On a dark and stormy night

It looks like we are in for some weather. The meteorologists predict high winds and lots of rain (duh). I've already seen/heard thunder and lightening (which I always associate with a warm front..could we be so lucky, um, I mean fortunate?).

I'm not sure what it is about a thunderstorm that I find so exciting. High winds always scared the heck out of me as a kid. I suspect that this is because people used the concept of being hit by lightening to describe a rare occurrence, but nobody ever talked about the possibility of being blown down the street while getting the mail. Incidentally, my mother told me all my scars would be gone by the time I got married. Yeah, thanks.

When I worked in Chicago, it was said that our building was located on the windiest corner in the windy city; Jackson and Wabash. I worked on one of the top floors (I believe it was 31 out of 34). And on a windy day, the building swayed and I was one of the people that could feel it. Everyone else just talked about the fact that some of the office doors were swinging ever so slightly. I was reaching for my laptop and heading for the El stop before I had to delicately place my head in the garbage can under my desk. I'm loads of fun on a boat too! Just a light lunch for me, thanks.

On those windy days, the trip to the El stop sometimes felt like something from fear factor. I can confirm to you that in the moment that you feel that a gust of wind is lifting you off your feet, you will definitely hug anyone. ANYONE! By the time you walked through your front door, you felt that you had survived something fierce (snap!). So the wind and I, we have a history together.

So the knowledge that a wind storm is approaching has me thankful that I am at home but a little nervous. Plus the fact that my lights are flickering is a little unnerving. That I over-stock all my household good seems like a good idea right now. I think that nature has been toying with me: last night my cable was knocked out and I could think of nothing better to do than read catalogs and fall asleep on the couch. Could it be as much fun by candlelight? Last week, the water was out for a while (the jackhammer guys had some bad aim, I guess). Now the flickering of the lights.

This passes for excitement at the Hamilton household.

(By the way, I am out of the office for the holidays...whee!...but plan on doing a little blogging to maintain sanity)

Comments

• Anonymous
  December 15, 2006
  100 mph winds, flooding and power outages... I'd say your decision to stock up your larder and stay home is looking pretty smart right now. Be safe and blog if you have power.  

• Anonymous
  December 15, 2006
  Be safe... If anyone can "weather the storm" with a good supply of provisions it is our own H2. BTW, has the brisket made it's way out of boise yet?

• Anonymous
  December 15, 2006
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  December 15, 2006
  In Wales we get some pretty strong gusts sure it's no windy city but even though i'm 6'0 and 12stone (or like to hope i am since i haven't measured in a while) when the gusts pick up and you can feel them blowing you around the place it does become a bit.... exhilirating. anyhow it's 4am and i'm still packing to go back home tomorrow morning. have a great holiday heather, glad you'll still be blogging as yours is one of my fave to read.

• Anonymous
  December 17, 2006
  I've only seen the scraps of messages that have made their way to my inbox of the terrible storm you guys just weathered. With the ice storm less than a month ago and now a wind storm that's left thousands without power, Seattle is going through a horrific winter season. Hopefully things are smooth sailing from here on out.