Someone sent me a CD of ‘Rain’ songs. I hate songs that romanticize rain – these people obviously have never lived in a place where it actually rains. I like songs where rain is used as a metaphor for life’s struggles.

The rain’s been getting to me lately; I daydream about the sun – wondering what it’ll be like to go a whole two weeks without rain. I don’t remember how that feels like anymore.

My umbrella needed repair recently and was surprised to find there weren’t any umbrella repair shops in this city. Ordinarily I wouldn’t repair an umbrella, but this is a large, sturdy, beautiful and colourful one that reminds me of sunshine and pink cotton candy.

The fabric had come unhinged at the tip, it seemed a shame to throw away – if I were any good with the needle and thread I could sew it myself, but I suck.

I Googled umbrella repair and it seems umbrellas are only repaired in cities like London and Sydney; the shoe-repair shop had me believing this too. The nice gentleman said there were no umbrella repair shops in Vancouver, he said to chuck it and just get another one, and then went on to tell me about his great adventures in Kenya and Abidjan.

But he lied (about there being no umbrella repair shops in Vancouver, I have no reason to disbelieve his African adventures). I found the aptly named Umbrella shop; they make custom umbrellas and repair them too.

I called them and was instantly informed that they don’t do “designer” umbrellas. Well, it’s not like it’s some $1,000.00 limited-edition leather umbrella, it’s a Coach (which is not considered designer in some circles) Scarf Print Stick umbrella and it just needs a sew job, I tell her.

I take it in for inspection and they decide they’d sew it for $8.00; I get a work order ticket and leave. This was a week before Christmas; they said it was a busy time so not to call them; they’ll call me when it’s ready. It’s the 8th of January and I’m still waiting, in the mean time, it’s still raining – now more so than ever, it’ll seem.

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