The Drive Home

My first day back in the office after a month of working from home as I convalescence. I expected that I might have to leave early, but I didn't.

Thus began my long commute home. It was the best commute of my life in so many ways.

2013/51 A Day of Work

I don't typically go into the office on Thursday's. But my boss asked if I would attend a meeting from 4-9pm this evening. Our team loves our boss so our whole agreed to give up our night, not just tonight, but tomorrow (Friday) night too. Sad but true.

Since I was going to be working late, I decided I could go into the office at my convenience which today meant 10:14am. I expected traffic to be light. And while it could be considered light for California, the freeway was filled with drivers who had no real place to be or had no desire to get there.

Thankfully we accomplished more tonight than anticipated. Tomorrow's late night meeting has been officially cancelled. I love my boss!

2013/35-36 Coming Out of the Fog

Yesterday passed just like the weekend, too quickly. Before I knew it, it was evening and I had nothing to really show for it, but a dozen reports for work that are due at the end of the week.

It was Brie's first day of school. Spring semester has finally officially begun which hopefully means no more late nights and more evenings like this. What is it about the college years that makes all kids turn into vampires. I admit, I was no different.

It was only by the grace of God that I arose in time to head out to the office this morning. I awoke at 2:14am after a tossing and turning most of the night. Then again around 4ish. A short time later, I took another look at the clock to see how much time I had left. I was taken by surprise when the time showed 5am.

The work day wasn't much different than any other so far this year. So much so that I didn't leave for lunch until right before noon. I know it's silly but I hate going to lunch at noon. I'd rather go early and avoid the crowds. I wasn't able to get my writing in as I had hoped either.

The day was grey, but not gloomy if that makes any sense, and most of all cold. Really cold. Okay, cold for Southern California cold. On the way home, I was looking for a break in the sky, some blue and gold coming through the clouds, but they were too dense this evening.

Let There Be Light

It was a gloomy drive to work and on top of that, I spilled coffee on my white pants all because I didn't listen to that little voice of mine telling me not to use my cute but curvy cup from Venice.

I was afraid that I would come home to be a bump on the log since I didn't get a good night's sleep last night so I headed off to lunch with my laptop in hand hoping to do a little writing. I was disappointed to learn upon arrival that my laptop had no charge left in the battery and I didn't bring my power cord.

Still, it was a good day at work, but there wasn't a shot worth taking until I pulled up to a gorgeous yellow school bus on the drive home. It was the perfect golden yellow, clean and shiny. At first I thought I was on the wrong side of the sun, but I couldn't resist. I framed up my phone, click. Inched my car up a bit, click. Inched it up again and that's when I saw it...the perfect light, click. I was just getting ready to take another shot when the light changed.

No matter, I thought I got the shot. As I crossed the intersection, I suddenly remembered that I had changed the "film" on my phone to B&W. I was deflated. There was no way B&W could capture the look I was hoping for.

As I drove into the garage, I saw my redemption. The light was streaming onto the console of my mom's car. Oh, so lovely!

My first photo of the bus, proved I was right. B&W ruined it.

But then redemption...while it was different than I imagined when I took the shot, I still love it.

Joy in My Heart

Woke up 40 minutes late, traffic on the five was a bear, forgot my glasses, forgot my sweater, but I had the joy of Jesus in my heart. Besides that, I got 40 minutes extra sleep and got a beautiful view of the sunrising.

Ended the day with a little treat :)

Retrospect

It was a good day, from start to finish.

Made good time out the door.

The sky was extra beautiful.

I could see and feel the glory of God all around.

I wasn't even nervous about my pending doctor appointment and I finally drove up to this building that is always reflecting light for a close up.

And stopped on the way in to take a photo of the sight that greets me when I first walk into our office.

The view from my office gave me hope.

She looked bored so I had to stop to take her picture and then give her some loving.

A delish dinner after the doctor appointment.

And beautiful skies on the way home to end the evening.

God is good. All the time!

Routine

Perfect drive into work this morning. It was a shame that I had to go inside.

Catching Up

I knew I was going to be tired so instead of working from the comforts of home, I dragged myself out of bed at precisely 5:03am to go into the office. I was afraid I wouldn't be so productive from home and on the day before a two week vacation, productivity is very important. The traffic on the way in was typical Friday light. It was a good day at work, a horrible commute home. Now the countdown begins.

A New Point of View

My first official day in our new office was met with a most gorgeous sunrise. For most of May, the cloud cover did a job on the sun, but today there was nothing impeding the rising sun. This is now my new view on the last leg of my journey.

Let it Shine

Proof that light makes most anything beautiful

The Sunrise Made Me Do It

Normally I don't go to the office on Wednesday but today was an exception because the managers were going to get a sneak peek of the new office. Curiosity got the better of me and since there really isn't a good reason for me to go in tomorrow, I thought I would go in today instead of tomorrow.

I got off on a little late start because I was trying to get some pictures of rim light. After take a few shots, I realized I was setting up side lighting, not top lighting. Oh well.

The sunrise was gorgeous, so much so, that I got a little distracted and ended up missing the exchange to the 57.

That little mistake, added to the fact that I had already left 5 minutes later than normal, cost me 20 minutes. I still got in before 7am so I was good.

