Things I will have to get used to if I live in California

having spent the bulk of my time in the Midwest, i have grown accustomed to the notion that certain conditions are simply facts of life. among these are NASCAR, agriculture, and surprisingly intemperate weather for a region that considers itself "temperate". the weather hits all of the highs and all of the lows throughout the year, and it is a central fact of my life (particularly since my work has started to take me outside) that i have to gird myself appropriately to do battle with the weather on a daily basis. but while spending the last 2 days or so visiting Berkeley, and hearing people complain about the weather if it's in the 50's and raining, it has come to my attention that there are places in the world where the weather is not your enemy. i will almost certainly be living in one of these places within the next 6-9 mos. this is a good thing, isn't it? or is it? i am not entirely sure, but it is becoming increasingly clear to me just how much my weltaunschauung is going to be altered over the next 5-7 years and i am not entirely comfortable with this. while i think it over, i am going to spend some time outside, taking a walk and enjoying the sunshine. without a jacket. and really, it's too bad i didn't bring any shorts.