Big Rain Last Night!

We finally had a real tropical storm rip through here last night. Just when I thought it couldn't rain any harder, it did! I discovered that I have a river running through my apartment from my kitchen sink, across my living room floor (under all my electronics!) and out the door. Left alone, it probably would have just travelled through without incident but I decided to start sweeping and mopping. I think I made it worse by spreading the water around a greater area but at least now I have a relatively clean floor. :) The noise of the rain was so hard, I had the TV turned up to its highest volume and still had to read the Spanish subtitles so I could understand what the actors were saying.

I had plans last night to attend the first Girls Only Night at Que?Pasa. We were all bringing something to eat and planning to watch chick flicks. Unfortunately, the party was scheduled to start at 7PM during the height of the storm. I arranged for my friend Laura to pick me up but she called to tell me that she couldn't negotiate her stairs in the heavy downpour so we decided to wait a bit longer. Finally, she made it down her 85 stairs to her Jeep and headed over to my place. I prepared for my departure with my salad, my purse and a towel in a plastic bag. I wore flip flops, cotton pants rolled up to my knees, my jean jacket over a tank top and a ball cap. An umbrella would have been useless and I wanted one of my hands free.

Usually, Laura picks me up on the corner, 1/2 block from my door but I convinced her to turn the corner and pull up in front of my building. Once outside, I realized that the water on my cobblestone street was at least a foot deep and rushing like a river. I do not feel comfortable negotiating it when dry and felt that all that water could prove to be very dangerous. I decided to walk down to the corner as the water didn't seem to be so deep there. I was able to cross the street without getting too wet. The warm water came up over my feet but the cobblestones are flatter here because of the constant buses roaring down the street. I stood under an overhang and decided to wait for my friend. I was able to watch the storm (ever see pink lightening?) and stay relatively dry. Plus the temperatures had cooled considerably.

A car pulled up to the curb and three people jumped out. Two didn't even bother wearing any shoes, walking on the street, around the car and onto the sidewalk. One of the women shuddered and backed away from the wall, pointing to a dark spot. Her male friend looked too and then just laughed at her. I decided to investigate. Ever wonder where the big bugs go when it's raining? They were clustered in writhing reddish brown clumps on the side of the wall, waiting out the rain with the rest of us. There were almost a hundred of them, all clinging to the wall, antennaes flickering in the rain. It was one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen! I still get the heebie geebies when I think about it! *shudder*

The rain eventually stopped so we could enjoy our potluck dinner at Que?Pasa and watch the movie "Million Dollar Baby". It was nothing like I expected! But I liked it. I slept well last night because of the wonderful cool breeze coming in my bedroom window. I got up early and went to the gym at 7AM. I've been at home ever since, puttering around and cleaning up after the rains. I plan on re-arranging my bedroom again so that if I am not home to close the windows, my bed will not get soaked. Right now it is right under the window but I think I will move it back a couple of feet and change the direction so that I can make better use of the breeze when it does come through. After I watch the Y&R that is, which is coming on now on The American Network. Talk to you later! :)