Autumn

work. school.  Sam.  those are the only three things i have been writing about lately it seems.  seriously.  so, this is a non-WSS related entry!  (ok, it was inspired by Sam, and the background has to do with work, and it's about being at a school, but that's the only similarity!)

i was sent on a minion-mission by Bertrand  to procure a book from the UBC library.  he and Grumpypants have a three week trial where they need this book to cross-examine an expert witness.  the mission not only included a jaunt out to Point Grey, but the book was actually a resident of the biomedical library at VGH (who knew VGH had a library?).  the task was simple:  apply for a library card at the UBC campus library, and then head to VGH and take out the medical textbook from the biomedical library.  basically, criss-cross town in a cab and bring back a heavy, medical tome.  and make sure it's the right one.

i wanted to pick a nice, fall day, one where i could truly enjoy my "field work".  one of those bright, crisp, sunny autumn days that i live for, where i grabbed a coffee, sat on a bench and watched the young, fresh-faced and still idealistic students cross back and forth in front of me on their way to wherever they were needed next.  too bad YVR's been socked-in with fog for the past week.  Grumpypants lived up to his name on Monday when he said to me, "I thought you were getting the book on Friday?  I need it to prep for cross this week."  so, on a foggy, misty Monday, i set off in my yellow chariot to UBCity.

there's a reason why i chose SFU over UBC - i could actually travel from one end of campus to the other, without having to take a rest or water break.  UBC is huge and winding and it's always scared me a little.  my taxi driver must have sensed my hesitation because he dropped me off at the bookstore, pointed me in a vague direction and said, "East Mall is that way."  (Note: there was construction so he couldn't take me any further than where he dropped me off, but still!).

i did the only thing i could do:  i faked it until i maked it.  okay, not really.  i just walked until i saw a "You Are Here" sign, and i knew it would point me in the direction of the main library.  it did.

i was definitely regretting sending my phone in for repairs, though.  the campus is filled with deciduous trees and at this time of year, you get the best of both words - the trees still hold most of their leaves but have started carpeting the ground with the best of the fall colors.  as i walked the short distance to the library, i discretely kicked my way through the piles of red and orange leaves that had accumulated near the fountain, and that were being blown around by an industrial-strength leaf blower.  i couldn't help myself; despite my need for the battery on my phone to stay charged (and knowing full-well that the battery couldn't hold a charge to begin with), i took a few shots of the leaves, pirouetting over the grass and onto a pile for the compost.

i can see how they could be seen as a pain - the raking and the bagging and the composting, only to be done again when the trees continue to molt a few days later.  i'm sure homeowners and other people who have to deal with autumn foliage are dreading the end of October and the beginning of November, when the rain and windstorms kick up and the remaining dead leaves are blown into gutters, into sewer grates, plugging drainage systems, and forcing wet, soppy leaves into places they were never meant.

but for now, they are still a thing of beauty, something to be gazed upon and admired.  the reds and yellows and oranges bringing life and color to an otherwise gray and dull, nearly-winter landscape.  at this time of year if you were to ask me what my favorite color was, i'd say "Autumn".