Sunset over Stenner Creek

Once again I find myself sitting by the edge of Stenner Creek. Only this time it is late evening. I gaze into the distant at Bishop and Madonna with the beautiful amethyst glow of the night behind them. They stand tall and proud as if they are too admiring the setting sun. I can’t help but be amazed. It captivates me and shakes me to my core. It’s breathtaking opal bluish color astounds me. And there are pink and grayish purple clouds for decoration. It is as if the sky chose them as accessories; like a person choosing a ring to adorn their hands. There is also a yellow dusting on the horizon. The sun shoots up his last bit of rays and gives hope for tomorrow. The frogs are talking again. They croak loudly and sing to welcome the night. It is as if it’s their duty, and they embrace it happily and proudly day after day.

Easter morning… I’m sitting on the old weather-beaten swing out on the porch that overlooks the creek. The frogs that croaked so intensely during the rainy seasons are now unheard. Where do they go? I don’t blame them for choosing this creek as a home. The creek is abundant in plant life. Tall wispy grasses flirt, slipping against each other in a playful dance assisted by a subdued breeze. There are so many textures—soft and hard, velvet and bristle. A small brown sparrow hops from branch to branch on the delightfully messy tree by my house, restless, curious. The patterning of its feathers is divine, once closely observed. The sparrow skips around playfully before disappearing into the mass of brush and wildflowers. There is one tall stalk yielding a yellow flower that catches my wandering eye. It is vibrant, striking. It reminds me of the smaller dandelions in my childhood. I always thought dandelions were so beautiful, and couldn’t understand why my mother worked tirelessly in the backyard to uproot them. It seemed like a never-ending chore, a battle against nature with no hope. Looking over this creek, I am satisfied by the wild growing pattern and clusters of various plant populations. This has so much more richness than the typical suburbia lawn-scape that terrorizes American neighborhoods. If only every lawn could be overtaken by what we call “weeds,” how the aroma would fill the air and the colors would bring vibrancy and life, texture and vitality back into our backyards!

Shell Beach on a Hot Evening

April 17

I arrive late- around 6pm, my favorite time to surf. Within 5 minutes of being on the beach a pod of dolphins meander by. Incredible. Then, a seal, provocatively close to a surfer. The extraordinarily warm evening must be encouraging all of this activity. The dolphins linger. The sun adds to the incredible scenery, playfully throwing purple, turquoise and lavender on the clouds. The ocean, clearer than usual, reflects these colors back. No wind this late in the evening is surprising. The heat continues to linger even as the sun gets lower.

My mind keeps going back to the dolphins- singles, pairs, and triplets breaching at once with their boomerang fins and arched backs. I can’t sit here passively anymore- I’m going surfing.

Later: The seal came within 10 feet of me and the sky turned a wild pink. What an amazing early summer night.

4/10/09 Madera Ranchos

I just got done practicing and working with a horse and to cool off we walked through the fields behind the arena and down the road a ways. It is a clear sunny day although its getting later in the day and every so often the sun goes behind a cloud for a moment making everything darker and the breeze a little bit cooler. But it comes out again and the colors of the world brighten up again. The grasses in the pastures sway with the breeze where they still stand. Other pieces of fields are newly disked with the soils turned up and the browns mixed in with the greens of the grasses and weeds that were turned under to reduce the fire hazards of the coming Valley heat. There are patches of eucalyptus trees that people have and their branches and parts sway in the breeze as well with their uneven branches that kind of twist and turn an don’t really grow straight. There are horses in some of the pasture. Some notice me and come over for a look; others don’t and keep to what they were doing. The two dogs follow me a long the trail and others in pastures come to say hello. I turn around and quietly walk back to the barn and see a repeat of the scenery in reverse order. Past the pastures, the trees, and the tilled field and the grasses to the sandy arena and back to the stall barn. All a very peaceful and quiet time.

