Where have I been?

I just realized it's been nearly a week since my last post. I guess you can say I've been busy. I'm not sure with what exactly, but I know I haven't been here much this week. I even missed this past week's assignment on new urban legends. I had a good idea too. Want to here it?

My new made up urban legend was about a race of super-intelligent, radioactive rats that were living in the sewers and planning a take-over of the over world. They had been feeding off all the pollution and toxic waste and evolved into super smart rats that weren't going to take it anymore. Just to make it interesting I was going to say how their plan was to take over on 09/12/01, but too many lost their lives taking there positions in the World Trade Center on the 11th. Anyway, that's what you missed. See all you miss out on when I'm not around?

Also, I've been practicing my photography skillz. (Can you uses the 'z' when talking about photography? Do I look cool or stupid? Don't answer that.) I went to this sculpture park by our house, that I didn't know existed until last fall, and practiced there. Some turned out okay, but I still need to practice more on composition and such. While this particular picture isn't great, I like it because it is disturbing to me.

See that? The dog's tongue is coming out the back of the head! That is why it is called "Heavy Dog Kiss." I can't think of a more accurate title. The rest of the photos from that day can be found here.

In the weather today...it's snowing. Which really sucks since it was in the upper 60s on Thursday and nearly as warm on Wednesday and Friday. So, yeah, happy Vernal Equinox! Of course tomorrow is the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle race, so it should be nice and chilly for that. It won't be the slush-fest it was last year, but it's not going to be nice. I swear, if it is nice next weekend I'm going to be pissed.

Speaking of races, this year they are moving the long race I've done the last two years to August and moved it to Soldier Field instead of the suburbs. Dammit! So now I'm looking at a half marathon on Labor Day. This makes me nervous since I've never done a race that long. Sure, they long race I do is 9.3 miles so the half is only 4 miles longer, but that is a tough four miles. You know? But the half marathon looks really scenic, doesn't it. Plus, I get to run through Hamburger University. How can I pass that up? We'll see how training goes, I guess.

Well, that's about all I've been up to. It better stop snowing soon.

Weekend Assignment #275: Staying cool

Really, I should have no problem with this since I'm cool like The Fonz. (For you kids out there under age 30, go here to find out who The Fonz was.)

Anyway, Karen wants to talk about summer. How do we stay cool, beat the heat, whatever other term there might be for it.

Weekend Assignment: #275: What's your favorite way to stay cool in the summer? Is this even an issue where you live?

The good thing about this summer, so far, is it has been very cool here in the Chicago area. This spring was one of the coolest, and wettest we've had, and the summer hasn't changed much. It's not quite as wet, but it is certainly cool. There are a lot of people around here complaining about the lack of heat, but, I'm sorry, those people are just plain wrong. What is so wrong with it being warm enough to wear shorts, but not so warm that you can't go to the end of the driveway with out a water station set up there?

I guess you can say, I'm loving this summer. The humidity has been low, the temperature has been nice, there really isn't a whole lot to complain about. Sure, you can't go to the outdoor pools very often, or the beach for that matter, but so what? If you had a pool in your backyard I could understand the frustration, but otherwise there is not a whole lot to complain about. Maybe it's just me, but I don't like driving to a pool in order to get splashed and trampled by a million other people. And the beaches around here aren't all that great. When they are even open that is. We seem to get a lot of closures due to contamination in the water near the beaches. Doesn't that sound fun? Let's go swim in filth!

Sorry, I'm totally getting off the subject of this assignment. What I usually do during the very hot days of summer, is sit in the air conditioned house. Summer isn't all that long here, but when we get the really warm days it is usually accompanied by high humidity thanks to the warm, moist air from the Gulf. It's not fun. Heat is one thing, but when the air is so thick that you can actually see it, it's just unbearable. So, the air conditioner is your friend around here. I crank it up in the car and in the house. The electric bill isn't so fun, but I don't stick to the couch. That us totally worth it right there.

Extra Credit: Was climate a significant factor in deciding to live where you do?

I've lived here all my life, so I really didn't get to pick the climate. I don't know where the weather is perfect all year round. I don't think that place exists, at least in the United States. Maybe when Jenn and I retire we'll do something like our neighbors do, go somewhere warm in the winter, then come back here for the summer. Of course, we need money for that.

So, how's the weather by you this summer?

Weekend Assignment #250: Hot or Cold?

Talk about topical. Just as we are hitting a cold spell here in Chicago, Karen wants to know if we like it too hot or too cold.

Weekend Assignment #250: We're getting into the coldest time of year in the Northern Hemisphere, so I expect things are getting a mite chilly on some places. If you had to pick one or the other, would you rather be too cold in the winter, or too hot in the summer?

This is a tough one, especially today. As of the last forecast I saw, we are going to be approximately 5 degrees tomorrow and probably won't get above zero Thursday. That's too cold for me. I can handle winter when it is in the 20's and 30's, but once it gets into the teens, I want out. Then, add in some strong winds to get the wind chills about 20 below zero, and I don't want to leave the house. Get me on the next plane to Florida, or Tuscon. I can go stay at Karen's place or something. Actually, our neighbors spend the winter in Tuscon. I've told Jenn I'd like to do that when we hit retirement, too. If there is anything left in our 401k's at that point.

Okay, so I don't like it really cold, what about too hot? I hate that too. This past summer we only had a handful of days in the 90's and some people complained. I loved it! I hate when it gets into the 90's around here. The humidity is usually way too high and I want to sleep on the cold tile next to the dog. And I sweat. A lot. I don't like my shirt getting soaked with sweat as I drive in the car then walking into the store with giant sweat stain for all the people to see. At least I can clear a path down the aisle. Who wants to stand next to the sweat monster?

I need to live in a place that never gets above 80 degrees, or below 35 degrees. Where would that be, San Francisco area maybe? No, seriously, where would that be? I need to find it.

So far I haven't answered Karen's question. I'm stalling, can't you tell? I guess, if you put a gun to my head, I'd say I'd rather it be too hot. Yes, you can bundle up in the cold, but when it gets to zero, or below, you can't put enough layers on. Unless you are like the little brother in A Christmas Story, and probably not even then. At least the furnace can't go out in the middle of the summer and make you freeze and cause the pipes to burst. See, I always look on the bright side of things.

Extra Credit: How has the weather been so far this season, compared to past years?

So far this hasn't been the coldest of the last few years. We've had a few cold snaps, but nothing extreme. We have had a lot of snow, though. I'd say it has been quite a bit more than the last couple of years, at least to this point.

So, would you rather be too hot, or too cold? Be honest.

It's miserable outside

Only three or four weeks ago we were praying for 40 degree weather. Now, since we had a couple days in the 70's, this same weather is so cold. The continuous rain isn't helping. It leeches all the heat out of your body. I think work should have been called of today.