One thing that I’ve noticed more of this winter is umbrellas. These weather protective devices have suddenly turned from just that to a trendy fashion accessory. They’re not just standard black anymore. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors — I recently spotted a green one with frog eyes on top of it. Along with this new-found trend, I’ve noticed hefty price tags. You can’t buy an umbrella anymore without spending at least $30 or $40. While I understand the need for an umbrella when you’re walking twenty minutes home from a bus stop, I don’t understand the people that use them to walk three minutes to their car door. It’s times like those when I find umbrellas pointless. It takes me at least a full minute to open mine. And while mine does have a button that dramatically opens it up with the same shooting force as a light saber, it never works when I need it too. All the while, I’m standing there dripping wet when I could have made it to my destination already. One other thing that deters me from umbrellas is wind. Just last night, I was walking along — umbrella in hand — and a big gust of wind turned it inside out from its natural mushroom shape to the shape of a very well-nourished tulip. It’s times like these when I think there is no reason to spend more than $10 on an umbrella. That’s why I’m a rain-jacket-with-a-hood kind of gal. What are you?
