Irony, or Not

You would think, given that I’m an English major and all, that I would understand the definition of “irony”. But actually I’ve always found it very slippery. Or rather, I can spout the definition to you. The definition of irony, or one among many, is that the surface meaning and the underlying meaning of what is said are not the same.

This much I get. But I always have a hard time quite deciding if something is situationally ironic or not. I think tonight is probably an example of situational irony. Or not.

Anyway, remember how I’ve been loudly pining for colder weather for months? I guess the weather gods do actually have a sense of irony, or else they just hate me. Because they granted my wish today. In spades. In New Mexico. Which my husband was trying to quickly make  his way through.

Instead, he spent the vast majority of the day creeping along at about 30 miles per hour, trying to keep the 16-ft. truck steady on the thick sheets of ice that covered New Mexico. After passing several big-rigs that had lost the battle against the ice, he reached an impasse where he was informed that the highways were being shut down. Overnight. At least.

Tomorrow is Sienna’s birthday, which he was determined to make it home for. It’s not looking like that will happen. Basically at this point, I’m just hoping they open the highways in the next two days so he doesn’t miss Christmas.

Also, we have done zero Christmas shopping.

I’m having trouble putting a positive spin on this story. I managed to soothe the girls by reassuring them that it is far better to have the Ogre safely ensconced in a hotel rather than braving a potentially icy death (no, I didn’t use those exact terms), and while I understand that to be true with my intellect, the rest of me wants to sit down and pout. And cry. And possibly throw things.

Childish? Uh, yeah. What can I say? I miss my husband. And also, I have slept a total of thirteen hours in the last three days. I am so tired. And I was so, so looking forward to sleep.

Anyway. There’s no point to this post, unless you count it as an exercise in trying to identify situational irony. (I don’t, personally. I count it mostly as an exercise in whining like a little girl.)

It’s just not that cute when it’s a grown woman