3/20/03: 1:45 AM: Last weekend, after finding a glorious new afterhours spot, I kicked it until 5:30 both Saturday and Sunday morning. Sunday morning, I ended up hunting sunshine. The following is a brief and highly idiosyncratic photo essay of that sleep-deprived time.

Somewhere along the freeway, as I was coming home, I got the zany notion I should greet the sun, as I have only a passing acquaintance with it, only coming out at night, Whodini style. I stopped the car along the southern ridge of Stocker Boulevard, but the sun eluded me, as it was angled slightly west. The cloud cover still attracted my eye.

Driving down ... honestly, I don't remember the name of the street, I just know it's the light between Stocker and Slauson on Overhill. Anyway, I headed east down that road and was caught by this one, in particular trying to discern where one ridge of clouds ended and another begun. Still hadn't found the eastern ridge of Baldwin Hills, and I wasn't in any mood to drive far enough to find another high point to watch the sun come up.

I had the crazy idea that the Kitchen on 43rd would be open, and I could sample their salmon croquettes. This was delusional. However, I ended up on 48th Street and finally found the eastern ridge of Baldwin Hills. I snapped a shot, which isn't as detailed as what I saw because it seems my camera is slightly crappy, but decently approximates the coming day.

Closer to my car, I finally saw the appeal of palm trees. They look great from a distance. Having just cut one down from the front yard, and having their vile droppings all around the streets all the time, I assure you they're hell to live near, but indeed make glorious scenery.

There that all is, laid out flush.