yes, yes, let's talk about the weather
Question.
Why is there such a stigma about talking about the weather? The general idea is that either you've run out of things to say, you're boring and uncreative, or you're trying to fill space in an awkward silence.
But maybe the weather is remarkable - like the July 5th haboob, or the October 5th 2010 hail storm. (Apparently Phoenix likes its dramatic weather to be on the 5th of the month.) If you look at these pictures, I'd definitely say that's something worth talking about!
epic pictures from the haboob
the back of my house after the hail storm last October
So, incredible weather is clearly worth talking about. A picture's worth a thousand words, giving me an excuse to ramble on for 3K about the weather.
Or perhaps you live in Phoenix, and the main thing connecting us all together as a people is the miserably scorching heat we are experiencing. It may not be anything new, but it's an instant bond with your fellow Phoenicians - whine about the heat. Commiserate about how drenched in sweat you are by the time you reach your next class one building away - or worse, all the way across campus.
If we're really lucky, it starts raining. Rain in ANY form is to be celebrated with much talk - unless it's like last night when 8 skinny droplets spatter against your windshield as the sky spits on you in mockery of your pitiful plea for precipitation. That's the response to doing an Arizonan Rain Dance - you wash your car in hopes that the rain will come, but really you only get enough to make it dirty. If God smiles and it really rains, then you run outside and dance in it, as soon as you tell ALL of your friends - texting and facebook are both acceptable forms of communication here - so that they can go out and enjoy the wet, falling splendor too. (When it rains in Phoenix, your news feed will explode. It's that exciting.)
Also, if you think about it, science has achieved remarkable things, but it still can't accurately predict the weather (though I admit it gets close. Here's it's easy: "Tomorrow will be hot"). Why is it boring to discuss something that defies prediction? It's shifty and affects us without us even really thinking of it. It can make us happy or miserable, dictate our clothing, control our commutes and move our plans indoors. It can destroy your house, or reduce you to the dark ages, dependent on candles for lighting your home. It can create a booming industry out of hail damage repair for vehicles and roofs - in the middle of the desert.
How is any of that not worth conversation?
Why is there such a stigma about talking about the weather? The general idea is that either you've run out of things to say, you're boring and uncreative, or you're trying to fill space in an awkward silence.
But maybe the weather is remarkable - like the July 5th haboob, or the October 5th 2010 hail storm. (Apparently Phoenix likes its dramatic weather to be on the 5th of the month.) If you look at these pictures, I'd definitely say that's something worth talking about!
epic pictures from the haboob
the back of my house after the hail storm last October
Or perhaps you live in Phoenix, and the main thing connecting us all together as a people is the miserably scorching heat we are experiencing. It may not be anything new, but it's an instant bond with your fellow Phoenicians - whine about the heat. Commiserate about how drenched in sweat you are by the time you reach your next class one building away - or worse, all the way across campus.
If we're really lucky, it starts raining. Rain in ANY form is to be celebrated with much talk - unless it's like last night when 8 skinny droplets spatter against your windshield as the sky spits on you in mockery of your pitiful plea for precipitation. That's the response to doing an Arizonan Rain Dance - you wash your car in hopes that the rain will come, but really you only get enough to make it dirty. If God smiles and it really rains, then you run outside and dance in it, as soon as you tell ALL of your friends - texting and facebook are both acceptable forms of communication here - so that they can go out and enjoy the wet, falling splendor too. (When it rains in Phoenix, your news feed will explode. It's that exciting.)
Also, if you think about it, science has achieved remarkable things, but it still can't accurately predict the weather (though I admit it gets close. Here's it's easy: "Tomorrow will be hot"). Why is it boring to discuss something that defies prediction? It's shifty and affects us without us even really thinking of it. It can make us happy or miserable, dictate our clothing, control our commutes and move our plans indoors. It can destroy your house, or reduce you to the dark ages, dependent on candles for lighting your home. It can create a booming industry out of hail damage repair for vehicles and roofs - in the middle of the desert.
How is any of that not worth conversation?
I like the way you think. :)
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