It’s not every day that the federal government enacts legislation
that actually affects me on a daily basis, and when it does, it’s
usually something I don’t like. But Democrat or Republican, we can all
give thanks for the extended Daylight Saving Time, which began this
morning at 2 a.m.
So thank you, federal government, for making spring come a little
earlier this year. And thanks for extending summer, too, in October.
As much as I love Milwaukee, there are about two months each year that
leave me wondering why I live here. It usually starts in mid
January and wraps up toward the end of March. You know, that time
of the year when it’s cold, dark, and there’s no football or holiday
season to pass the time.
I’ve always thought it was a cruel joke that the time of the year when
we need the most sunlight is also the time when the days are the
shortest. In fact, I’d love to see Daylight Saving Time all year
long, with “Super Daylight Saving Time” enacted in the summers.
But I guess that would be a party foul against nature, now wouldn’t
it? Beggers can’t be choosers, so I’ll just be satisfied with
this extension.
It’s a win-win situation, really. It saves energy by reducing the need
for artificial lighting until later in the evening (yeah, it’s darker
in the morning, but that’s just an excuse to sleep a little later). And
get this: studies have shown a small decrease in traffic fatalities and
violent crime during DST.
I guess I’m not the only one in a better mood when it’s not pitch black at 4 p.m.
So call it trivial, if you must. But it least looks more like
winter is coming to an end when it’s still light at 7 p.m. And
that temperature of 58 degrees today didn’t hurt, either.
Make sure to update your cell phones, replace the batteries in your
smoke detector and check the melting snow in your garden.
Underneath you just might find some tulips getting ready to do their
thing -- spring has sprung, Milwaukee.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
