![\"casino_aztar.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/mainecourse.com\/mt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/02\/casino_aztar.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAs the wind and waves kick up and darkness descends, I notice three or four rather large figures standing on the top of the floating casino, looking at moi. Then comes a car. A non-intimidating sub compact with Casino Security<\/i> emblazoned on the side stops in front of my truck. Apparently, as part of the Homeland Security Act, all floating vessels are protected from my curiosity. I walk directly to the uniform behind the wheel and engage him in friendly conversation. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s doing his duty, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m doing my thing, they are incompatible, I walk back to my truck and back out of the area. The weather intensifies, but I figure “So what; I love thunderstorms.”<\/p>\n
Almost as soon as I cross back into the city, the wind and rain change from disappointing to let’s-see-what-we-can-throw-at-this-simpleton. As if blinding horizontal water droplets are not impressive enough, here come various store front signs, roof parts, garbage cans, branches and even trees. I zig and I zag.<\/p>\n
“I guess this wasn’t such a good idea after all,” I think, which morphs into, “Diane is going to kill me.” Earlier I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d written, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tornado warnings here…boy am I glad I brought my camera.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d To which Diane responded, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tornado\/camera comment was so uncute, unfunny, I didn’t even comment.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d See, I’m not void of perspective. What I never fully appreciated was how a city storm is a breed apart from one in the country. Night View<\/p>\n Following Day<\/p>\n On my circuitous way back, I pass this house (the homeowner’s crying outside). After commiserating with her neighbors, I jump back into my truck, turn a corner, and snag a downed power line. I feel it grab, sense the wire leading out like fishing line, and whip-like, I hear the crack and feel the flash as the live wire contacts the metal frame of my truck. Just behind my left ear.<\/p>\n From raindrops to war zone. <\/p>\n I hunch down in my truck and think to myself, “Now, why is it that I’m safe in my truck? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not the tires… .<\/p>\n But by then I’ve left the dangling, arcing wire far behind.<\/p>\n If your name happens to be Diane or Susan, or if you already believe I’m an idiot and are simply waiting for another opportunity to call me one, please do not read this. If, however, you like everyday occurrences enlivened … Continue reading
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"