Showing posts with label sunset. Show all posts
Perhaps thanks to a hybrid of my stress level and the impending winter weather, I've been at odds with public transportation lately. We've hit that apex in the year when buses start to pass you by, because they're already packed full. Or every time I'm ready to leave, the next bus is 25 minutes away. Odds are high, especially on certain routes, that someone will be crazy and someone else will be obnoxious.
I understand the other side of the argument, too. There are no worries about finding a parking spot. If I've had a few glasses of wine, I don't have to be concerned about how I'll get home. Dealing with crazy people operating automobiles is generally more threatening than the crazy guy in the next bus seat.
But there are many moments where I just crave the simplicity of jumping in my car, pulling up in front of the store or gym, and heading inside. Then when I'm ready to leave, my mode of transportation is ready to sweep me away home. I don't have to wait for it to arrive, it doesn't stop every block. The few times that I've driven to work, it was amazing how much time was shaved off of my commute.
There may be some added sensitivity in light of the announcement about increased CTA fares in 2013. My monthly pass is getting hiked up 16% to $100 per month. That's hefty. But unless they're also deciding to stop charging for garage parking in the Loop, you'll continue to see me board the bus every workday.
the air up there \11.20\
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Labels:
clouds,
sky,
sunset,
winter
I understand the other side of the argument, too. There are no worries about finding a parking spot. If I've had a few glasses of wine, I don't have to be concerned about how I'll get home. Dealing with crazy people operating automobiles is generally more threatening than the crazy guy in the next bus seat.
But there are many moments where I just crave the simplicity of jumping in my car, pulling up in front of the store or gym, and heading inside. Then when I'm ready to leave, my mode of transportation is ready to sweep me away home. I don't have to wait for it to arrive, it doesn't stop every block. The few times that I've driven to work, it was amazing how much time was shaved off of my commute.
There may be some added sensitivity in light of the announcement about increased CTA fares in 2013. My monthly pass is getting hiked up 16% to $100 per month. That's hefty. But unless they're also deciding to stop charging for garage parking in the Loop, you'll continue to see me board the bus every workday.
After a day wrought with never-ending rain, we took a gamble and headed for the lakeshore. Something that was once so prominent in my life, Lake Michigan sunsets, has become a rare treat now that I live on the sunrise side of the lake. So during this weekend excursion home, I was intent on getting in at least one sunset in 2012.
Although the weather seemed likely to be a deterrent, it actually created a unique atmosphere for the scene. While the light and color radiating from a sunset usually seems to take up the entire sky, the storm clouds left us peering toward the shores of Wisconsin for a peek. To the south, the orange tones were streaked and blurred with rain. For a couple of short minutes, standing at a vantage point high above the beach, we watched the sun slip through the cloud cover and over the horizon.
I'd be lying if I said this wasn't the typical tone of my Friday nights. After sunset, we made our way back to the house for our rendition of girls' night: a glass of wine, comfy clothes and catching up on life. No shame in being tame.
over the horizon \08.10\
Full View
Labels:
lake michigan,
sunset
Although the weather seemed likely to be a deterrent, it actually created a unique atmosphere for the scene. While the light and color radiating from a sunset usually seems to take up the entire sky, the storm clouds left us peering toward the shores of Wisconsin for a peek. To the south, the orange tones were streaked and blurred with rain. For a couple of short minutes, standing at a vantage point high above the beach, we watched the sun slip through the cloud cover and over the horizon.
I'd be lying if I said this wasn't the typical tone of my Friday nights. After sunset, we made our way back to the house for our rendition of girls' night: a glass of wine, comfy clothes and catching up on life. No shame in being tame.
Once upon a time, back in the beginning of this journey/experiment of mine, I set a "yes" rule. The act of saying yes to whatever opportunities and situations presented themselves was supposed to aid me in making discoveries and decisions. Although I've followed through, I'm realizing that there's a major flaw in my logic.
Much like anything in life, you're likely to miss out on the majority of possibilities if you're waiting for them to come to you. So, it's great to be open-minded and jump on any train that passes by, but my realm of discovery will remain limited. If I really want to open up the floodgates of possibility, it requires being proactive.
The new rule requires me to go after things with gusto, even if I'm not 100% sure that I want them. How often is something going to be a point of no return? How much harm is it to go full throttle and adjust when I realize it's the wrong direction? In my opinion, the point of no return in this context is rare. And the risk of harm is no higher than it was in the career 180 that I pulled in January.
twilight in the park \07.26\
Full View
Labels:
clouds,
neighborhood,
sunset
Much like anything in life, you're likely to miss out on the majority of possibilities if you're waiting for them to come to you. So, it's great to be open-minded and jump on any train that passes by, but my realm of discovery will remain limited. If I really want to open up the floodgates of possibility, it requires being proactive.
The new rule requires me to go after things with gusto, even if I'm not 100% sure that I want them. How often is something going to be a point of no return? How much harm is it to go full throttle and adjust when I realize it's the wrong direction? In my opinion, the point of no return in this context is rare. And the risk of harm is no higher than it was in the career 180 that I pulled in January.
