leave it on because I know I'm going to cool off in a minute then be freezing because it takes the car 10 minutes to warm up. You put your car in reverse and think, "okay, I'm on my way".
Your feet are wet because your boots aren't water proof and the snow swept through your gloves so your fingers are frozen, but at least you're on your way. But wait! Your car won't back up! It can't get through the snow! (man I wish I had a garage about now). So, you get back out of your car and start kicking the snow away from your tires. Okay, now you're on your way. You hit the main roads and they actually look well salted and clear, a sigh of relief. Nope, its all black ice. Should have known that judging by the obscene amount of backed up traffic going about 15 mph. You listen on the radio to "local traffic and weather on the 8's" about a million times hoping they will once magically say that everything is smooth sailing and the high tomorrow is 80. Regretfully, every time they say the same thing: more snow, its going to actually get colder and "pack your patience because its a slow ride out there with accidents on every road imaginable". Easy for them to say. They clearly don't commute during rush hour.
There is light at the end of the tunnel though. You walk into work (maybe hours later), shaking with a back ache because you were gripping the steering wheel so hard but thank God that you made it safely. You are thankful you were not one of those spin outs and better yet, you're happy have a job to drive too. Despite this soliloquy of bitterness about our winter roads, I'm thankful to have employment, to have purpose at work and to have goals to achieve, even if one of them is surviving the commute. Drive home safely.
