It has rained for 14 consecutive days in the Oklahoma City metro area, and I am completely over it -- the weather, the puddles, the low temps, the high grass -- all of it.

In fact, this rainy spell combined with the winter we had have made for one of the worst weather years in Oklahoma history, in my opinion. Heck, somebody out there might like this dreary, wet Seattle mess.

Not me. I like warm, sunny and dry.

Sure, I like severe weather, but only for a day at a time, perhaps once a week. I think it might be one of those as-I-get-older things, but a city's climate really is important to me.

In news, we're not supposed to care. You work where the best job is, and often that's in Washington or New York or Chicago. Heck, in 2007, most of those places have had better weather than in Oklahoma.

Heck, my company's headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., and it was less wintry there than here this year (really) and warmer so far this summer (really). So, really, we get what Mother Nature dishes up, and we're forced to take it.

But, if a boy can dream, here are my 10 ideal cities other than Oklahoma City (Norman) or Dallas (where I lived for 10 years), a selection I base primarily on climate and secondarily on my probably uninformed perceptions.

This is in no particular order of preference but organized from most populous to least:

Los Angeles -- Honestly, give me a nice, clean suburban neighborhood, and I'm all about it. Seriously, They average like 25 wet days per year, max, and the temps are perfect. Bonus that L.A. is an entertainment city; like I've always said, when you move to the City of Angels, you're merely "joining the cast".

Given the right opportunity, I'd be in L.A. in an instant.

Houston -- Lots of folks don't like Houston. Too industrial. Too humid. Too many gangs. I've always loved Space City, Love the culture down there. The weather is sticky at times, but being close to water means you'll get some cooler nights during the summer, which is excellent.

Given my druthers and the same type of opportunity, I'd probably opt for Galveston or Corpus Christi, but if there were a nice hut in Clear Lake for me, that would work, too.

Phoenix -- It's hot, dry and pretty much just like Dallas -- lots of business, plenty of expatriates from other locales, four major pro sports teams. Honestly, the heat would get old, but I strongly prefer it over cold, and the city as a whole has a slew of other benefits that would make a summer of 120 degrees doable.

San Diego -- Are you kidding me? Carlsbad? La Jolla? Wherever. I love this city, and I've only been once. The downside is that I am pretty sure I'd be homeless there given the cost of living, but what the heck. I'd be a happy bum. In terms of climate, it gets no better.

Austin -- It's a city full of Longhorns, which would be tough for a Sooner to take. However, there are OU fans in Austin, believe it or not. In terms of climate, it's pretty perfect -- all the benefits of living in a moderate tornado zone without any real winter, maybe an ice storm per year. Also, if you haven't experienced the Hill Country, you seriously haven't lived.

Las Vegas -- It's a city full of gamblers and toupee-wearers, but the weather is hot and dry, and from what I understand, it's a city on the rise in terms of business. Plus, I think it could be a very fun town to live in if you're not a gambler, and I am absolutely not. Don't enjoy it at all, but I love cheap entertainment and great people watching.

Atlanta -- My buddy Chaka told me he's been to many cities, lived in many, too, and says the hottest women, by far, overall, are in Atlanta. Based on what I have seen, Atlanta is Dallas with more greenery. Plus, Atlanta is a media hub, which is good in my line of work. They do get some winter and plenty of summer, but their climate is no worse than it is here, really, and it's likely a bit kinder during the winter.

Miami -- Almost perfect weather, but probably a bit more humid than I'd like. It does seem to be a bit isolated from the rest of the world, like maybe a Honolulu in the 48 contiguous. However, it would be worth a go for me although maybe not my first choice.

Somewhere in North or South Carolina -- Perhaps Greenville? I've seen some great photos of that area, and I believe it's quite comfortable there.

Somewhere in Northern California -- Lots of tech industries there, plenty of chances to make money. There is a risk of earthquakes, but that doesn't really bother me at all. Nevertheless, it doesn't get very cold in most places there, which is what would interest me.

Not right now, mind you. I'm just now getting to where I feel settled in Norman, Oklahoma. I'm just now beginning to enjoy the perks of living in a university town. However, considering we're about to have our 15th and 16th consecutive days of rain Wednesday and Thursday, I thought I'd ponder the possibilities.