Sometimes I have conversations with myself. Sometimes I even have arguments with myself, and sometimes I lose. Sometimes it's just one long running dialogue, and I get tired of hearing myself.
This morning I had the following conversation:
Me: It's 20-something degrees outside. I think I'll wear my blue turtleneck and warm, warm, warm navy blue sweater. But what shoes?
Self: You could wear those ugly brown ones that look like someone's father's work shoes if he worked in a factory and was required to wear ugly shoes.
Me: Yeah, but they're BROWN. I just don't think brown goes with navy and khaki.
Self: What about your new black boots?
Me: I might wear those later in the week with my red sweater dress (only dress?) and tights. If I go buy some tights, that is. And you know my shoe rule.
Self: What about your motorcycle boots?
Me: They're not real motorcycle boots. They have a RUFFLE on them, for Pete's sake. And they're not very warm.
Self (with a deep sigh): No, I mean your REAL motorcycle boots. The ones you bought for ... riding your motorcycle. The ones that are waterproof and skidproof and all those other proofs?
Me: Excellent idea! Now...what socks? You know I like for my socks to match what I'm wearing.
Self: You have navy blue socks.
Me: But they're not very warm.
Self: What about those snow-skiing socks that I don't know why you bought because you've never been snow skiing in your entire life?
Me: But they're black. Sort of.
Self: Your BOOTS are black. And besides, you'll have on long pants AND motorcycle boots. What are the chances anyone will see your damn socks?
Me: Good point. Should I take my jacket? You know I hate heavy coats.
Self: Duh. It's 20-something degrees outside. Take the jacket.
Me: But I really only need it for getting from the car to the building. It's not that far a walk. I'll just leave it here.
Self: Take. The. Damn. Jacket.
Me: ALL!!!! RIGHT!!!! Sheesh, you don't have to curse.
Since that unfortunate little exchange, I haven't spoken to myself all afternoon. Which is just as well, since I don't want to have to admit to myself that we only had spotty electricity all over the building this morning when I got to school, and we had ZERO heat. Even the little heater under my desk wouldn't work, because most of the electrical outlets didn't work. That jacket (and the gloves that live in the pockets) came in handy. But please don't tell myself. She can be a real beeyotch when she's right.
Showing posts with label cold weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cold weather. Show all posts
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Back to the Real World....
The worst thing about having an entire week off from school (other than the fact that two of those were furlough days, which will be deducted from my paycheck, thank you very much), of course, is the return to reality after all those luxurious mornings of not having to hear an alarm clock. We aren't terribly late sleepers; I was amazed to look at the clock upon waking this morning and seeing it was 7:30. That's darn near lunch time! Still, it's nice to sleep as long as we want without a screaming alarm jolting us out of our weird dreams at 5:00 AM.
And on top of having to go back to school, the weather is supposed to take a turn for the worse this week. I know I shouldn't complain, since it IS late November and we've had temperatures in the 70's the past couple of days. I've tried to take advantage of the nice temperatures and ride my bike, since I don't know how many more days of decent riding weather we will have. I went out for a brief 14-mile ride after the UGA-Tech game yesterday (How 'Bout Them Dawgs!), and today I rode just under 25. Those may be my last rides in November, and last year we had an AWFUL December for bicycle riding.
I'm not sure exactly where I was going with this blog post. I'm not really whining about having to go back to school, since as my mother said so pointedly on Thanksgiving when I was lamenting our furlough days, I should be thankful just to have a job. And I'm trying not to spend a lot of time and energy whining about the impending cold weather, since there's not a whole lot I can do about it. Other than move to Jamaica, which Hubby for some strange reason won't consider. I'm sure they have golf there.
And on top of having to go back to school, the weather is supposed to take a turn for the worse this week. I know I shouldn't complain, since it IS late November and we've had temperatures in the 70's the past couple of days. I've tried to take advantage of the nice temperatures and ride my bike, since I don't know how many more days of decent riding weather we will have. I went out for a brief 14-mile ride after the UGA-Tech game yesterday (How 'Bout Them Dawgs!), and today I rode just under 25. Those may be my last rides in November, and last year we had an AWFUL December for bicycle riding.
