Life Off-Label

I had been watching The Weather Channel throughout the afternoon. Southeast of us a tornado had touched down, and a solid line of storms was marching right in our direction. As the evening passed, the storms drew closer. Rain began to pellet our windows and subtle roars of thunder clapped in the distance. All of a sudden, my apartment started shaking, as if the wind randomly gusted to 100mph. I could picture my building swaying, and the ground started vibrating. Am I in a tornado? Why didn’t The Weather Channel know it was coming?

I thought Texas had some pretty strange weather. I’ve been through several hail storms. I remember being at work when they called a code black because a tornado touched down nearby. I’ve had to turn around because the road ahead was so flooded you could go whitewater rafting down it. I’ve had to be outside for band practice in 100+ degree temperatures, and in the same year driven on roads so icy you could play a hockey game on them.

But I’ve never experienced an earthquake, let alone one in the middle of a thunderstorm. Only in Oklahoma. I have a new appreciation for Texas weather now.

That said, it wasn’t anything too bad. *knock on wood* And now I get to say I’ve been through one!