| | After watching my assets implode along with the markets, I figure I should write on a more pleasant subject. Here we go...
As I was walking back from the grocery store, I couldn't help but think how much I love fall. Some of you who have read my ramblings for years will probably find this topic familiar; I think I've written one each fall for the last six years, so I figure, "why break tradition?"
Anyways, I love fall for several reasons. As someone who has had his feet in the academic world continuously for twenty four years, the fall semester represents an opportunity for a fresh start. Much like New Years, it provides a time where I can regroup and vow to clean up the messes and repeat the successes of the prior academic year.
Fall also represents the end to the oppressive summer. Some of you are probably thinking, "But SJ, there are so many great things about the summer! How could you dislike it so much?" I do admit that I enjoy my time at the beach and the barbecues, but you must remember, I grew up in the South. Summer in the South is not like summer in New England, the Midwest, or California. The Southern Summer is a continuous barrage of mid to upper nineties heat coupled with a oppressing humidity to breaks all thoughts of productivity. Summer is walking into work sweaty every morning, walking home from school sweaty, sweating to death whether in the easybake oven known as your car, the underground saunas we call subway stations, and continuously smelling the very stench of humanity. Summer represents freezing to death as you constantly go back and forth from the blistering heat to the icebox in the office or classroom. Rain, which provides cleansing and renewal in other seasons of the year, represents even greater misery in the summer as the humidity goes into overdrive. Percipitation brings not relief but horror as the temperature only goes higher and you are perpetually sticky and wet. Toss in a few mosquitos to add just that much more wholesome entertainment. In the style of Lewis Black, f--- summer.
What about spring? Spring is similar to fall. That certainly true to an extent. However, spring brings about the rise of pollen, continuous rain, and oceans of mud. Why deal with that when you can enjoy the fall? As for winter, I used to like winter. Then I moved to New England one year and saw my world turn white from November to April. Sure, Christmas and New Years are entertaining, but after that, its one very long and miserable empty space between January 2nd and Easter.
Back to the positives. I love fall because it brings a certain crispness to the air. In early fall, when its still mildly warm, that cool sharp edge creates a contrast that helps bring a vibrancy, a clarity that is not seen any other time of year.
You have lots of holidays that make fall entertaining. Labor Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Celebrating the proletariat, eating candy, honoring veterans, enjoying perhaps the last non-commercialized holiday in the United States, and then celebrating the birth of Christ through hypercommercialism. What more could you ask for?
Fall has always been the true outdoor season for me. The weather is perfect for outdoor activities including my favorite of camping and backpacking. The scenery is breathtaking; anyone who's ever been leafing in the Pioneer Valley or along the Smokey Mountains can testify to one of God's most brilliant, recurring masterpieces.
Fall kills all those accursed mosquitoes mentioned above. That gives me warm fuzzies.
Fall is the harbinger of football. Need I say more on this point?
Fall brings Octoberfest-style beers to my supermarket. That makes me happy though my liver cries in anguish.
I think that's enough for this year. So as you agonize over the horrors inflicted upon your 401k, just remember, its fall. So its all good.
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| | Posted 10/1/2008 8:25 PM - 50 Views - 4 eProps - 2 comments
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