Some movie scenes are so joyous and otherwise normal you think maybe there will be an opportunity one day to act one out. Singing In The Rain is one of those that I thought would be easy-peasy.
Mostly this summer the weather here (Florida, sixth ring of hell - your pick) has consistently started out with a sunny morning rumbling into a stormy afternoon. There are enough long-lasting breaks in between where the sky isn't stormy and the land is dry, you think the storm has passed.
It was just during one of these breaks of rain that my family and I decided to go out for an afternoon walk with our pup. My mother and sister strolled with our dog as I set out on my bicycle.
As I'm peddling away and the sky is a bit cloudy as it is after a storm, I had a miniscule thought that maybe it would start raining, and also that I'm usually lucky enough to get home in time before it starts.
No sooner had this thought crossed my mind did I feel the first drop of rain hit my leg. I thought, it'll only sprinkle. No sooner - again - did it start to downpour.
On a Hollywood set, it's one thing. Controlled rain is falling filled with milk to give visibility to the cameras. There's rehearsal time to practice dancing through the puddles. In reality, attempting to sing in the rain is...real.
Pretty much the droplets are hitting at an angle against you, so as you're peddling hard on your bike it's taking ten times the effort to just get one foot further along.
The wind is knocking your jacket hood back. You have to bicycle with one hand on the bars and hold the other up to your face so you can see and not crash.
And the thoughts passing through your head or words coming out of your mouth aren't about an optimistic life with your sweetheart. They're "Oh come on!", 'You've gotta to be kidding me!", "Should I walk instead of ride?".
As lovely as Gene Kelly is on his love high for snagging adorable Debbie Reynolds, and the amazing memorable Singing In The Rain scene that causes every movie goer pure bliss...let me say when it's raining there is no singing. When it rains, it pours. And you just want to get inside for dry clothes and warmth.