It’s funny how absolutely clueless some older folks can be when it comes to technology. My parents are two such people.

My mom has had a cell phone for just over four years now. The only things she knows how to do on it are: dial a number and call, answer a call. That’s it. She doesn’t know how to check her voicemail. She doesn’t even know how to use the built-in address book. So each time she wants to make a call, she has to manually punch in the number every time and press ‘send’. In fact, she took an old index card and wrote her important numbers down on it, and then scotch-taped it to the back of her cell phone. Funny, huh?

Today my dad decided that he needed a new cell phone. Not because he wanted the new coolness, oh no. He needs a new phone because, like me, he is practically deaf–the phone he has now is not very loud. He also wants a phone with better reception. I suggested he get rid of his old Nokia (4 years old at least) and get a phone with a protruding antennae, like a Motorola. He looked at me with this profound sort of look of both confusion and fear. The thought of him having to do these things by himself, well… He practically begged me to come with him down to the Cingular store today. I knew I’d have to choose the right phone and do all the talking with the salesperson, but I don’t mind. It’s a nice chance to spend some time with my old man–and I love technology anyway, so it wasn’t so bad.

The sound of falling rain is my favorite sound on Earth.

I love to sit by the window during a storm and watch the rain come down and listen to it pitter pat on the roof. All the worries and stress and things that otherwise drive me insane melt away, and what’s left is a man truly at peace.

Some people hate the rain. They hate cold weather, gloomy skies, the wind, and all the things that come with a thundershower–but not me. Rain makes me happy. When I look to the sky and see grey, overcast, cloudy skies my spirit lifts. I hope and pray that it rains soon.

When I was a kid I loved to fall asleep to the rain. I still do. I’ve had trouble sleeping all my life, but not when it rains. The sound of the droplets hitting the roof lulls me to sleep faster than anything else in the world. It’s the one time I can fall asleep immediately. Normally I lie awake for AT LEAST an hour before finally drifting off, no matter how exhausted I am. During a rainstorm I’m out like a light.

I love to be inside during the rain, but sometimes I like to be outside too. I once went for a nice long walk in the forest during a rainstorm. I was bundled up, so I was warm. I had my rain gear on, so I was dry. Everything smelled wonderful, so fresh and clean. There was nobody around, just me and the pine trees. The wind was calm, just enough to make the trees sway, but not enough to get blasted in the face, and it was wonderful. The sound of the forest in the rain is so calming… I just can’t describe accurately the way it makes me feel. Let me just say that to me, it is bliss.

It’s been raining a lot lately, and I love it. Today I sat in my swivel chair at my desk next to the window. I had a hot cuppajoe and my favorite fleece on. I put on some Miles Davis and watched the rain come down. I didn’t move for at least an hour.

I hope it rains some more tonight.

I just spent a few hours reading all my blog entries, starting with October 2003 all the way up to today’s post. Wow. It’s amazing how un-interesting my life has been since I left Chico. I think it reflects in my uninspired writings over the past six months. My life has changed so much and so often in the last three years. I’d like to get back to being an interesting guy again…