The heat spell grinds on. The German Rail company now blames global warming for its massive breakdown of high-speed trains. They were built to a “Norm” (standard) of functioning that went all the way up to 32 C (90 F), so all must be well! In the early 90s, no one could imagine such high temps (although I experienced the mid-90s and beyond in those years). So everything and everyone followed the rules!
This is the sort of head-in-sand reasoning that also ensures you can’t buy a simple fan when the mercury rises. Germany never gets really hot. Therefore stores don’t carry fans. The few fans in stock sell out immediately. An email list I run for scholars in Berlin is bubbling with desperate queries on how to locate a fan without having to mail order it. My family and I own three, which seems positively immoral – as though we’re hoarders in wartime.
If it weren’t so darned uncomfortable, I’d feel gleeful about the U.S. not being the only country that struggles with being “reality based.”
By now, though, I’m begging for mercy. The city smells nastier by the day. The collection of municipal compost – so laudable under ordinary conditions – creates walls of stench that sucker-punch passers-by. Things die, and their remains grow ever more pungent. My sweet children stink unless washed thoroughly each day. As for myself? Be grateful this blog has no scratch-n-sniff function.
The heat wave is supposed to break today, with rain and thunderstorms and more rain. Otherwise, expect me to resemble this kitteh (from ICHC, as usual).
Patron cat of Kittywampus (1985-2001)
It’s been pretty hot and muggy here in Iowa City, but it’s nothing the air conditioner can’t handle. I just wanted to say I’ve really enjoyed your frequent posting lately. I love your perspective (even on soccer, though I couldn’t care less about the sport itself). Thanks! Stay Cool!
Hi Ryan – I am glad you’re keeping cool. Today we’re getting some serious relief, and I’m so grateful for it. Look for grouchy posts on how I’m too cold in a few months from now.
I’ve enjoyed having some time to write. The last two academic quarters were just brutally busy for me. Time still feels really fragmented, since the kids have been around 24/7, and so I’m still having trouble writing about more serious topics. But I used to try to post *something* every day, on average (the archives show that through last fall) and I’d love to get back to that again.
Thanks so much for reading! And for saying you “couldn’t care less”!