red sky

At least for natives, one of the joys of SoCal seasons is the lack of actual, well, seasons. As such, we miss out on all of the beautiful fall colors (or so we are constantly told by our Midwestern and East Coast transplant friends). Personally, I've never much missed all the extra colors in the leaves that die. And I sure as hell haven't ever missed the cold snaps. What we call cold (usually about 60ish) is a fair trade off for earthquakes if you ask me.

Tonight, as most everyone knows, seemingly every occupied California hillside from National City upward is in blazes. Fire season's always like this - but never this bad. Pity, too. I love the feel of the Santa Anas winds. Most people who've known me for a while agree that it's typical that I'd like something with so much dark side and so little redeeming. I'm not trying to be a misery chick. I just happen to like the wind and not so much the cold.

Through the smoke, though, the sunset provided a bit of those missing fall colors for us. Mind you, L.A. is one of the few things I'm not 99% cynical about. But even I have to admit that's very Hollywood. Consider this snapshot her collegen enhanced face on an otherwise all-around bleak situation. Only Los Angeles to produce a photo-worthy moment with tragedy as an accessory.

That's my girl. Long may she run.

J.