07 August, 2007

Think Cool Thoughts... Feel Free to Share Yours (I need all the help I can get)

The heat index will be.... 105 to 110 today.

This was the news when I turned on the radio. At 8:00 it was already 78F.

I do not live in Florida, but I can tell you it sure feels like Florida without the beach and coastal breezes.

Within seconds of stepping out the door, my body is covered with a thin film or water. My clothes begin to stick, clinging in all the wrong places.

It is going to be a long day.

Think about cool places, I tell myself.

Growing up in the west, it got hot but it didn't get humid like it does here. In other words, I didn't need to form gills until I moved to Nebraska and Virginia.

I remembers summers spent with windows open, running through sprinklers, days spent exploring the forests and creeks... I remember summer nights at drive-in movies, stars close enough to touch, and the desire to truly be outside rather than craving the relief offered by fans and air conditioners.

I swim through the air a bit farther and a bit closer to the air conditioner that is calling me....

I remember days spent sailing one summer, other days spent water skiing, enjoying lake side picnics, wind blowing through my hair while the boat skimmed across the water....

Almost there... I can see the doors of the building...

Summers spent backpacking through Europe... 4th of July in Scotland where I actually wore a sweatshirt in July and sat in a pub with Scottish lads celebrating the 4th with the Yanks.... eating ice cream in the plaza in Freyberg surrounded by centuries of history....Sitting lake side and searching for any sign of Nessie, because I know she is in there somewhere just waiting for the right time to surface...

The cool breeze rushes through the second set of doors as they slide open offering refuge to this soaking wet traveler.

Badge and keys in hand, I sprint through security, thankfully pop directly onto an elevator and up I go to my office, my wide open AC vent, and my change of clothes!

It is days like today and tomorrow that have me searching the company job site for positions in the west or another country or... well, anywhere that is not humid!

25 comments:

Unknown said...

I have a map showing historical relative humidity over the lower 48.

I dream of places showing less than 50.

Literally, dream.

JustRun said...

I am always so careful to not complain (too much) about the dry air here in CO. Humidity can be so draining, in an entirely different way than just heat alone.

So when are ya movin' west? :)

The Exception said...

Wombat - okay, where do I move to find the least amount of humidity?? (And I know it isn't Florida!)

Just Run - Ah West.... if I could take my job and plop it in the west, I would probably do so. As of right now, the plan is to retire and teach in some western college town. I do love the west. Professionally, I can move to England. I choose to stay here and endure the few weeks of high humidity!

Aaron said...

And you're where? Virginia?

Move to Georgia, then complain about the humidity. :/

The Exception said...

Aaron - I think that we are experiencing deep south like conditions right now! Though I do have to admit, Omaha was ridiculously humid and hot, which surprised me.

Bre said...

This humid is killing me, too! Ugh!

Dan said...

I wonder if there are any walk-in freezers up on eBay right now?

Anonymous said...

I love that the weather makes you want to apply elsewhere... Cali isn't humid! :)

guygm said...

Um... well, what about thinking about how the heat is nice? I really enjoy running in 90' humid weather because you become one with your workout. All the sweat and exertion is almost like meditation...

Thanks for the good advice. Everything you said is absolutely right...

Hope you are doing awesome!

Stay cool!

GuyGM

guygm said...

Um... well, what about thinking about how the heat is nice? I really enjoy running in 90' humid weather because you become one with your workout. All the sweat and exertion is almost like meditation...

Thanks for the good advice. Everything you said is absolutely right...

Hope you are doing awesome!

Stay cool!

GuyGM

Anonymous said...

if you visited central oregon you would find the most un humid place in the world. and a very lovely climate complete with beautiful mountain ranges and clear air

cathouse teri said...

I can't imagine wanting to live anywhere but California.

Why don't you come work for us?? :)

Michael C said...

Living in So Cal, I can deal with the heat, but on a trip to Maine a few years ago, I could only walk a few dozen yards before the humidity had me whining like a baby. I don't know how people do it!!

The Exception said...

Everyone seems to love southern California. You are all crazy!!! I mean, I love it too, of course, but I am crazy too.

I truly like northern CA - the North Bay area is ideal... But am kind of open to try OR, WA, or even CO.

Honestly, I do love the rainstorms that they experience in AZ - just amazing.

Ah... the west...

Unknown said...

Pretty much anywhere west of the Rockies, Exceptional One.

But you know that anyway, don't you?!

Spokane and Salt Lake City have the driest climates in the continental US.

The Exception said...

Wombat - figured as much... and yet you chose FL?

Unknown said...

Foolishly, yes.

The Exception said...

Wombat - The great thing about working from home is that you can always move if you desire... different than WA most definitely, but there has to be something good about FL? (beyond your being there, of course!)

cathouse teri said...

I'm in Northern California.. now get over here! :)

The Exception said...

Teri - I so wish I could... Does your company have an opening???

cathouse teri said...

Well what is your specialty?

The Exception said...

Teri - Now that is the catch. My specialty is one of those high demand specialties in the DC area.

Scotty said...

::Spokane... Salt Lake... Don't do that to yourself and the Diva!::

West coast. I am partial to So Cal of course, but also liked Seattle.

I just came back from 3 days in Orlando. Miserable. The A/C was my best friend.

The Exception said...

Scotty - I would only go to FL during the summer for very, very good reasons.

Scotty said...

Yes, I didnt understand it. Everything was at Disney World, and I didnt get how people could be visiting that place and walking around ALL DAY. I was dumbfounded.