hidden city

As is my tradition, I started the new year with a pre-dawn beach visit, to watch the sun rise and to give me time to reflect on the previous year. To be honest, I didn't really need or want the time to reflect on 2009; I've done plenty of that already, and I don't think much will be served by indulging in more.

In comparison to previous years the skies were virtually cloudless. On the way there I worried that I had somehow misread the sunrise chart, and that I was too late. Fortunately it was an illusion. I suppose 2009 had ill-prepared me for the idea of clear skies.

I set up my tripods and gear in a hurry, though, still not entirely confident. I had come up with a last minute idea to live-stream the sunrise, but that didn't work out. It did lead to a bit of slapstick, though, as I was holding my netbook in my left hand, trying to keep it steady and focused on the sunrise while my right hand was snapping photos from the other tripod. Not exactly the calm, reflective state of mind that's the intended purpose of these trips.

And right on schedule the golden disc edged over the horizon. My companions and I stayed for a while, chatting idly about the sand and the surf and possible plans for the rest of the weekend, listening to the surf and the gulls.

I took my shoes off and walked down to the water. It was surprisingly warm, and reminded me of just how long it had been since I had gone to the beach, other than these annual rituals. I need to change that, and New Year's seems as good an excuse as any.