Buddy Revell: You know what Mitchell? You're the biggest #$#^%^& I've ever seen in my life. You didn't even try. How does that FEEL?
Watched a great, if tragically overlooked, film a few nights ago, On Demand.
Three O’Clock High.
A story about a pretty regular high school kid who manages to piss off the new-to-school bully before 9am, and spends the rest of the day going to ridiculous extremes to avoid having to fight him after school.
Pretty basic plot, but was done in a very entertaining manner. Great little nuances, like how the camera flashes to the clock with increasing frequency as 3pm draws near. Or the fact that Buddy may be a hyper-violent psychopath, but is also secretly a bright student. Add to this some minor characters that don’t quite fit into the John Hughes mold, and other creative camera work, and it was a pleasure to watch.
It ends up being not so much a story about a day in the life of a high school kid, as it is a story about how your life can change, when you decide to man up, so to speak, and simply… try.
From a movie pacing standpoint, the referenced quote’s the midpoint. The Main character was going in one (very bad) direction right up until this point. Then he switches gears / goals - the actual plot changes.
It didn’t strike a big chord with me, when I as 21 and probably not 100% sober and watched it one night at the dump I shared with three other guys at college. It was just a movie, y’know?
But watching it from my current perspective, it resonated.
All the important shit, the big stuff, the A-list things in my life that I value.., they were HARD.
It would have been much easier, at each turn, to not put myself out there, so to speak. Less scary, too.
But if I hadn’t have even tried, I’d probably not have my wife, nor my daughter (certainly not my daughter), nor the job I have.
As examples.
I wish I’d have been so wise, when I was 17, 19, 22….
Switching gears a bit, I’ve a class reunion coming up.
The end of this movie reminded me of something that happened 25, maybe 26 years ago.
There was a guy who showed up for one year. This was not unusual. Our school collected the odd guys; someone who needed a change of venue from wherever they had been going to school. Usually it was an issue of hoping that our school would provide more discipline for the person. Those people rarely stuck around.
Other times, like in the case of Eric, I’d guess someone had hoped that he’d be treated nicer in a smaller, more stable environment…..
He was a dork.
That’s my 17 year old brain memory of him. Goofy, didn’t dress very well, didn’t do particularly well academically, didn’t have very good social skills, bad skin…
My 43 year old brain can assume that by the time he got to us, he was used to playing a role, filling an un-desirable spot on the food chain. We were not his first rodeo.
He suffered through the year, not a lot of friends, probably getting picked on by those who enjoyed that sort of thing. And then it was the last day of school, and he was free of us.
You’d expect a quiet exit, maybe, a sigh of relief as he slides into his car and drives out of the parking lot for the last time.
Nope.
In the parking lot, after school, he gets into a fist fight with one of his biggest tormentors.
And even though he had to have known he was going to lose, he stepped up.
He… tried.
Of course he lost the fight. And he drove out of the parking lot for the last time sore and bloodied. I can only hope that he did so with some pride, having met the adversity head on.
Maybe it changed his life for the better, the notion that a bloody nose, real or metaphorical, stops hurting and bleeding after a bit, but the results of NOT trying can last you a lifetime.
Hiding from your problems can become a lifestyle…
I’m probably over-analyzing it, and over-romanticizing the event.
I’ll let you make up your own mind about that.
And to be honest, I’d not thought about it all for 25 years, until after watching the movie again.
I hope I’m right, though, and that Eric ended up doing well in his life.
Oh, and watch the movie already. It's worth 90 minutes of your life.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
A man in a car....
The man dropped off his wife and daughter at the pool, and headed back out into the world with a list of errands. His vacation starts in one week, and there's stuff to be done. Further, he's...exhausted.
Just whipped.
Beat Down.
His daughter had a really bad night, sleep wise, and this means he did, too.
He's on his way to get the Subaru's oil changed, when he realizes the car in front of him is not really driving very well.
"Clown." The irritable man mutters. They stop at a stop light, and when itturns green, the car in front does not go.
