> > > Mi"would love to see the Northern Lights some day, too"a
> >
> > Lucky "So would I" Wizard
>
> I still find it very weird that people from the US make such a big deal about the ol' Aurora Borealis. Having grown up in northern Alberta, I basically grew up with the Northern Lights, and I really don't see what's so special about them. Of course, I understand what would be special about them for those who have never seen them, but I just can't get excited at all about them. I think I would stil get excited if someone could predict a really spectacular show, like the one I saw one time in high school, but for the most part, I just shrug and ignore them. It really makes me think about perspective, in much the same way that some of the stories from Sam, Leen, and Dave's trip to New Zealand did.

I see the night sky every night. I see the Big Dipper, Polaris, heck, I even see Venus, this time of year. And you know what? I can stand there and look up at the repetiveness of it all and STILL gawk in amazement.

The Northern Lights....well, sure you may see them quite a bit of your life, but the mere fact that they exist at all amazes me. Sure, I know what they are (solar wind, or charged particles getting sucked towards the earth's magnetic poles), but....it must be an amazing sight. Even if you've seen them every day of your life. The stars themselves, knowing that they are TRILLIONS of miles away, and not only that, but are HUGE and look so small....well, that is awe-inspiring to me.

Mia