August 05, 2004
Weather we go
On Tuesday the amount of rain normally received by August over the course of the whole month fell in the space an hour. Today the weather gods decided to send us an encore.
It was an enthralling spectacle. Virtually everyone in the office laid down their tools and wandered over to the window to gawp at the raging weather outside. And rage it did. The view outside resembled news footage I remember watching of a hurricane in Florida. The sky had blackened, only to be pierced by wondrous flashes and flares of lightning, and the rains looked like a solid wall of water descending on the world. Trees bent to breaking point in the wind, and branches were torn to the ground. The noise was incredible too. Winds roared and thunder crashed - nearby enough to make several people visibly nervous. Someone close to me remarked - with a skittish smile - that it felt like the end of the world.
And it did too. Fantastic stuff.
I love a good thunderstorm - it's exhilirating. The noise, the light, the rain, and the feeling of utter helplessness and insignificance. I enjoy it almost as much the views from hill or mountain tops (for the same reasons).
Memphis has quite impressive downpours every now and then. I remember one in particular... The rain was really pounding. I was driving home as only someone who learned to drive in Scotland (and maybe Seattle) can drive in that weather - avoiding the idiots who felt that sudden stops was the correct way to avoid accidents on and then learning the joys of aquaplaning - and enjoying the lightning display. I got home, put on my swimming gear, and stepped outside to just stand in the rain for 15 mins. Quite relaxing, it gave a good shoulder and back massage. The neighbours probably thought I was nuts.
Posted by: Kevin at August 6, 2004 11:20 PM