THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

So the autumnal equinox was today. While not exactly 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night (as the name equinox suggests), its is a remarkable day nonetheless. If you lived on or near the equator, you would have the distinct pleasure(that's if you're a nerd like i am) of witnessing the sun passing directly overhead. Not to mention its the only time of year (other than the spring or vernal equinox) when the sun rises due east, and sets due west. The other times of year the sun rises/sets north or south of east and west. Yes, we say the sun rises in the east and sets in the west but a more accurate term would be "easterly/western direction"

But you didn't come here for an astronomy lesson. At least i don't think you did. Not that i could give you one anyway.

Of course if you wanted to talk astronomy we could discuss how the star Antares will be in view tomorrow evening, in "close proximity" to the moon-- its about 520 lightyears away from the earth, vs the moon's distance of about 250k miles. It will have an orange glow.

But, I digress.

Its a bittersweet time of year, for me at least. On the plus side: There's the beauty of the changing of seasons, with the flora boasting their array of colors(i plan on putting my rudimentary photography skills to the test this year), football(monday night just regained its luster), and the excitement of cooking (i'm a seasonal chef - warm weather i cook less, but in the cool weather i stay in the kitchen) and the wonder that is a fall wardrobe (because underneath it all i'm still feminine and trenchcoats and boots! and newsboy caps and turtlenecks and wool pencil skirts and scarves are oh so wunderbar). Not to mention the cooler weather provides a plausible excuse for being (selectively) anti-social and holing myself up in the house listening to records with the fireplace blazing and a cup of tea (or three).

But the minuses- and oh what minuses there are! The cool - and not the sexy snuggle up with your boo for heat cool but the cut open a tauntaun and climb inside(i don't care how it smells) - nights. The shorter days, which with the new extended DST system we manage to stave off for a few weeks longer, but are coming nonetheless. And worst of all, that most odious time of year, winter. Naked trees, frozen appendages, snow, ice and HEATING BILLS. Yeah, winter sucks on toes. Its a shame that fall can't segue right into spring, skipping winter completely. Then fall would probably be my favorite time of year. Unfortunately, the fact that winter is on fall's heels takes away some cool points. You hear me fall? You coulda been a contenda! *shakes fist*

But, the intent of the entry was not to air grievances, which, as im sure you can attest, i excel (at).

...I'll save that for another entry ;)


Earth Wind and Fire - Sunshine