The Weather

The weather is a very boring topic. I should be a bit clearer and say that nice weather is a boring topic. Things like ice and lightning storms are awesome, and easily spice up any conversation, but nice weather is what strangers discuss. Yet as boring as nice weather may be, it's still lovely to have and worth enjoying. That's what this blog is going to be about: how I enjoy nice weather, and summer weather specifically.

The first thing I think of when warmer weather rolls around is driving at night. Not just driving at night, but driving at night in flip flops, a t-shirt and shorts, with the windows down. It gives me that feeling of "this is great" and "I should do this every night." After all those months of having to bundle up before going out it feels refreshing to do little more than slip on some footwear and go. It makes 1AM trips to Wal-Mart enjoyable instead of a chore, and that's an impressive feat. Why someone would go there at such an hour is known only to those that have, but we know and that's why we go. Besides, if you're up all night you need something to do...

When I was younger, I made a habit of staying up all night when I was on summer vacation. At first it was just to do it, but over the years I found a perfect reason: breakfast. Let me explain. Where I used to live there was a park just across the street with a smattering of trees, and it was in the middle of the neighborhood. In the park, there was a table in a prime spot for watching the sunrise. When the time came I would get a bowl of cereal and sit at that table, eating my breakfast while watching the sun rise. I must have been 14 or 15 when I first did it, and I remember just feeling satisfied.

My parents were never too happy when I would stay up all night, but the simple act of having breakfast like that was worth it and I'm very happy I did it. For something that happens every day, the sunrise is one of the best. It's very calming, but exhilarating at the same time. I can't recommend watching one enough, especially when the weather is as nice as it is on a summer morning.

One of my favorite memories is being woken by those first rays of sunshine, after taking a short nap in my car. I had been driving around all night, enjoying the wonderful weather we were having. That's not something I could have done in January. You need June weather or better. I'm happy that I live in a place that has distinct seasons. It makes beautiful weather much more special, and it's just, well, nice.