Day 1252: Tropical Storm Colin

As it turns out, it doesn't matter if I'm in Florida or Wisconsin, because the storms and the rain seem to follow me wherever I go. I suppose I feel some comfort in the fact that it's not just storming wherever I am though, because while it was storming at home for me, Florida is also preparing for a storm.

Down south, a tropical storm off the East Coast showed progress as it approached Florida and Georgia, and my Dad had to call and tell me the name because he knew I would appreciate it: Colin. I guessed it before he even told me (because I happened to know that the previous storm name started with a B), but I definitely still enjoyed the fact that it was a name that I could relate to. Of course, tropical storm Colin brought plenty of rain to Florida, and from the pictures I saw, there was definitely enough of it to go around.

Back at home, we were heading back to my new apartment when dark clouds approached and the wind started to pick up. My brother, who was back at home, actually called us to tell us to get inside because of the wind, and if you don't believe me, here's a picture he took of our backyard during the storm:

And for us in general, it actually caused a bit of damage, which doesn't usually happen for us during storms. According to my parents (I haven't been home since the storm), there were quite a few branches down, and some of them were rather large: 

Some of that above picture is a bush, but a lot of it is also a branch that fell partly onto our garage. Everything is alright though, as there wasn't any damage...at least to our house. The tree didn't fare as well. 

All in all though, it's just been raining a lot since I got home from Florida, and it really reminds me everytime of the downpours that occurred while I was on vacation. It just never seems to stop, and it pops up randomly in the middle of the afternoon too. If I wanted to be in Florida I would have stayed in Florida (I really should have), but I don't think Mother Nature fully understands that. 

Have a magical day! 

Day 1213: Stormstruck

I've only seen Stormstruck once.

That one time was more than enough for me.

As long as I can remember, I've been terrified of tornadoes, and really, thunderstorms in general. As a kid I would sleep on the floor in my parents room, surrounded by as many pillows and blankets I could find, as well as usually a pair of noise canceling headphones. When the weather reached severe levels, I would really start to freak out. Where this fear came from I actually have no idea, but my friends and family can back me up in saying that when I freak out during circumstances like that, I freak out.

So as you can imagine, something like Stormstruck isn't exactly where I want to spend my time. I mean really? A 3D simulator that imitates a perfect storm? No thank you.

It's why of all the attractions at Walt Disney World, it's probably the only one I refuse to go on simply because I'm too terrified to even consider it. And just to make sure I'm not making things up and remembering the attraction incorrectly, I watched a recording of the entire show on YouTube, and I was just as afraid this time as I remembered, and here I was just watching it on my computer, much less being in the middle of the storm. I mean, I honestly believe Twister to be the most terrifying movie in the world, so does it surprise you that I wouldn't enjoy Stormstruck?

If you've experienced Stormstruck in Innoventions at Epcot, what did you think?

Have a magical day!

Day 566: Thunderstorms

There aren't many things in life that I absolutely HATE, but thunderstorms? Yeah, that's one of them.

I can't really pinpoint WHY I hate thunderstorms, and in all reality there's no logical reason as to why I should hate them or be afraid of them or whatever. It's just...I do. I absolutely HATE thunderstorms. I mean, the only thing I really can come up with is my love of the Wizard of Oz as a kid and the stupid tornadoes at the beginning that apparently instilled some outrageous terror into me that still lingers today, since if there's one thing I hate on this earth even more than thunderstorms and planes and buses and everything else put together, it's tornadoes.

But as I sit here trying to get work done on Operation Last Week of Summer (because in all reality, it's August 18th as I'm writing this. Not July 20), my window is cracked and the soft pitter patter of rain along with the stupid booming sound of thunder is ever present. And I'm here all alone. I hate thunderstorms...but I hate them even more when I'm alone during them. Especially when the weather box goes off to tell me there's a severe thunderstorm warning for south of here. At least it's not for here. I can calm myself down a little bit.

I texted Megan about my fears just now, about how the thunder is coming in and GOD I JUST SAW LIGHTNING and how I really hate storms, but being the super awesome person she is, she had a response for me, and I very much approve.

I don't know if I've mentioned this, but some time ago on Instagram one of my fellow Disney Geeks mentioned something and I'll never be able to look at thunderstorms the same way, or at least won't be able to now that Megan mentioned it again. They mentioned that whenever there's a thunderstorm they just pretend that they're riding on Living with the Land at Epcot...and it occurred to me that this is pretty much the most BRILLIANT IDEA OF ALL TIME.

So now I'm just going to pretend I'm on a boat going through the rainforest or past some buffalo as a fire rages on because of a lightning strike or...maybe not that second one. But the first one for sure. Sitting in the Land at Epcot sounds a lot nicer than sitting here in my bedroom all alone trying not to freak out while I also attempt to get work done. Yes, that sounds great.

If you need me I'll be learning about our delicate ecosystem. Thanks.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 18).