4/7/09

I am enjoying the cold breeze through Poly Canyon while thinking about the Golden, Silver, Bronze and Iron Age written by Ovid. Poly Canyon reminds me very much of the Golden Age. I appreciate that time of age more because people used to share and appreciate others with no boundaries or rules. I feel like most people almost are forced to share and appreciate others due to our laws and government. The wind causes my spine to shiver like ice cubes coming out of a tray one by one like dominoes. The yellow flowers surrounding me look like small tiny yellow flags with a tiny green stick. It could be used for a flag football game or collected for a beautiful present for my girlfriend. Unfortunately, most flowers that I give to her dies in her apartment because of the lack of sunlight and water. The wind causes the trees to wave back and forth with their long branches. The trees almost look like they are trying to speak to us and getting my attention by waving. I am fascinated how the architecture students enjoy living in Poly Canyon. I wonder if they have any technology, even though they are away from civilization.

As I sit and hear the crashing of waves all around me I am reminded of how small humans are.  We may have taken dominion over so many aspects of nature yet the ocean and all of her grace and fury are far, far beyond our control.  With each set of waves comes both the ebb and flow of life, washing away the bits that have had their moment in the spotlight and bringing forth new joys ready to shine.  I'm looking upward now, really concentrating.  It’s hard to see the end of the water and the start of sky.  Somewhere in that haze of a horizon I know the edge is waiting.  It is like a mystery begging, “Come, explore, get swept up!”  How I long to mix in and yet I find the most comfort on her shores. We are children of the land who are mystified by the beauties of the depths of the sea.  There is a swirl of blues and greens with tips of white every now and then.  I am at peace.

I am surrounded by beauty.  I am sitting in nature.  The grass is at my side, it speaks of an approaching nightfall and the future absence of the sun.  To my right the sun is begging to fall, taking refuge behind Bishops Peak.  The sun will leave us; its work is almost complete for the day.  As the tall oats whisper of the day that they encountered I sit quietly and listen.  I want to compare there day to mine.  We are so different but in this moment we are the exact same.  Basking in the last rays of sun, wind blowing against our bodies; we feel alive.  We are grateful for another incredible day.  To my left is a lonely mountain side.  The top seems a bit forsaken must of most of the wildlife have appears to have refused to partake in the abundant space.  Maybe there is no water.  The ridge might be inhospitable to its guest for a variety of reasons.  But what if it is alone because it wants to be?  Does the ridge enjoy its solitude? Allowed to watch the world from its exclusive spot. I never would have thought, but some things may prefer to be alone.  Loneliness may exist even if you are surrounded by building, people, and things.  I can’t help but look up.  Countless houses fill the valley of San Luis Obispo.  I know that there is much loneliness in the midst of the chaos.  I have seen it.  Is it bad to be alone?  Small, grassy green, hills pop out of the urban area trying to make an escape; obtain their freedom.  Are the Hills crazy for their desire of solitude?  I don’t know what to make of it.  At this very moment I am sitting in the middle of a grassy field, on the side of a mountain.  I am alone.  I do not see another soul in the great distances yet I don’t feel lonely.  The whispers of the oat fields ease my thoughts.  The warmth of the sunset blankets me in friendship.  All of the sudden I wish I was completely surrounded by nature, no traces of civilization.  I know that my current experience is nothing more that a taste of reality.  I am hungry for the unadulterated gifts of nature; natures friendship.

We came to poly canyon today, I have been here one, this time was different going not by the main trial but a different one that was not easy because we had to watch our step. The trial was along the creek and it was a good adventure going throw it. It was a peaceful environment hired the creek and those beautiful birds singing. Know I see how writer get inspirer by the environment because there is only peaceful all around it. It simply feel good been around the nature and smelling the humidly of the pure soil, even more after the rain of this morning that I believe it’s one of nature beauty too, because after that rain all this green and different color of nature come out during this time of the years. Spring is the time for new life and nature overcome of that. Just think of all this I would like to live and environment like this and stay away from the busy city. At this moment I’m under a big dome one of humanly best creation but I see the landscape and nothing would equal this beautiful landscape not even the greatest creation of human this is the best creation of mother natural.