"C'mon, you $%$#%^ clown!" he says, more loudly.
The car in front of him finally takes off. The man looks around, to see if there's a way around the car in front, before they get to the next light, where he'll have to turn left.
Nope.
He watches the car in front of him weave slightly, as balloons blow around inside of it, obstructing the other driver's view. He's not at all pleased.
"Please go straight, please go straight" he thinks to himself, as they approach the next stop light.
Nope. The car in front of him slowly eases into the turn lane in front of him. He watches the driver adjust the rearview so that she can look at herself in it. He gets angrier when he sees her lean out the driverside window, to check herself out in the side mirror.
"no way this #$^& clown's paying attention to the light." he says aloud, hand poised and at the ready on the horn.
Sure enough, the turn arrow flashes on, and all the traffic in front of the woman moves, while she does not.
"C'mon, you #@$%$%^& clown, GO!!!!" he says, as he hits his horn once, briefly.
And she does, and he does, and they both make the light, and he whips into the right lane to get past her, still upset.
As he passes, he takes a quick glance over at her, and begins to laugh.
Her face was covered in white grease paint, with a large smile painted on.
That's right, my friends. The " #@$%$%& clown" really was... a clown.
Just whipped.
Beat Down.
His daughter had a really bad night, sleep wise, and this means he did, too.
He's on his way to get the Subaru's oil changed, when he realizes the car in front of him is not really driving very well.
"Clown." The irritable man mutters. They stop at a stop light, and when itturns green, the car in front does not go.
"C'mon, you $%$#%^ clown!" he says, more loudly.
The car in front of him finally takes off. The man looks around, to see if there's a way around the car in front, before they get to the next light, where he'll have to turn left.
Nope.
He watches the car in front of him weave slightly, as balloons blow around inside of it, obstructing the other driver's view. He's not at all pleased.
"Please go straight, please go straight" he thinks to himself, as they approach the next stop light.
Nope. The car in front of him slowly eases into the turn lane in front of him. He watches the driver adjust the rearview so that she can look at herself in it. He gets angrier when he sees her lean out the driverside window, to check herself out in the side mirror.
"no way this #$^& clown's paying attention to the light." he says aloud, hand poised and at the ready on the horn.
Sure enough, the turn arrow flashes on, and all the traffic in front of the woman moves, while she does not.
"C'mon, you #@$%$%^& clown, GO!!!!" he says, as he hits his horn once, briefly.
And she does, and he does, and they both make the light, and he whips into the right lane to get past her, still upset.
As he passes, he takes a quick glance over at her, and begins to laugh.
Her face was covered in white grease paint, with a large smile painted on.
That's right, my friends. The " #@$%$%& clown" really was... a clown.
Monday, June 13, 2011
the girl who played with fire
Was briefly talking books with folks yesterday, and The Girl who played with Fire came up.
actually, the trilogy came up, and I likely confused titles with plots, but.... just continue reading.
I recalled that I forced myself to finish it, whilst one of the people I was talking to, admitted that she didn't finish it.
I know I frequently miss why a mediocre-at-best book is actually secretly a brilliant work of fiction; so it was good to know that at least one other person didn't get into this one, either.
Here's my review / plot synopsis for the book.
Some little tiny girl named Svenson, with a big tattoo and a brand new boob job, has a troubled past, and is treated poorly by men, all of which were named Svenson, or perhaps Sverngensen. She's framed for a crime against someone named Svenson (or perhaps Svergensen, a writer who was about to release an expose about someone named Svenson, and is pursued by the local police, all of which were named...Svenson. There was a dirty cop, however. His name might have been Svergensen.
The lead male protagonist, Svenson, does not believe that Svenson / Svergensen the tattoo'd girl committed the crime against Svenson, and does what he can to help prove this, whilst nailing his boss, Svergensen. He thinks she's troubled, and maladjusted, and maybe dangerous, but not a killer of anyone named Svenson. Oh, he nailed her, too, before he started nailing his boss. The bosses maiden name? Svenson, I believe. They work together at a newspaper or magazine, which I'm pretty sure was called Svenson Weekly.
