Things You Learn

I've made a discovery. I'm not proud of it. I thought I was a real Oregonian. We pride ourselves on our ability to take a little rain. Anything from a downpour to the more typical drenching drizzle. Turns out I'm a weather wimp.

The evidence:

My office recently moved from the suburbs to a building in downtown Stumptown. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but now that we're here I can't imagine working anywhere else. It's a giant sundae covered in Awesome sauce. So much to do and see. In fact there is so much to do and see that I'm spending time outdoors, walking, in the weather. Didn't do much walking outdoors in the burbs. Now I'm looking hungrily at those posers with umbrellas.

My son took up lacrosse this spring. "No problem", I thought, "I'm a youth sports vet. Three seasons of youth football, standing on the sidelines. Piece of cake." As I stood shivering in the rain yesterday I thought back to those three seasons and realized that I had only been rained on three times. That's three times over those three seasons. I've been rained on twice now in lacrosse and he's only had two outdoor practices.

I don't know what to say. I'm the guy who wears the shorts all winter long. I'm the guy that doesn't get cold as long as he's got a knit cap on. This is doing horrible things to my self image. It's something I'm going to need to work through.

In the meantime, if you see someone that reminds you of me, holding an umbrella, just walk away. It'll save us both a lot of embarrassment.