It rained in Los Angeles today.
I stepped outside to feel the cool vapor of a warm autumn rain. Flitting past the security guard at the entrance, I heard him call after me, “You shouldn’t walk alone at this time of night!”
“It’s alright,” I called back. “No one will be out in the rain.”
The streets were empty but alive.
I lifted my face to feel the drips course down my cheeks. The shuttle driver from the hospital waved at me with a questioning look. I shrugged and smiled. He shook his head and drove past me.
A man at the bus station hissed, waving me to shelter. I laughed. The rain is good for me.
There was magic in the air.
I felt the power of my swagger. Every eye seemed to track me as I sauntered along the dark, soggy street. I winked at the guy inside Blockbuster. He smiled back and moved to the door. I just laughed as I moved past. I’m not beautiful. Not at all. But there’s something that calls people. I’m Drew Barrymore with a splash of Meg Ryan. Sweet, quirky, and good-humored. I love to laugh. I love to live. I do both with exuberance.
The night ended too quickly.
As I approached the employee parking lot, the night security guard sprinted toward me with an umbrella. “You’ll catch cold in this rain! And you shouldn’t walk so late!”
I laughed and pretended to cover under the umbrella. “I’m fine. I like the rain.”
He continued his lecture on safety. I love that he recognizes me and remembers where I parked. The morning security guard holds the shuttle until I arrive. The night guard waits patiently until he sees me get in my car. He waves as I drive off, my windows open to allow the last few drops of rain to caress my arm. Catching a glimpse of this, he looks at me disapprovingly. Next time, I’ll get another lecture on health and safety. The security guards worry too much.
It was beautiful while it was.
I thought back over the past 24 hours and realized there was little I would change. My nephew is healthy. My job remains the highlight of every day. My friends are caring and kind. It’s good to be in a happy place. Even better when it’s raining in Los Angeles.
22 comments:
Isn't it wonderful?! I've never loved rain as much as I do here. I get all excited when i hear it forecasted and so disappointed if it doesn't come.
the ones who lecture are best kinds of security guards.
what, does it never rain in l.a. or something?
Rain in London is such a wussy thing. Just mist with pretensions. I miss Johannesburg thunderstorms - huge, hot drops, lots of drama. One of my favourite memories is a long, long walk from school to my best friend's house (a very long walk - we'd missed the bus) in heavy rain. We got some hot chips on the way - perfect chips: salty, vinegary, soft in the middle and crunchy on the outside - and spent the whole 50 minutes (or thereabouts) laughing with sheer delight. Of course, when we arrived we were soaked, literally, to the skin, as if we'd been swimming with our clothes on. It were gorgeous.
Ew. I hate to be wet unnecessarily. I'll trade locations with you, as it rains at least 3 days per week here.
But like the security guard said, you shouldn't walk alone so late.
Not as big on rain in Indiana. Perhaps that is because rain either brings mud, dreariness, or tornadoes. Ick. The only kind of rain I enjoy is the kind that comes in summer, in the late afternoon, right after you've cut the grass so you smell grass, humidity, and a cool breeze. That I like.
I know what you mean.
Minnesota has the best thunderstorms. I miss it. Idaho sucks at everything, can't even grow a good storm.
So a splash of Meg Ryan huh? I noticed her lips keep getting bigger everyday it seems, what a shame.
I like the rain too. Don't like being in it much, but I like it all the same.
When it does rain here in MI, it's usually cold. It's been a while since we've gotten a nice, warm, sunny rain.
The only downside I see to rain is that it makes my dog reek and I usually gag when he comes back in it's so bad.
I just like weather in all its varieties. LA is so incessantly "pleasant" that I love a change. The rain is its most beautiful (if you can avoid the dead stops on all the freeways!), so I take advantage of it.
Bluths - allow me to clarify. Meg Ryan pre-Russel Crowe. And Idaho does not suck. Stop saying that. Idaho has the most beautiful winter snowstorms ever created. And summer is fantastic.
okay, buff, I'm about to link you. Don't make me regret it. :)
I hate word verification. I think I may turn it off soon.
Idaho is very pretty in the summertime (though I am not usually here in the summer time) winter gets me frustrated because they don't know how to plow the roads! That red rock just ruins your jeans. The part I don't like is that there are no thunderstorms, snow storms yes, and I do like those. I wish I had a fireplace...
The plowing thing is a funny quirk. We always figured they just found it futile. Soon as you plow, there's more snow. So, throw some rock and be done with it. A fireplace does make snow more pleasant. :)
I can always count on Dem to make me laugh, but this one got me to giggle. Very well done. That snake has inspired you to great comic heights.
girl, i like it when you get poetic!
really nice...
There's something sensual about people who enjoy the rain. I love it.
thank you, glo. some people don't realize that, plow or not, having seasons is where it's at. but on cold days like today, i wouldn't mind being in l.a.
and today is drizzling.... the cold weather feels so nice tho...
The rain ended by the time I left work today. i was sad. it doesn't come around often enough.
hey youngnbrave! Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you again.
I still don't know what to do to get a blog god. They are awesome!
... Call me crazy, but I swear there was a newer post here earlier. The legend of the glo'd post strikes again.
Just sitting here dreading the day when it starts to snow...being a Utahn who hates the snow (and being cold) is an interesting way of life.
I love rain. I miss puddle jumping as a kid...just not the same when you're a grownup :)
P.S.
Yay! I'm back to being a frequent flyer...thanks Glo!
I've added you on my reminders every day...Outlook helpfully pops up a couple of times with the link to your blog on it...I've done the same with my vitamins...isn't technology AWESOME!
Hee.
You rock!
Ahh, Rain. The power of rain to do all sorts of good.
I love walking in the rain. But only when it's warm. I've walked in cold rain in another country. I shiverrrrred.
I can't believe it. They say it over there too. That you'll catch a cold from walking in the rain!
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