Vegas-ized

You know you've lived in Las Vegas too long when...

So last night, I was reading in bed when I noticed this strange light outside. It was bright and flashing, and only lasted a few seconds. At first, I thought maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me, but after putting my book down and concentrating on the window, the flashes continued at random intervals.

I about lost it. Phone in hand, I walked over to my little perch that allows me to spy on our delinquent neighbors. What have they done now? Were they playing with flashlights at midnight? Did they buy a strobe light? Disco ball?  I have been dreading the inevitable 'Welcome Home' party they are destined to throw, and worried this might be the beginning of the big bash.  My fingers were just about to dial 3-11 to report yet another neighborhood grievance when all of a sudden, I heard the familiar rumblings of...

thunder.

Oh.

There were no neighbors outside. No delinquent behavior. The flashes were lightening.  A good, old-fashioned summer thunderstorm was rumbling through the neighborhood.

I honestly couldn't remember the last time I heard and saw a thunderstorm. It's fairly rare in Vegas, but definitely more common in the summer months than any other time of year.

Have my Midwestern roots so escaped me?  At least I haven't assimilated to the slot machines in grocery stores yet. That still jars me when I see it.