I'm not sure exactly where I was going with this blog post. I'm not really whining about having to go back to school, since as my mother said so pointedly on Thanksgiving when I was lamenting our furlough days, I should be thankful just to have a job. And I'm trying not to spend a lot of time and energy whining about the impending cold weather, since there's not a whole lot I can do about it. Other than move to Jamaica, which Hubby for some strange reason won't consider. I'm sure they have golf there.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Deja Vu All Over Again.....
It may be time for me to put this blog out of its misery. I was going to use the title "Terminal Grumpiness" for this post. But you know how your computer sometimes remembers phrases you've typed into text boxes and pulls them up for you? Yeah, I've already HAD a blog entry entitled "Terminal Grumpiness." It was only in August, so it's not like I even have the excuse of it being way back in 2008, when I first started my blog. The August grumpiness was due to the seemingly never-ending renovations that were going on in our house. That seems so long ago now.
Today's grumpiness is all about the weather, so if you want to stop reading here, you're entitled.
It's been well documented in this blog that I am not a fan of cold weather. I don't like anything below 60 degrees, but I will suffer in relative silence in temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees. Below 40, though, I come out with guns a-blazing.
It isn't that I don't know how to dress for cold weather. I DO. I just don't like to. Today, when temperatures were supposed to remain in the 30's all day here in the BALMY FREAKIN' SOUTH, I knew that I needed to wear layers. I wore a tank top, a mock turtleneck, a matching crocheted scarf, my heaviest slacks, and I even wore my equestrian-style boots that I've had now for 12 years. I dug my heavy coat out of the closet, and in the pocket I found a napkin from an event at the country club that Hubby and I attended last January. That's how often I wear that coat. I even wore my gloves.
So it's not about not being prepared for the cold temperatures. It's that I. JUST. DON'T. LIKE. THEM.
I will admit that when it snows here, which is generally once a year, maybe twice if we're (un)lucky, it is pretty to see the ground covered with a pure, soft, white blanket of snow. I can enjoy it from my front window. Sometimes we even go walking in the park to take pictures of the lovely snow, but you better believe I'm headed for the comfort of the wood stove pretty darn fast.
It doesn't help that no one around here knows how to drive in the snow and ice. But just let the ground get covered solid with one or the other, or a mix of both, and EVERYONE wants to get out and drive in it. Snow isn't in our forecast for this week, and it's a good thing. I would probably be homicidal.
We usually have a cold snap like this, and I can almost guarantee that before the month of December is over, we will have at least one, perhaps two or three, days where temperatures are in the 70's. Those are my kinds of temps. I got my hopes all up a while ago when the weather came on. The weather guy (from the waist up only, you understand) was talking about how cold it is, and then he said the words I thought I was waiting to hear, "But wait until you see what next week has in store."
He took great delight in telling me that compared to next week, this week will seem like Spring Break.
I hate him. I hate him much.
I really, really apologize to those of you who live in places where snow and cold are a mainstay for six months out of the year. Like my (favorite) cousin, who grew up in South Alabama and lives now in Green Bay. She said something once about her children being thrilled when they got to that one day in August when they could go barefoot. I KNOW I don't have it as hard as you do. I KNOW I'm whining about cold when I really have no idea.
That doesn't make me any less grumpy.
Today's grumpiness is all about the weather, so if you want to stop reading here, you're entitled.
It's been well documented in this blog that I am not a fan of cold weather. I don't like anything below 60 degrees, but I will suffer in relative silence in temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees. Below 40, though, I come out with guns a-blazing.