April 7, 2009  |ˈvistə|

Today may be not a day in nature of solitude, but rather among my class some three dozen strong.  Poly canyon village is where we sit, taking time aside our busy lives to reflect ourselves on to nature.  The geodesic dome shelters a brisk wind not directly, but through its beauty of design.  Man’s invention magnifies nature in its purist sense.  Birds chirping in the distance, among the brisling trees.  The voice of nature is among us.  Entrenched in the moment, my mind is at ease as my thoughts further soften.  I can’t help but think that the class is writing about a distanced element, but I sit and stare at a weed directly in front of me and ask, this to is part of nature as our prisoners part of society.  We are all creatures of the earth sent here for a reason.

April 11, 2009 6:45 AM

Sunrise at 2000 ft. MSL

It’s 6:00 a.m. as John and I drive onto the airport. No one seems to be up this early in the morning except the two of us; eager to get into the air. John and I are conducting our flight tests today for our senior project. Flying is my passion and the Earth’s beauty is magnified every time I venture into the mighty blue yonder. The air is cold and a slight breeze blows, but calm winds await us at our designated test altitude. After preflight I taxi our Cessna onto runway 29 as the Eastern sky begins to change colors. A few minutes later we are in the air and I’m flying us towards Avila Bay. At 2000 ft. the land transforms into a gorgeous scenic landscape. The hills are framed by the rising sun in the East and the ocean stretches endlessly on into the distance. The grandeur of the hills surrounding San Luis is only fully manifest from above. Once over Avila Bay the brilliant sunrise begins casting light upon the land for miles. The awe and exhilaration are palpable in the cockpit. Another beautiful day has begun.

4/7/09

Facing the hills, there is no sign of human life; just peacefulness. A cool wind is coming from all around me and the trees are swaying. Sitting under the dome, I feel protected and am at peace. The birds are chirping in the distance without a care in the world as I sit here soaking in this beauty. Being surrounded by these hills makes me just want to roll down them with freedom from the rest of the world. Being up here lets me forget all my worries, cares, and fears.

2:58 pm

Cool air, a light trickle, a large bird: nearly a 4-foot wing span, not a condor or a hawk, perhaps a turkey vulture?

Smooth serpentine rock, joggers pass on the trail above. The breeze kicks up.

Flick a tick from my jeans! Leaf litter. Soil profiles exposed, a bed of rocks – and leaf litter.

Reflective water on the surface. I take a few snapshots.

Sycamores begin to gain back their leaves. Oaks are still a deep, gorgeous green.

Mountain bikes zoom by. The sound of a jet can be heard from the sky.

Then ... Peaceful, soothing, calm.

I come out here to hear the ocean, take a hike, get some sun and reflect on life. I’ve done this a few times since freshman year, but not with such regularity. I guess I can say that I’m blessed to have such access to beautiful landscapes of such contrasting natures, countryside and oceans. Nonetheless, today is about “little cabo.” I like to call it this because the cliffs and rock s are very similar to those of the famous arch of Cabo. Just hearing pelicans, the waves, and the strong chilly breeze helps me escape. I feel like I can come out here and just forget about all my troubles in life. No stress, no society, no laws but that of nature, and nothing else matters except for that moment in time. It’s as if I was “cleansed” and purged of all sins, troubles, and worries. It’s always good to know that when you need time to “get away” I can do it very easily. Everything out here is in harmony; the sun, the soil, the rocks, the water, animals, the flora. It all fits in. Strangely, I feel like I do as well. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Except that this one will be placed on pause, because like Arnold says “I’ll be back.”

