Rainy Day

It's raining.

Back in 1990 the song "It Never Rains (In Southern California)" by Tony! Toni! Tone! was on the top of the charts. It didn't mean anything to me then, but now that I've been living in SoCal for the past 9+ years, I get this song. It's true, it rarely rains here. When it does rain:

(1) Drivers go crazy on the roads and traffic is a mess because - People either (a) drive like they're invincible, going fast and then braking like the road isn't wet, or (b) they forget how to drive, going really really really dangerously slow.

(2) Stores dust off their back stock supply of umbrellas and bring them out onto the sales floor (if they have any). Cashiers and customers then have a long conversation (no less than 5 minutes) about the rain - discussing how it rarely rains here, when the last time was that it rained, where they were, what they were doing, how we need the rain, etc.

(3) People get moody. Seriously. Everone is cheery and in good spirits when the sun is out - but as soon as it gets cloudy and rainy - folks get depressed, irritable, cranky, and just not pleasant to be around in general.

(4) Everyone outside looks like a wet mop, because honestly, hardly anyone has an umbrella in their car. I think we have a couple in the house - they were free gifts with purchases and they're small. We used to have nice ones in our cars, but they've mysteriously disappeared.

(5) If they can avoid it, people don't go outside. It's funny, whatever plans someone has for the day are shot because it's raining and they don't want to go out anymore. This is actually a perfect time to get a mani/pedi, go to the DMV, go to the post office, go to the mall, and go just about anywhere that's usually crowded. Usually the employees are really bored, because it's a slow day for them, so they're really happy to see you and you'll get the best customer service ever!!!

(6) What's also weird is that it's not unusual to wear sunglasses when it rains - it was the oddest thing when I first moved here to see the sun out while it was raining.

What's really funny is that the "rain" here is nothing like it is back East. I'd compare it more to the sprinkles I experienced in Chicago and Boston. When the wind blows, it's tolerable, not the kind where the rain feels like ice pellets on your skin or the wind chills your bones. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I shouldn't complain... it really isn't that bad. I just might dig out my raincoat in the back of the closet - I bought it 2 years ago and I think the price tag is still attached!