If I may make a reference to (19 May 2009), you will note that I describe my desire to wander through the rain during a storm listening to Burial. Today brought the opportunity to do so…
Sitting inside I heard the distant clap of thunder rumbling through the sky making its way overhead. The faint patter of rain as it began its deliberate descent to the ground. Thunder claps louder and at faster intervals. The rain sounding loudly through the window ajar. I excused myself from my online conversation with “Hold on, I’ll be right back, I’m going to go stick my head out the window” and I did just that. The rain depends the colors all around, a vibrant green stuck out in great contrast against the grey sky. Smells of new, earth and life drift up from the ground and down from the trees. Feels electric. I grabbed my iPod and my flip flops and ascended the stairs. Stepping out into the rain, the air is warm and the drops splash against my face. From the door to the gate, about 20 seconds, and then I’m on the street walking towards Queen’s Park. I’ve been out of the building for a minute, tops. Burial is blasting in my ears as I walk down the street laughing in my head at the people with umbrellas. Out of the corner of my left eye I see a figure on a bicycle slow down in my direction, a black man with dreads, fit & attractive looking. I can tell he’s coming up to so I preemptively disrupt my musical journey to cater to what he is about to ask, & I know it’s not going to be directions.
“Excuse me” he says “would it be alright to ask you for your phone number?” “I don’t have a phone” I replied with a smile on my face. He immediately apologized and carried on his way. As I did mine. I laughed at the oddity of it all, then was immediately captivated by the loud rumble in the sky above me. Rain fell faster around me then eased up. As I turned the corner my pace slowed and I saw the sky light up. I stopped and scanned the clouds about for the light source knowing it would reappear. Music halfway up so I could hear the rain and thunder as well. Shortly after the brief pause of rain a torrential downpour ensued. I turned the corner again headed towards ‘home’. Flip flops became slippery as the wet seeped through my clothing and around my feet. Walking barefoot now down the walk. I looked to the sky twice, just in time to see the flash of light. Harder and harder the rain came down as I couldn’t help but slightly dance my way back onto the grounds. I walked past a man on the way to his bike, helmet and all & smiled between the drops running down my face. Ice now… the rain had turned to hail as I reached the drop. I was about to go in and turned around to look. stepped back out from the overhang shielding me and back into the storm. Puddles formed in the cracks in the sidewalk as I waded back and forth laughing at my childish satisfaction of it all… as quickly as I came, I left, returning a sopping mess to the flat.