The weird combination of artificial heat and crisp, fresh coldness has come around again, what with it being early October and all. I’ve started to call this “back to school weather”. Stepping out in the morning, when the day is bright but the sun’s still low enough to be somewhat warm, is just lovely. And a stark reminder of all those times I’ve started a new year at an educational establishment. The worries of the unknown that lies ahead are mitigated by the ability to breathe in freshness and realise that shit ain’t all that bad.
No, I haven’t smacked my head on some blunt heavy object. I had a moment of, well, not clarity… I had a moment of “ooh, that’s nice” and have since tried to cling onto that vague sense of optimism for all it’s bloody worth. I’m still a grump and feel magnanimously oppressed by forces beyond my control; that’s just a fact of life. But the fresh air of a morning that smells like the moment when you step out of the shower is oddly comforting, especially as the changing of the seasons starts to remind you that death is inevitable. Much like a leaf, you too will turn yellow, shrivel up and make your way into the ground.
Oh shit, I nearly lost the optimism there. Let’s claw it back. Somehow. Oh yeah, fresh-from-the-shower smell. It’s the first breath after making the transition from a warm, comforting and even relaxing state into scathing coldness. There’s still the lingering sweet scent and hint of moisture in the air. It’s cool and crisp. That’s what I’m getting at. Come on, work with me here.
That’s all I’ve really got right now. Heck, it’s a lot better than the last few weeks of trying to make cynicism, nihilism and depression somehow interesting.
Presumably, this refers to being left by a partner on a short-term basis as they go off on some excursion, perhaps a conference or weekend away from putting up with you. My own frame of reference has always been significantly narrow on the subject, so thankfully we have this to capture the sentiment for us.
This also gives me hope for the future. Not so much in relationship terms. Bollocks to that. If I end up co-habiting with anybody in the future it’ll be a god-damned miracle. I’m not even sure I’d want to after being solitary for this long anyway. But this isn’t even about that. Instead, this gives me hope that one day, when I’ve saved up and got my stately mansion, I too can spend my days dressed in period clothing and eat pizza off a jousting lance because who’s stopping me. Ah, one day.
The Divine Comedy – How Can You Leave Me On My Own
Jamie Walsh 
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