On Tuesday, I looked out my front window around sunset to see a flutter of yellow leaves dancing on air. Picture-perfect autumn.

Tonight Erika is coming over to brew some vanilla maple tea, bake some pumpkin pies, and finally talk about Memoirs of a Geisha. It just sounds so chilly and seasonal that I want to plant rust and red and gold mums to compliment that feeling.

I have a weakness for the perfect setting.

Last Sunday Laine caught me wondering how I'm going to end up paying taxes once I move to DC. Since, technically, I'm still employed in Massachusetts, am I going to have to pay Massachusetts state tax? And just how is DC taxed anyway? Don't our federal taxes just pick up the tab for that little diamond-shaped patch o' land?

She humored me for a while and then reeled me in. "Kristen, you're worrying right now about the taxes that you won't have to figure out until April of 2002."

I think Todd would have said something about carts and horses again.

And don't even get me started on Congressional representation.

What are you senselessly pontificating?