Their office was located on Svergensen Blvd.
Oh, and the dwarvish tattoo'd chick with new boobs? all she has to do is put on a wig, and she's unrecognizable by the entire population of whatever country she lives in.
And there was lots of stopping off at 7-11 for random meals, and a trip to Ikea to furnish a big, shiny apartment, likely located on Svenson street. Noone knows she lives there.
We spend more time reading about the Ikea trip, than we would actually spend... in Ikea.
And then Svenson Svenson Svergemsen Svenson Svergensen Svenson Svenson......
The book was at it's best early on, before the plot moved back to whatever scandinvian country in which the main plot took place. Early on, there was action on a tropical island, populated by people with different, non-interchangable last names. I could keep track without graph paper.
And the author didn't feel it was necessary to mention that they all stopped off at the island's convenience store for food.
Of COURSE I exaggerate.
But only a little.
If you're going to translate a novel into a different language, spend more than 5 minutes @ babelfish.com to do it.
Having it properly edited up front would help a great deal as well.
The US equivalent would have been set in Atlanta. All the characters would have had the word "Peach" or "Peachtree" in their names, their addresses, etc.
At least one of them would have had the nickname "Peachy" or "Peaches". There would have been many random, non-plot related mentions of stopping off at the Piggly Wiggly for vaguely named food items.
And after it became huge, it would be translated into many different languages, and some snarky, lazy-minded reader will mock it.
And rightfully so.
actually, the trilogy came up, and I likely confused titles with plots, but.... just continue reading.
I recalled that I forced myself to finish it, whilst one of the people I was talking to, admitted that she didn't finish it.
I know I frequently miss why a mediocre-at-best book is actually secretly a brilliant work of fiction; so it was good to know that at least one other person didn't get into this one, either.
Here's my review / plot synopsis for the book.
Some little tiny girl named Svenson, with a big tattoo and a brand new boob job, has a troubled past, and is treated poorly by men, all of which were named Svenson, or perhaps Sverngensen. She's framed for a crime against someone named Svenson (or perhaps Svergensen, a writer who was about to release an expose about someone named Svenson, and is pursued by the local police, all of which were named...Svenson. There was a dirty cop, however. His name might have been Svergensen.
The lead male protagonist, Svenson, does not believe that Svenson / Svergensen the tattoo'd girl committed the crime against Svenson, and does what he can to help prove this, whilst nailing his boss, Svergensen. He thinks she's troubled, and maladjusted, and maybe dangerous, but not a killer of anyone named Svenson. Oh, he nailed her, too, before he started nailing his boss. The bosses maiden name? Svenson, I believe. They work together at a newspaper or magazine, which I'm pretty sure was called Svenson Weekly.
Their office was located on Svergensen Blvd.
Oh, and the dwarvish tattoo'd chick with new boobs? all she has to do is put on a wig, and she's unrecognizable by the entire population of whatever country she lives in.
And there was lots of stopping off at 7-11 for random meals, and a trip to Ikea to furnish a big, shiny apartment, likely located on Svenson street. Noone knows she lives there.
We spend more time reading about the Ikea trip, than we would actually spend... in Ikea.
And then Svenson Svenson Svergemsen Svenson Svergensen Svenson Svenson......
The book was at it's best early on, before the plot moved back to whatever scandinvian country in which the main plot took place. Early on, there was action on a tropical island, populated by people with different, non-interchangable last names. I could keep track without graph paper.
And the author didn't feel it was necessary to mention that they all stopped off at the island's convenience store for food.
Of COURSE I exaggerate.
But only a little.
If you're going to translate a novel into a different language, spend more than 5 minutes @ babelfish.com to do it.
Having it properly edited up front would help a great deal as well.