It isn't that I don't know how to dress for cold weather. I DO. I just don't like to. Today, when temperatures were supposed to remain in the 30's all day here in the BALMY FREAKIN' SOUTH, I knew that I needed to wear layers. I wore a tank top, a mock turtleneck, a matching crocheted scarf, my heaviest slacks, and I even wore my equestrian-style boots that I've had now for 12 years. I dug my heavy coat out of the closet, and in the pocket I found a napkin from an event at the country club that Hubby and I attended last January. That's how often I wear that coat. I even wore my gloves.
So it's not about not being prepared for the cold temperatures. It's that I. JUST. DON'T. LIKE. THEM.
It doesn't help that no one around here knows how to drive in the snow and ice. But just let the ground get covered solid with one or the other, or a mix of both, and EVERYONE wants to get out and drive in it. Snow isn't in our forecast for this week, and it's a good thing. I would probably be homicidal.
We usually have a cold snap like this, and I can almost guarantee that before the month of December is over, we will have at least one, perhaps two or three, days where temperatures are in the 70's. Those are my kinds of temps. I got my hopes all up a while ago when the weather came on. The weather guy (from the waist up only, you understand) was talking about how cold it is, and then he said the words I thought I was waiting to hear, "But wait until you see what next week has in store."
He took great delight in telling me that compared to next week, this week will seem like Spring Break.
I hate him. I hate him much.
I really, really apologize to those of you who live in places where snow and cold are a mainstay for six months out of the year. Like my (favorite) cousin, who grew up in South Alabama and lives now in Green Bay. She said something once about her children being thrilled when they got to that one day in August when they could go barefoot. I KNOW I don't have it as hard as you do. I KNOW I'm whining about cold when I really have no idea.
That doesn't make me any less grumpy.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Stupid Weather.....
After such beautiful weather last weekend, it has been rainy and COLD here for the past two days. The high is supposed to be higher than the 50's in the South.
To make it worse, Rozmo, Katydid and I are headed out for another 3-day bicycling event tomorrow afternoon. We are headed to Florida, but the cold weather is supposed to FOLLOW US there.
Crap.
I have some cold-weather cycling gear, but not a lot because I generally avoid cold-weather cycling. Period. I have a huge duffel bag packed with stuff for this weekend, and I just keep cramming more stuff in it. The lows are supposed to be in the 30's and the highs MIGHT reach the 60's. Sixty sounds warm, but considering it doesn't get there until we are usually finished riding for the day, we might have a couple of miserable mornings. We won't freeze, since we aren't tent camping (who DOES that in November?), and the RV has a very nice furnace. But there are only so many articles of clothing one can put on to ride a bicycle. I was so worried about packing warm clothes that I nearly forgot to pack my cycling shoes. And underwear.
We haven't done this ride before, but not many people signed up for it. Around 35, I think. More may show up and register on-site, but considering the weather I doubt it. I won't be surprised if a few people just don't show up at all and say screw the $130 fee. If it's as cold as they say it's going to be, I'm sure there will be moments when I would pay ANOTHER $130 just to go home.
There is a ride over in Charleston that I've done twice, and I'd like to do it again someday. One year it was very chilly and rainy, and the rest stops on this particular route compete for the best theme, the best food, the best atmosphere. My hands-down favorite food at a rest stop that year was chicken noodle soup.
Chicken. Noodle. Soup. At a rest stop. On a bicycle ride.
I thought I had died and gone straight to heaven.
That warm soup, the salty taste, the friendly church folks serving it..... It doesn't get much better than that. I'll have to harbor thoughts of that soup when we're riding this weekend.
I wouldn't mind the weather so much if we could just count on it being one thing or the other for more than three or four days. Hubby has a fire going in the wood stove tonight, and I am absolutely positive that we will have to run the air conditioner at least once more.
And for that I won't complain a bit.
Keep working on the list of the 50 new things I need to do next year. I have LOVED some of your suggestions so far. You guys are the bestest!
To make it worse, Rozmo, Katydid and I are headed out for another 3-day bicycling event tomorrow afternoon. We are headed to Florida, but the cold weather is supposed to FOLLOW US there.
Crap.
