It's Hot in Here

Californians don't know how to dress for rain. Californians don't know how to drive in the rain, either.

It's not their fault, though. Yeah, the whole not-being-able-to-drive thing is a big joke, but true nonetheless. Californians don't walk anywhere; they drive everywhere (But we do cut it up on the treadmill quite a lot).

HWWV and I were discussing this subject over artichoke & spinach dip and chardonnay this afternoon (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know; it's Monday. But there aren't any resolutions in Chez Wendy, HWWV, and Girlfriend).

Anyway, HWWV says that since Californians just pop in the car and zip a half mile to the grocery or zip over to the mall and walk a few steps to the front door, what's outdoor wear for, anyway?

I think he has a good point.

So today, after the artichoke dip and chardonnay, we zipped over to the mall and walked a few steps to the entrance. Girlfriend was decked in her Juicy Couture sweat outfit (not purchased by me), purple rainboots, and big yellow umbrella, because I dressed her, after all. And there I was, knitted cap and a jean jacket that was too short and allowed cool air and moisture to blow underneath my shirt. HWWV....Well, he was a little better off being raised in London and all: He had an old-school bomber jacket on, his Chuck Taylors and a cap. Except for Girlfriend, no umbrella was in sight.

What's up with that? We had TORNADO WARNINGS and FLOODS. There are people being fished out of the wash in the Valley. Crazy people who jump in for reasons unknown to the common man. The wind is so swirly and strong that a BIG, old oak tree lay in the middle of the thoroughfare, through which I desperately needed to drive--fast--with my new red zippy car. And did I mention TRASH? The wind and rain is so strong that trash is being moved from here to there, and from there to here. (In Texas, we used to call these storms, "Trashmovers.")

And I tell you what: This past Saturday was Bulky Garbage Day. It's a good thing the rains didn't come until today. Otherwise, we'd see that ugly old blue couch that was in front of house on the corner come storming down the hill toward the rolled up rug that was in front of ours.

Actually, I have no right to complain. Out here, we're under some bogus assumption that we just don't have a need for a raincoat, and then when the torrential rains come to town--and they do, every year--we're caught off guard and wander around, sporting confused looks, bad jeans shorts, fake tan and Uggs, without knowing exactly how to handle the situation. I mean, what to do? Buy a rain slicker? (Are you serious? Short of mail order, where would you find one? I mean, did you see the Rose Parade? How many people did you see with proper raincoats? We're living in La La land here. Shoot, I haven't bought a proper, read: warm, coat in...oh, my lifetime. And every year I regret it.)

Speaking of that stuff. I was in Lucky Brand and we were all removing our outer garments and muttering about how hot it was indoors and then I spotted a gal rifling through the 50 percent off jeans sporting a baby blue hand knit cap, her kid in the stroller sweating it off in some Gap something or other.

"Hey, What's up with the rain?" I said, winding up for my "Californians Can't Handle Rain" stand-up routine.

..."Us Californians, heh, heh, we don't know how to act when this happens, and you'd think we'd get over it it. I mean, it does rain, and all..."

"Well, as far as I'm concerned," she reasoned, "Rain, for me, is a fashion opportunity."

I should have asked for her phone number.

Comments

[Lissa]

I don't think it matters where you are; the version of inclement weather common to your region will still cause complaint and feelings of unpreparedness. I mean, it snows every year in Ontario. So why am I so surprised?

[jill]

Wendy - been meaning to ask...when does the episode that you are on of Knitty Gritty air?

[ariane]

Ain't that the truth!

I love California!

Weather is indeed a fashion excuse!

You got a new red car?

[ariane]

Ha! check out my post for today...looks like we had the same snack and drink!

[Beak Knits]

I am lovin' the girl in the blue hat. I almost never bump into people in hand knit stuff.

Here in FL we get the year-round nice weather (80 degrees today) but we also get enough rain that rain gear is VERY needed. I remember when we lived out there thinking it was so strange that there was no water in the "river", that is until rainy season hit.

Stay dry!

[Wendy]

I don't know when my episode will air! They couldn't tell me! (I will say that it would be best if you didnt' see it, though. I stuttered and stammered and was generally horrible).

[erin]

Rain coats keep out the rain but makes me sweat here. So umbrellas are better. And I'll remember that rainy days are fashion opportunities, hey that's the only time I can wear a long sleeved shirt without having sweaty underarms. At least Girlfriend is all chic in her rainy day gear!

