Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just Me?

I think Matthew Broderick said it best in the film Biloxi Blues:

"It's HOT here! It's like Africa hot! Even Tarzan couldn't survive in this heat!"

It isn't often I need to complain about the heat here in beautiful Southern California. More like the crowds and the traffic, but there are times, about 4 weeks a year that I wish I had air conditioning. The rest of the year it is mild enough to get by without it.

Enter CLIMATE CHANGE!

Two summers ago we had a heat wave that lasted over a month. Unfortunately the thermostat for my wall heater is within my range of vision in my living room. I can sit on the couch, watching the TV and sweat dripping down my leg at the same time. Who really wants to see a thermostat that reads 94°?? Certainly not me. Who really wants to sleep on a hot mattress? Not me! For anyone who is interested in purchasing a "feather topper" for their bed, let me just tell you, they retain heat!!! I yanked that bad boy off my bed and chucked it as far as I was able, never to darken my doorstep again. It is just wrong to be happy to leave the house for the office because it is cooler there.

Can I really afford the electric bill? Sure I can if I’m reasonable. Temps under 80° I can live with having my ceiling fan blow on me. Above that, I don’t want to think about how hot it can be in here.

So even though I’m consciously trying to reduce the size of my carbon footprint (remember I did buy a compact car 2 weeks ago) I came home tonight, saw 87° on the thermostat and then walked straight into my front bedroom, turned on the computer, dialed up the friendly Costco website, browsed their portable AC units, picked one and proceeded to checkout!!!

I did it! I bought one! It is small, has casters on the bottom so I can move it around the little Kracker Shack, and I will be able to sleep in comfort. I won’t have to threaten to sleep standing up in a cold shower.

It is the least I can do to put myself first. Isn't that the point?