This morning I saw a transformer blow. I had just parked behind the coffee shop when I looked across the street and noticed a bright blue light glowing near the top of a utility pole. It was amazing—I'd never actually seen blue fire before (which is probably for the best, seeing as how blue fire is VERY VERY HOT). The flame got larger and larger, and it was blazing out from the box in a corona of ethereal blue tendrils. It really was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. In fact, I was so fascinated that I didn't even think to move; I just stood there, mesmerized. I do remember having the presence of mind to estimate the distance between myself and the pole, determining that I was at minimal safe distance if it should happen to fall in my direction. I also considered taking a picture with my cellphone for posterity's sake. All at once there was a tremendously loud pop, like when you're too close to the place where they set off the fireworks, and the transformer went KA-BLAMM-O. I hunkered down by the car, and my right ear (the one turned toward the explosion) began to ache a little bit. Ouchie.

Nick and Paul pointed out that this sort of delayed reaction might not serve me well in the event of a zombie apocalypse. If you're being charged by a throng of ravenous zombies, they said, it's probably best not to stand in awe of the spectacle. Here's how that scenario would go down:

Me: Well, would you look at that! I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before. Those guys running toward me look like zombies. But they can't be. Zombies aren't real...unless they are? I wonder if they're virus zombies or radiation zombies. Man, those guys can run! And look at their shredded clothes, just like in all the movies. That one kind of reminds me of Lou Ferrigno as the Incredible...arrrrggggggh!!!....

Zombies: Nom nom! Nom nom nom!

Sigh.

What can I say? Guess I've got some training to do.