04/11/09

Bear Divide; Angeles National Forest about 15 minutes south of Santa Clarita, CA

Big change of scenery this time. About 200 miles south and 4000 feet higher in elevation, I am at Bear Divide in the Angeles National Forest. Being much further inland, there is much more of a chaparral setting- steep white hillsides covered with different types of brush: sagebrush, yucca, and manzanita to name a few. The views up here are incredible—the separation feels like you are in God’s kingdom looking down from above and observing how society behaves and changes. The northern mountains near Tehachapi have just lost their last bit of snow for the year. I keep taking my sunglasses off as the sun appears for several seconds and then disappears for several more. Small purple and white flowers faintly whisper for my attention—perhaps they are in my field guide I left at home. Several miles to the east the real Magic Mountain stands proudly. Last time I came up here, it received a rare full-coating of snow. There are many others recreating in the nearby areas. Some firefighters are about to begin a local “ruck trail” with very heavy packs for conditioning purposes. Cyclists struggle to climb Little Tujunga Canyon while motorcyclists and sports cars enjoy speeding on the downhill curves. As the sun comes in and out, so does the temperature. It reminds me of Katy Perry’s latest single “Hot and Cold.” Speaking of cold, there’s been no sun for a while—probably an indication to head on out. Will definitely return in the future.

I sit here on the beach overlooking a vast expanse of blue comprised of the ocean and sky, my mind mesmerized by the crispness of the breeze, as still as the floating gull. The seasons change and the hills become covered with green. Flowers bloom. The days grow longer. Earth's skin softens, welcoming the coming of spring like the embrace of an old friend.

And here I sit, overlooking these cool blue waters once again. To think that I have changed so much, while the earth once again repeats it's endless cycles of growth and decay, that astounds me. And yet, earth does change, although its flesh and bones will far outlast mine. The rolling green hills slowly descend to reach the sea, suddenly interrupted where the storm churned waters massage them into cliffs, slowly eroding the coastline away. The world runs on a different clock than I do, I am but a pinnacle, a shooting star, a flash and a bang, and then smoke. But earth, she burns slowly, an ember still warm from the fiery creation, enduring. A different clock, the seconds become seasons, to judge human endeavors by this clock reveals their insignificance.

Yet, looking out over the ocean, instead of feeling futility I feel the distinct flavor of freedom. The relativity here becomes an encounter with reality. By experiencing the nature of time in the universal sense, human problems and endeavors seem to fade away. Right now I watch them , fading away somewhere in between the vast expanse of blue outstretching over the horizon, below the sky and above the waters.

4/16/2009

I just saw a hawk fly over me searching for food. In an interesting juxtaposition, I see a plane flying in the opposite direction. I wonder what it is searching for— a new adventure, a loved one, or perhaps it is capturing nature just as the hawk. It’s fascinating how much human innovation and engineering went in to mimicking the birds. Leonardo da Vinci, though not around when we achieved flight, spent hours monitoring hawks and birds. What he noticed and put in his notes was the feathers at the ends of the wings curved upwards. Just a few years ago some engineer figured out this gave them more agility in tight quarters so now we see wings on new fighter jets that point up like the hawks.

Look at me ramble about society as I am surrounded by nature. Let’s talk about the sounds I am hearing, it’s like a symphony. The central coast breeze is blowing the grassland, which with 1 piece of grass would be silent, but as a whole hill creates rhythm. Next, I hear the crickets off in front of me. Singing the chorus, we have a quire of birds in all directions. It is such a tranquil melody that those rain forest CD’s could not possibly capture.

April 8 2009

Ecolit class hike number one.

Today’s rain, the first in weeks during this dry wet season, regreens the yellowing vegetation. The air is damp, ready to unload again from scudding clouds overhead. Intermittent sounds of breeze: a vibrating groan from the sycamore overhanging the dome, a light rustle from the pepper tree to the side, a delicate breath from the oaks on the hillside. The soil, which had become hard and crusted yesterday is gooey or bouncy.

Over the ridgeline to the east, the grey veils part, displaying two blue patches and then quickly cover up, recalling the momentary revelation of sunshine, deep azure and billowing cumulus on the slippery trail up the canyon which lighted up a fresh carpet of wildflowers on the serpentine slope.

Birds twitter in the oaks near the bridge, goading us to leave this Golden Age and head back down to the world of work.