I have some cold-weather cycling gear, but not a lot because I generally avoid cold-weather cycling. Period. I have a huge duffel bag packed with stuff for this weekend, and I just keep cramming more stuff in it. The lows are supposed to be in the 30's and the highs MIGHT reach the 60's. Sixty sounds warm, but considering it doesn't get there until we are usually finished riding for the day, we might have a couple of miserable mornings. We won't freeze, since we aren't tent camping (who DOES that in November?), and the RV has a very nice furnace. But there are only so many articles of clothing one can put on to ride a bicycle. I was so worried about packing warm clothes that I nearly forgot to pack my cycling shoes. And underwear.
We haven't done this ride before, but not many people signed up for it. Around 35, I think. More may show up and register on-site, but considering the weather I doubt it. I won't be surprised if a few people just don't show up at all and say screw the $130 fee. If it's as cold as they say it's going to be, I'm sure there will be moments when I would pay ANOTHER $130 just to go home.
There is a ride over in Charleston that I've done twice, and I'd like to do it again someday. One year it was very chilly and rainy, and the rest stops on this particular route compete for the best theme, the best food, the best atmosphere. My hands-down favorite food at a rest stop that year was chicken noodle soup.
Chicken. Noodle. Soup. At a rest stop. On a bicycle ride.
I thought I had died and gone straight to heaven.
That warm soup, the salty taste, the friendly church folks serving it..... It doesn't get much better than that. I'll have to harbor thoughts of that soup when we're riding this weekend.
I wouldn't mind the weather so much if we could just count on it being one thing or the other for more than three or four days. Hubby has a fire going in the wood stove tonight, and I am absolutely positive that we will have to run the air conditioner at least once more.
And for that I won't complain a bit.
Keep working on the list of the 50 new things I need to do next year. I have LOVED some of your suggestions so far. You guys are the bestest!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
What a Difference a Week Makes.....
Last Saturday we had a 4-inch blanket of snow on the ground here in the Deep South. Today the temperature reached somewhere around 65 degrees. I'm not sure either of those is an accurate picture of what the weather SHOULD be at this time on the year, but I'll take today over last week anytime.
Part of me wants to think winter is over and pack away the sweaters and turtlenecks. The more intelligent part, however, knows that just when we get used to 60-degree days, Mother Nature will zap us with another deep freeze. Or two.
I have several pressing things to do tomorrow, and the Olympics are on. But I fully intend to get outside for at least part of the day and enjoy the warmth and sunshine. Maybe even (finally) go on that first bicycle ride of the year.
Part of me wants to think winter is over and pack away the sweaters and turtlenecks. The more intelligent part, however, knows that just when we get used to 60-degree days, Mother Nature will zap us with another deep freeze. Or two.
I have several pressing things to do tomorrow, and the Olympics are on. But I fully intend to get outside for at least part of the day and enjoy the warmth and sunshine. Maybe even (finally) go on that first bicycle ride of the year.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Lying Weatherman.....
I'm glad we were smart enough to believe what we felt on our skin instead of what the lying weather people told us.
It was supposed to be warm enough to ride bicycles today. Team Chi-Chis scheduled an informal ride from a location that is (fairly) convenient for all of us. The high was supposed to be around 56 or 57.
That's doable on a bike.
Then they started hedging. Maybe 54. Or 52. That doesn't seem like such a huge difference, but keep in mind that we are constantly moving. At blazing speeds.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Then they said there would be NO sun today, that the cloud cover would be in place all day long. I was skeptical, since the sun came out beautifully yesterday and warmed things up some.
But we canceled, and boy am I glad we did.
I don't think it got out of the 40's today. And I didn't get out of the recliner. Much.
Hubby played golf, but he used his brand-new golf cart cover, complete with a propane heater. He says you have to love the game of golf to play in conditions like these. I have my own ideas about what that indicates, but I'll just keep those to myself.
It's just as well that we didn't ride. I got home from South Carolina at 2:00 AM. I am getting way too old to stay out that late. I don't intend to do it ever again.
