While grocery shopping at the neighborhood Basha’s last week, I ran into an old high school buddy from Minnesota. I’d been seeing him on the Phoenix news for months, ever since he took the job as the meteorologist on the local station. His career didn’t really surprise me – this guy was a total geek in high school.
“Hey Dave. How’s it going? It’s been a long time.”
“Oh, hey. Wow. How’ve you been. What’s it been, twenty years? Did you know I’m a weatherman now? Have you seen my report?” I could tell he didn’t remember my name.
“Yes, I sure have. Every morning. When did you move to Arizona?”
“Oh, we moved here last summer. We were living in Kansas but I got tired of reporting on all that tornadic activity – it really put me into a low.”
“So how’s the new job?”
“Oh, it’s a little turbulent sometimes. My boss can be a real hurricane.”
“You have family? Where you living?”
“Yep. A wife and two kids We’re enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures of the East Valley. The precipitation is predictable, the humidity averages nine-point-three percent and the pollen count is low.”
I could see this guy really enjoyed his work. “That’s great. What are their names?”
“Who? Oh yeah, the girls. Sky and Storm. They’re twins. My wife’s name is Gale.”
“Wow, that’s…great, Steve.”
“And Gale is pregnant with a boy. We’re going to name him Coriolis – Cory, for short.”
“I see. Congratulations.”
“Well, it was real nice seeing you…umm…”
“Kip.”
“Yeah, right. Kip! Well, gotta run now. The forecast comes on at six. Watch for sunny skies and mid-eighties this weekend, with a slight chance of rain on Monday. Take care.”
As he walked to his car, I thought: I’m switching to NBC. What a moron.