The US equivalent would have been set in Atlanta. All the characters would have had the word "Peach" or "Peachtree" in their names, their addresses, etc.
At least one of them would have had the nickname "Peachy" or "Peaches". There would have been many random, non-plot related mentions of stopping off at the Piggly Wiggly for vaguely named food items.
And after it became huge, it would be translated into many different languages, and some snarky, lazy-minded reader will mock it.
And rightfully so.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Smashing Pumpkins video shoot
I've learned something in the last year.
If someone you know says "hey, you want to be an extra in a movie/ music video, I can make it easy for you to do so" or words to that effect - say "yes".
And not because it will be the coolest thing you've ever done,because while you're doing it you CERTAINLY won't be thinking this; or even because you'll end up being able to say "see, right there! there I am!"
Because I've no idea, at all, if I'll be able to say that.
But you should still say yes.
Friday night, about 75-100 people took part in shooting footage for a video for the Smashing Pumpkins' song OWATA.
Billy Corgan's a big fan of wrestling, and is tight with the local indy group AAW. I've a friend who's heavily involved in that group, and I've been to a few of their shows.
So I already knew where the Berwyn Eagle's Club was located.
Yep, video was shot at a sorta run down Eagle's Club, similar to a VFW hall.
Cuz rock and roll is GLAMOROUS!
Stood outside for way too long, then we were finally ushered in. Our job there was very simple. There would be wrestling, we'd cheer and boo and act like a rabid wrestling audience.
Over, and over, and over.....
Was by far the most diverse wrestling crowd I'd seen at the Eagle's club, given that over half were Pumpkins' fans.
There were...women in the audience, just to mention one BIG difference from the normal crowd.
I do not know the premise behind the video, the storyline if you will. They had been filming for 8 hours already by the time we were allowed in to "watch" the wrestling.
Cameras rolled for the main event - Two well known (if you're into that sort of thing) women wrestlers going at it for "the belt".
do not ask me whose belt.
We were given our instructions, and then watched and reacted to the match.
It was actually a pretty good match, the wrestlers were talented.
Then it was over, the cameras stopped, we were told to hang out for 15-20 while they rested, so that they could film it again.
They moved some of us around to the side where most of the filming would likely take place, gave us further instructions as to who EXACTLY we were supposed to be cheering and booing, and started everything back up.
We watched the EXACT same match a 2nd time, cheered and jeered and booed enthusiastically, were not at all surprised by the outcome of the match, the cameras were stopped again, and.... They told us that they were going to have the match ONE MORE TIME.
My friend, Phil, and I looked at each other, looked at our watches, thought about our wives and little girls at home, and opted out of the 3rd viewing.
Still, it was cool, I have a new tale to tell, and maybe, just maybe, I'll be in the video; waving a sign provided by the crew over my head, or pretending to be outraged by heel tactics on display in the match.
If someone you know says "hey, you want to be an extra in a movie/ music video, I can make it easy for you to do so" or words to that effect - say "yes".
And not because it will be the coolest thing you've ever done,because while you're doing it you CERTAINLY won't be thinking this; or even because you'll end up being able to say "see, right there! there I am!"
Because I've no idea, at all, if I'll be able to say that.
But you should still say yes.
Friday night, about 75-100 people took part in shooting footage for a video for the Smashing Pumpkins' song OWATA.
Billy Corgan's a big fan of wrestling, and is tight with the local indy group AAW. I've a friend who's heavily involved in that group, and I've been to a few of their shows.
So I already knew where the Berwyn Eagle's Club was located.
Yep, video was shot at a sorta run down Eagle's Club, similar to a VFW hall.
Cuz rock and roll is GLAMOROUS!
Stood outside for way too long, then we were finally ushered in. Our job there was very simple. There would be wrestling, we'd cheer and boo and act like a rabid wrestling audience.
Over, and over, and over.....
Was by far the most diverse wrestling crowd I'd seen at the Eagle's club, given that over half were Pumpkins' fans.
There were...women in the audience, just to mention one BIG difference from the normal crowd.
