There's joy in solitude.

It's currently 2:15 in the morning, and I've just returned to my dorm room from a leisurely walk across the campus. This is the third such walk I've taken in as many days, and I enjoyed it immensely. This comes as something of a shock to me because I've always had sort of an aversion to physical activity. I don't like taking walks during the day, but for some reason I seem to derive a great amount of pleasure from these little 'nightwalks' of mine.

There's a certain feeling I get by taking in deep, measured breaths of brisk night air that can't accurately be put into words. It's almost as if I can feel the air flowing through my body, coursing through my veins like blood. It's a raw, edgy feeling; one that I find undeniably invigorating. Regardless of temperature or humidity, night air has a taste, a feel, and a personality.

When I walk I don't have a particular destination in mind. I just head out in whichever direction my feet happen to be pointing and let fate do the rest. I double-back, I jaywalk, I walk in and around bushes, I climb up and down stairs, I pass the ducks sleeping by the duck pond...I go everywhere there is to go. Every now and then a patrol car might pass by, doin' the rounds, but I'm usually clad in my usual black so thus far I've gone unnoticed.

I've found that what I enjoy most about these walks is that I have what appears to be the entire campus to myself. To date I haven't seen a single person out and about as I've been, walking just to walk, loving the night and its delicious fragrance.

I've always walked in solitude, and I see no reason to change that. I'm at a point in my life where I could care less about my own personal safety from the attacks of others, so let the murderers come and have me, I say. The night provides me an opportunity to get away from things for a while, and I find that to be something that I need more often than I realize.

Now, as always, the effects of the night's charms are working their magic on my weary eyes, slowly pulling me ever further from this place called consciousness. That bed looks so very comfortable...