a beauuuuutiful day in tucson

it's gorgeous here today. honestly. clear blue sky, nice breeze, gentle sun. i feel as if i've come through a hard winter and i'm seeing the sun for the first time in months.

actually, tucson's summer is a lot like how i remember new york's winter (just substitute icy, snowy, cold, and blustery for hot in the following): it's so hot you don't want to leave the house; you're depressed because 1) you don't leave the house and 2) it's so uncomfortably hot; and everyone talks about the weather like it's a surprise to them (e.g. "it's a hot one today.")

plus, i remember when it started to warm up on the east coast, everyone seemed so happy about it. sidewalk conversations became more animated, women and men walked with a spring in their step, and everyone wore their sunglasses with gusto! everyone seems happy and animated today after a month of me thinking that this town has the collective energy level of a desert tortoise. (or maybe it was just my perception of things because i felt like i was about 110 years old.)

btw: i'm adding links to some friends' tucson blogs if you're interested.