I got a haircut last Thursday, the day before my last day of work, at a place called Bubbles on Connecticut Ave. It was the first day that it had rained in basically all of July, and it was coming down in intense bouts. It had rained very early in the day, around 6 or 7am, and then again a few times in the afternoon. My appointment was initially for 6pm, but the salon called later and asked if they could move it to 6:15, which I said was fine. I washed my hair in that time so I wouldn't have to pay for it there.
At 6, I figured it was time to start walking, except that another intense bout of rain had started coming down. I thought I might be able to wait it out, but realized that was probably a bad idea, and instead started looking for an umbrella. I found one right near the staircase, where I had looked earlier, but hadn't noticed. I was wearing my sandals because my shoes always get soaked anyway. I was also wearing pants rather than shorts like I always do. I don't know if I thought that was a good idea or something, I guess I just do it.
It was pretty windy too and the umbrella got blown around. I saw that there was one in my car when I walked by it, but I didn't bother to go put the other one back and grab my own. I still got wet, and my jeans got dirty/muddy, and I threw some extra water on them later to try to make sure the dirt didn't stain itself into the fabric. I probably looked like a crazy person doing that.
When I was walking on the right side of the road, after I had crossed the street, there were a few houses that had staircases outside. Just built of stone or cement, something like that. The rain was so intense that it was streaming down the streets and the sidewalks, and streaming down these staircases too. The water would always go to whichever side was less elevated, of course, and then it would fall down the set of five or six stairs, making a waterfall on every level. It was really nice to look at. I thought about taking a picture, or a video, but felt pressed for time, and was afraid of my camera getting wet.
I thought I'd walk on a little bit futher and see if any more staircases came up after I saw that first one. There was one more, and the same waterfall sequence was happening, but I was still afraid for time, and water. I told myself if I see one more, I'll take a picture/video of it.
I kept walking, but there weren't anymore. I thought, if it's still raining on the way back, I'll take a picture or video.
I was pretty soaked when I got to the salon. The receptionist, a younger black woman, asked me if I needed anything, if I was thirsty, if I needed water. I wondered if it looked like I needed water. I laughed (not at her) in my head, but just said "No, I'm good" in the real world.
They took my name down as Jesse rather than Jeff. Even when my sister isn't around, I can't get away from having my name mistaken for hers.
There were no waterfalls happening when I got back. I will probably think of them during ever intense rainstorm for a while. Maybe I'll see another one sometime.
It's raining very hard right now. My cat was outside. I let her in, and she's still crying a little bit.
Peace out.
