September 21, 2009
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The Magic Hour Disappears
I was working from home today and thought I would check out the neighborhood again in the morning. It didn't quite feel the same even though I wasn't that late. Then it struck me - it's a workday. Like a quiet and meek creature, this elusive morning magic hour defers to the noisy and brash work day. The coffee shop was quiet and I was the only person sitting inside. I had the morning paper with me and picked the business section to read. It seemed appropriate for the mood. There were people going in and out - all getting coffee to go.
Cars raced down the street, darting in and out of lanes just to get to work. Cyclists thread their way through growing volume of traffic, some without helmets. I noticed one cyclist with a mug of coffee in one hand.
The streetcar stop across the street already had half a dozen people waiting. I quickly finished the morning paper as my somewhat Puritan work ethic started to get restless. I held off a bit longer to read a few pages of a book I brought along. But the magic was gone. It was an abrupt end. When I left the coffee shop, the somewhat cool morning air had warmed up already. A very stuffed streetcar rumbled to a halt. It can't take in all the passengers. An elderly Asian man yelled angrily at the streetcar as it slowly pulled away.My mind is already planning my first call of the day as I walked home. I weave in and out of some dog droppings in the sidewalk. I guess these workday dog walkers are different.
Oh well - I think I'll just have to create my own magic.
Comments (20)
And I know what that call is going to be about!! I know you can make your own magic.
You created magic with this...I could almost smell the fumes and dog droppings! I'm sure that's a good thing somehow
I really enjoy your writing, it brings alive your world to me...'Til The Next
We do create our own magic each day and each moment of the day. I feel I do than when I really hear what people are saying and see what others may only look at. It is a strange time of night for me. I am not usually up this late any more. I jus came in from the porch after listening to my owl start his hooting and hunting for the night.
My street is still pretty dead at 7AM. It's a pleasant walk, especially this morning -- it was raining!
Go to Hogwarts for proper training! *wink*
I can imagine the main character (aka Matt) acting in this whole scenario...just like a scene in a Canto soap opera - "Working From Home Today". It's nice that you can do 'tele-commuting' at least once a week?
Nice entry... I felt like I was there, hehe.
This entry as well as the other one about the morning is perfectly times. I'm reading a book from the early 60s about urban planning, Jane' Jacobs The Death And Life Of Great American Cities. Still considered a must-read in that field, Jacobs talks about how the success of a park or street or neighborhood depends upon there being many different people who use the space in different ways at different times throughout the day. This not only makes it interesting, but it makes the space safe because there are that many more eyes on the space. Fascinating read.
Magic hours remain in my dreams...to bad....
four more days!
Lesson learned: rush hour ruins everything
that was a nice flip side to the other blog about your morning. not every day can be happy and brilliant.
i've stopped waking up early, and now i'm waking around 10am. i miss waking up early. i'll try to do it soon
i think if you get up early enough on a weekday, everything is still very quiet and you can find that magic hour. i've been having to run early in the morning because of class, and it's amazing how few cars and people are out and about at 6:30 in the morning. then again, i suppose weekend mornings come to life much more gradually and slowly than weekday mornings, so there is more time to enjoy the peace and quiet.
@ZSA_MD - I need a magic wand.
@GracePrince - oh gosh, I wish I hadn't described the dog doo doos... that was the last thing I wanted anyone to visualize.
@Fatcat723 - ah yes. I remember you used to post at midnight or 1 minute past midnight. It's getting harder for me to stay up late as well.
@upandoutward - I'm glad your street was still quiet at 7. My street is getting fairly active at that time.
@ZenPaper - hahahaha... only if Harry was there to teach me personally.
@CurryPuffy - if I don't have any meetings, I will try to work from home. But it's pretty noisy in my neighborhood and the unit above me is still going through renovations. So it can be a hassle sometimes.
@mmmagination - I thought I saw you when I was walking.
@christao408 - yes, she's a hero to a lot of folks here in Toronto. I have lived in suburbs for a long time and also in the heart of the city for about 10 years now. Despite the hassles of living in the city, I really enjoy it. I think urban planners can do a lot to add more to the heart and soul of the city.
@agmhkg - I hope your dreams come true.
@yang1815 - 4 more days? Vegas?
@TheCheshireGrins - yeah... just like a mean ogre.
@stepaside_loser - yeah, it was different alright - the flip side, I like that.
@kunhuo42 - I really admire your dedication to get up so early and run.
Our area is quite the crazy area in the morning eh! I really HATE our streetcars and how BIG they are but can barely fit that many. People are always so tense on them because they are so narrow and people are bumping into each. Btw, which coffee shop were you at? Perhaps I'll stalk you sometime! Hahaha!
@brooklyn2028 - Those streetcars can be a pain when they are crowded. I have to lug my laptop bag and I don't know how many folks I've hit. I like the newer buses though.
You'll find me at Starbucks, White Squirrel or Balzacs (on Sunday mornings when I swing by the farmers market). There's a new one that opened down the street that I want to try. But I know you're too busy to even have a cup of coffee. hahaha...
You know what. I will totally take you up on your offer for a coffee one day. Best time is evenings for me on weekdays.
@ElusiveWords - four more days til the weekend magical morning!!!
I still love the quiet of the mornings,, with or without others to view
and wonder about. I'm one of those who will take off and walk
a long cemetery, or into a museum alone. Just to absorb that
silent "me" time....
be well, *~matthew~*
@bleuzeus - I like quiet solitude too. I hope you had a great day.
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