You had to be “Tommy” the leading character in the The Who’s rock opera of the same name — or dumb as a rock — to miss Monday’s near total eclipse of the sun.
I did. And it was happening right outside my window — at least the eerily beautiful luminescent gray air lingered for a moment. While everyone I knew was out on the streets or tops of buildings were staring up at the heavens, I was staring at the blue-light of my computer screen attempting to write a Daily Heller about the very eclipse I am writing today about and how the Universe should win awards for lifetime achievement in interactive design.
The fact is, I wrote it on my desk calendar, but neglected to set a reminder on my cell phone, so there was no ping. But you’d think, I thought, that since bells and whistles were blaring after the minor earthquake last Friday, cellular providers would have provided similarly loud signals. Likewise, I couldn’t feel the earth shake although my Zoom-mate at the moment it occurred, was noticeably jolted, feeling, as she described it, that a train was rumbling under her feet. She asked “Did you feel that!?” “Nope”, I said ready to continue our conversation. After the call, I learned what had occurred.
I can’t believe I missed another natural wonder. Now, I’ll have to wait until 2044 for the next one passing the continental U.S. and the next New York state total eclipse will not occur until 2079. Thankfully, I can see reruns on Instagram. But even social media is not the same as being there.