I Hear Laughter In The Rain

Article 024.

The title? Yes it's a reference to Neil Sedaka's 1974 hit [https://youtu.be/MtIibcNDQ6o?si=9-ayp8eB7Vs_rnCN]. And yes, it's exactly how I felt the past few days when there was an overcast hovering Southern California and rain was a constant scene. There's something about the pour that I find very relaxing. The sound of water drops from the sky hitting the grounds is weirdly soothing and the smell of nature's liquid is somehow refreshing. Maybe because it rarely rains here, almost borderline eclipse-rarity and that's what makes it more appealing. Growing up on a guaranteed wet season Philippines, it's hard not to miss the rain. Ever since I moved here, I've always wanted to just stand outside and get drenched in the storm like I did when I was a kid. But it's not a common cultural practice here and people would look at you like an idiot who's trying to get the flu on the fast lane. Oh if SoCal people only knew how fun it is to play under the rain, they'll be ecstatic. Their miss.

I'm placid when I woke up that Sunday morning. Not stressed, not lethargic. Just placid. In fact, after my coffee gave me a jolt of enthusiasm, I find myself cleaning up my pad. Got my headphones on and I was on it. I got it all neat. Not OCD-level neat but definitely a Mom-would-be-proud level neat. I manage to go through the tons of paper and mail I've accumulated throughout the months and got tangled with a few surprising items. In that rubble, I found two $5 Starbucks gift cards from work— one for my 5th year work anniversary and another for my birthday (don’t judge “them”, five bucks is five bucks lol). I mounted about almost a hundred solicit mail from American Express, Discover, Wells Fargo and Bank of America combined, ready for the shredder. I suppose none of these financial institutions are supporting the Go Green movement huh? I saw a few greeting cards from my ex with one that really got me smiling. Good times. I also finally found the HMO cards for me and my boys. I was adamantly arguing with Anthem Insurance that they never have sent them. I guess they did. Oh well. Sorted what’s left by category— medical, 401k insurance, banking and surprisingly a handful of memos from my apartment. That took some time to finish and some toll on my aging back. Then the sound of rain got louder. Since I was in clean-up mode, I was really contemplating the idea of pulling my car out of the port and wash/wipe it under the rain. Free car wash? Hell yeah. But as I rise from my couch, ever so slowly and fragile, lower spine about to break in pieces, I nixed that plan… immediately.

I feel for the areas impacted by the storms. The landslides, the flooded streets, the crazy driving these wet roads bring out of LA drivers, it’s frantic. SoCal is not built for the rain yet we need it very badly. I even wonder where the homeless retreat to in these conditions. Is there temp housing and would there be enough for all of them? I saw news of this hillside road collapsing, making it impassable and forcing residents to take an alternate route adding about 30 more minutes to their commute. There was this humongous what looks like an oak tree just falling down in the street, almost hitting a parked car with this woman inside it. No strong winds, just the soil getting mushy for the roots to hold on to. In San Diego, streets got flooded head-deep giving the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil a worthy mimicking of the area. It is very bad for certain parts but on the flip side, the dryness of SoCal would welcome such downpour and may I say need it a bit more often. The water levels in our dams are alarmingly down for years now and it would take decades of winter rain to bring it back to par. The arid hills and farmlands badly need to reconquer its glory green hay-days as well. May the storms be lavish and gentle at the same time.

I was staring at the rain outside behind the glass sliding door and in between the vertical blinds. All these thoughts got me tired (ok it was really the mail sorting). The state of placidity I was in dipped a bit. I really do miss the rain. Suddenly I hear no laughter. It was just, well, rain. And while the remaining glimmer of light in the sky was already fighting with the incoming night, I refrained from turning any lights on. I just kept staring. Maybe I just don’t miss the rain. I actually miss the Philippines on days like this. I kinda miss my childhood. So I guess there's no other way to remedy this but to go home soon. Maybe (wink).

P.S. To those whom I’ve “coerced” in following my blog, a feature I never really activated until recent (honestly to find out if I can monetize this to fund my airfare lol), my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for not even hesitating in doing so. It means a lot. I know now how reliable you are to me. I will be sending some soliciting papers your way (just kiddin'). But seriously, thanks. It doesn’t cost you a penny to follow if that’s what you’re concerned with. Plus I’m not sure how far this blogging will take me (probably not too far lol) but at least I did indulge in it and you helped me make it happen. For those still reading and not following, c’mon now…

I love every single drop!