Autumnal haze

Day 423

I really enjoy cold and rainy days like today, even if the day's actual events were not so enjoyable. Suffice it to say, I've just come off an unplanned 12 hour shift due to the oh-so-appropriate timing of some teenagers with a malfunctioning iPhone. I'm not terribly upset about it, though--and in fact I'm in a reasonably good mood. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly why, but I'm not in the habit of cursing my good luck these days.

There's something about the weather lately that has had a remarkably positive effect on my mood. I feel it's been so warm and humid for so long that these chilly, forlorn days seem so alien and fascinating. It puts a spring in my step. If I could live in some utopian autumnal paradise for all time, I think I could die happy. I feel more awake and alert in the chill. It's that perfect temperature just before it gets too cold to be comfortable. It's not so cold that I can't still wear reasonably normal clothing. The temperature today is also highly appropriate for my long, shaggy hair and beard. Under normal circumstances I'd get a little sweaty and itchy. It's my favorite kind of hairstyle and it's just the right weather for it now.

I feel like my inner thoughts have been changing lately--like my thought patterns are headed in different directions than usual. I find myself more concerned with the efficiency of my actions in day to day life and in my interactions with others. I find myself trying to accomplish things as slowly and effectively as is reasonably possible under the circumstances. It is at this leisurely pace that I find myself becoming comfortable with living. It's probably inaccurate to say the sudden change in weather is responsible for this shift in my mood, but it's certainly a contributing factor.

Although I've felt full of energy for the majority of this day, I'm finally starting to feel a tinge of weariness from the long day. I wanted to do some shopping tonight but considering how late I had to stay at work, it's understandable I decided to postpone it. I want to buy a few things to clean around the house. I don't know why I've ignored the impulse so many times in the past, but it's painfully obvious just how much having a clean house improves my mood. It's been a pretty silly mistake to abandon that desire to clean for so long.

I'm definitely in a strange mood tonight, but it's not an unpleasant one. I can only hope my resolution to get the house clean will remain tomorrow after a good night's rest.