June 26th

I realized something today (and I don’t know if that is a curious or normal or unusual thing about me) — I haven’t been out at night for YEARS. Yes, for many, many years, I cannot even recall the last time I was out when it was dark outside. OK, that is bad phrasing in the previous sentence — in winter it gets dark here at 4 pm and the first light comes up at 7.30 am, and I was definitely out at those hours in winter. Let’s try again — I don’t recall last time being out, let say between 9 pm and 5 am, which can be described as “nighttime”.

I am always home by 8 pm, in bed around 10.30 pm, and I get up around 5–6 am (same on the weekends). Am I missing something? I don’t know how my city looks like at night, and possibly I am missing some great photo opportunities with darkness and street lighting. Also, I became a little curious about my forest at night, but — do I dare to go there at night? I don’t feel afraid of somebody being there and attacking me, I don’t feel afraid of getting lost there too — I guess I am a little too prudent, you know — normal people don’t go for a walk in the forest at night.

And now I am very curious about my forest at night….

I guess I would need a very good flashlight, and maybe some kind of weapon that doesn’t look like an obvious weapon. Hmm, a flashlight CAN be a weapon, there are those with a long handle that can be handy in case of hostility. I think that will be my next purchase — a solid and heavy (but not too heavy) flashlight.

Or maybe even better, a smaller and easier-to-handle flashlight (something I can attach to my arm or chest) and extendable baton for self-defense that I can carry in my pocket or on the belt.

You know what — to hell with prudence and caution, I AM going for a walk in the forest at night. Not tonight, but soon — when I am happy that I am well-prepared and equipped for it. And that’s another interesting event in my life to look forward to.