Ernesto

I have been doing my best to establish myself as a Florida resident (not because I want to, but because I am required to for tuition purposes) over the last few weeks. I declared Florida as my domicile, registered to vote, obtained a driver's license, started the process of registering my car, opened a bank account, and even got a public library card. (The last step isn't required, but I'm a fan of public libraries.)

I thought my final criterion for becoming a true Florida resident might be the tropical storm that has been cavorting near here. It is similar to the first earthquake I experienced in California. I secretly wanted to experience one, not a huge huge one that causes extensive damage, of course, but just a little something to be reminded of the rigors of living in Southern California and perhaps to provide bragging rights, which did in fact happen a few times while I was there. But this tropical storm I was waiting for has now been downgraded to a tropical depression, which means it will resemble a summer storm. So far it's just been drizzly, and though we may get more serious rain overnight, I would say it's been rather anti-climatic.