21 July, 1998

Thunder in the Canyons

I was preparing to leave, bag packed, checking one last e-mail, when I felt the pressure in the air suddenly drop. The temperature of the air outside, while still beaming hotly through the windows had just gone down several degrees in a matter of minutes leaving a chill going up my spine. I turned around and saw the threatening black oozing over everything. The wind picked up lashing the trees and whipping leaves up and down the length of this 8 to 10 story block of buildings.

Then came the rain, beating down to the pavement below. I called Sabs "I'll be late, it's raining cats and dogs out there and I don't have my rain jacket." My paltry umbrella was no match for this. Lightning tore the sky followed by the crashing tenor of thunder. The voices echo down the canyon of the massive buildings carrying the sound of the rain just behind it.

I watch, fascinated with one hand resting against the window pane. It is still warm from the day's heat. A day of sun and 100F+ temperature does not so easily leave the glass. But I am again impressed and in awe of the forces of nature and in no mood to tempt fate by walking out in this.

So I turn back to the machine, fire up the web editor and type away, secure in my little cocoon cubicle.