Last night we had a thunderstorm. A big yawn for most who would read this, but here in Anchorage, it’s a rarity. So rare, in fact, that in all my years growing up here, I never heard thunder. So it was quite an event.
We lay in bed with the windows open, enjoying the rain and the booming, and thought about other places we’ve been where these are common. I wondered aloud if there might be any lightning in evidence (keeping in mind it’s June in Alaska, so darkness is also a rarity), and the Ms. says “no, it’s just the collision of a warm and cold front.”
“Huh?” says I, ever the wit.
“Yeah, that’s what causes thunderstorms”.
“Er…no, lightning is what causes thunder, or actually the air passage from the electrical discharge.”
“Yeah, well I’ll bet you anything that I’m right.”
Oh man, my golden opportunity presented on a platter. See, I’ve been lobbying for a new 28’ Class C Bigfoot RV that’s on sale for $78K, and getting stiff-armed at every turn. So I subtly said “Soooooo…::looks at fingernails::…how’s $78,000 sound for a bet?”
Chefgal: I love apples. They’re grown in Washington, you know.
Chefguy: What? Are you nuts? Oranges are grown in Florida! Washington couldn’t possibly grow oranges, it’s the wrong climate!
Nah, I condensed the conversation for brevity. She was CLEARLY trying to tell me that the booming noise was caused by warm air colliding with cold air. While that generates the storm, it’s lightning that causes the durm und strang.
I’ll have to ask you how Anchorage is sometime. I’ve been fantasizing about escaping civilization and moving there. According to all the salaries we looked at, you make better then average up there in most things. Besides the fresh air would do me some good.
My only advice to you on that score is this: Do NOT move up here unless you already have a job waiting for you. If you foolishly ignore this advice, do NOT move up here between November and March. If you stupidly ignore even THAT rudimentary advice, for Og’s sake do NOT move to Fairbanks. After that, I can’t help you.
Cool, can I borrow your truck to drive around the country for a couple months? I need to look for this dude named Bobby Falzone. Way back in '95 I bet him a billion dollars that Schwarzenegger would one day become governor of California, and I could really use that billion right now.
Sure, if you’re willing to share. Sadly, I know in my heart that my victory dance is probably wishful thinking. The Ms. treats interest payments like plague of toads, and I just can’t swing $78K cash. But it’s a sweet ride.
