anticipation (3-17-07)
The day is coming. It's the day where daytime and nighttime are the exact same length. It's the day when the Earth begins its' rebirth. I don't know if you know this but it's actually a holiday in Japan where people have family reunions and visit the graves of their loved ones. It's the vernal equinox. It's damn important to me because I feel this time of year, I really feel it. I feel it more than any other season that begins. By the end of winter I feel tired. I feel stagnant and somewhat lifeless. Once the spring hits I feel reborn. I feel the weather improving week to week. I can see the signs. I can smell it in the air. I can sense the transformation. So yes I can feel, see, smell, and sense the oncoming spring but I can't make it materialize. I am at the mercy of Mother Nature despite her inevitability.
It's not that easy though. The weather doesn't change on the 21st to warmer temperatures and the trees don't miraculously grow new leaves overnight. It happens over time. Everything improves incrementally but steadily. I find the waiting for it to finally be spring as exciting and necessary. Every year around this time I feel worn down and in need of the psychological vacation spring provides. I feel more alive. I feel reborn like the phoenix rising out of the fires of my discontent and flying anew.
I go outside more. I walk more. The bike gets dusted off. I start playing sports all the time. I start buying things like athletic tape, charcoal, t-shirts and sun-tan lotion. The anticipation grows like a hunger for dinner when I skipped breakfast and lunch.
Of course as I write all of this the snow is coming down. Clear dark streets get covered in frosty white sheets and I ponder my lost grip as my shoes begin to slip on the ice. This is very likely the last significant snowfall of the season. I'm going to go out and enjoy it. I've charged my camera and I'm heading out sometime this weekend to say goodbye to the departing season through images, so the next blog will begin where this last one left off... with pictures!
and Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!
The day is coming. It's the day where daytime and nighttime are the exact same length. It's the day when the Earth begins its' rebirth. I don't know if you know this but it's actually a holiday in Japan where people have family reunions and visit the graves of their loved ones. It's the vernal equinox. It's damn important to me because I feel this time of year, I really feel it. I feel it more than any other season that begins. By the end of winter I feel tired. I feel stagnant and somewhat lifeless. Once the spring hits I feel reborn. I feel the weather improving week to week. I can see the signs. I can smell it in the air. I can sense the transformation. So yes I can feel, see, smell, and sense the oncoming spring but I can't make it materialize. I am at the mercy of Mother Nature despite her inevitability.
It's not that easy though. The weather doesn't change on the 21st to warmer temperatures and the trees don't miraculously grow new leaves overnight. It happens over time. Everything improves incrementally but steadily. I find the waiting for it to finally be spring as exciting and necessary. Every year around this time I feel worn down and in need of the psychological vacation spring provides. I feel more alive. I feel reborn like the phoenix rising out of the fires of my discontent and flying anew.
I go outside more. I walk more. The bike gets dusted off. I start playing sports all the time. I start buying things like athletic tape, charcoal, t-shirts and sun-tan lotion. The anticipation grows like a hunger for dinner when I skipped breakfast and lunch.
Of course as I write all of this the snow is coming down. Clear dark streets get covered in frosty white sheets and I ponder my lost grip as my shoes begin to slip on the ice. This is very likely the last significant snowfall of the season. I'm going to go out and enjoy it. I've charged my camera and I'm heading out sometime this weekend to say goodbye to the departing season through images, so the next blog will begin where this last one left off... with pictures!
and Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!