Rain in California...need I say more?

Hello, hello! I wish I could say its another gorgeous day in sunny California...sadly, it is raining. Rain, it doesn't happen very often in California, but when it does - it's a doosy. I'm not too sure what it is about rain falling from the sky that has people in such an uproar. Granted, its wet, sometimes cold, and generally a little uncomfortable - but that's about it. Typically rain isn't painful, it doesn't cause any major injuries (I'm talking about rain itself, not rain related accidents) it doesn't hurt, burn, sting, etc. It is just water...that's really all it is. Having said that, I want to know why rain makes everything so difficult.

You think it's annoying to drive in the rain, and yes, I agree. I can understand, it can be dangerous to drive in the rain, HOWEVER, does that mean that you should be driving 30 mph on the freeway with your hazards on? (please refer to: Slow, it's the enemy). Granted, you should be more cautious, maybe instead of driving 85, you're driving 50 or 55 and maybe you're throwing your headlights on (for good measure). I can totally understand that. But then you have the people, who when it rains, the world stops.

You know who I'm talking about. Those people. You know very well who they are - and you, you know who you are. You've made plans for weeks now, great new movie out, friend you havent seen in years, so stoked to hang, and then you get the call: "Hey! Dude, so bummed, don't think I can make it, it's raining..." What is that? First of all, I know it's raining, I live here too. Furthermore, I didn't call you to bail...should have been your first clue that rain isn't gonna make or break me. But it's really the logic (or lack thereof) that really gets me. It's raining, so now you cant get into your car (parked in the garage) drive 10 miles to the movie theatre, where you will proceed to sit (in an enclosed room) for 2.5 hours, before you walk 17 steps (with an umbrella) back to your car, where you will then drive another 10 miles to your home (and again park in your garage). Seriously? Is that really what you're telling me? Because that's pretty close to the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

It happens all the time on the west coast, and man is it irritating. I cannot tell you how many times I hear "Eh, I don't think I'm gonna do anything today, its raining" Comon! I don't know what people here would do if they ever had to live anywhere else. Who just doesn't do stuff because it's raining? "Grrr, I really need this surgery...but it's raining" No, that doesn't happen, because it makes no sense. My mother "Candy, please don't go anywhere today, it's raining" I don't even know what to do with that request? How can I possibly honor it, there are things to be done! I mean what happens if you eventually have to move? Or what happens if it rains for a whole week? Then what??? The east coast, it rains YEAR ROUND. If I'm not doing anything because it's raining, I'm literally not doing anything, ever. I can recall, June of 2009 - it rained every single day. Every single day in the month of June, there was rain. By this logic, June 2009 could have potentially been the most counterproductive month of my life!

Don't get me started on the news. "It's raining out there folks, if you don't have to go anywhere today, we'd recommend you stay in" all they do is contribute to the nonsense. What happened to the days of "Ahh, its a little rain, it wont kill ya!!!" No, suddenly we've all become the wicked witch of the west, where the slightest drop of rain will cause you to melt and surely die. That's not going to happen. Do you know what happens if rain gets on you? YOU GET WET AND IT DRIES. That's all that happens people, just a little moisture. It wont burn off your skin, it wont stain your clothes, and it wont leave a mark - it'll just get you a little wet, and then you'll dry. That's all that happens. You've experienced this same phenomenon of "getting wet" several times before. In the shower, if you go swimming, if you've exercised and sweat...it's all the same concept, and you seem to get through all of those activities pretty ok, right? As if its not bad enough that we're terrified of rain, we act as if we have to just go out there and weather the storm. We don't! You have umbrellas large enough to cover a family of 4, rain jackets, raincoats, and rain boots like its no body's business. In today's world of fashion and accessories, the probability if you going out in the rain and even getting wet is slim to none!

Don't get me wrong, I'd much prefer a sunny day to a cloudy rainy one, but get real people, its not that big a deal. Am I cancelling plans because of rain? No. Am I not going to work because of rain? No. Am I driving in a mad panic, fearing for my life because of rain? Probably, but that's just my ocd.