Thunderstruck November 16, 2005
Posted by Duncan Brook in : Memories , 1 comment so farHere in the metro D.C. area, we’re gearing up for a fall thunderstorm.
Out my window, big, buff gray clouds plow purposefully across the sky, red leaves drift lazily about, and whole trees scattered with color gust hither and fro. The rushing sound of wind through the branches began as a gentle flutter an hour ago and now comes in strengthening waves, a sort of ominous whooshing. There’s a bright yellow tree, smoothly round in its grown freedom, silhouetted against its neighbor’s jagged rust-colored branches. Their colors bend and coalesce in the wind.
I’m looking forward to it.
I really missed thunderstorms while I was in Boston. In over two years, I only remember one strong storm (the night before this year’s Harvard graduation). That night, I realized those crashing, wet summer thunderstorms might be what I missed the most about the south. That and being able to call people “ma’am” without them getting all upset and declaring, “Why would you say that to me? I’m not old.”
Almost every summer day in Georgia builds to an evening storm, like clockwork. When I was home in Athens a summer ago, I drove my rental car directly into the heart of a violent nighttime storm. I would think, ah-ha, the lightning is over there, and then drive off in that direction to chase it down. It was heavy and loud and alive — and, afterwards, fresh and cool and clear.
Go big Green November 2, 2005
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The Wizards and Celtics both play their NBA regular season openers this evening. I’m envisioning a great winter of, among other things, bike-on-the-trainer workouts with my teams. Thanks to my NBA League Pass subscription, I’ll be able to tune into both Mike & Tommy calling Celtics games from New England and the local Wizards broadcasts.
I met Doc Rivers, coach of the Celtics, several times (once with my Little Brother, Jonathan, at the movies), and he is a very sharp and decent man. I’m rooting for Doc.
Saw Raef LaFrentz with his girlfriend on Newbury Street at the end of the summer. He is 7 feet tall; she is about 5′1″. What? “Raef” is high on my list of great names (along with “Tiki”). He and Mark Blount have honed a jump-shooting big man’s game that’s worth appreciating.
I love announcer Tom Heinsohn’s exuberance for the game and allegiance to players he believes in: “I love Waltah! … Go Big Al!” The man won championships as a player and coach, and he ardently espouses an uptempo running game. Send those big guys down the court, baby! Watching a whole season “with” him — with his Hall of Fame insight and genuine personality — is reason enough to like the Celtics.
So I am a fan of the Green.
I live here! November 2, 2005
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Well, not in there exactly — that’s where TJ chills — but still.
(Photo courtesy of today’s DCist)
