August 2007
I finally get a job! When it rains, it pours. I started going to a lot of job interviews and in one week I got three offers. Of course I took the one with the most money, constant travel, and excellent benefits. In mid-August I flew to Charleston, WV on my first assignment. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Charleston House on Kanawha Blvd. I worked at a fossil power plant in Nitro, WV. I loved the city of Charleston! It is the state capital so it is a big city but it has a small-town feel.
Everyday after work I would grab my iPod shuffle and take off walking to the mall. The weather is pleasant there, not too hot, and I felt safe walking the five blocks to the mall. I just tried to get done and get back to the hotel before dark because after dark that part of town gets crowded. There are a lot of small blues and jazz bars that have great music and a good bit of people.
One day after work I took off to the mall as always. I used going to the mall as a good excuse to get exercise. I didn't bother looking at the weather because when I am on the road I don't turn on the television if I can help it. I was inside the mall and I heard the first rumble of thunder. I hurried up and bought the suitcase I was after (a suitcase for my laptop with wheels). By the time I got outside, full fledge storm without rain. Thunder is bouncing everywhere off those hills (the city is in a valley) and lightning is smacking the river that runs in front of the hotel. I am walking (brandy does NOT run, EVER!) and ducking in and out of buildings and garages. The thunder is making me wince and I am not keen on being outside during bad lightning. I look around and see the streets are still filled with the regular number of people and they are completely ignoring the coming weather. Apparently this happens a lot during the warm months. As soon as I get back to the hotel it starts to rain.
I was just thankful I dodged the rain!