I took a walk today!

A long walk. 2 miles in 45 minutes. I didn't need to. I wanted to. Because it was only 85º. The heatwave is over!

There are things I should have done instead. It's very messy in here. But I missed being outside.

Bliss!

Guess what happened yesterday at about 4:00? A cool breeze began to blow. The temperature went down to the 80ºs and then, after darkness fell, the 70ºs. This is the coolest it's been for more than a week!

On side streets, with their tree lined parkways, you could really feel it right away. On the busy streets, less so. The concrete and tar have really sucked in the 100º heat.

But that's what I have learned from this heatwave. It's not so much how high the mercury reaches during the day as far it fall at night. After several days of 85º-65º, we'll steadily increase to 95º-75º. But that won't feel as brutal as the past 10 days have because that 20º dip gives everything a chance to cool off and find relief overnight.

Too hot, too long

It's been over 95º, sometimes (like today) over 100º, every day for the last 8 days. At night the mercury doesn't dip to less than 85º, so there's no opportunity for the sidewalks, streets and brick buildings to cool down. Pavement is beginning to buckle. The heat index -- the way the air feels on skin -- is 125º.

It continues into tomorrow. It has not been this hot, this long, since 1995. (THIS JUST IN: It hasn't been this hot, this long, here in Chicago since the 1940s.) It's hard to take. I feel like I'm being held hostage indoors -- just the two block walk from the el stop left my t-shirt stuck to my back with sweat.

Worse, the little window air conditioner in my bedroom has quit pulling its weight. It's better than just the fan -- much better, in fact -- but it's still not cool. I think it's all that unremitting afternoon sun. I have cleaned and recleaned the filter and removed as much cat hair as I could from every nook and cranny I could reach. I want to give it a fighting chance.

Tomorrow night it's finally supposed to rain and then (bliss!) finally dip down into the 70s. I dream of being able to walk outside again!

Special July 4 Wednesday Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Imaginary Meme, Part Eight

141. What's the difference between Stealing and other memes that you do? The author is a Beatle fan of the highest order. And, to borrow a phrase, you know that can't be bad. (WOOO!)

142. Best cartoon show ever? Rocky and Bullwinkle.

143. Does it matter to you if your significant other smokes? Yes.

144. Do you ever use your full name? Yes.

145. Do you get annoyed easily? Yes. Especially in this fucking heat.

146. Indecent proposal: Would you sleep with an attractive billionaire for millions of $? Yes. No. I'd do him because you stipulated I find him attractive, not because of the money. (That, dear sir, is the difference between a slut and a whore.)

147. Where do you draw the line? Between two points.

148. Have you ever been on a road trip? Yes.

149. What’s your favorite drink? Vodka. It goes with everything.

150. Which is better, amazing eyes or an amazing smile? Why? They both sound good. I like being amazed.

151. What was your first thought this morning? "Please don't let the power be out." It was. But it came back on, thank God. It's 100-fucking-degrees here.

152. Have you ever wanted to go to sleep and not wake up? When it's 100-fucking-degrees here. I really suffer in this heat.

153. Would you try to take over the world? I think the world would be better for it.

154. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you? Told me that he wished he had written Bob Dylan's "Emotionally Yours" for me.

155. Have you ever been asked to do something disgusting? No

156. How much cash do you have right now? $26 in my wallet, about $10 in quarters for laundry, and $60 tucked away in case of emergencies.

157. Tell us something totally random about yourself. I used to be afraid of Mark Harmon. No, really. He was so convincing as Ted Bundy in The Deliberate Stranger and I had a hard time getting past that. Here's a link to a clip. I warn you, he's very good at very bad. http://youtu.be/-1BWr2gjVvc

158. What really turns you off? Religious intolerance.

159. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? Back when we were both young, I heard that I looked like Julie from The Love Boat.

160. You’re having a bad day. Who do you want to talk to? My best friend

161. Have you ever studied the Bible? Yes

162. What really turns you off? Religious intolerance hasn't become more acceptable since question #158.

163. What's a goal that you'd like to achieve? I'd like lose weight so I can wear cute clothes again.

164. Name one celebrity you hate, and why. Madonna. Because she's always been a brand first and an artist second (if at all). And because I think Cher did it all first anyway.

165. What’s your favorite store? Macy's 

166. What's one goal you’d like to achieve this year? I unfortunately haven't lost an ounce since question #163.

167. What's the first thing you notice about your preferred sex? I'm a sucker for thick, soft, shiny hair. A mop top, if you will.

168. Who is your oldest friend? How long have you known them? I've known my oldest friend since autumn 1962. We were in Kindergarten.

169. Do you like photography? Yes. What's not to like?

170. Pain or no gain? Huh?

171. What's something people say that you generally find annoying? "I could care less," when they obviously mean, "I couldn't care less."

172. How often do you change your myspace/facebook/etc profile? Seldom

173. Do you ever cook? I have a George Foreman Grill. Does using that count as cooking?

174. Have you ever been on a boat? Yes

175. What do you do most when you’re bored? Memes

176. What is your favorite musical instrument? Piano, I suppose.

177. What’s your phone ringtone? The one that came programmed on my phone

178. Have you ever been in a movie? (Either amateur of professional.) Nope.

179. Describe your life currently in five words. Held hostage by the heat

180. Where did you last fly to and why? My last flight was to Chicago. Because I live here. I had to come home from vacation eventually, even though I didn't want to. 

 

 

I Want Wednesday

I want the heat to end! Really. I feel like I'm held captive indoors on these 98º to 102º days. ENOUGH!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

We're in the middle of a heatwave. It's been between 90º and 100º every day for a week. It's unpleasant.

Partly because I don't do heat. Heat and I are not friends. I suffer in hot weather. I don't know how to say it more plainly.

So, to compensate, I always have the air conditioning on. And then I get cold. So I turn it down or off. And then I'm sweltering again. Over and over and over.

At work the air conditioning is on so ferociously that I have the heater blowing hot air on my sandaled feet.

At the health club, it was too warm and I felt positively saintly for logging 25 minutes on the treadmill.

In winter, when it's freezing, there's a camaraderie among Chicagoans. "Can you believe this?" we ask one another on the slushy streets or as we try to sit, side by side, on the el, even though our downcoats make it difficult.

In summer, we simply growl at one another.

At work, everyone appears either grumpy or washed out.

I'm going home now for my Wednesday off. It's supposed to be 99º tomorrow. My one gal's simple dream is to not speak to anyone, recharge my battery with lots of alone time, and feel better for my return to work on Thursday.