This year, though, the rain hysteria seems slightly tempered by the realization that while the rain is inconvenient (and the snow in the mountains is wickedly inconvenient -- people were snowed into their cars for about 15 hours, with a 200 carjam up in Big Bear), it's not like we're Sumatra or anything.

I think that the tsunami is forcing Southlanders to keep it in perspective just a bit.

AND, FWIW, east coasters freak out about whether in ways that the people in the snowbelt don't understand. Philly, Baltimore and DC become paralyzed too at the sign of any real weather. They have people at the grocery stores talking about people stocking up on toilet paper and milk.

That's true, Kat. Maybe it takes prolonged exposure to bad weather to make folks smart about it. In Milwaukee or Minneapolis, or in New England, people just put on their Long underwear in the fall, keep an eye on their car's battery, make sure they keep the driveway plowed and just go about their business, no matter how horrible it gets.

Yep. I think that's definitely true, Robin. Though instead of freaking out about the wet or the cold, folks in Ohio and other northern places freak out about the hot (the elderly are dying at home due to heat!!). And a 100 degree day here, especially in the valley, is incovenient but not really 24-7 newsworthy.

I think it's just you get used to what you know and other things cause a panic.

Rain would be really nice since my sprinklers aren't working. I think it is just that the pump has lost prime, but too crazed to try and fix it. Rain, on the other hand, would make driving even worse than usual. High tourist season has made driving anywhere high adventure. Snowbirds and tourists do the strangest things on the road.

I'm taking down the tree and packing up decorations today. Slowly.

MIL is in surgery getting her gall bladder removed. Apparently she has had problems for 5-10 years but didn't bother to complain.

I gave up on OC, but enjoy catching the high/low points here.

I want to go back on vacation.

I want to go back on vacation.

Me too, Laura. 1 week and 1 day more and then I can.

Ah, hanging on for one week is not so bad.

I wouldn't feel so vacation deprived if we hadn't spent the whole 10 days sick. I burned the candle at both ends for 2 weeks prior to leaving then collapsed sick. I think getting on an airplane filled with sick air after getting virtually no sleep for days was a really bad plan.

A mini vacation sometime between now and the NOLA F2F is required.

Sorry about the drips Robin.

I can't stand the rain against my windowpane. Brings back memories.

It's boring, that's what it is. But I'm surprised how many people dragged their asses to krav this morning through it. I'm not sure I would have, except for the responsibility thing. Especially given I didn't get to bed until 3.

At krav, I discovered my trapezius is so tight, I can't jump rope, looking to my left is unpleasant, and having it poked is enough to make me want to pass out. I sense a chiropractic adjustment in my future, as well as muscle relaxants in the short term.

One thing I learnt about rain -- that Sepulveda 'shortcut' to avoid backed up 405? Not good in the water, especially with the dark.

Hmm. I think I'm going to have some apple cake with tea.

I burned the candle at both ends for 2 weeks prior to leaving then collapsed sick

That's seeming to be more and more of a pattern. Immune systems either giving up the ghost once the exertion is done, or punishing you for being a bad body-mommy.

ita, quick insent.

Laura, you should come here for your birthday. It would be a year 3 trip to LA (in a row, right?)...

Brings back memories.

Aren't the memories at least sweet? At least according to the song?

temptress

I do plan on going to San Diego for some training stuff in the next couple months or so. It might be possible to add a few extra days for more west coast travel.