57001--sunrise at the preserve

[zyzyly]

I finally finished school on Monday, with a 17 page paper that I can't remember what it was about. I was so ready to be done. This last class just killed me. On the upside, I can whip out a flawless 17 page paper on almost any topic.

I kind of sat and stared at my computer on Tuesday, Wednesday, and yesterday, wondering what to do with myself. Today I got up and decided to regain my photography skills, which have badly atrophied in the past 18 months. I woke up early--about 5:30. It's my birthday, so I wanted to do something special. I drove out to the Cosumnes River Preserve, one of my favorite places. Got there just before the sun came up. It was cold, in the 20s, but I had my warm hat on, so I was comfortable. I took some pictures and listened to the birds. It's a stopping place for migratory birds, and there are thousands of them this time of year. I came home and celebrated a normal cholesterol level by cooking up some breakfast sausage.

This should be an interesting year. My work responsibilities are changing--I don't know what I am going to be doing. Some sort of teaching, but not the same teaching I'm doing now. It's too bad, because my job right now is just about perfect, but I'm always up for something new and interesting.

I had a bunch of lab tests yesterday. All normal. I'm being worked up because I am losing the hearing in my right ear. At first they thought it was related to the sinus issues I have had since getting my nose busted, but that's not it. I get to see a specialist next week. I'm curious to know what's going on.

I'm not sure if this is another random entry or I'll make it a regular thing for the year. I'll see how it feels.

Mockingbirds sing
Sing me what the Lord was singing
On the day He made the water
The color of the blues
Sing me that song
Sing me to till the heavens rising
On the day He made the water
The color of my baby's eyes.

Comments

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

Glad to see you here, my friend. I've missed you. I understand how you feel re: photography skills. I feel very much like this for so many pieces of my life. But it's worth it. I hope you have some answers soon about your hearing.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I have missed being here. Hopefully the pace of my life has slowed down enough that I can once again enjoy it.

[susandennis]

If you are taking votes, I vote for regular entries this year. I miss you but am glad you checked in. Happy Birthday!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

thank you! I will see where it goes.

[auntysocial.livejournal.com]

Your photography skills seem to be doing just fine! Happy birthday!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Aww thanks!

[niyabinghi.livejournal.com]

Congrats on finishing up with school, Mike! Have missed your beautiful pics, hope to see more of them, too. (and updates of course.)
And sorry to hear about the hearing loss in one ear, that's got to be a bit frustrating.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Not so much frustrating (yet) as disconcerting. But so glad to be done with school and have some time to just enjoy!

[danjite.livejournal.com]

Merriest of natalities.

Hoping 2014 is.

Existential of me, perhaps.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I too am hoping it is, rather than isn't.

[duccio.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday Mike. Post more often. Have you tried adjusting the balance control on your devices? I hope something that simple is the problem.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Well, I tried that. :)

How about a meetup one of these days?

[duccio.livejournal.com]

Good idea. We should come over where you are this time, unless you have a hankering for these bay cities and environs. It's pretty cold it seems. Maybe things will warm up in a few weeks. Anyway, I'm glad you are back posting again. Say hi to Malida.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

We can talk about where and when. I don't mind the cold, as long as it's not raining on me. We are taking a trip after Christmas to Germany where Malida's cousin lives. Maybe we can get together before then.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I wonder if Bobbie is coming out for Christmas. I'll ask her.

sunrise

[crookedfingers.livejournal.com]

great morning photos!

Re: sunrise

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

thanks! your nudges finally bore fruit.

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

Gosh, I've missed you and your pictures.

Happy Birthday!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Thank you--I have missed you too!

[w. lotus (from livejournal.com)]

Happy birthday, and congrats on finishing school! Are you done with the degree or just the semester?

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It's the whole degree. Done!

[pinkroo.livejournal.com]

oh, how lovely--I, too, have missed you here. I hope your ear is something temporary and reversible. And CONGRATS on finishing!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Oh thanks! It's nice to be back here.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I really love the lyric you quote--I will have to go listen to the song (which I don't know).

Congratulations on finishing! That is wonderful.

And I'm so glad for this post; I love hearing your voice (well, reading your words) and looking at your pictures. The first picture here, I love not only for the sunset colors and the birds and trees, but for the wires in the background and the hint of humanity--that this beauty can exist very close to us--like maybe there's a highway over there, or a strip mall, but there's also this. And we can go from the highway to this.

I hope you do get some good answers about your hearing, too.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It's a lovely song--one of my favorites.

that is what I love about that place--that it is just a few minutes away. I often go there when I need to feel its energy.

[thoughtsbykat.livejournal.com]

Wonderful photos! Happy birthday too! Congratulations on finishing school. Hope you get some answers on your ear.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Oh thanks! Now I can relax a little.

[khaybee.livejournal.com]

I had a similar experience with my Master's. Both in learning to write a paper about anything and in wanting nothing so much as to be finished, but being uncomfortable with the lack of things to do after the years of very busy. May your life become all you hope for.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that my academic writing skills have become so ingrained that even when I started writing here again, I was scanning to make sure my paragraphs had at least three sentences. It is strange--I'm sitting here at 6 am on a Sunday thinking there should be something I need to do, but really, all I need to do is go to the farmer's market. it's sweet.

[neptunia67.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on getting through school. That's quite the accomplishment and quite the birthday present. Happy Birthday. :-)

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Thanks--I loved that I finished right before my birthday!

[basefinder.livejournal.com]

Congrats on finishing school!

I welcome you (and your photos) back to LJ!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Thank you--it is so good to be back!

[howeird]

Happy birthday! And your photography skills have not atrophied at all. Stunning pix!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Thanks! maybe not atrophied, but not grown either--I think what I want to do most this coming year is see some growth. I'm not sure how, but I know from experience that If I shoot every day, I get better at something.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chandra/]

I've missed your posts. I think I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the new ones.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Awwww! I am just so glad to have some time again.