fall

The changing of seasons is a curious thing. I find that most people observe the change almost like a checklist or a scavenger hunt. Collect all the signs of fall/spring/summer/winter! Each marker of change that you observe seems significant at the time, but the following day you will observe a new one that seems even more final.

And there is no going back. Once you've checked off a marker of change, you can't uncheck it again. It's like a ratchet, always clicking forwards, and with each click you think, "Ah! NOW fall is beginning!"

Items on the autumn checklist may include:
- various shifts in temperature, such as the shift from "it is essentially warm with a bit of a chill" to "it is essentially chilly, no matter how warmly the sun is shining"
- seasonal smells detected for the first time, such as rotting leaves or snow on its way
- leaves changing colour & falling, each species of tree at its own time
- blackberries ripening and then shrivelling (this is a very noticeable marker of the end of summer in BC)
- chestnuts falling
- the first snow on the mountains (the first snow in the valley isn't an indicator of any season in particular, it's always just an indicator of freaky weather)
- etc.

Today's ratchet click towards fall was that it was the first day that I really ought to have worn a jacket. I went out in my simple zip-up hoodie and it was not enough. It was grey and chilly and rainy and it even thundered for about 20 minutes (which is a rare and noteworthy occasion in this coastal climate). The dog at work went crazy when it thundered, but not as crazy as last time.

On a different note, I would like to point out that my friend Adam The Astronomer has returned to Chile and has thus resumed writing his online journal. You may find the link to your left, or here if you're lazy. It's a good read for anyone who wants to read about professional geeks in action, or about Chilean pubs.