Getting off at South Station this morning I observed something very strange.
When I got out to the corner at Summer Street, the rain was coming down, however the ground was completely dry!!! I was stunned by this until I realized that while I was standing under my sizeable wind vent golf umbrella, so was everyone around me, except for some guy named Stan who was about 12 feet away.
Stan was soaked, and I mean it was literally as if buckets of water were being dumped on his head. This was almost true. What had actually happened was that every other person with their golf size umbrellas and a few with the well placed “tote” size umbrellas had created a river of water that was just drenching Stan.
As I stepped off the curve in my little Goretex lined bucks, my stain and water resitant khakis and my LL Bean Gore Tex lined coat, I took a quick look over my shoulder to make sure that my umbrella was also covering my bag, which is also waterproof. Thankfully I was dry.
I headed for work and thought about my fortune in being so well protected by the rain. I did get a little scared when I was passing people that they may hit me in the eye with their umbrellas so I am going to bring in one of my other two umbrellas next time.
The first one that I have, which should be helpful in keeping me dry, is my backyard table umbrella. It’s a little on the big side ( about 8′ across) but it should be able to keep me dry and ensure that no one can undercut my umbrella. While one guy on the train was a little aggravated when I put it in the storage above the nine seats around me, it’s important (tough shit… man), I need to be dry.
Sometimes though, when you need to move quick the backyard umbrella gets a little cumbersome, so I have my customized chariot umbrella. This one is equipped with chariot wheel style blades on all 8 sides and not only helps me move quickly through a crowd, but also works to cut the umbrellas of those who come a little too close. I do find it is VERY important to open and close it carefully ( sorry Al!).
I think with all of these options I should be good…I will let you know how it goes..
September 30, 2008 at 4:56 pm |
just call me stan. when i was going in to town for work everyday i would rarely if ever bring an umbrella.
stubbornness or stupidity or both at work. i weathered the elements. rain be damned.
but unlike stan i was quick and alert and never subject to the run of soaking he took.
now when it rains i just don’t leave the house. much easier.