Sunset on the Beach

It is breathtaking. Watching the sun set on the beach in Santa Monica is indescribably amazing. It is simply the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon, yet it makes me appreciate life and gives me a feeling of peace in the universe.

I'm an insomniac

It is 4 am and I simply cannot fall asleep. It makes absolutely no sense, because I'm tired and want to sleep, and yet I was lying there and sleep just did not come. So naturally, I checked my facebook, then my email, then textsfromlastnight. This failed to put me to sleep. Then I was looking at the background on my computer, and it is a picture that I recently took. I really like it, and felt like it simply had to be added to my wonderful photo blog.

Then I got to thinking... plants don't sleep, do they? They just sort of sit there and photosynthesize all the time. And then I imagined being a plant, perhaps a big old redwood, just sitting there for decades and never sleeping. It seems so peaceful, yet at the same time very strange. I should stop thinking so much at four o'clock in the morning.

A peek at UCLA

The lamp post with a sign to Powell. The library where I have spent many days studying chemistry, until late into the night, cramming knowledge into my brain. It is very beautiful, and so meticulously quiet inside. Everyone around me always looks so intelligent that I am motivated to get work done. More brilliant photos of UCLA to come.

Say whaaat?

What do you mean there won't be any snow?

Much to my, and my dog Billy's, disappointment, it does not snow in California. I wish it did, as it simply does not feel like the holidays without it. At least there's the mountains to save us all and let us have our dose of snow.

I should not be complaining though, as there is at least some sign of seasons here, unlike in Southern California, where it's sunny year-round. The rain and the yellow leaves are appreciated, even if they do not fit my idea of winter. :)

Orchids and Rain Songs

The rain streams down like harp–strings from the sky;
The wind, that world–old harpist sitteth by;
And ever as he sings his low refrain,
He plays upon the harp–strings of the rain.

Prairie Dogs

Prairie dogs bark.
Prairie dogs dig.
Prairie dogs play.
And prairie dogs pose for photographs, apparently.

Geysers and Hot Springs

In Yellowstone, there are a lot of geysers. You can smell them even when just driving by, which is a downside. The upside, though, is they are amazingly beautiful. Their colors are unbelievably vibrant and vary from light blue to orange.
And sure, I must admit, after seeing about 100, I thought I was done with them; looking back though, I can honestly say that I truly appreciate them. Bad smell and all.