Contradictions of Fall

Today is the kind of day that heals the soul. The first day of Fall, in all its bright optimism, a crisp cool sky with sun shining abundantly through the forgiving clouds. The chill in the air is inconsequential compared to the freshness it carries. It's the kind of day that makes you remember what it's like to breathe deeply.

Today is also the first day that I went to work in the dark, which makes it the first of a long season of coming and going by night like some secretive cave dweller. The rain was minimal enough, if not for its clearly being the forerunner to many dark wet mornings. Hoping the bus will see me instead of speeding past down the hill. Hoping it comes soon enough that myself and my belongings don't get totally soaked. Waiting for the bus often feels like the longest part of the commute, whether or not it comes anywhere close to actual travel time.

Yesterday the PSE bill came with an insert about where our energy is coming from. They seemed very pleased to announce that they are "working" to secure 10% of their power supply from renewable sources by 2013 and 15% by 2020. I guess that means that in another 12 years they'll still be getting 85% of their energy from non-renewable resources much like today's line-up: Hydro 42%, Natural Gas 19%, Nuclear 1%, Other 1%, Coal 37%. Coal, seriously. At least with the plunging economy we've got potential for a Dickens-esque backdrop to add a little romance to the hard times.

I've got an African/Latin/Jazz mix going on the shop stereo - Hugh Masakela's work of art Stimela, Brubeck's classic Take Five... and so very much work to do.