Upon arriving I found that we were to get our pictures taken for our name badges for the new office...no exceptions. Good thing it was a good hair day.

At 11:30am sharp we met in front of my bosses office to head over to the new office. Right now I have a nice cube way in back where very few come bother me. In the new office, I'm moving up in the world and will once again have an office of my own...with a view no less.

While on one hand, I won't deny it is exciting, on the other hand, it's an office...at work so my head will be turned away from the view for most of the day. My feet are on the ground.

I'm mostly excited about the chairs because right now the chair situation at work is pretty pathetic. Most are no longer adjustable, some are tilted forward so you feel as though you are going to do a face plant straight into the floor. It'll be nice to have brand new furniture.

After lazing around for almost two hours, I finally got up and took a few pictures around the house. Right now, this is what I have in my heart.

May Gray

The sun was already supposed to making its appearance when I left the house this morning at 5:45am. But it was a gray day. Not a speck of yellow, red or blue could be seen in the sky.

I thought the deal was that if I got up early to drive into work, I was supposed to be rewarded with a beautiful sunrise.

I left the house 10 minutes earlier than normal, but I hit a pocket of traffic that ate away my lead. On top of that I arrived at work only to find that I forgot the breakfast and lunch I had packed. Instead of being early, I ended up running a little late.

As I was walking to lunch, I got two calls, the second from a very unhappy client that resulted in me turning around and going back to the office to resolve the issue. Luckily I was able to make a few things happened and I rewarded myself by leaving for lunch a second time at which I, again, received another call, but this time was able to order and finish my meal.

I was exhausted by the time I got home. She looked like I felt.

And with that I say "goodnight!"

The Drive

I got up exactly six minutes early with the intention of stopping on the way to work to capture the rising sun bouncing off a few buildings. I know that wasn't much time, but it was the best I could do. Alas, I was foiled by the rain and, even worse, the dark gray skies.

While slaving away in the office, the skies cleared up, making for a beautiful, albeit congested drive home.

How I wish the skies would stay this blue forever.

Did I mention the commute was congested? No problem, I was able to snap away.

By the time I got home, I just wanted to lay on the couch and nap the night way. After all, I did get up exactly 6 minutes early. But I got a second wind. So glad I did because the evening sky was more than worth it.

Tired Tue Day

I go into the office on Tuesdays. Today was no exception. It's not that I don't like to go in, it's the waking up so early that I don't like. Doesn't help that since the beginning of the year, I can't seem to go to bed at a reasonable hour. 

The commute wasn't bad. It generally isn't when you're on the freeway before 6am. Still, no matter how early, I can't tire of the morning sky.

A pack of electrical towers.

The 55 South to the 405 South exchange. The exit for work is just ahead. I love how I captured the side rail in the rear view mirror. The pictures from my car are pure look. I keep my eyes on the road, just hold the phone up, snap and hope for the best. I've learned to gauge when I need to snap.

It's the first night in a long time that I didn't take any evening pictures. I was tired and it was nice to just hang out with Brie, even if we were just being lazy bums on the couch. I needed that.

A Typical Day To, From and In the Office

The day started early, woke up at 4:42, happy that I had 18 more minutes to sleep or lay in bed...whichever! Still the alarm startled me and I jumped out of bed so I could leave the house in time. I'm not the kind who wants to do a lot before I leave for the day so I have just 45 short minutes to get ready to go.

I was greeted with the promise of a beautiful sunrise and, oh my goodness, I still need to get my windshield cleaned.

The moon was still out and about. I was hoping to get some of the hills in the shot, but I just put my phone up to the window and hoped for the best...had to keep my eyes on the road.

It was smooth sailing the whole drive in. It's the one reason I get up and out so early.

The day was uneventful. I got a lot done and happily all but one of my meetings were cancelled. Sometime during the day, renderings of our new office were put up in the hallway. We're moving in May 2012. I would have taken more pictures, but each time I would walk by someone would come up and I didn't want to feel like a weirdo. I don't mind taking picture of oddball stuff when no one I know is around because I'll never see them again so who really cares.

Seems like this whole year the sky has been filled with big puffy clouds. Today was no exception. As I came back from lunch I ended up parking in a completely different area so I could get this picture. Who wants to go back to work when it looks like this outside? Luckily I like my job, so back inside I went.

When I left for the day, I found a benefit of the back of the building, airplanes coming in for their landing! Since we are right next to the airport, we're within the flight path of airplanes coming in for landings. How could I not have seen this before. I was one minute too late to take the photo of the day as a s twin engine plane soared in. I waited for what seemed like 5 minutes for another plane to come down, but nothing. Mindful that every minute that passed just meant a longer commute home, I finally left with nothing to show for my trouble.

The traffic stunk on the way home. There were three accidents so it was pretty slow the whole trip. I was able to get some more pictures in. I started with some more planes coming in. With the clouds in the sky, you would see the planes coming from miles away, their silver bodies glistening in the white masses.

Made a note to self that next time I'm in the office, I am going to get pictures of the planes coming in.

Just for something to do as we crawled along.

Not the best shot, but not bad considering traffic started flowing as I put the camera up and quickly snapped.

Me talking to Matthew.

I thought it was a good hair day.

It was unseasonably cool. Was thinking this might be my last cup of hot cocoa of the season.

Just in case I added a little whip and chocolate jimmies.