Until next Friday night, when I may . . . may . . . may just travel to Alabama for a gymnastics meet.
I have a very short memory.
It was supposed to be warm enough to ride bicycles today. Team Chi-Chis scheduled an informal ride from a location that is (fairly) convenient for all of us. The high was supposed to be around 56 or 57.
That's doable on a bike.
Then they started hedging. Maybe 54. Or 52. That doesn't seem like such a huge difference, but keep in mind that we are constantly moving. At blazing speeds.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Then they said there would be NO sun today, that the cloud cover would be in place all day long. I was skeptical, since the sun came out beautifully yesterday and warmed things up some.
But we canceled, and boy am I glad we did.
I don't think it got out of the 40's today. And I didn't get out of the recliner. Much.
Hubby played golf, but he used his brand-new golf cart cover, complete with a propane heater. He says you have to love the game of golf to play in conditions like these. I have my own ideas about what that indicates, but I'll just keep those to myself.
It's just as well that we didn't ride. I got home from South Carolina at 2:00 AM. I am getting way too old to stay out that late. I don't intend to do it ever again.
Until next Friday night, when I may . . . may . . . may just travel to Alabama for a gymnastics meet.
I have a very short memory.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I'm Scared......
I have tentatively agreed to go on what is to be MY first bicycle ride of 2010 this Saturday, and I'm scared.
Scared that it will be too cold.
Scared that it will rain.
Scared that it will be windy.
Scared that I will whine.
Scared that I will suffer two flat tires like I did the last time we rode from this particular location.
Scared that I won't be able to keep up.
Scared that I don't have enough cycling clothes to layer sufficiently.
Scared that my fingers will freeze, because once again I have failed to buy cold-weather cycling gloves that actually have fingers in them.
Scared that I will get back home so late tomorrow night from going with my friend WWP to take her teenage son to a concert that I will regret agreeing to ride at 10:00 AM on Saturday. [We aren't going to the concert, just dropping him and girlfriend off. We're going to take our laptops and sit in a coffee shop somewhere and watch the gymnastics meet from Utah on the computer. We're dorks that way.]
Scared that the Gym Dogs will suffer another loss tomorrow night. Oh... that has nothing to do with cycling.
Scared that I will forget the route again and cause us to make a wrong turn. That adds mileage. I don't like to add mileage.
Scared that Katydid will see that I bought two new water bottles for the tandem and refuse to ride with me. We have three cages. We crave symmetry. I don't know why I only bought two bottles.
Scared that I will look pretty stupid on the tandem by myself.
Scared that I'm going to have to face shaving these legs. I KNOW I will have on tights, but the hairs might just stick through at this point. You're welcome for that visual.
Scared that it will be too cold.
Scared that it will rain.
Scared that it will be windy.
Scared that I will whine.
Scared that I will suffer two flat tires like I did the last time we rode from this particular location.
Scared that I won't be able to keep up.
Scared that I don't have enough cycling clothes to layer sufficiently.
Scared that my fingers will freeze, because once again I have failed to buy cold-weather cycling gloves that actually have fingers in them.
Scared that I will get back home so late tomorrow night from going with my friend WWP to take her teenage son to a concert that I will regret agreeing to ride at 10:00 AM on Saturday. [We aren't going to the concert, just dropping him and girlfriend off. We're going to take our laptops and sit in a coffee shop somewhere and watch the gymnastics meet from Utah on the computer. We're dorks that way.]
Scared that the Gym Dogs will suffer another loss tomorrow night. Oh... that has nothing to do with cycling.
Scared that I will forget the route again and cause us to make a wrong turn. That adds mileage. I don't like to add mileage.
Scared that Katydid will see that I bought two new water bottles for the tandem and refuse to ride with me. We have three cages. We crave symmetry. I don't know why I only bought two bottles.
Scared that I will look pretty stupid on the tandem by myself.
Scared that I'm going to have to face shaving these legs. I KNOW I will have on tights, but the hairs might just stick through at this point. You're welcome for that visual.
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