A Life Measured by Weather

It's really hurricane season again with the advent of the first official storm to hit South Florida for 2006. Oh Ernesto, be lenient with us!

Earlier today I was sitting at my desk reflecting upon a couple of things that all happened around this time last year.

First, ex-BF and I weathered our first (and last) storm together during Katrina. The experience precipitated our break-up. For most, Katrina will always conjure memories of devastation and destruction in New Orleans. For me, it will also be synonmous with disintegration of a relationship and sudden alienation of affection. Anyway you slice it, Katrina was a bitch.

I also started working at my job a year ago. To be sure, the bubble's off the wine. But I've learned a tremendous amount in the past year, not least of which is how to do a stellar imitation of my boss' death stare when my assistant walks in and asks me a imbecilic question.

Also around the same time was the birthday of one of my dear friends. Last year, we had a large group of friends together for dinner. This year I can' t make her birthday party so we just had a quiet lunch. It's comforting to know that in a year of change, our friendship has remained the same.

And onto the present ... the Easter guy still lingers in the picture, coming in and out of focus every few weeks or so. Today he sent me an e-mail asking why we weren't shacking up for the storm and I was shocked. Ex-BF and I couldn't handle a storm, so how could I be expected to handle it with someone I hardly know? When I expressed my opinion, and finally related some of my bewilderment, he didn't seem to be effected one way or the other. Which of course confused me even more. Status of the "relationship"? Still completely unclear.

I guess in Florida, weather frequently provides such major events that they function as markers for the lives of its residents. The preparation for the storm triggered an onslaught of memories stored away somewhere forgotten. The weather has provided a good time of reflection on the events of the past year, and a conclusion that for the most part, I'm better off now than I was a year ago. Let's hope I can say the same when next year's hurricane season kicks off.