Ahh, October.. deep inhale The trees are beginning to change into a million hues of yellow, orange or red. The squirrels are frolicking around the grass, in a futile quest for buried treasure. The night air is crisp, with a slight scent of firewood burning in a distant fireplace. These are the sights, sounds, and smells of fall.

Unfortuately, these sensory pleasures have been replaced by a blazing white wall of snow, covering the green grass and the green leaves of the stubborn Norway maple in my back yard. Instead of frolicking squirrels, you see people leaning into snowy wind as they walk down the street. The branches of trees, crack and pop, as the wet, heavy snow clings to green leaves and weighs them down. This is the reality of October in Michigan and it sucks! Of course, snow in October brings back some VLS memories. Last year, I received several inches of snow at my apartment in Sharon. (see my blog from October 24, 2005). I don’t like snow in October – I like crisp, clear, calm evenings, not ones with howling winds and blowing snow. ugh..

To make matters worse, I have to leave home at 6am tomorrow and head 175 miles North to the City of Gaylord. The Delta Institute is proposing a carbon sequestration project for working forests to the DNR. My boss is giving the presentation, but I must attend, since I am Delta’s Michigan contact. Plus, if this program is approved, its guarenteed that I’ll lead it, since I have a forestry background and strong knowledge of forest carbon sequestration (thanks to the Marsh fellowship). But, it’s a trip that makes for a very long day.

I spent several hours this afternoon looking over office space. I reviewed an executive suite in a 10 story building downtown. Nice office, with a very cute office manager/receptionist. By the way, I told this to Lisa, and she just rolled her eyes and said, “ah hah.” yeah.. sometimes I just need to keep my mouth shut. Anyway, I also looked at an office within a law firm that specializes in property law, specifically working with developers to redevelop brownfields. I’m guess that my boss will want to come here, since there may be ample opportunity to gain some business. I suppose that I’ll know more tomorrow.

Well, I suppose I should finish up my work this evening and head to bed. Tomorrow morning will come way to early. I should also mention that my classmate Sara Cavin is now employed, having found gainful work with a local land trust. Congratulations Sara! Slowly, but surely, the MSEL class of 05 is hitting the working world.

tp