cold as usual

The new year is starting out cold.  I guess that's typical for Minnesota.

Weather.com says it's currently -17F/-27C (-31F/-35C windchill).  I heard the house popping during the night because of the cold.  What's more annoying, though, is that our cable modem drops more than half of its packets when the temperature is this low.  (We think it's because of equipment outside of the house.  It's Comcastic!)

It was a few degrees warmer (but still subzero) when I went out to the New Year's party in my kilt.  Knee-high buffalo skin boots help a lot.