Feelin' good in the neighbourhood

Next time you find yourself betreading our street in the direction of Sheridan, rollick, look for the Rose in the Tree. It's the kind of odd little phenom I suspect you might like.

Saw our first crocuses today! They're deep golden yellow, located on the north side of the street in the yard abutting the alley, and are just beginning to open. They should be in their glory by the end of the week.

Not much on campus besides some swelling daffodil buds--and fields of mystery flowers! They're also yellow, only less golden and more lemony, with a petal arrangement that reminds me of buttercups. Very low-growing--it almost looks like they were recently exposed when some duff was cleared out. What are they? I don't know, but they made my day last week.

Today the lake effect is massive. It's supposed to be about 10-20 degrees cooler near it than further inland. It was so palpable on my walk to work: A little over a block from campus, I walked into this pool of cool air exactly like walking into a swimming pool. I think I must take my lunch downtown today. Could this be when I finally discover where the construction workers go to eat?

First reactions, second impressions, third time's a charm

Today on the train, I saw a dude with thick black hair in a pseudo-pompadour reading a book and wearing a black leather jacket. There were various little buttons pinned to the chest of it; the first one I noticed was a little sketch of a head wearing a hat with a red slash-circle over it.

First reaction: "That's so cute! It's like he's joined some 80's Appreciation Society!"
Second reaction: "What is he, like 24? Is that his uncle's jacket or something?"
Third reaction: Wanting to stand inches from his ear and whisper "S-S-S-s-s-s...A-A-a-a-a...F-F-f-f-f...E-E-e-e-e...T-t-t...Y-Y-y-y-y..."

(Later, I got a glimpse of the other pins: Buzzcocks and the Undertones!)

At lunchtime, I decided to usher in the new season with a $3 cone from Ben & Jerry's. The guy who worked there had a perfectly appropriate grey-haired hippy look. When he turned toward me, I noticed a HUGE RED SPOT on his forehead.

First reaction: "OMFG, what happened to your HEAD?"
Second reaction: "Y'know, that would probably scab over if you would stop picking at it."
Third reaction: "What herd do you belong to?"

It was only later that I wondered whether or not I had spotted my first Struldbrug.