Thanksgiving at My Best Friend's House

Sunset Watching at Point Lobos

Should we have stayed at home and thought of here?
Where should we be today?
Is it right to be watching strangers in a play
in this strangest of theatres?
What childishness is it that while there's a breath of life
in our bodies, we are determined to rush
to see the sun the other way around?

--from Elizabeth Bishop's "Questions of Travel"

I had a brunch meeting with my boss. After our technical discussion, my boss politely asked me what's my plan for the day and if I would go out taking photos. I told her I hadn't thought about it yet (in fact, I was thinking: I hope you are not suggesting I should be working today, boss). After we parted, I decided to go with the flow and drove to Point Lobos. I had my D800E with me, but didn't feel like in the mood for any serious shooting so I just left it in the trunk and started hiking. On the trail, I suddenly realized I hadn't been watching the sun set for a long long time. Yes, I took photos at the magic moment, but I had always been busy, setting up camera, adjusting filter, checking exposure, etc. When was the last time I just sat and enjoyed the sun set? I couldn't even recall! 

So I stopped at this spot, sat in the chair, waited, and enjoyed the sunset for the first time in a very long time. (I was surprised the sun took much longer to set than I remembered.) Ironically I still had my cell phone with me so I couldn't help but to take a few snaps (as if I need proof for my moment of happiness). On my way home, Bishop's poem popped up in my head and I thought "not a bad way to end a day".