When my body shuts down and I'm too exhausted to think, I find myself seeking out the same spot to escape and catch a nap

Where is this spot? you might ask

The nice cushioned couches in the library? Dexter lawn?

No, my escape is the desk nestled among a few trees in the courtyard of the spider building

Being tucked under the trees gives me a sense of false freedom - which I am completely ok with

The buildings around the courtyard block out much of the hustle-bustle campus sound

Instead of back breaking concrete benches, the rickety deck is lined with equally rickety wooden benches that have just enough give to make for the perfect sleep spot

Lying on a makeshift pillow backpack which contains everything from which I'm trying to escape, I stare up into the leaves of the trees turning from green to dark green and back as they twist back and forth in the gentle breeze. This rhythm takes me back to the hypnotic rocking of a crib, and my body quickly gives in to nature's embrace and invitation to rest

I am awoken for a moment by a large ant exploring the forest of my leg hair, but it is only an affirmation that I have temporarily escaped civilization. I let the ant continue his expedition and sink back into peaceful slumber

4/18

Watching the ocean is one of the most relaxing things I like to do. Today I have climbed the break waters of Morro Bay, to see the view of the ocean. It is a clear sunny day.  The wind is not to strong, but strong enough for sailors to enjoy the freedom it brings. Watching the sea from this man made feature it is easy to see the fight between man and nature.  The waves in the ocean slam against the rocks, and jets of water reach for the sky, as the ocean try to enter the harbor.

April 7, 2009

Hike to Cal Poly Canyon

Up in Cal Poly Canyon, is where I am. In the geodesic dome, is where I sit. The winds are blowing as if it was speaking. Come flow with me and be free as it was the Golden Age or is it telling me to seek shelter and the eternal season is gone for there are four seasons – fall, winter, spring, and summer. Seek shelter the wind speaks. I see nothing of it, but only the wind breezing by. The grass is green and flowers are blooming so I see nothing of the wind speaking. The wind blows harder and harder, warning me that a storm is coming. Seek shelter the wind echoes. I am getting colder and colder with my nose is runny. I wish to seek shelter my instinct tells me, but here I sit in the geodesic dome. Trying to figure how to shelter myself, thinking if I some how cover this dome, or seek some type of shelter for this storm to come. Out of my dream and into reality I am, the silver age is where I am; working and competing for survival.

A Break in the Trail

I like this part of this trail, for all I can see is trees and natural life.

I stopped here because it was the first point where I could sit and

observe natural surroundings without distractions from the cars driving by,

the buildings in the valley, society can be avoided and nature can be enlightening.

The dense habitat fills the sky above me, large limbs grow in all directions,

reaching the sun’s nourishment and rays. Even the fallen tree I post on to contemplate

is very apart of this ecology, housing insects, breaking down into the organic horizon

of soil that will soon again be a glorious tree. Simply another bend in the trail,

but when one has the chance to sit and listen and think,

the abundance of life is overwhelming. The dead leaves on the topsoil still are so

varied in shades of brown and fading greens. It’s difficult to center my attention

with birds singing all around and critters rustling in the brush at my feet

but a single tree adjacent to the stump I sit on is of magnificent beauty.

The limbs grow off the stock in a pattern I cannot seem to recall in my memory.

The area it covers is astonishing, limbs reaching the top of the canopy, but

some growing horizontally, filling any gaps other trees leave behind.

This will be my last image to carry in my thoughts as I journey further up the trail.

I walked on a loose dirt path to get here and although it was obvious that people had been crossing the path many times before, I already felt the burden of society ease up somewhat from my shoulders. The shrubbery is a brownish green color and quite short. It looks trimmed, but it spreads for so far it is apparent that the low height of the shrub is natural. As I hit the sand, it started to fall before me as if it were made of water. The dunes roll on and on and I wonder how all of the sand ever got here. My stepping continues to cause sudden waves in the hills of sand as my foot digs in causing the pile to spill out. As hard as it is to walk, it feels nice on my feet. The waves run in and out and the combination of the dunes and the water is beautiful because of the curvaceous likes that run throughout my vision. The only flat line I see is the horizon which is so pale and far away that the meeting between the sky and the water is blurred and looks like a water painting. It is almost as if I could take out my brush and add color here and there to the sky. The melody of the waves, steady and slow, brings my heart to the same pace and instantly calms me. The sand passing over me and the waves and the greenish brown shrubs on the hillside make me feel alone and complete. I look on and sit, listening to the drumming of the waves and the faint light of the sliding sun, and I wait until the evening wins over to return and walk back to society.

