Northport, Alabama

I could have gone out this afternoon to shoot the arrival of Hurricane Dennis. I could have gone out to chase whatever storm damage might have occurred. I could have posted a more “professional” shot today. I could have posted something more esoteric than my own kitchen.

But as the wind blew and the rain fell and the television anchors warned of imminent disaster, I realized that I didn’t really want to be anywhere but where I was — in my safe, warm apartment with my boy and my kitties.

I went out in Hurricane Ivan last year. I spent the entire day shooting for the paper with the other photographers. I got cold, I got wet, and I almost got killed when a tree fell where I had been standing moments before. I didn’t shoot anything memorable. In fact, there is very little that I remember about the day at all.

I wanted today to be different.

I spend a good portion of my time depriving myself of comfort, love, happiness, for reasons that make sense only to me. I drive myself relentlessly, only to discover at the end of the day that I have been chasing my own tail. I record other people’s lives; I tell other people’s stories.

I wanted a story of my own.

And so, when people ask me where I was during Hurricane Dennis, I will tell them how I spent the evening at my apartment, slicing onions and boiling potatoes for corned beef hash.

I will tell them how I walked outside and stood on my porch drinking Green Apple Smirnoff from the bottle, watching the wind blow through the trees as my supper simmered on the stove.

I will tell them how I sat at my computer typing instant messages to a friend, listening to the rain fall and feeling the contentment of being dry and warm inside a place that feels more like home than anywhere else I have ever lived.

I will tell them how I took my computer to bed with me to write this post, just so I could feel the drowsy heaviness of kitties at my feet and my boy by my side.

And I will tell them that it was the best hurricane I have ever lived through — I have the photograph to prove it.

Music: Play by Moby 

Site News: I am trying to be better about responding to comments in the comments section rather than by email. This method will hopefully save time as well as encourage dialog. All types of comments are welcome, including constructive criticism. 

Posted on July 11, 2005 by Carmen K. Sisson tagged Alabama, food, Northport, writing