Daylight Stealings.

It wasn't so long ago that I don't remember. Only about a week or so ago. I'd leave work. Step out into the fading sunshine of the day.. soaking it in. I would hop on my bus and hope to catch a seat on the right side so I would be able to see the view of Lake Michigan to the east. Many days there would be a gorgeous sunset over the water reminding me of all things happy and wonderful. I would get off the bus and walk home in the twinkling last moments of the days light. It was a much loved part of my day and aided in lessening the monotony of my daily commute.

Last Monday, but a week ago tomorrow, I had a very unpleasant surprise. As I passed by one of the many large windows that surround my 12th floor office I noticed that it was very very dark outside for 430. In Fact it was almost as dark as it is at night. Now, I have always disliked daylight "savings". The idea that we think we can tell the sun what time it is by "springing forward" or "falling back" has always angered me. And for a person who does NOT like change.. deliberately switching the clock on the world simply to add another element for our already confused bodies to adjust to and our overly taxed minds to reconcile with has been a source of great frustration. Luckily, being an Arizona resident for the majority of my life I haven't been directly burdened with this idiotic idea that the rest of America is forced to accept.

So that day, nearly one week ago, when i realized that daylight "saving" not only messed with the time my clock said, but with a beloved and joyous time of my day... I became angry.

One co-worker mentioned the darkness outside and I jumped on the opportunity to voice my own passionate opinion.
"Don't even get me started on daylight savings! I mean I think it is so stupid! Who are you saving daylight for!? not me! not the average working joe 9-5er. I mean, I used to have sunlight and now I don't! It got stolen.. Daylight savings?! SAVINGS! who are they saving it for? Farmers back in the 1900's? Um, hello, why can't they just wake up at a different time then they can just do their work when they want and not bother me. It just makes no sense! The sun doesn't set in the summer until 9pm and then we switch it up in the winter so it sets at 4pm? No wonder so many people get seasonal depression! Goodness, its not a wonder the ENTIRE STATE isn't on suicide watch during the months of Jan. & Feb! daylight savings, i mean, really, who are we kidding."
At this point my face is flushed and my two co-workers are staring at me in an awed disbelief probably thinking that their normal docile coworker has already lost it. Poor Arizona Amy... cracked and its only the first week of November. One co-worker finally squeaks out, "wow, Amy... I've never seen you get so worked up about something. I mean you're all red! I don't think I've ever seen you so passionate about something." I let out another low huff like a horse that just bucked off its rider. Then my other coworker perks up and says with devious smile, "I like this Amy!" I sat there for a moment letting my rage slowly slip away. occasionally muttering things about stupid farmers, and "what about MY sunlight" until finally 5pm rolls around and it is time to go.

I pack up. Go downstairs and wait for my bus on the lamp lit streets. When my bus comes I hop on. Sit in any seat. Ride home and try to figure out where I am..being completely thrown off with out having light outside to help me. Climb off the bus at my stop. Walk home in the dark and reminisce about the days when the sun danced over the waters of lake Michigan and when winter's icy hand hadn't stolen my daylight.

Nearly a week later I have come to the one small but promising silver lining to this daylight stealings crap.... commuting home when the Christmas lights on Michigan Ave (magnificent mile) get turned on. :) because that just sounds fabulous!