Just call me Olaf from now on

– Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young –

Do you want to build a snowman? No, I don’t, so don’t ask me again! Sorry, just had to get that out of the way. I think most people automatically think of that song when Disney’s Frozen comes to mind. Either that or Let It Go.

I detest the Do You Want to Build a Snowman song, but, really, if that song didn’t exist, neither would Olaf. Who’s Olaf? Wait, you don’t know Olaf? Boy, is your life empty, then!

If you haven’t seen Frozen and want to, stop reading right now. If you don’t plan to watch it, but are curious about the plot, keep reading. If you’ve seen the movie, you probably are already laughing, just remembering the lovable character that is Olaf.

See, Olaf first came to life (nope, not Frosty, wrong snowman) through two young sisters’ playtime. Of course, one sister has magical powers that can produce snow and ice on a whim, but that’s beside the point. No, wait, that IS the point.

The sisters created Olaf as a non-living snowman, but being imaginative girls, they fondly gave him a name. He, of course, melted, but once they were grown and one of the sisters kind of had a panic attack breakdown (long story), she created this whole snowy/ice kingdom and all at once, there was Olaf, re-imagined and alive this time.

Olaf, ah, what can I say about him? He’s very simple-minded, but not in an annoying way. He sees the world in its purest form, and is fiercely loyal and loving. He’s also possibly the funniest character to ever come out of Disney and yes, I am including Robin William’s Genie ( Aladdin).

So, long story short, the sister gets over her breakdown, learns to control the magic powers and the kingdom thaws, which, unfortunately, so does Olaf. Before you begin sobbing, it’s OK, because with her new-found control, the sister brings Olaf to life for the third time now and this time, it’s for keeps. No matter how hot it gets, Olaf will stay alive.

Of course, his friends are overjoyed and he is over the moon. Now, he can finally see summer, of which he’s dreamed of (for all of half a day), but never actually seen, for obvious reasons. As he’s frolicking about, enjoying his all-livin’ state (I just had to get that Frosty reference in), he spies the first flowers of the season.

“Summer!” he joyfully cries and sniffs the flowers. And....ACHOO!!!

Yup, he’s allergic to them. After all his wishing and hoping, now he can’t even enjoy summer, and all the things that go with it.

I loved Olaf before that moment, but from then on, I adored him, because he reminds me of me. I can’t wait for winter’s ice and snow to be gone, but the minute they are, here come the allergies.

Thankfully, I don’t have allergies as bad as some people, but they’re bad enough. My nose is like a bloodhound’s, I can smell everything within a 12-block radius, so the minute the pollen pops out, I can smell it. Lilacs, lily of the valley and hydrangeas smell heavenly, but when all of them hit you at once, it’s pretty overwhelming.

If it was just the smell, I could handle that, but my nose stuffs up and runs constantly. How can it do both?! Between that and my eyes itching, and my throat clogging up, I am miserable until – well – fall.

So, Olaf, I feel your pain. You and I, are one and the same; we could be twins! Except for the fact that I don’t have a nose made of carrot.