spring walks and other spring things

i feel it's the first time in my life i sort-of-need to justify why i like spring, instead of just keeping on taking it for granted..
mostly because it's the one season that's in danger of extinction - isn't this a pretty good argument? more and more, it's becoming that elusive time, with vague borders, a smattering of small celebrations, more official than de facto -
- like March 1st, if you're romanian (or bulgarian)

i'll be damned if i explain this thing again for the 4th year running

- or daylight saving time, which here happens faster than in europe, since we clearly are in more need of it. so for 1 week now we've had light for more than 12 hours a day...and of course i've been observing and timing this, as i'm known to do.
the one niggling, springy, detail: while you're still observing it, and recording it, it's clear that it hasn't properly set in yet.

daylight saving night: i went to an actual party! still cold, but there was a whimsy playful air about everything. maybe it's just me wearing rose-tinted glasses.

-then there's the spring equinox...which i never can remember if it's March 20th or 21st, but the whole of facebook reminds me every year, so we're fine.
- oh and there's St Patrick's, though i might be double-biased in this case. but i'm a simple person who associates green with spring and etc. i'm usually a pretty strict (and annoying) observer of the wear-green rule; this year i did it pretty perfunctorily (green earrings: yawn) but, alright, so it's spring.

i don't really mind low temperatures, the snow is almost gone anyway. not quitting my winter coat for the next couple of weeks i guess. it's a bit harder when my parents keep sending me pictures from romania like

this was last month...in the meantime i imagine there are birdlings in the nests and magnolia blooms or something

not to mention my eye-rolling when people on the west coast post pictures of cherry blossoms.

anyway, small steps: i started taking the bus a lot more, instead of the metro. it's like i can't stand being underground much anymore. i just look at people and things with renewed curiosity and greed. guys in t-shirts out in the street, girls in skirts; and funny combinations of big woollen scarf+ open sandal, or sleeveless top +beanie. people drinking their coffees outside, on benches lining the Plateau walls; lots of dogs.

and i've started walking back home sometimes. from my job, on the shortest main route: just under one hour. for now just breathing in and out, listening to generic music in headphones (and probably smiling like crazy, i dunno). i want to take pictures of the newest graffitti and...developments. i keep saying this.

oh, and i forgot my ugly hat somewhere. probably my subconscious was feeling bold or something. i guess hatless it is for the remainder of cold days this year. let's see how it goes.

greetings and salutations :)