4/16

Reading in the Woodlands   

We sit on the branches of the oaks as if they reached down and scooped us off the hillside. The arms of the tree are a comfortable place to listen to Thoreau. The shade of the canopy provides a pleasant contrast to the grass lands. The sun is quite warm today, and I wouldn’t be surprised if my face turned slightly pink.

The wind that has blown away other perfect days seems like it has been here for weeks or even months. I wish this would halt to either a breeze or nothing at all. Nature has a weird way of disrupting our lives or at least I think it does. Well maybe on the other hand we constantly disrupt the natural world that we take for granted. I don’t know if I am unable to enjoy the outdoors because nature is taking a stance with the constant wind, but certainly I am sure Mother Nature doesn’t and hasn’t appreciated us humans taking advantage of her throughout the centuries. I am glad that the sun has come out beaming its heat today and her wind as subsided at least for the afternoon. I think the beach serves as the right activity today. One where I can enjoy what the natural world provides me with and one that doesn’t disrupt or take away from her beauty, or at least does it with the least amount of force on her.

_______

A warming sun and chilly breeze adorned Cuesta Park today. Ideal for bringing the smoky smell of the BBQ pit all around and for seeping into my hair and clothes. Veggie burgers in cheese befriended by fruit salad and spicy Thai chips; seduced down by limeade. Picnic benches full of smiling photographers and graphic designers, questioning how the studio artists could be missing this. Sunglasses, snacks, and a soccer ball being juggled, what a life it all adds up to. Thank God, or the sun gods, or whoever's in charge for days like this. And thank them for friends like these. After this potluck, a pleasant nap awaits me.

_______

I just saw a hawk fly over me searching for food. In an interesting juxtaposition, I see a plane flying in the opposite direction. I wonder what it is searching for— a new adventure, a loved one, or perhaps it is capturing nature just as the hawk. It’s fascinating how much human innovation and engineering went in to mimicking the birds. Leonardo da Vinci, though not around when we achieved flight, spent hours monitoring hawks and birds. What he noticed and put in his notes was the feathers at the ends of the wings curved upwards. Just a few years ago some engineer figured out this gave them more agility in tight quarters so now we see wings on new fighter jets that point up like the hawks.
Look at me ramble about society as I am surrounded by nature. Let’s talk about the sounds I am hearing, it’s like a symphony. The central coast breeze is blowing the grassland, which with 1 piece of grass would be silent, but as a whole hill creates rhythm. Next, I hear the crickets off in front of me. Singing the chorus, we have a choir of birds in all directions. It is such a tranquil melody that those rain forest CD’s could not possibly capture.

_____

As I sit below the “dome”, the wind rustles the trees, bushes and grasses around me.  The sky is a shade of grey, but the hills green and lush.  It rained today- which is good, we needed it. I feel the cold air and the moisture as I take in the beautiful landscape. Sitting amongst my classmates we see in front of us a beautiful mountain, “Caballo Ridge”.  In the distance an airplane flies over, momentarily catching my attention.  Then the wind picks up again in a great gust.  Almost as if Mother Nature is telling us we are not welcome.  The bird’s chirp which reminds me that spring is here.  The smells of the fresh rain on the earth and soil bring me back to my childhood days- innocence at its best, splashing through puddles and running through wet grass with no care in the world.  I am suddenly reminded that this is not the wild nature that once ruled the earth.  Man –made structures stand out like sore-thumbs amongst the beauty of God’s creations- meadows and hills, valleys and peaks.  The times are changing and this is simply an example of where the world is heading.  Our readings today, Ovid Georgics, explained the changing times and this landscape gives a wonderful example.

