D
ear Thunderstorms,
I feel the urgent need to write this letter to you at a moment where my heart has been savagely torn from my chest – by endless sunlight and your sadistic love for silly games. Yesterday, I heard from your Public Relations group, the Bureau of Meteorology, that you were going to make an appearance over the hills. You could have told me yourself. I thought it was a little bit callous of you, quite frankly, to avoid my suburb. You know how much I care for you, and you’ve basically just skipped out on me, leaving me with endless heat and numerous invasive ants. But I of course felt somewhat thrilled that you would yet again romance me from afar, even if you couldn’t be here with me. I thought, I guess I will have to take second best.
But no! You teased me with distant cloud kisses, and then you took your leave! Why?
Please note that I have offered southern California a formal challenge – for the crown of Largest Number of Endless Boring Sunny Days In One Year. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not going to throw away all of the sunny days just to spend endless time with you. I’m simply not that kind of storm chaser; if I was too clingy and we were together constantly, perhaps your endless presence would overcast your own charms. Besides, I don’t want you to think that you’re the only important thing in my life, because that would probably make me look like more of a storm stalker than a storm chaser.
Oh god, I can’t take it anymore, I won’t lie to you. Even as I write this letter, I swoon and smile giddily when I think of your large, powerful presence and the electrifying touch of your energy upon my skin. Even the distant sound of your commanding, rumbling, deep and sexy voice brings unimaginable joy and anticipation…and when you electrify the air, setting my world on fire, I cannot deny that I am nothing but a lovesick stalker.
Please, bring me the rains. Bring me your adventurous, mysterious and dangerous presence once again. I won’t stay angry with you if you at least grace me with a distant but loving romance. You have other places to be and others who need you, I get that…but I’m frustrated, selfish and jealous and I won’t lie to you or to myself.
I love you, Thunderstorms. I love you so much that I will forgive you again and again, if we could just share a few moments on the balcony together. All of you, not just part of you, and not from afar! I will happily share you with my garden; even native Australian plants need some of your love from time to time.
Make an effort!!
Lots of love (and anger),
Jess.
xoxox
Thunderstorm Feature – ‘Positive CG’ by Kane Hardie.
'Positive CG'. Supercell lightning at Coffs Harbour. Image (c) Kane Hardie 2010; http://shear-atmos-fear.deviantart.com/
I found this image on Deviant Art. It was taken by Kane Hardie of New South Wales Australia. This amazing lightning photography is just one of many great artworks on Kane’s site, and this particular piece was taken at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. It bears the distinct shape of a supercellular thunderstorm and it proves that Australia is not devoid of fantastic weather patterns. Or devastating ones. We have floods, cyclones (hurricanes/typhoons), severe thunderstorms, hail, and yes, we also get snow and tornadoes. It’s a bit of a misconception that Australia gets very little snow or tornadoes.
I’d like to note that there is no such thing as a ‘mini-tornado’; it is either a tornado or it is not. This is a silly media term which should be disused.
Back to Kane’s photo! What I particularly like about this photography is the contrast of the lightning against the clouds, and the many shades that I can see in the clouds. The landscape surrounding it gives it a context, a place. The shape of the supercell is fantastic; those dark, menacing clouds hug the horizon as the storm tears the skies apart with sheer power. Storms can be devastating, but perhaps that is part of their appeal for me and for other storm addicts. It’s partly the beauty and the adrenaline they cause, and let’s not forget the intense energy they let off! A powerful thunderstorm can make a person bounce off the walls better than ten cups of strong coffee, if said person is receptive enough.
Visit Kane’s website here: http://shear-atmos-fear.deviantart.com/
How Jess Sees It 