It is currently 4:15 in the afternoon, and the sky looks like it belongs in a Victorian coal-mining accident. I understand that the earth rotates and the planet tilts—I took geography—but this does not make the sudden disappearance of the sun at mid-afternoon any less of a civic betrayal.

I was at the Co-op just now, attempting to buy a sourdough loaf, and by the time I reached the checkout, it was pitch black. We have enough trouble in this valley without the sun deciding to take a union-mandated break while I still have three hours of errands left. It is rude. It is disruptive. It makes it impossible to see if the person in the parking lot is actually backing out or just waiting for a sign from the universe.

Winter should have the decency to be bright. The darkness is simply being dramatic.