Monday, June 09, 2008

AC is My Friend

Today is the first Monday in a really long time that I'm actually happy to be back at work after the weekend. It was so hot that I actually couldn't wait for Monday to roll around so that I could spend the day in my frigid office. Normally I'd shiver and complain about how cold it is in the morning, sitting under that AC vent blasting cold air down on me. But today I'm happy to have to wear a sweater to ward off the goosebumps. Bring on the chills!

I don't have central AC in my house - yet. It's my plan to have it installed by next year, and I'm saving up for it, but for now I have to make do with one ancient, really big window unit on the first floor, which I finally uncovered and turned on this weekend. Needless to say, I slept on the couch all weekend.

In fact, in order to avoid suffocation, I spent most of my time from Friday through this morning on the first floor. The temperature upstairs just wasn't suitable for living (unless you're one lazy cat who enjoys stretching out on the hardwood floors and taking a nap). Any trip up those steps required a really important reason, because half way to the second floor I'd start sweating, and by the time I'd gone to the bathroom or located the file folder I was looking for, I'd be dripping with perspiration. It was like walking into a sauna every time I ventured upstairs.

Because I try to be energy conscious, as well as frugal, I kept the temperature at about 78 on the first floor. This actually felt like I was living in a refrigerator in comparison to the temperature outside and upstairs, so it wasn't that bad. And I even turned it down a bit on Saturday, and spent my afternoon taking advantage of the free AC of the public library where I worked on The Book Proposal. I got a lot of work done this weekend, mostly because, in the heat, I didn't have the energy or desire to do much other than read, eat and type.

The heat was so bad that I was dreading getting ready this morning in my (upstairs) bathroom, so much so that I actually dragged my butt out of bed (couch) at 4:15AM and went to the gym before work. At least I could blow dry my hair in an air-conditioned locker room that way. This might be the best motivator to get me to the gym yet.

7 comments:

patresa hartman said...

youch. i love the heat, love feeling all languid, but drying one's hair DOES suck when you're sweating.

i hope you have plenty of cold things to drink. :)

Anonymous said...

Yeah AC doesn't live at my place either... I told my husband yesterday that I will be endlessly cranky and lazy if forced to live in this heat... I think we're going to look into AC this week, cause NOBODY wants to put up with me when I'm endlessly cranky.

katy said...

I feel you, girl! We don't have AC either. I've been hiding in the basement all day like a hermit. The boys even had early dismissal today because of the heat.

Should we go some place air conditioned together? :-)

Anonymous said...

I never had AC in my life until this year. The house came with it, and honestly, that was one of my must-haves. Too many hot, sticky summers spent doing nothing because it was too uncomfortable.

I, too, am energy conscious, and have found that the AC at 78-80 is just fine. It's cooler than the 85 and 100% humidity outside!

Ami said...

P - I was definitely drinking a lot of ice water. I only love the heat when I've been cold for a while. Once I start sweating, the heat is no longer my friend...and it doesn't take long for me to start sweating.

Reluctant - Cranky is no good! Play it up if you have to, but get that AC. You'll be grateful and so will hubby (just make sure it's Energy Star approved :o)).

Katy - Name the time and place and I'm there...if I haven't already succumbed to exhaustion or heat stroke that is.

betsy - I think it's our northern upbringings that allow us to be comfortable at higher temps. Besides, like you said, it's all relative.

NoRegrets said...

I grew up without air conditioning, so I know it's possible to live that way, but really it's better to have it! Glad you survived...

Ami said...

noregrets - I never had AC growing up, either, but that was in a place where summer really only lasted for a few weeks in July. Now that I live where it's hot and humid from June through September, I don't think I could ever live without it.

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