Another Rainy Day

Image via WikipediaSince I live in one of the rainiest cities in the United States, I've come to expect random rainstorms. I even think that I can feel them in my bones. It helps that I have arthritis and my joints get all sticky when the weather changes. Yes, arthritis does have its uses. Aren't you jealous?

Also, I'm like a portable weather vane. My hair tells me which way the wind is blowing. In my face, away from my face, up, sideways, or my personal favorite, the mini-cyclone.

The wind is like my own personal hairstylist. I think that I have a perfectly good hairstyle going, but obviously, I'm horribly wrong and the wind will fix it for me, thus saving me from my former hair catastrophe. Isn't that sweet?

As to the rain, I have learned to carry an umbrella with me at all times, regardless of the actual forecast. Those weather people are wrong about 50 percent of the time, and I've gotten soaked enough on a supposedly sunny day to know better.

Take today for example. It was forecast to be a 70 percent chance of rain, so the odds are against it being dry today, but when I left my room this morning, there was barely a cloud in the sky. I wasn't fooled though. I knew those storm clouds were only playing hide-and-seek with me without telling me, so I lugged around my ginormous black umbrella to class. It didn't rain. Crisis averted.

Then, I decided that I would have lunch after all, and went for my leisurely walk to the dining hall only 100 yards from my room. The trip took only about 20 minutes, but by the time I had scavenged up a meal and some coffee, the sky was dark and pouring like the flood.

I heaved a large sigh, scrounged around in my recycled-plastic (waterproof!) purse and found my spare umbrella. It's a tiny lime green thing and it barely covers my head. I mainly carry it as a token against rain, but today it decided to take the day off or something. I still don't know how I managed to carry my food, the large white chocolate mocha, and maintain the umbrella over my head in the whipping rain and wind, but 100 wet yards later, I was locked back in my room.

How's that for survival? Yes, I know I'm beast at thwarting the weather. But someone has to do it.

Until next time...stay dry and carry a big umbrella!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Image via WikipediaYes, it is that time of year again. The time of the year where beads and moonpies are being chucked at people's screaming faces and I feel the sudden inexplicable urge to brave the massive crowds of children, parents, and freaks that only come out once a year, to catch my share of cups and beads and dodge any crazy people waving their arms and staggering from inebriation.

Mardis Gras always brings out the weird in us all. Last night I caught my first parade of the year and only got hit in the head once by a whiplash of beads. That's what I call a successful night of revelry.

Spring has come early this year on the Gulf Coast and I was happy to find that I wasn't freezing or getting hit with frozen moonpies. You don't know how bad it hurts until it's happened to you. And it always seems to happen to me.

It was strange, but as I watched the floats filled with middle-aged men in masks as they slung handfuls of cheap plastic beads at the masses of crazed faces and flailing limbs along each side of the street, I had a sort of happy feeling. Normally, I'm too busy defending my position along the barricade and screaming "Throw me something, mister!" or "Is that the best you can do?! My granny can throw farther than you!" But this year I settled for standing in the back and observing the insanity of Mardi Gras madness.

Since Mardis Gras isn't something that the majority of the world gets to experience, I wondered if other people understand the point behind Mardi Gras parades...in any case, I think it has to do with Lent. Since I'm not Catholic, I don't participate in Lent, and even if I did, I don't think I could give anything up. I'm far too happy with my vices.

In my region, Mardis Gras is more of a social event than anything else. We get out of school on Fat Tuesday, since the holiday is fairly well-recognized and celebrated. And let me tell you, it can get pretty crazy down here during Mardis Gras season. People come from all over to see the parades and to participate in the festivities, parties, and balls.

Traditionally, my family has always been very conservative about attending parades. We don't get swept up in the revelry that seems to wipe all rational thought from the minds of some of those afflicted by the good times rolling down the streets. But we appreciate the holiday, all the same. Someday I want to write about Mardis Gras, and I might even include it in one of my books...who knows. The chaos of a parade would make a great scene at least.   

Until next time...let the good times roll!

Hello People.

Image via WikipediaIf you're reading this, I'm going to assume that you intentionally found your way to my blog. If so, thanks! Also, welcome!

This blog is going to be a work in progress. I can't decide if I want to take it in a book review direction or if I want it to work as more of my author site. Yes. Author. I'm not published, unfortunately, but someday I will be. I have time though. It's not like my house is in foreclosure and I have to sell a book or bad things will happen. I'm happy with where I am in my life right now.

Yep. As of this moment, I am a student at the University of South Alabama where I am double-majoring in English and secondary education. If you guessed high school English teacher, you are correct. (Enjoy that nice picture of the rolling of the circle during homecoming week. I helped!)

Maybe I'm crazy (the jury's still out on that one), but the idea of going back to high school is kind of exciting. I'll be in charge, mostly, and the metaphorical fate of students will rest upon my red pen. Actually, I don't like the idea of using red pens. I'll probably use green.

Anyway, if all goes according to plan, I will graduate in two more years and then start teaching. Of course, if I happen to sell a book in between here and there I won't mind. In fact, I'll be very happy.

Well, I hope I haven't bored you delightful people too much. I promise much more exciting posts in the near future. It's really late right now and my hair is still wet. Which means I need to go dry it before my brother gets back and takes over the bathroom. He's such a man-diva. But that's a story for another blog post!