The following is an email exchange I had with my friend Matt today. It doesn't really need an introduction.
Matt:
I’ve taken an unnatural interest in the Floods of ‘08. I haven’t had one conversation in the last 4 days that didn’t involve the word ‘flood’. I read the scrolls at the bottom of the screen during television shows instead of watching the show itself. I take walks to the river to look at the flood, like I’ve never seen water, land, and mud before. I watch the news to hear about the flood, read the paper to learn about the flood I’ve just heard about, and I make phone calls to relatives and friends to inquire about the flood, asking questions I already know the answers to. I’m not a reporter. I’m not a disaster worker. I’m not a volunteer. I don’t live in a flood plain. I guess I’m just…into…floods?
Unfortunate Lawyer:
Oh God. Me too. I call my mother daily to update her on the flood. During all other non-floods, my mother calls me once a week and I usually send it to voicemail. The only websites I have been on for the past 3 days have been the newspaper and 3 different TV stations. Yesterday, I had the Live Stream Full Flood Coverage newscast on my computer all day, even though I don't have sound. It's been days...DAYS...since I've been on my favorite celebrity gossip blog. I snuck downtown to gawk at the river 2 nights ago and got caught by Rachel, who was also gawking. I shamelessly snapped photos of the bridges and sent them to my sister and parents from my cell phone. I haven't been this obsessed with anything since the Bentler murders and the Great Ape Trust. What’s wrong with us?
Matt:
I don’t know what it’d be diagnosed as. But whatever it is, I’ve got it bad. It’s like a car wreck, happening over and over again, and I can’t look away. And the suspense doesn’t help either.
After it’s all said and done, I don’t know what will fill the void left over. Family and friends? Doubtful. Hobbies or my career? Nope. I’ll probably be left rocking back and forth in front of my TV or computer, remote and/or mouse in hand, staring blankly at the screen. I think we should be worried.
Matt:
I’ve taken an unnatural interest in the Floods of ‘08. I haven’t had one conversation in the last 4 days that didn’t involve the word ‘flood’. I read the scrolls at the bottom of the screen during television shows instead of watching the show itself. I take walks to the river to look at the flood, like I’ve never seen water, land, and mud before. I watch the news to hear about the flood, read the paper to learn about the flood I’ve just heard about, and I make phone calls to relatives and friends to inquire about the flood, asking questions I already know the answers to. I’m not a reporter. I’m not a disaster worker. I’m not a volunteer. I don’t live in a flood plain. I guess I’m just…into…floods?
Unfortunate Lawyer:
Oh God. Me too. I call my mother daily to update her on the flood. During all other non-floods, my mother calls me once a week and I usually send it to voicemail. The only websites I have been on for the past 3 days have been the newspaper and 3 different TV stations. Yesterday, I had the Live Stream Full Flood Coverage newscast on my computer all day, even though I don't have sound. It's been days...DAYS...since I've been on my favorite celebrity gossip blog. I snuck downtown to gawk at the river 2 nights ago and got caught by Rachel, who was also gawking. I shamelessly snapped photos of the bridges and sent them to my sister and parents from my cell phone. I haven't been this obsessed with anything since the Bentler murders and the Great Ape Trust. What’s wrong with us?
Matt:
I don’t know what it’d be diagnosed as. But whatever it is, I’ve got it bad. It’s like a car wreck, happening over and over again, and I can’t look away. And the suspense doesn’t help either.
After it’s all said and done, I don’t know what will fill the void left over. Family and friends? Doubtful. Hobbies or my career? Nope. I’ll probably be left rocking back and forth in front of my TV or computer, remote and/or mouse in hand, staring blankly at the screen. I think we should be worried.
Photo by Rodney White/The Register
1 comment:
You sent me and a few other people pictures of the flood. I am also a little concerned for you.
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