Changing Seasons

Glorious.

Glorious is the only word that adequately describes today's weather: Sunny, blue skies, a crisp 58 degrees. The leaves are still falling, so spectacular fall colors still surround in abundance.

There is no superlative available that does justice to this day.

(Factor in good hair and a successful day in class and wow, it's been some day.)

My love affair with fall is ongoing. And to understand our relationship (fall and me), one must look back and realize that I lived for three years in a part of the country where fall did not exist. Technically, of course, it did. But in Houston, one can wear shorts and sandals in December. Thus fall, in the strictest sense, was not to be seen.

And I missed it. I thought I wouldn't; I thought I would revel in the warm days and sunny skies. But once it was reality, I realized just how much I needed the shorter days and cooler air. I learned why we need the dark time of winter, and how it helps renew and rejuvenate us.

Fall is the period that leads us into the dark season. It brings us down from the heat of summer to the cold, slowly changing the earth and our senses to appreciate all the glory that can be found in the winter months. As much as I thought I hated it, I learned that without it, my life didn't seem to adjust to the changes in the year.

Apparently, I need that change. There must be a category for people like me, people who realize just how vital the change of seasons is to our sense of well-being.

As for me, call me what you will. I'm the one who is enjoying the chilly mornings and change of wardrobe. I'll be getting my sweaters ready for wear and locating my gloves and hat. The winter approaches; it won't catch me off guard or unwelcoming.

Irritation

Things that are bugging me today:*

• Students who show up to class without an assignment - for which they had the due date on the first day of class - and proceed to tell me how it's my fault they don't have it done.
• People who walk out in front of my car, in the middle of the street, from behind their parked car.
• Drivers who ignore the green left turn signal because they are playing with their phone. Texting? Idiots.
• People who use an apostrophe to make a word plural. It's not "doctor's" or "student's" - no apostrophe needed - ever - to make a word plural. The only time you need one is to make a single letter plural, as in: "She got all A's." If one knows his or her ABCs, no apostrophe.
• Ignoring commas with "which" when used to distinguish essential and non-essential phrases. This is a grammar error, which drives me crazy. Different than, "This is a grammar error that drives me crazy." Though both are true.
• Family members who throw their dirty clothes into the laundry inside-out. (Note to these family members: You're getting them back the way I got them.)
• Family members who, while I am getting dinner ready, ignore the dog and continue playing on Facebook, even though they can hear that she needs to go out.
• Glenn Beck

*In the interest of time, let's consider this an abridged list; I could go on. Trust me.

Happy 40th Sesame Street!

Sunny day sweepin' the clouds away,
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

Come and play, everything's a-okay.
Friendly neighbors there, that's where we meet
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

It's a magic carpet ride
Every door will open wide
To happy people like you,
Happy people like,
What a beautiful

Sunny day ...
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

I don't remember watching Sesame Street myself. Let's face it - I was 4 or 5 before it came to our Public Television Station, so I was clearly much too old. But I do remember my younger brothers watching - and I must have tuned in a time or two myself.

Because I remember a lot about the original Sesame Street. I remember that it was hip and urban and edgy. I remember that many of the segments were in Spanish, that they were gritty and funny and satirical, and that while I may have not have deigned to watch it for me, I was not above tuning in from time to time.

There were lots of cultural references in those early days on the street. Bert and Ernie, the quintessential roommates, seemed clearly modeled on the Odd Couple; the music was heavily influenced by popular music of the time. The show was done in the fashion of Laugh In and other sketch comedy shows, with short, punchy segments. There were bright, psychedelic sequences. The show was very different than anything that had been done for children before.

Alas, the show has changed. Segments on the street are longer; the muppets and characters have been toned down, made much "cuter." Any edge the show used to have is gone. Bert and Ernie are shown in - gasp - claymation, if you can believe it. Many of my old favorite characters are still there - Oscar, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Gordon & Susan, Luis & Maria, Bob - but they've aged. And the writing is very different.

But I'm not here to whine about changes in the 'hood. I'm more interested in congratulating the show for its longevity. My youngest brother had a Sesame Street village by Fisher Price - Little People in the shape of the main characters (including Mr. Hooper) all living on Sesame Street. He got it the year it came out, and my girls loved playing with it nearly 30 years later.

There's something to be said for a show that can change with the times. Maybe the street has been a victim of a bit of urban renewal; maybe the characters are a bit too "cute" for my taste. Kids are still entertained; kids are still learning.

Rock on, Sesame Street. May you entertain children for another 40 years. Don't tell me I can't teach ...

Ignorance is Bliss

Headline today: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Morena Baccarin

I'm guessing there are more than five.

Bad Day

You know it's a bad day when even curling up with my Friday People magazine doesn't make it go away.

Yucky day ... go away ... fun plans tonight ... hope that helps ...

Names

I don't have any problem with women doing whatever they want to do. But it does seem odd that in countries like China and Russia, keeping one's name after marriage is the norm. Here, I think people like to use my married name to put me in my place - only "uppity" women keep their own name.

For me, it's just about who I am. I know I'm married - that's all that matters.

Here's the word from a CNN contributor - a writer from Oprah.com. And dare you doubt Oprah?

I'm such an '80s girl

I came of age in the 1980s; it's obvious in so many ways. It explains why, when I'm not listening to NPR, I have a penchant for listening to one of four oldies stations, those that play hits from the '60s, '70s, and '80s.

I heard this story on NPR one day, all about how the soundtrack of your life is set between the ages of 14 and 21; after that, you are closed down to appreciating new music. It is so true - I used to think I was cool, listened to hip music. But now, with few exceptions, I cannot listen to anything that plays on current Top 40 radio (much to the chagrin of my children).

The other day I was listening to my favorite local radio station: WJEF 92 FM, student-run radio, which broadcasts from the basement of Jefferson High School. They play not only oldies, but obscure oldies. Those other stations have the same stuff on ultra-heavy rotation (Eagles, Peter Frampton, CCR). But, really, who else plays Flock of Seagulls, Spandau Ballet, Herb Alpert, the 5th Dimension, Joni Mitchell, Sweet, the Kinks, Spanky & Our Gang, The English Beat, Spiral Staircase, Glen Campbell, and "Winchester Cathedral" - all on the same station?

This is what I heard yesterday in the car - must call up the iTunes account.