I've never been a big fan of autumn. Growing up, it meant the time to start football practice, and all I remember about that is running laps, sweating, grunting, and drinking water from a dirty hose. I just wanted it to be over. Unfortunately, I've carried that bias against this season for years.

New Englanders love New England, and they love to tell you why. It's an endearing quality that that amazes me every time I encounter it.

I expected to get confused and turned around when I moved to a new part of the country. I just didn't expect that I would be so pathetic in the very first hour.