Heat.
Yes, it was hot as hell today.
When I went out early in the morning for my walk, it was already a steamy 84 degrees. I made the best of it by trying to take mental snapshots of portions of the walk so that I can remember them when I strut my shit down the same streets in about six months when the temperature is about 80 degrees lower and my face is frozen.
Sure, it was uncomfortable, but if you listened to radio reports (I avoid watching local news on television), you’d think that we were all being exposed to deadly radioactive fallout rather than a hot, summer day. Just about every report contained useful “tips†for dealing with the heat:
Stay indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned space, if possible. Ya think?
Wear loose, lightweight, comfortable clothes. Upon hearing that, I immediately decided against wearing a parka and woolen hat.
Drink plenty of fluids. I’ll definitely keep that in mind the next time I get thirsty in 100 degree heat.
Seek out shade, when possible. Christ, even cows and dogs know this.
Finally, as we are all bitching about the heat, it would serve us well to remember that there are troops on the ground in Iraq where it is often 15 degrees hotter, and they are spending their days dressed in full battle gear (including body armor and helmet) chasing bad guys.
84?? That hot, really??? Gee that makes me feel so sorry when we had two weeks of temperatures over 100 and 9 days over 110.
That being said, I totally agree that my whining doesn’t even count when compared with the heat and the battle gear the troops have to wear in the sandbox……
Comment by Brian, "Proud to be a Veteran" — August 2, 2006 @ 2:47 am
Brian, at 6AM, 84 is very hot. I’m about an hour south of Jim, and I can attest to temperatures around 107 today in the afternoon, with extremely high humidity. This has been going on for a few days and is expected into the weekend.
I know this isn’t the hottest it gets in America, but New Jerseyans like Jim and me only get a week or two of this a year, and you know the enviro-wacks are talking it up as if it’s the end of the world.
Still, I think we all agree that the troops are dealing with much more intense heat in the execution of their duties in the desert. Far worse is the wider difference in temperatures between day and night. Heck it’s like 330 am here and its still in the 90s. you dont get that in the desert.
God bless our troops and God bless the USA.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Comment by RightWingRocker — August 2, 2006 @ 3:23 am
It was 84 early in the morning. It hit 100 a few hours later.
Comment by Jim — August 2, 2006 @ 3:24 am
EXACTLY!!
Comment by Tammi — August 2, 2006 @ 6:20 am
Okay, I did a spit-take on that one. 🙂
Comment by Bob — August 2, 2006 @ 8:45 am
Makes me feel like a whinin’ assed Liberal to say that the temp reached 90 here in the NC mountains yesterday with humidity that was off the charts. It was MISERABLE till it cooled down to 62 during the night. Most folks up here don’t have A/C in their homes so…it was STICKY as hell. It rarely get this hot.
Before ya’ll slam me…I’m originally from Charleston and Columbia S.C. I KNOW all about heat…it’s makes fat guys like me sweat like Barry Bonds at a piss test. That’s why I moved to the mountains. I AIN’T supposed to be above EIGHTY up here!
Maybe I could sue FEMA…they weren’t here to buy me an air conditioner!
Comment by Ron Doble — August 2, 2006 @ 9:45 am
I reconsidered. You may remember that I spent a few months in Orlando, FL during the hurricanes of 2004 and I was working outside in Central Florida in August/September and the temperature in the hi 80s to 90s with humidity to match was nothing for the timid or faint of heart. The following year I was in Jackson, MS after Katrina but working indoors although outside it was the same as I described in Fl.
Bottom line……….humidity sucks big time
My sympathies as we have backed off to the lo to mid 90s with no humidity and you guys are getting ready for a few more paint peeling days.
Mega Dittos on God Bless America and the Troops
Comment by Brian, "Proud to be a Veteran" — August 2, 2006 @ 10:07 pm
Jim, I found a couple more helpful heatwave tips, geared specifically toward walkers, from a local TV news station’s website.
1. Should you become “sweaty” during a morning walk, you might want to consider removing sweat from the browline area with a “paper towel.” Also, many walkers find it helpful to take a “shower” and re-apply “deoderant” after a walk.
2. If you can, during a walk, avoid lingering in the middle of busy blacktop-covered thoroughfares. BLACKTOP attracts incredible amounts of HEAT RAYS, and many “impatient motorists” will honk at you and call you an “asshole.”
Comment by dogette — August 3, 2006 @ 10:03 am
I always giggle, but with sympathy, when I read hot weather stories. It’s been over 104 every day for the past three months. Most mornings at 6AM it’s around 95 at least. I know exactly what you mean about the media being clueless. ‘Casters in Phoenix were shrieking about impending doom from temps and I was cackling at the TV “Grow a pair, you studio-swaddled slacker!”
Might have been the heat getting to me, though.
So I feel for you, my friend, because I been there, done that, and baked muffins in my garage. (that is not a home-pron metaphor, btw.) And I know it truly sucks to be slapped with the summer extremes when you aren’t used to it. It’s taken me a year to get to where I don’t spontaneously combust walking down to the mailbox.
Comment by LeeAnn — August 4, 2006 @ 2:46 pm
32 years of florida summers….I stopped watching the local weather reporting temps long ago….if you hear the high numbers, it seems to make it worse…and, what the hell are ya gonna do about it anyway?? I just keep waiting for October.
Comment by Jean — August 4, 2006 @ 5:15 pm
heyyyyy!!…..I just noticed my blog listed on your sidebar…..how cool is that??!!…thank you, thank you!
Comment by Jean — August 4, 2006 @ 5:17 pm