Skywatching

Today was a day of surprises.

   I surprised myself by waking before the sun came up. I left the apartment at around 6:30am and drove out to the Griffith Observatory, hoping to make it there before the sun peaked. I managed that much, though at first it was a bit cloudy and dark. I waited a few minutes and lo!

 

 

 

   Unfortunately, I had forgotten to charge my battery after my last outing, and my camera died shortly thereafter. I drove myself back home and curled up for a quick cat nap before the Giants game. I may not live in the Bay Area anymore, but I will still cheer on my team and watch the games whenever I can (which isn't often enough, sadly).
   After a tense 9 innings of play, the Giants claimed victory! It didn't take long before the wave of victory spread like wildfire online. My Facebook feed was, and still is, full of people's cheers of "Go Giants!".


   I had plugged in my battery during the game, and was just starting to upload my photos, when a thunderstorm hit. Even with the TV still on, I could hear the thunder reverberate through the apartment. I didn't even think twice, I grabbed my now-charged camera and staked out a spot on my balcony to watch the show.

   I absolutely love thunderstorms, especially the noises. The sound of rain as it flows and changes, as small pattering drops slowly grow into huge clapping ones.. the addition of rustling leaves as the wind blows sideways, spattering the walls. Also, it smells fantastic outside!
   I sat and I watched and waited for lightning to strike, and counted down till the thunder shook. At one point the strike and sound were right on top of eachother, and the noise seemed to shake the whole complex. It's still raining now, although I haven't heard thunder in a while, so I'm assuming the center of the storm has passed. A flood warning sounded on the TV not too long ago, although I've heard plenty of flood warnings and have yet to see any flooding.
   This is the first real storm we've had in quite a while, and I'm actually super happy about it. The whole month of September seemed too hot - weekends averaged in the 100's and the apartment seemed more like a sauna, especially when I needed to use the oven. I know the Bay Area isn't really terribly different, weather wise, but I still remember there being more rain, and I've been missing it. I could do with a bit more rain.