On The Last Evening of 2013

December Hummingbird

Related post:  Hummingbird posts

Descent

Venus, Christmas 2013

I spent a quiet Christmas day by myself.  Then in the evening I drove out to Santa Monica and took a leisurely walk along the bluff path.  It was an unusually warm evening and some people were actually out in their summer clothes. At times there was a fairly strong wind, but even the wind was warm. There was one bright star visible as the Sun sank behind the ocean's edge. Presumably it was Venus, the 'Evening Star'.

And people who hold "The Little Prince" dear to their hearts may find this view oddly familiar.

An oddly related post:  Cool Tattoo Et Le Petit Prince

I Fall Off The Wagon

Since November I've lost 10 pounds.  On my last checkup visit my doctor said in no unequivocal terms that if current trends continue, I would definitely develop problems in the future (there are probably few things your doctor can say that are scarier than "definitely"); the trends having to do with my weight and diet-related factors.  I wasn't exactly overweight, but I was clearly heading in that direction.  So I took it upon myself to reform my eating habits.  I'm not counting calories or doing anything so scientific and strict -- that would be out of character^ -- but just eating a little less and being sensible all around.  And it was working very well.

On the other hand, the month before the winter holidays is not a great time to begin a weight-loss regimen.  I gained back a couple of pounds.

By the way, that is not how my neck normally looks.  In this shot I was 'turtling' back from the cupcake.

'Speed Blur'

I don't know, maybe you have to be old enough to remember old-time cartoons to get this?

Melancholia V

Related Post:  Melancholia IV

Christmas Present

A steel tarantula, from somebody who knows me well^

Wet Trees

Yesterday it rained.  I was hoping for more than what we got, but at least we did get some.  Just enough to blur out the trees^.

Iridescence Panorama

This one was unusually intense -- so bright that this photo makes me think of a giant tricolor flag being flown over a parade.

Synchronistic Event Of The Verbal-Visual Kind #26

Today I happened to be perusing some Korean books, and just as I came upon this volume with the impressive sandwich on the cover, I heard my coworker say "sandwich" on the phone.

Yet Another 'Just Looks Odd'

(I'm really getting good at timing these shots, if I do say so myself^)

The Latest Acquisition

A raccoon skull.

Actually, I purchased one as a gift for someone, but it was so pretty I had to get one for myself, too.  The other one was bigger and more aggressive-looking, so perhaps this one is female or a juvenile.  It hefts well in my hand, and I like the smooth yet complex texture of it.  I find myself constantly picking it up and stroking it, as if it were a pet.  A pet skull.

Synchronistic Event Of The Verbal Kind #25

This actually happened last week, either Monday or Tuesday.  I was listening to K-pop stars Jessica and Onew singing "One Year Later" while perusing this Korean book, and as I came to the word "iyagi" (story/tale) Jessica sang "iyagi".

So far, the list of these words does not make any sense. Perhaps some day, when I have enough of them, I'll be able to string some of them into a funny sentence or something^.

Stark

Cottontails

The gods of the weather were feeling cute and fluffy today^

Another 'Just Looks Odd'

And for me, that's reason enough.

THE BEST REASON

Night Echo

An old locale, revisited.

Related Post:  Night Sun II