I do not know the premise behind the video, the storyline if you will. They had been filming for 8 hours already by the time we were allowed in to "watch" the wrestling.
Cameras rolled for the main event - Two well known (if you're into that sort of thing) women wrestlers going at it for "the belt".
do not ask me whose belt.
We were given our instructions, and then watched and reacted to the match.
It was actually a pretty good match, the wrestlers were talented.
Then it was over, the cameras stopped, we were told to hang out for 15-20 while they rested, so that they could film it again.
They moved some of us around to the side where most of the filming would likely take place, gave us further instructions as to who EXACTLY we were supposed to be cheering and booing, and started everything back up.
We watched the EXACT same match a 2nd time, cheered and jeered and booed enthusiastically, were not at all surprised by the outcome of the match, the cameras were stopped again, and.... They told us that they were going to have the match ONE MORE TIME.
My friend, Phil, and I looked at each other, looked at our watches, thought about our wives and little girls at home, and opted out of the 3rd viewing.
Still, it was cool, I have a new tale to tell, and maybe, just maybe, I'll be in the video; waving a sign provided by the crew over my head, or pretending to be outraged by heel tactics on display in the match.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Physics
I've a confession to make.
I managed to graduate both high school AND college, without ever taking a physics class.
Which is a shame, because at this point in my life, I'm pretty clear on how my brain works, what it focuses on, and I think it would have really enjoyed physics classes.
I was feeling the physics ignorance awhile back, so picked up a book that highlights and briefly explains 50 laws of physics.
Cool.
Same people also published similar books dealing with philosophy and other fields of study.
Smart Stuff for Dummies, in other words.
Perfect for me.
Besides the fact that it seems like a bunch of guys became famous in their fields for stating the obvious, I've found a lot of what I've read to be very interesting.
I came across a little bit of physics in-fighting the other day.
A genius version of Biggie vs. Tupac, Elton vs. Madonna, Axl Rose vs.... everyone.
Only.... for nerds.
Historical nerds.
Law # 1:
Copenhagen Interpretation:
Neils Bohr was hanging out in Denmark, partying with a bunch of scientists in a mansion donated by the Carslberg brewery folks; thinking deep thoughts and staying away from Nazis. He came up with the notion that an object is not fully formed, until you observe it, and that by observing it, you dictate the form it will take.
Light's both a particle AND a wave, for instance, but will adapt it's form to how the observer wishes to measure it.
If that's not enough, the ACT of observing alters what is being observed, because the act of observation "involves the transfer of some energy and momentum."
In coming up with this, he introduced a bit of philosophy into physics, which really cheesed off some of the other scientists.
(This happened decades before folks realized that you CAN mix chocolate and peanut butter, for the betterment of mankind.)
This theory caused a guy named Schrodinger to go all east coast vs. west coast on Bohr's ass.
In part to mock Bohr's Copenhagen Interpretation, which he thought was ridiculous, he came up with own.
A cat, in a closed box, may or may not have been poisoned, and may or may not be dead...
(Sidebar: Schrodinger had some serious issues...)
Schrodinger's Cat indicates that the only way to determine if the cat's alive or dead, is to open the box; but that the cat's obviously not both alive AND dead at the same time, waiting for us to peek inside and determine it's fate.
(Did I mention that it seems like a bunch of guys became famous in their fields for stating the obvious?)
He equates a possibly poisoned, possibly dead cat with light waves/particles.
This is what happens when brilliant nerds get bitchy.
Schrodinger, when not talking about torturing pets, left a trail of illegitimate children across europe and the UK.
Yep, this physics stuff is pretty fascinating.....
I managed to graduate both high school AND college, without ever taking a physics class.
Which is a shame, because at this point in my life, I'm pretty clear on how my brain works, what it focuses on, and I think it would have really enjoyed physics classes.
I was feeling the physics ignorance awhile back, so picked up a book that highlights and briefly explains 50 laws of physics.
