A Long Lost Friend

It's been too long since I enjoyed the sunset. It was like seeing a long lost friend, the kind where you easily pick up from where you last left.

2013/305 Especially Majestic

From the moment I pulled out of the driveway, I was spellbound.

The evening skies were especially majestic. It lifted my heart to the heavens.

Everything I Had

It was supposed to be a team leadership summit. It was decided to include an overnight camping trip as part of our team building experience.

I was really looking forward to it. I've been missing the ocean so much.

The thought of falling asleep to the sound of crashing wave.

Gathering around a campfire and roasting marshmallows was something I couldn't wait to do.

Watching both the sunset and the sunrise in the beauty of the outdoors made me so excited.

But the night before, my back was hurting. It didn't feel any better in the morning as it usually does.

It took everything I had to be out there, moving through the pain, letting others do things for me.

But I needed to go. I needed to stand out in front of the ocean, watching the waves come forth and just as quickly retreat.

I needed to put my feet into the ocean and feel God's mercy and grace wash over me.

I needed to live.

Keep Shining on Me

Don't know if it was the panic attack I think I had on Tuesday or knowing of the assault on several people by a homeless woman near our office, but Austin didn't hold quite the same magic for me this second time around. So glad I stayed at the Omni even if I learned two days later that our CEO issued an edict that we were no longer to stay there. At least I can honestly say, I never got that memo.

My strength came back in time for my flight to Jackson which was a good thing because the flight to DFW was over 45 minutes late. Not a good thing when the connecting time was only an hour in the first place.

The tram going in the direction which I needed to go wasn't working which meant an extra 10 minutes riding in the loop from terminal C to terminal B.

Thankfully, I was able to move at a decent pace. I arrived at my departing gate just as they were making the last call for me. I was told in no uncertain terms that I needed to hurry as though it was my fault that I arrived there just 5 minutes before the scheduled departure time. That didn't stop me from clicking my camera one more time before I stepped into the plane.

The rest of the trip could not have been easier. We landed a little early. There were no lines at the car rental counter. My bag was one of the first on the belt and I was able to pull it off, all by myself.

Driving west towards Vicksburg was easier than I remembered.

The setting sun did not disappoint.

Of course as I exited the highway for the last leg of my journey, I had to stop at Sonic to get my fix.

It did my heart good to see family at the end of the day.

All Aboard

It's not Union Station, but still it's a good go to place for people watching and picture taking.

Today did not disappoint.

Around the Block

It's been almost a month since I've gone out shooting. Haven't had the energy, felt the desire, it's been too hot, life has gotten in the way. Since heat wasn't an issue today, I made myself go out for a walk after work with my iPhone in hand.

I wasn't hopeful that I would find much to photograph, but...

an amazing thing always happen when you head out at the golden hour on foot with a camera in hand.

The ordinary becomes...

extra-ordinary.

Before I knew it, an hour had passed.

 and I felt exhilarated and alive again.

 I forgot that there is beauty all around,

even in our little neighborhood park.

It may not be Italy,

Boston,

 or found anyway on a top 50 list of places you must travel to before you die,

but if you get out and walk around your block, you just might be surprised.

The Desert Sun

Headed out to Palm Desert to see our Baby Love. The setting sun was spectacular,

...especially since we enjoyed it with the top down.

Thursdays are the Hardest

Thursday's are the hardest for me. By the end of the day, I'm tired from getting up so early, even if it's only twice a week. This week is was three times and I can feel it. Doesn't help that I keep going to bed so late.

I was trying to finish up a project for my boss today so I worked through lunch. I brought a sandwich with me so around 1:30ish I was close to finish and rewarded myself with a quick coffee. It was so good to get out of the office, even if it was just for 15 minutes. When I come in so early, I need to take a break or else I feel like I've been in a cave all day.

As I was out, I saw a small engine plane coming in for a landing. It seemed to be a busy day for planes coming in.

Although I am excited about the move to the new office, I was sad that I would miss the sight of the planes coming in for the landing.

I was tired and hungry so I texted Brie, asking her if she wanted go to Frisco's for dinner. "Yea!", she texted back.

Made the mistake of eating ALL of my chicken sandwich when I normally eat half and most of my fries. It was just so darn tasty. Even now I'm still regretting it. I must never ever do that again.

Once again, the curtains caught my eye.

 I loved how I could see the yellow of the sun peeking through. I had to go outside and see the whole thing.

In Search of Sunshine

It was another grey day today. At times a slight drizzle fell. I almost wished for rain so the blue skies would come. But nothing changed. I stayed home at lunch, trying to hold fast to my resolve to reduce my spending.

By five o'clock I decided to hunt for sunshine. I headed towards Huntington Beach not intent on doing anything but seeing if the skies had broken in the West. While it wasn't all sunny skies, it wasn't a dreary gray either.

At first I wasn't going to get out of the car and then I looked around and there was no one there! I could park pretty much anywhere I wanted. I quickly turned the car around, filled the parking meter with $3.00 for two hours and headed towards the water.

Morning and Evening

I woke up at 5:41am this morning and for a moment thought about dragging myself out of bed to watch the sunset. Instead I went back to bed for another 49 minutes. I consoled myself by walking around the backyard enjoying the fresh morning air.

After a long day of work, I headed out to get some exercise. There weren't as many clouds as the evening before, but still it was beautiful. First up, a stop at Fullerton train station. I love how I can get so ridiculously close to the trains.

Then continued walking around downtown Fullerton. Was going to make a stop at Starbucks, but it closed early.

 Saw a pack of cigarettes outside a window that had a sign that smoking was not allowed within 25 feet. It struck me as funny...and then I thought it was a photo op.

Ended the evening in Brea and as I drove home, couldn't resist stopping to get a few more pictures of the night sky.