see.i.cicle

This Chicago winter thing has been a learning experience for me. I can't say it is something I have always wanted to experience but I'm here so I have listed a few things I have learned:
1. When Mike says "this is as cold as it is going to get because last year it only got this cold" I have learned not to trust his advice. Sorry Mike. It can ALWAYS get colder :)
2. You can not Google "black ice" to know the true meaning of what it is, hence the name "black ice". You truly learn about "black ice" when you are running for the bus and realize (too late) you are headed straight towards a plateau of black ice that was (just a day ago) unassuming snow and slide/fall/slip/crawl your way to the bus stop just in time for it to drive away (minus 1 wet cold new black ice victim).
For the record I have Googled the following winter topics:
ice storm
winter mix
sleet
lake effect snow
what does 12" of snow really look like?
snow survival guides
winter boots
cute winter boots
are there cute winter boots?
and...
how to weatherize old homes
3. icicles are pretty... pretty dangerous!
I cracked up when I first saw a car driving down the street with icicles attached to the bottom! I even called my mom to tell her! At first, I thought they were sweet and quite beautiful!

Until you look up!
Yes, that lovely jagged/sharp 2.5' long icicle is hanging over our neighbor's porch and back walkway.
Now that I have noticed them, I realize they are everywhere!
Yikes.
I believe "Number of icicle related injuries per capita per year" is in order for the Google next!