The other night I left work like I usually do at about 12:55am and began to walk the short distance to the bus stop about a block away. There was little sound about except for the occasional passing car. This is a strange fact I've discovered about Seattle, after midnight in downtown, everyone dissappears. It is a strange thing ebcause I'm used to Portland where there are people downtown all night. With Seattle being a larger metro center, I would assume people to be out all night. Perhaps they are in other parts rather than down town.

The air was cool, but not cold and I couldn't catch a good glimpse of the sky due to the light pollution provided by the overabundant city lights. What was striking about this night (or morning) was the soft breeze passing in between the buildings. Air moved across the puget sound, making its way to me, carrying the scent of the ocean with it. I have heard many people complain that this is a pungent odor, not to their liking; however, I enjoy this smell considerably. I breathed in deeply, letting the salty air fill my lungs. Feelings of nostalgia came over me, as the smell brought back memories of being at the ocean with family, friends and past companions. It was a good feeling and I couldn't help, but smile.

At some point in my life I would like to live on the beach. I would like to be surrounded by the sights and sounds of ocean life. When I wake up in the morning, I would like to be able to walk down toward the water with my pants rolled up, squeezing the sand in between my toes while it is still cool. To see Jonathan Livingston Seagull fly overhead and dive gleefully toward the water, pushing himself as fast as he can. There would be a canine friend with me running in and out of the waves. I would like to have a small boat as well, a skiff with a small sail, just large enough to lay in and float out in the water. A strange idea considering my irrational fear of the ocean, but all the same, I would like to see a whale come near to see what I was. I would tell him that I was just passing through his soggy realm and would make sure that I left no reminders of my presence except for our encounter there under the sun. He would blink and pass back under the water, taking a deep breath before disappearing completely.

This sort of life will be tough for me to accomplish because it is completely dependent on the needs of schools for professors. But I hope one day a coastal college will require an ambitious young mind to teach their classes. Property on the beach is expensive, but maybe, just maybe, I can make it work. Someday...