_____

As I sit and take and take in this beautiful morning, I hear the birds chirping with Joy. For they have had the chance to live another day. As the young dear gallops through the meadow and follows his mother, he is happy to be alive just one more day. As I am sitting in my yard watching the sun rise with my computer on my lap I feel the warmth entering my body. I watch as the magnificent sun just barely peeps his head over the horizon giving us light just one more day. Life is but a dream we get to live it and enjoy it. It is up to you to take in everyday the beauty and love life can bring to you. This morning watching the powerful sun bring life to the small grass park in front of my house gave me somewhat of a new perspective. We have to enjoy the fact that we are awake just as the bird and the deer. Happiness and life is all around us everyday it is our choice to surround ourselves by it. Earth has brought so much to us and given us the light in order for thinks to grow now its our turn to look at the Sun rising and appreciate all that it has given to us. Why are we so selfish? The bird and the deer are just happy to be alive so that they can breath and enjoy everything. As the sun rose throughout I have imagined a new life being born and how much happiness it has brought to so many people on this world. 

______

The Strand, Morro Bay 4/5/09

California sand beaches, the dialectic clash of cold clear ocean with blistering sand,
but not all sand. these beaches are the natural rick tumblers of our world, powered
by the endless clash of sea on earth, exquisite stones demand optical attention.
in a single square meter thousands of gems are hidden; basalt, serpentinite, quarts
composites and a myriad of unknown minerals. Wandering the shore we carefully gather
the essential colors of the rainbow. Surprisingly, vivid reds, yellow, and blue stones present
themselves. The Key, but ask the world and she will show you the way.

_____

4/7/09

/Today was the first day of a rain since I came back to Cal Poly. It's over now and the wind is extremely cold. The wind almost souinds like cars are driving up Poly Canyon. I'm writing under a geometric dome...I think that's what it's called...and it's pretty interesting. I've passed it a couple of times and always thought it looked cool, but now that I know the designer and how intelligent the design is , I appreciate it much more. I was talking with my friend earler about how most people dislike what they don't understand. Its just like how certain music isn't understood, how my neighbors cat doesn't understand me, or how my roommate has no understanding of sushi! It's really cold.

_______

Under the Blue Oak Tree

         The shade from this oak tree, blue-oak to be exact, Quercus douglasii, helps cool my body after an uphill battle to the Cerro Vista apartments. The cement steps are stiffly cold on my bottom, but greatly preferred to standing in the sun. Three busy crows are hard at work extracting limbs with precision for construction of a nest. Who’s nest? I’m not sure for there are three crows, not two or four. Nature likes to do things in pairs or large communities, but odd numbers are too odd for logic. Maybe one crow drew up some architectural plans for the others’ design…? Who knows, although I would prefer it if they would seize the dropping of old, fragmented, cambial fibers on my head.
         When I observe, I take pleasure in the sky. Most people tend to hike atop large, rock outcroppings and stare out over immense valleys and down at the landscape. This is because people are prone to monumental structures and become awestruck by their enormity. The truth is, the science behind a two hundred foot redwood tree is synonymous to that of a four-inch basal sprout.
         Anyways, back to the sky. Amongst the vast continuity of blue that shares its boundaries with high-rising ridge tops in all directions, there are avian species that make any air-show look insignificant to their acrobatics. A whole network of hawks, falcons, and eagles dominate the air abiding by the hierarchical structure much like aquatic and terrestrial organisms have adopted as their law. The eagle controls the hawk that controls the falcon that controls the fowl. There is a sense of respect that shutters the bones of any prey granted wings and the right to pass from limb to limb dodging the ferocious claws of the predator like a gazelle attempting to out-run a lion.
         Their presence is remote and they lend themselves to solitude, and to that designation I now understand, for the feeling I receive sitting exclusively under this blue-oak tree!

_____