There is only one consolation for waking up at 5:30 in the morning to go swimming. The local Woodstock radio station has a feature every morning called “Almanac.” I love listening to it as I drive to the pool. It starts with some NPR-esque piano music, and then a man with a very soothing yet bumpy voice takes about five minutes to tell the listening audience about some interesting phenomenon of nature. Monday’s topic was why the coastline gets a sea breeze in the late afternoons (hot air rises from the sand and cool air above the ocean rushes in, but if the prevailing wind is blowing westward, it cancels out the breeze.)
This morning’s almanac was about the year anniversary of Pluto’s downgrade to dwarf planet, and the discovery of other heavenly bodies near Pluto (three billion miles or so away) that may actually be bigger than the icy ball formerly know as the ninth planet in the solar system. I remember this news from a year ago, and I also remember how unsettling it was. The solar system should remain as it was when I learned about it in elementary school: nine styrofoam planets revolving very close to a giant styrofoam sun. There is no room for dwarf planets in this equation, and no talk about how if we keep things to scale and left the sun the size of a tennis ball, Pluto would actually be the size of a pinhead, and a mile away.
Alas, that’s the way things really are, and I’m going to have to accept that life as I know it is bound to change every once and a while. The downgrading of Pluto doesn’t really change the basic facts of who I am, and I’ll soldier through. Likewise, I’m going to be quite alright despite the closing of the bookstore.
Speaking of, thanks for bearing with my odd post yesterday. I hope those of you who had time to read it enjoyed it on some level, and I’m sorry I didn’t warn you ahead of time that I was closing the comments on that one post. For some reason it felt right to do that, as well as reveal my real name. But now, I’m going back to making it all pen namey around here again, mostly because I like the way Aaron calls me Christmas Christmas Tree.
13 responses so far ↓
Aaron // August 15, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Sadly, the “Noelle’s Real Name Spoiler” was already ruined for me by Beej, so it wasn’t much of a shock, but I’m glad I can comment on today’s post to tell you retroactively how much I enjoyed reading yesterday’s. I’m truly sorry to hear about your parents’ store; score one for illiteracy and capitalist greed, I suppose. But it’s nice that you have those memories.
AFA today’s post, I must confess that I may never get over the concept of Pluto’s non-planetness (unintentional rhyme). Just as I will always insist on referring to the mighty Apatosaurus as Brontosaurus.
Finally, and to bring this full circle, while your “real” name is perfectly reasonable, I do enjoy calling you Christmas Christmas Tree, and will probably continue to do so.
nancypearlwannabe // August 15, 2007 at 1:07 pm
If you’d like, I have about 50 or so names I like to call Aaron and I’m totally willing to share with you!
Kirsten // August 15, 2007 at 1:33 pm
when one door closes, another opens. you have the right attitude, and 19 years is a long, successful, amount of time
lizgwiz // August 15, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Yesterday’s post was lovely and sad. I hope you don’t mind that I pictured you and your mother twirling poignantly in the empty store, like Meg Ryan’s character in You’ve Got Mail.
I feel bad that I don’t support the few local bookstores left here as much as I should. They’re not particularly convenient, but I promise to try to make more of an effort!
xsquared // August 15, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I used to work down the street from your parents’ shop, and loved stopping in there after work. It will be missed!
stefanie // August 15, 2007 at 4:00 pm
That was a year ago already?? Man, how time flies.
Like Liz, I also thought of “You’ve Got Mail” when I read yesterday’s post! I wish your parents luck with whatever adventure they choose next in life.
Jarod // August 15, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Poor Pluto! It’s out there orbiting, a single tear rolling down it’s face.
rdl // August 16, 2007 at 3:45 am
I enjoyed both posts, puke and all. and btw come pick up yr. award.
BOSSY // August 16, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Neat. Bossy’s NPR *interesting phenomenon of nature* is actually waking up at 5:30 in the morning.
Kelli // August 16, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Oh I love the idea of a calm, warbly voice telling me why the earth is the way it is.
Also, I totally agree that the whole downgrade of Pluto really upset me. I’m embarrassed to tell you it upset me b/c I liked the rhyme we learned in school to remember the planets:
My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles”
And I was all, well, what am I going to tell MY kids someday? This eager mother just served NINE of something? She served NINE blankety-blanks.
I mean, really scientists. Think of the kids!
Tom // August 17, 2007 at 5:49 am
I liked your post yesterday. It is upsetting though that many businesses are getting pushed out by corporations and big business… and Republicans… I mean, people who really love money more than anything else in the world… not that there’s anything wrong with that… um, well… actually that is really wrong… what was I thinking…? Uh… what I’m trying to say is… hey, look over there! (runs away)
stilettoheights // August 17, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I was very unsettled too about the downgrade….very sad, being able to pin point a moment when history and fact were re-written.
it made me feel old, like a planet, and then I remembered how people must have felt when they added states and what not.
Noelle // August 17, 2007 at 1:07 pm
aaron - that Beej, always giving away secrets… Also, I received the thing you sent me yesterday, and it’s so awesome that as far as I’m concerned, you can call me whatever you want.
npw - likewise, I wouldn’t mind 50 new names for Aaron!
kirsten - thanks! Like my dad says, when a store has 19 years of success, you can’t blame one thing for its closing!
liz - Okay, maybe I do mind that imagery, because I’ve always hated “You’ve Got Mail.” Although, I can see my mother twirling. I like her better than Meg Ryan, though. Hell, I like most people more than Meg Ryan. Also, I do appreciate you going to locals whenever possible. The extra dollar or two you may pay for a book (and remember chains only discount bestsellers!) is more important for the community.
xsquared - what a small world! If you’re still around, I hope you get time to stop by. I’ll be working there on Saturday!
stefanie - I know, I remember the Pluto news like it was yesterday! How funny. I’ll send your wishes to my folks!
Jarod - I like that imagery, a planet crying for its lost status.
rdl - thanks for the award! I totally forgot to work it into this last post, I’ll have to get to it next week!
bossy - it didn’t feel so strange to be up that early in the summer when it was light out, but now that sunrise is after 6AM, it is deeply unnatural.
kelli - That is so true! Someone will have to devise a new acronym. All this change is bad.
Tom - Welcome to the Daily T! I wish that I could blame Republicans for the end of the store, because it would make everything nice and pat with my political beliefs. However, my father is one. (I know, it’s the family shame.)
Siletto - I know, even though Pluto is billions of miles away, and we’ve never even looked at it directly, it feels so real. It’s like everything we know is wrong. Don’t even get me started on how I look back at my religious education…
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