I'm so hot right now that I'm thinking about packing up and moving to northern Canada. Tonight. And, yet, I find myself hyperaware of how grateful I am for the air conditioning in my car and my apartment. There's an extension of the gratitude when I consider that even though I don't have a job, I can still afford to have that car and that apartment.
The initial catalyst for this unconventional journey was to recalibrate and find the life direction that I really wanted. By life direction, I know that I meant job. Looking back on the past six months, and taking into consideration that I still don't really have an answer on the job front, I know that it has been more about personal development.
I've always been inside my own head, sometimes to a detrimental extent. Nearly everything that drifts into my mind is analyzed, correlated and cataloged. Somehow I let myself believe that this meant I knew myself, that I understood my world. It amazes me to see how much there is to learn about myself, though. I've discovered things that I'm far too sensitive about, things that I haven't been nearly appreciative enough about, and things that I've been unnecessarily clinging to.
It's so easy to get caught up in the daily grind, in our patterns, without turning a discerning eye on why we're doing the things we do or if we're on the right track. Don't get me wrong, this has not been the easiest six months of my life. I wouldn't call it a joyride by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, some days it's an uphill battle. But like any experience in life, I know that this stage is giving me necessary experience to reach the next one. Sometimes I just get a little anxious for the next stage to arrive.
rooftop sky view \06.28\
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Labels:
chicago,
clouds,
summer,
sunset
The initial catalyst for this unconventional journey was to recalibrate and find the life direction that I really wanted. By life direction, I know that I meant job. Looking back on the past six months, and taking into consideration that I still don't really have an answer on the job front, I know that it has been more about personal development.
I've always been inside my own head, sometimes to a detrimental extent. Nearly everything that drifts into my mind is analyzed, correlated and cataloged. Somehow I let myself believe that this meant I knew myself, that I understood my world. It amazes me to see how much there is to learn about myself, though. I've discovered things that I'm far too sensitive about, things that I haven't been nearly appreciative enough about, and things that I've been unnecessarily clinging to.
It's so easy to get caught up in the daily grind, in our patterns, without turning a discerning eye on why we're doing the things we do or if we're on the right track. Don't get me wrong, this has not been the easiest six months of my life. I wouldn't call it a joyride by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, some days it's an uphill battle. But like any experience in life, I know that this stage is giving me necessary experience to reach the next one. Sometimes I just get a little anxious for the next stage to arrive.
It seemed fitting to represent my finale with a photo of nature's own. In four weeks I've seen numerous variations of sunsets and the changes in the tide with the phases of the moon. I've traipsed through forests and battled locusts of bees. It's been a long time since I've had the privilege of spending this much time with the natural world. In the course of this journey for peace of mind, I've realized that the beauty of the natural world needs to be more prominent in my life again.
I've made a lot of purposeful explorations into my mind, and even more unexpected ones. This positive, tranquil state of mind makes me feel nothing but hope for the future. The next challenge is holding onto the same mindset in the sunless, Midwest winter. Ah, yes, the challenges never cease.
sunsetting a journey \02.15\
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Labels:
costa rica,
sunset,
travel
It seemed fitting to represent my finale with a photo of nature's own. In four weeks I've seen numerous variations of sunsets and the changes in the tide with the phases of the moon. I've traipsed through forests and battled locusts of bees. It's been a long time since I've had the privilege of spending this much time with the natural world. In the course of this journey for peace of mind, I've realized that the beauty of the natural world needs to be more prominent in my life again.
I've made a lot of purposeful explorations into my mind, and even more unexpected ones. This positive, tranquil state of mind makes me feel nothing but hope for the future. The next challenge is holding onto the same mindset in the sunless, Midwest winter. Ah, yes, the challenges never cease.
If only this photo did justice to what the sky really looked like. Unfortunately, my Android is not a DSLR and the nuances of texture and depth are lost on it...especially at night. So, a exercise in color will have to suffice. There were so many permutations of beautiful that I couldn't possibly capture them all. The colors and cloud formations were different over the jut of land than they were over the Pacific. The hues and contrasts also continually shifted with the movement of the clouds and sun. It was definitely a day that I found myself plenty satisfied with cloudy weather, all in the name of this hour in awe.
Unfortunately, the sunset was so mesmerizing that I left to late to get to the supermarket. Thus, my dinner consists of the last of my spaghetti noodles with butter and salt. It could be worse; I'll consider it a small price to pay.
sky on fire \02.02\
Full View
Labels:
costa rica,
sunset,
travel
If only this photo did justice to what the sky really looked like. Unfortunately, my Android is not a DSLR and the nuances of texture and depth are lost on it...especially at night. So, a exercise in color will have to suffice. There were so many permutations of beautiful that I couldn't possibly capture them all. The colors and cloud formations were different over the jut of land than they were over the Pacific. The hues and contrasts also continually shifted with the movement of the clouds and sun. It was definitely a day that I found myself plenty satisfied with cloudy weather, all in the name of this hour in awe.
Unfortunately, the sunset was so mesmerizing that I left to late to get to the supermarket. Thus, my dinner consists of the last of my spaghetti noodles with butter and salt. It could be worse; I'll consider it a small price to pay.