Friday, August 22, 2014

Rain Never Felt So Good

I just got back from one of the most fun nights that I've ever had and it ended with me drenched, cold and tired.

It was amazing.

At the carnival of games and free stuff at the student center, Amanda, my roommate and a girl that posted that she had no friends to go to the carnival with on the PPU Facebook page left to explore Pittsburgh. I had invited her to join 7th Thayer at the carnival because we were going as a giant group.

The two girls didn't want to go at first but we convinced them to. After dropping off our free stuff (SO MUCH MORE FREE) in our rooms, we met up and decided to walk to the point.

Across the river on the North Shore, the atmosphere seemed electric. There was a concert with music loud enough to be heard in Market Square and lights that were crazy. We were going to go check it out. Why not? It was 9:40 and we had nothing else to do. There was also movie night at PNC Park for Carlow University, as well as a giant light up balloon without balloons tunnel type looking thing. I have no idea how to describe it.

We were going to walk to the Clemente Bridge from the point and go over to the North Shore.

Along the way, the anticipation grew with the loud music and lights. We also ventured out onto a very unsteady feeling dock.

Just as we were a little more than halfway between the Fort Duquesne Bridge and the Clemente Bridge, it started to downpour. Hardcore downpour. The four of us sprinted along the river to take cover under the Clemente Bridge, which I had walked across dozens of times for Pirates games, but never had to take cover underneath it.

Upon further review of the radar, it appeared as if the rain wasn't stopping anytime soon. We were going to attempt to wait it out. Instead of moving east to west, this cell moved west to east. Pittsburgh weather for you.

In the 25 minutes that we were under the bridge, we all talked and bonded and got to know a lot about each other. It was really enjoyable. 

At the 25 minute marker, the rain seemed to be dying down. We made a judgement call and ran up the Clemente Bridge stairs and onto the bridge to take 6th street to Market Square.

Bad call.

No sooner did we cross Fort Duquesne Blvd did it start to pour again. All hope of salvaging a somewhat dry ending to the evening was gone.

There was no hiding from this downpour. We were drenched and having the time of our lives. Forget the idea of staying dry, there was no hope in that thought. With dozens of people taking cover in stores and parking garages, we kept going.

I said at one point, "With our luck, it's going to stop raining as soon as we get back to campus."

Well then.

Mother Nature: 1
Us: 0

At this point the score is actually something like 3458932458 - 0.

We didn't care.

As soon as we set foot in PPG Place, it stopped raining. Of course.

Five more minutes and we would have made it back somewhat dry.

It was totally a freshman thing to do. The entire evening was. We are all still shocked that we're actually living down here and have the freshman butterflies. I love going to the point at any hour.

I will remember to have an umbrella or check the weather forecast the next time that I go on a spontaneous walking adventure. Everything about college has been spontaneous so far. I love it.

It's what you make of it, really.

The girl who posted on the Facebook page seeking out a group of friends for the carnival said that she was going to stay in her room and watch Netflix for the second night in a row if it wasn't for my invitation to join 7th Thayer at the carnival, and then our adventure to the almost North Shore.

I love making people happy, even if it was an accident. I don't care who it is. It's fun just to know that you played a part in making someone's day a little bit better. Her name is Emily as well. I didn't use her name earlier to avoid readers confusing her with my girlfriend Emily. There are 874234235 girls named Emily here. It's ridiculous.

Emily made 15 new acquaintances tonight and 3 new friends, in part to a simple Facebook invitation.

Amanda, Alex, Emily and I all had a night to remember for the rest of our lives, and it could have been terrible. We made the best of it and enjoyed ourselves. You have to in life. Turn the bad moments into great ones. I love college so far, yes. I also love these people. Except a good number of the jocks. They're the only ones making this still feel like high school.

I love this school and I haven't even started classes yet. That comes Monday.

For now, I'll enjoy the free time, the new friends and the fantastic new, spontaneous memories.

Because, why not?
Josh

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