Cool.
Same people also published similar books dealing with philosophy and other fields of study.
Smart Stuff for Dummies, in other words.
Perfect for me.
Besides the fact that it seems like a bunch of guys became famous in their fields for stating the obvious, I've found a lot of what I've read to be very interesting.
I came across a little bit of physics in-fighting the other day.
A genius version of Biggie vs. Tupac, Elton vs. Madonna, Axl Rose vs.... everyone.
Only.... for nerds.
Historical nerds.
Law # 1:
Copenhagen Interpretation:
Neils Bohr was hanging out in Denmark, partying with a bunch of scientists in a mansion donated by the Carslberg brewery folks; thinking deep thoughts and staying away from Nazis. He came up with the notion that an object is not fully formed, until you observe it, and that by observing it, you dictate the form it will take.
Light's both a particle AND a wave, for instance, but will adapt it's form to how the observer wishes to measure it.
If that's not enough, the ACT of observing alters what is being observed, because the act of observation "involves the transfer of some energy and momentum."
In coming up with this, he introduced a bit of philosophy into physics, which really cheesed off some of the other scientists.
(This happened decades before folks realized that you CAN mix chocolate and peanut butter, for the betterment of mankind.)
This theory caused a guy named Schrodinger to go all east coast vs. west coast on Bohr's ass.
In part to mock Bohr's Copenhagen Interpretation, which he thought was ridiculous, he came up with own.
A cat, in a closed box, may or may not have been poisoned, and may or may not be dead...
(Sidebar: Schrodinger had some serious issues...)
Schrodinger's Cat indicates that the only way to determine if the cat's alive or dead, is to open the box; but that the cat's obviously not both alive AND dead at the same time, waiting for us to peek inside and determine it's fate.
(Did I mention that it seems like a bunch of guys became famous in their fields for stating the obvious?)
He equates a possibly poisoned, possibly dead cat with light waves/particles.
This is what happens when brilliant nerds get bitchy.
Schrodinger, when not talking about torturing pets, left a trail of illegitimate children across europe and the UK.
Yep, this physics stuff is pretty fascinating.....
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Camo is the new black.
just got back from 3 days of fishing in Wisconsin. Things i've learned.....
1. Camo is the new black.
2. Sunburn's for people in a hurry. WIND burn takes way longer, but is just as unpleasant.
3. If the rain's blowing hard enough, you CAN actually get rain all the way into your ear canal.
4. You have fried fish on your menu? Really? It's tonite's special? what's your other specials? Other kinds of fried fish? Tough call... I'll go with the fried fish, I think. Oh, definitely want the fries with that....
5. OOPS. Sorry, I didn't see you there, what with all the camo and all. You blend right in.
6. Critters Sports advertises indoor archery range and full bar. All thisi time, I just assumed they were in the same room... I stand corrected.
7. I don't want to own a camo painted boat. I'd never find it.
8. Beer is so very cheap. and it goes great with fried fish.
9. leeches are nasty. Yeah, I didn't JUST learn this, but was reminded of it continually for three days. However, they're like...fried fish to the fish, so I endured it.
10. Pontoon boats and high wind and swift current do not go together nearly as well as...say.... fried fish and a 30oz mug of beer.....
Fishing wasslow, but steady. And the company was... AWESOME.
1. Camo is the new black.
2. Sunburn's for people in a hurry. WIND burn takes way longer, but is just as unpleasant.
3. If the rain's blowing hard enough, you CAN actually get rain all the way into your ear canal.
4. You have fried fish on your menu? Really? It's tonite's special? what's your other specials? Other kinds of fried fish? Tough call... I'll go with the fried fish, I think. Oh, definitely want the fries with that....
5. OOPS. Sorry, I didn't see you there, what with all the camo and all. You blend right in.
6. Critters Sports advertises indoor archery range and full bar. All thisi time, I just assumed they were in the same room... I stand corrected.