[Miss Kaity]

I cant wait for this rain to be done with!!! I noticed you said that HWWV wore his Chuck Taylors on your outing, well I too wore mine to the mall the other day in the rain, and it turned out to be a BAD decision. Just those few steps to the door and my shoes where full up with water! HWWV must have better luck than me. I could have worn my boots, but nooo..... See, we really DONT know how to dress for the rain! Except for my sister, she did ok with her Dooney and Bourke Umbrella.

[Cheri]

I always have an umbrella in the car on the ready, of course when it rains I find that the kids have taken the umbrella out of the car and it's nowhere to be found. It's glove/snow season here and I can find only one of my gloves. I think no one is ever prepared for inclement weather!

[Sherry]

Heh. I'm a Southern California girl. I moved up to Portland for college, and for the first month or so I shivered everywhere because I didn't have enough warm clothes. I'd never needed them, and I had no idea where to go in a new city. In fact, I still don't have a raincoat . . .

[Marsha]

I live in central Cal and I too, don't have a "proper" winter coat - at least not a nice one. I don't think any of us Californian's missed a "pelting" this weekend!!

Ok, I'm jealous...not only are you blond, young, skinny, cute and get to stay home all day and knit - now you have a red zippy car!! Cough it up - was it a Christmas gift and what kind is it? Some of us have to live vicariously through those that "have".

[Marsha]

PS - in regards to your post about the "wrappy thing" I don't like that bumpy kind of yard - it is difficult to work with (for me) and it is wimpy.

I personally think that a book with pictures and funny text about your losers as well as patterns for your winners would be fun and something different than your average knitting book. Just my .02...

[Rachel]

Ok, so I love your blog, but I have to take issue with the assertion "Californians can't handle rain," feel it's a "fashion opportunity" and that we never walk anywhere. I think these are lines where the Northern and the Southern halves start squaring off. I was born and raised in San Francisco and just got back from my walk to the grocery store in my raincoat. Though, I lived in Oregon for a while and it's true, no one down here can drive in the rain.

[Debbie]

Excuse Miss Wendy! Hold the press. You got a new RED car? Tell more. Sounds sporty but that wouldn't work with Girlfriend

[Becca]

Rachel is right--here in NorCal, we think that waterproof boots and an expensive Goretex parka *are* fashion. We drop the big bucks at REI.

[jillian]

I'm one of those strange people that likes the rain. Which isn't to say I own a raincoat or proper shoes or anything. I don't mind getting a little misty, and if it's pouring I just use an umbrella. it seems to get me through every winter with little fuss.

And, ahem, new RED car. Wassup???

[jenifleur]

My years of standing out in the rain in SoCal for work taught me that Sport Chalet and REI had good, breathable rain gear. I always liked when the rains washed away the trash and ick. Sort of like in nature, fires burn out the brush so plants can thrive. Of course, in L.A. something more man-made and artificial is to be expected.

[hornblower]

"here in NorCal, we think that waterproof boots and an expensive Goretex parka *are* fashion."

Ummm, Becca? You say that like it's maybe not true....they sure are high fashion in Vancouver BC!

[Carolyn]

The big yellow umbrella reminds me of that "art" project beside the freeway. Remember when one fell over and killed a woman? I'm always thinking that I'll probably "go" just like that someday... you know, killed by giant knitting needles and yarn.

[Erica]

I hear you on the rain! Even up here in the SF area, people forget how to drive in the rain and act like freaks. It's a bit better IN SF b/c so many people there don't have cars, but down here it's bad. When/where did you live in TX? Yet another thing in common...

[Angelia]

Boy I miss SoCal!!! The rain...and not being prepared...boy that took me back :o) I live in PA now. It snows here. At least once every year...and people are still surprised.

Thanks for the blog...you make me laugh (damn near) every day.

[Gina]

I love a random encounter with a fashion soul mate. How does one ask for another's woman's telephone number to strike up a fashion friendship?

[Wendy]

Oh Gina, that's a whole other post.(!)

[Christine]

It's important to remember that there are two Californias: Northern California and Southern California.

I'm from a part of NorCal that is so wet it's considered "temperate rainforest". When I lived in Seattle, the notorious City of Rain, I didn't notice any change. :>