There is a force on earth which is sometimes so important to many of us Tucsonans that it may rival gravity in terms of significance. It can effect what time we leave work, what time we go to work, or if we even go to work (the most important choice of all). Some possible contenders for this honor: Sale at the TJ Maxx and the ensuing stampede of bargain-crazed women, Brittany Spears without Midol, or a Lil' Bush marathon on Comedy Central (damn I love that show). Although these forces to have to power to possibly level civilizations, Tucson weather is by far the most powerful (and unpredictable) of the lot, with Brittany's PMS a close second. Yes, what can seem like another sweltering day in hell one minute can quickly turn and a freak thunderstorm with hurricane force winds can roll in the next. Normally dry washes can fill with water and become death traps for the local idiot who is foolish enough to think that his Pinto has "enough juice" left in her to ford the quickly forming river, regardless of how many tough times they've been through together. Such was the case last night.

Without any sort of warning, in came the clouds, down came the rain, and the wind took care of the rest. Normally, clouds are a welcome change considering the "heat wave" that the western United States has been having been having. I read an article today online about people in Idaho complaining about their heat reaching 99 degrees. My response: quit complaining. Why don't you come down to Phoenix or Tucson and try things out for a change. Another article by Forbes gave us Arizona types the props we deserve. But some people can find the weather challenging. Whether you're an elderly person who got locked out of your respective Bingo parlor or Luby's Cafferteria before the early bird special, or you're an out of towner who forgot to leave with the rest of the snowbirds, Arizona heat is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Even my new dog won't go outside for very long. He looks as me as if to say, "I'm an Alaskan Malamute, not an Arizona pitbull. Double coat outside in triple digits...not a chance, fucktard!"