Blame the GOV, whenever possible, yes. (Though unfortunately, often true as well...). As for a fake rain machine, GREAT idea. The whole yard too. You'll be the talk of the town, and very popular. And they DO work well. I installed some small water lines with little mist nozzles on the porch of the house, to spray a little fog stream in hot weather. Works great. They actually make and sell kits for this purpose. Maybe you know of this already, since you live in MAJOR HOTVILLE, Planet Earth.

I suppose a hose and sprinkler would work well too. Though the water bill might keep you from buying things like food and clothes and rent and such. Maybe that's why they make the 'water mist-ers'. You'll have party central on your back porch, once all your friends find out. Yee haa.