AUBREEVISION - Observations from the far side of the dial

Was caught outside this evening in the worst thunderstorm I've ever experienced. Got completely drenched in the 10-foot walk from the bus to the bus station. Huddled there with dozens of other similarly-soaked commuters, waiting out the storm while awaiting my next bus. It's one thing to appreciate a storm from the confines of home, but when it comes to being more exposed I'm a bit of a baby. That said, though, it was pretty scary -- people in the bus shelter actually screamed when the loudest claps of thunder let loose.

It was interesting seeing how people reacted to the storm -- many, like me, stood white-knuckled and shivering, while a few teenaged boys, in a collective surge of bravado, ran outside and flung their arms up to the sky. There was something oddly sexy about the whole scene, about seeing strangers on a more intimate level than usual -- their clothing wet and clinging, makeup running, hair soaked and tousled, afraid. I, for one, was just glad I had put on a bra for once.

Bus #2 finally showed. The bus driver broke protocol and offered to make extra stops to drop people closer to home. Once I got off, I hightailed it up the street, mind churning all the way: "Are you more likely to get hit by lightning if you run? Or if you move slowly? Aren't you supposed to stand still in a lightning storm? No, that can't be right -- they always say not to stand under a tree."

I'm accustomed to seeing Clem-cat keeping vigil at the patio doors when I get home at night, but was amused, on finally reaching the driveway, to find my roommate in his place. Sasha was pacing the front porch, keeping one eye on the storm and another on the street, hoping I'd make it home intact. Aside: Eric says you're statistically more likely to win the lottery than get hit by lightning. Is this true? And what kind of lottery? Are we talking any old lottery, like a piddly $200 special? If we are, well, then, duh.

Sasha and I stayed out on the porch and watched the storm, chatting with a neighbour who had picked a fine time to barbecue. Until tonight I had never seen actual lightning bolts in real life -- only in still photos. The storm played out really weirdly -- it would withdraw for several minutes, then return with a wicked clap of thunder out of nowhere.

Once the storm more or less died down I went inside, and realized after some time that I had seen Clem but not Gemma. Finally located her huddled under my bed, looking absolutely terrified. Poor kitty!

Turned on the 11:00 news and heard that at least one person was struck by lightning -- and by the number of fire truck sirens we heard, probably a number of houses.

Now for the night's crucial question. The other day -- pre-renewed-healthy-eating-resolve, of course -- I craved candy something fierce and stopped at a drugstore in search of just the right sugary fix. But I found myself faced with a dilemma -- did I want the chewy sweetness of wine gums, Swedish Berries and the like, or the tastebud-kickin' style of Sour Patch Kids? Each has its own merits, different but equally appealing. In the end I couldn't settle and left with a bag of Swedish Berries and a bag of Sour...Bobcats? Don't ask me -- I'm only telling you what's written on the package.

I still have some of both left in the cupboard and it's all I can do not to finish them off. If forced to choose between sweet & sour candy under threat of death I still don't think I could -- it would be like choosing one child over another. Which brings me to my question:

Which, in your opinion, is better -- sweet candy (gummy bears, Swedish Berries, etc) or sour candy (e.g. Cherry Blasters?)

(Tried to set up a Blogpoll with no luck so you'll just have to leave comments ).