Life As Performance Art 97

It is raining this morning, and likely to go on raining throughout the long summer day. We don't often think of July as a time for rain and cool weather. The weather people on the radio yesterday said it would be like a day in October. I don't think a lot of people are sad about this. We have had summer throughout May and June, unseasonably dry and warm, and for the most part beautiful, and also accompanied with incredibly green grass and fresh green leaves and flowers as far as the eye could see. I don't think that a lot of people are going to weep over the rain today. It is needed. We are thirsty. The earth is thirsty. But this is also, in Vancouver, very typical weather for July, for the first three weeks of July, anyway. Throughout my long life here, often July has been at best a crapshoot for nice weather, at worst, a complete write-off. But everyone thinks that July, all of july, by right and by cosmic obligation, has got to be warm, dry and sunny throughout, with daytime temperatures no lower than twenty-two and a Beach Boys' soundtrack that will go on well into October. Even people who have lived here as long or longer than me (you don't want to know, Gentle Reader!) still expect that July, even after many years of wet rainy weather till well into the ides of that lovely month, has to be warm and sunny, throughout. This brings to mind how much we expect things to be often doesn't really square with the way that they are...Well, it is approximately three and a half hours later. I have slept a bit, sort of, and it is no longer raining. There was even a little bit of sunshine. They are still expecting a little rain in the form of scattered showers today, but nothing really worth crying about. I am glad that after two months straight of early summer weather, that very few people are complaining about the rain. But I do want to make one point perfectly clear. Hone your expectations. Or abandon them altogether. With or without climate change (and we are certainly in the middle of it) Weather forecasting in these climes is at the very best an inexact science. And so is life, itself, Gentle Reader. Always expect the unexpected. With everything. The weather is but a metaphor for this rather frightening fact of the universe: that nothing is certain. Enjoy each moment, because that is all we are ever going to have to enjoy. But always prepare for sucker punches, because anything can, and is going to happen. Which means to leave your phone in your pocket and actually notice your surroundings. Which means to put away your earbuds and actually listen. Which means notice the other people around you. Try saying hi to a perfect stranger. Try performing one kind and unexpected act today for someone you don't know, someone to whom you would not be attracted or interested in. I dare you. Now, happy Wednesday!