drying out

I wish I was drying out from wine tasting, but not this time. After some miscommunication about checking out a location for a holiday party, I ended up waiting for the bus in the rain. Stopped by Radio Shack for a moment to pick up some headphones for my laptop, then watched two 51 buses race by.

I'm thinking, no problem, we're close to the end of the 51 route, there will be plenty of others. So for nearly 30 minutes in and out of light and heavy rainfall in my Air Force surplus rain coat and Tilley Endurables Hat I stood at a bus stop that claimed 4 different buses stopped there. I never saw the other 3 buses. And the one I did see raced past the growing number of soggy bus patrons because it was full. It wasn't too bad for the most part, the slicker and hat kept me quite dry for the first 25 minutes. I listened to the rain pelt my hat while my feet remained comfortably dry. Watched people walk in the rain, some prepared, other more miserable as their cotton denim jackets soaked up a darker shade of blue. I even practiced some breathing techniques. Practicing being "in the moment" and enjoying a rain soaked morning, the first real storm of the season.

It reminded me of being on traffic squad in elementery school. Fifth and sixth graders who during the school day wore bright orange hats and belts denoting their designation as the kids who stop cars on the 4 corners of the school lot so the other kids can cross safely. On rainy days, we were given bright yellow musty rain slickers and boots. Those were the best! An excuse to stand on a corner, miss 30 minutes of class, and kick around in the puddles until someone came by to cross the street. But on rainy days, many parents ended up driving their kids to school.

Rain is fun when you can stay dry and warm. So for the first 25 minutes I enjoyed the rain how it shifted from drizzle to droplets and back. After watching a crowded 51 pass us up, I decided to start walking. Of course, a block later I watched two 51 buses speed quickly by. Sigh. One of those days. Maybe it was a sign that I should have just walked in the first place. I called my coworker to say that I'd be late.

I could feel the rain start to soak in at the knees as I walked past a couple of Indian clothing stores, South Asian looking adult mannequins, and one round faced blonde blue eyed girl child mannequin. I guess children mannequins haven't gotten multicultural yet.

When my pants started sticking to my calves I passed the Greenlining Institute offices, a public policy organization a few friends had gone to work for. It was housed in one of the many new buildings on University, a mix of housing, offices, and street level shops. It sat next to a store called, Saxology, which reminded me that I should bring in my old Tenor Saxophone to be tuned and cleaned up. I haven't touched it in years. Maybe I'll give myself an excuse to play it again soon.

The rain was soon creeping into my socks and rising to the back of my thighs as the rain penetrated the government issue jacket. Military surplus is some high quality stuff, but nothing saves you from a good 40 minute soaking. I decided to stop off at a cafe and buy a large hot chocolate before heading into the meeting that I was late for. On most days the heat from the cup scalds my hands, but on a day like this, there's nothing more comforting.

I got to my cubicle and stripped off the jacket and hat to head to my meeting, hot chocolate in hand. Rain now at my lower back. I think I'll stay indoors for the rest of the day. Rain is only fun when you can stay warm and dry. Time to work on the warm and dry part.