not so perfect timing

a story from my life about bad timing. written in third person for your enjoyment.


once upon a time, there were three sisters and their parents, vacationing in manhattan. one night, they got all dolled up to go see catch me if you can on broadway, a fabulous night on the town. they had been staying in the city for a few days, and were subway aficionados by friday night. the oldest sister had thought to bring her umbrella, but at the last minute took it out of her bag. there had been clear skies all day, after all.

the family got off the subway at their stop, groaning inwardly as they saw rain pounding so hard it was coming somewhat down the stairs that led to the station. then they heard the thunder. emily, the sister who is accused of having selective hearing quite often, ironically was the first to hear their mother offer an extra raincoat, and she snatched that offer up right away. liz and lauren decided that she had given up any right to complain about getting wet when she borrowed the coat. steeling themselves for the pounding rain, the girls decided that they were going to make a run sprint for the theatre, which was four blocks away. they really didn't want to miss the show.

after being led a block in the wrong direction by a sister who will remain anonymous for her own protection, the sisters sprinted the now five blocks to the theatre.

did they mention that liz and lauren were soaked through every. single. layer. of. clothing. before they had finished running up the subway station stairs? their hair was more wet than when one gets out of the shower.

was it mentioned that lauren was wearing flip flops, so she had to take them off and run through the streets of new york city (now comparable to the gutter, considering that the streets were filled FILLED with rushing water) barefoot?

was it mentioned that lauren could not remember a time when she had ever been in heavier rain?

also, there was violent thunder and lighting within a dangerous proximity...
also, everyone was standing in doorways trying to wait out the rain...
also, there was this HUGE group of tourists that had matching bright yellow ponchos.
also, this might sound exaggerated, but i promise, it really isn't.
also, i would pinky promise that this is all true.
also, i felt like i was in a movie.

the rain stopped approximately five minutes after the girls were waiting under the eaves of the theatre. the sisters probably each squeezed about a gallon of water out of their hair alone.
lauren went to the bathroom and wrung the water out of her jersey knit skirt (bad choice, girl) into the toilet. it wasn't very effective.

also, the bathroom attendants could not have been less helpful.
also, apparently this is the only bathroom in america that doesn't have a hand blow dryer when you need one.
also, paper towels don't really work that well.
also, every layer of me was soaked.
also, i stupidly wore a shirt that i learned doesn't stay all the way opaque when it gets wet.

also, look i have proof.
also, liz and i didn't let emily complain as much as us, seeing as her shirt, underwear, and top 1/4 of her pants were dry once she took off that coat (to the left).

also, this is a pretty great memory. thanks liz, for documenting it. 

also, catch me if you can was fantastic. even if i was shivering through the entire thing.

 xoxo