Night Walk

*This post would have been up sooner, but my internet went out and, sadly, it took me three days to figure out it wasn't the college network, it was my ethernet cord... I never claimed to be a 'Net guru.*

Last Thursday, I did what I haven't done in a while. I took a walk. It's amazing what you notice when you let yourself go. You get so wrapped up in your everyday lives, in your rush to get things done, in your rush for the next paycheck, or to beat traffic, or to beat the lunchline, that you can get swept away in it all. It can swallow you up like a wave from the ocean and pull you into a constant state of hustle and bustle.

Last Thursday I decided to change that. I got done with my homework early, and my roommate was fixing to "study"--meaning he was going to lay on the bed for a good 15 minutes to a half an hour sleeping before he reads through his notes twice before he goes back to sleep--and I had nothing to do. I decided, what would be better, than taking a walk around the campus.

I stepped out the door and the first thing I saw was someone's ID card. So I returned that. It felt good to know that they got their card back and they'd never know it was me. They's just have the mental picture of the mysterious kind stranger giving back one of the most important things that the students here have.

After that was done, I continued my stroll. The bite from the cold air felt good. It burned in my nostrils and reminded me why I loved autumn and winter so much. The cold air felt good in my lungs and I savored each breath. As I walked, I watched people. Some people were out jogging, listening to their Ipod; focused intently ahead. A few couples were taking midnight strolls, holding hands, cuddling, keeping eachother warm. I move along, and leave them to their private time.

I crossed at a crosswalk and got into the less busy part of the campus. It was darker here, and fewer people were out. I watched some squirrels run around and chase eachother, and as I walked, I let my mind wander. I thought about things, random things. I thought about my family, I thought about Christmas coming ever closer; I thought about my trip home this Thanksgiving weekend. I thought about writing and how I haven't done it in a while. I turned over characters and plots in mind, just messing around.

Nothing much to tell, and you might be wondering why I devoted an entire post to my stroll through the campus. The next time you have free time, take a walk around your neighborhood or local park. You'll feel better when you get back, your writer's block might have cleared up, and what better way to get a new take on describing what your characters are seeing than seeing for yourself.