7. I don't want to own a camo painted boat. I'd never find it.
8. Beer is so very cheap. and it goes great with fried fish.
9. leeches are nasty. Yeah, I didn't JUST learn this, but was reminded of it continually for three days. However, they're like...fried fish to the fish, so I endured it.
10. Pontoon boats and high wind and swift current do not go together nearly as well as...say.... fried fish and a 30oz mug of beer.....
Fishing wasslow, but steady. And the company was... AWESOME.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
New adventures of a man and his dog
Wednesday, 7:15pm.
The man and his dog head out into the evening.
There were reports of bad weather in the area, but it had all missed the man's neighborhood thus far.
He looked to the western sky, and was not pleased.
But - he was not worried, either.
They began their route.
They had not yet traveled a full block, when the previously-light breeze turned into a wind. By the time they reached the school, the wind was really beginning to assert itself.
They turned west, into the wind, and kept going.
The sky that had not worried him, mere minutes before, was now quite ominous, and much, much closer.
The man mentally shook his head and grinned ruefully.
"Why the hell not?" he thought to himself as the weather continued to deteriorate at an alarming rate.
"This is how I roll."
But then an amazing thing happened.
He came upon a flowering tree, resplendent in tiny purple blooms. It smelled wonderful.
As the strong wind blew through the tree, it picked up thousands of tiny purple petals.
The man stood immediately downwind from the tree, and, grinning with awe and childlike delight, stretched his arms out wide as he stepped into a blizzard of tiny flowers.
He was sublimely happy, and made no effort to continue on their way.
The dog, a simpler creature perhaps, was not as impressed with the spectacle, and began to whine at the first flash of lightning and rumble of thunder .
The moment had passed.
"You make a good point." The man said to the dog, turning away from the tree and the flowers.
The headed across the field, the man's gaze turned downward to avoid the flying dust and dirt.
Their pace quickened as the wind began to howl, and the first splatters of rain struck them. They ran the last half block, and were inside before the rain began in earnest.
The man found his wife and daughter on the back porch, rocking gently on the porch swing as the storm became fully involved.
"You beat the storm!" The man's wife said with relief.
"Just barely." the man replied as he sat down next to them, and his big, brave dog slunk under the swing and laid down.
"But the coolest thing happened..."
The man and his dog head out into the evening.
There were reports of bad weather in the area, but it had all missed the man's neighborhood thus far.
He looked to the western sky, and was not pleased.
But - he was not worried, either.
They began their route.
They had not yet traveled a full block, when the previously-light breeze turned into a wind. By the time they reached the school, the wind was really beginning to assert itself.
They turned west, into the wind, and kept going.
The sky that had not worried him, mere minutes before, was now quite ominous, and much, much closer.
The man mentally shook his head and grinned ruefully.
"Why the hell not?" he thought to himself as the weather continued to deteriorate at an alarming rate.
"This is how I roll."
But then an amazing thing happened.
He came upon a flowering tree, resplendent in tiny purple blooms. It smelled wonderful.
As the strong wind blew through the tree, it picked up thousands of tiny purple petals.
The man stood immediately downwind from the tree, and, grinning with awe and childlike delight, stretched his arms out wide as he stepped into a blizzard of tiny flowers.
He was sublimely happy, and made no effort to continue on their way.
The dog, a simpler creature perhaps, was not as impressed with the spectacle, and began to whine at the first flash of lightning and rumble of thunder .
The moment had passed.
"You make a good point." The man said to the dog, turning away from the tree and the flowers.
The headed across the field, the man's gaze turned downward to avoid the flying dust and dirt.
Their pace quickened as the wind began to howl, and the first splatters of rain struck them. They ran the last half block, and were inside before the rain began in earnest.
The man found his wife and daughter on the back porch, rocking gently on the porch swing as the storm became fully involved.
"You beat the storm!" The man's wife said with relief.
"Just barely." the man replied as he sat down next to them, and his big, brave dog slunk under the swing and laid down.
"But the coolest thing happened..."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)