What’s on your mind?

[fanboy-ish]

Not to anger anyone but I absolutely hate summer. Can''t stand the heat.

I'm 100% with you on this! Summer sucks in my area, high temperatures - in the 30s Celsius - and humidity steadily above 50%, you're basically breathing warm water.

Winters here are not extreme at all, you can just warm yourself with clothes, but you have no way to beat the heat, unless you have constant AC on, which has been a luxury for most people for many years and it has become a luxury again.

 

[decafjava]

Sorry I love summer and you all can remain wrong in your wrongness.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Anyone who says they love summer hasn’t tried it with no AC. It’s not too bad today, but the next three days are going to be unbearable. No escaping it either into the pool or whatever. Like most people we don’t have one. Expecting a hosepipe ban soon as well.

 

[Pezimak]

I love the heat because I have central air at home (and work from home). But even if I had to go to work, air cond there too. Plus in the car. So I am surrounded by a bubble of cool air wherever I go. HA!

I'll be in the office on Tuesday with air con and may go in on Monday to have the air con. It can get so cold I have to open windows to let the warm air in! Air con in the car too. Don't mind the heat and I'm British. People in Britain in 1976 had a heat wave for weeks and weeks and no air con anywhere and didn't close up shop, they just got in with it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Anyone who says they love summer hasn’t tried it with no AC. It’s not too bad today, but the next three days are going to be unbearable. No escaping it either into the pool or whatever. Like most people we don’t have one. Expecting a hosepipe ban soon as well.

Well, I'm among those who loves summer, or, rather, I love a world where we can have temperatures of between 20C-30C.

However, to me - born and bred in our (usually wet, windy and miserable) islands, where, as children and adolescents, what we understood by the noun "a good summer" meant around a week of guaranteed sunshine, a week where the sun shone for several consecutive days, and a world where the temperature rarely exceeded 30 C (86F) and where the term "global warming" didn't even register on our consciousness.

Actually, I remember my silly excitement the first time in my life when I experienced temperatures in excess of 100F (38C), in Germany, where I spent a summer as a student. Oh, dear.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well, I'm among those who loves summer, or, rather, I love a world where we can have temperatures of between 20C-30C.

However, to me - born and bred in our (usually wet, windy and miserable) islands, where, as children and adolescents, what we understood by the noun "a good summer" meant around a week of guaranteed sunshine, a week where the sun shone for several consecutive days, and a world where the temperature rarely exceeded 30 C (86F) and where the term "global warming" didn't even register on our consciousness.

Actually, I remember my silly excitement the first time in my life when I experienced temperatures in excess of 100F (38C), in Germany, where I spent a summer as a student. Oh, dear.

I’m usually happy between 20-24 degrees. If it’s hotter, especially if humid as well I’m not happy. If it’s 30 plus I’m really not happy. Now if there is a pool or AC it’s fine. You can get some relief. If not, it’s constant.
No good nights sleep. No energy.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I’m usually happy between 20-24 degrees. If it’s hotter, especially if humid as well I’m not happy. If it’s 30 plus I’m really not happy. Now if there is a pool or AC it’s fine. You can get some relief. If not, it’s constant.
No good nights sleep. No energy.

20-24, 25, is perfect, agreed.

However, I'm okay with temperatures up to 30.

Over 30, it becomes increasingly uncomfortable, and over 40 is brutal.

In Georgia (Caucasus Georgia, where I spent two years with the EU after their (Georgia's) conflict with Russia in 2008), the summers are blistering; the second summer I was there, temperatures were 40-44 for almost three months; this was approaching pure torture, although, even then, I acclimatised to some degree.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Two things are on my mind, just now.

The first is the carer: The lady she has been caring for, looking after, for the best part of the past two years, died around a fortnight ago (the carer called by this week to pick up some post, and let me know).

Yes, she will be seeking fresh employment, - that brings its own challenges, but, she is so good (and will receive superb references, not least from me), that this will not be (or should not be) a problem, but, just imagine a world where your work means that you get to form exceptionally close ties (as she does, and did) with the people you care for so wonderfully, with such care and competence and compassion, and then, they (inevitably) die, again and again.

And my left heel; today (and yesterday), it is excruciatingly painful when I walk.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Two things are on my mind, just now.

The first is the carer: The lady she has been caring for, looking after, for the best part of the past two years, died around a fortnight ago (the carer called by this week to pick up some post, and let me know).

Yes, she will be seeking fresh employment, - that brings its own challenges, but, she is so good (and will receive superb references, not east from me), that this will not be (or should not be) a problem, but, just imagine a world where your work means that you get to form exceptionally close ties (as she does, and did) with the people you care for so wonderfully, with such care and competence and compassion, and then, they (inevitably) die, again and again.

And my left heel; today (and yesterday), it is excruciatingly painful when I walk.

Back when Mrs AFB was working she worked in a children's hospital with very sick children. Many were there for months before passing away. Very emotionally draining. I was glad when she finished working there.
Hope the career can find another good family to move in with soon.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Back when Mrs AFB was working she worked in a children's hospital with very sick children. Many were there for months before passing away. Very emotionally draining. I was glad when she finished working there.
Hope the career can find another good family to move in with soon.

She really liked us (well, obviously, for she stayed with us for six years and was simply wonderful, kind and caring, with my mother, as anyone reading these threads will well know and will well recall), and I know she really liked this current family, they have treated her very well, and the lady (whom I met a few times - she was diabetic, and had called in to me on a few occasions, including once during Covid, as a sort of emergency - brought by the carer - because, while out for a walk with the carer, she had experienced sudden plummeting blood sugar levels, whereupon we immediately prepared tea for her) was absolutely lovely, a genuine "lady" and a very decent person.

However, it only recently struck me that this must be emotionally draining and exhausting (if also very rewarding) for someone as dedicated and decent as the carer.

This lady also died at home; the carer wanted me to meet her husband (widower) when he drove her to collect her post, at my house, and I had a lovely chat with him. He told me that his wife had died very peacefully, gently, and she was relaxed, and comfortable and content; pneumonia, I was told, "the old person's friend", although she had dementia, (nowhere nearly as badly as my poor mother) and diabetes, and God knows what else, but, yes, other ailments. However, it all sounded very similar to what had happened with us.

Smiling, he poured praise on the carer (as I did), and she was laughing and blushing; yes, exhausting and draining, but to know that you have made - not just a positive difference to someone's life, and the quality of that person's life - but that you have made such an enormous and positive and significant difference to that person's life, well, to my mind, that means something.

 

[Apple fanboy]

She really liked us (well, obviously, for she stayed with us for six years and was simply wonderful, kind and caring, with my mother, as anyone reading these threads will well know and will well recall), and I know she really liked this current family, they have treated her very well, and the lady (whom I met a few times - she was diabetic, and had called in to me - brought by the carer - on a few occasions, including once during Covid, as a sort of emergency, because, while out for a walk with the carer, she experienced sudden plummeting blood sugar, whereupon we immediately prepared tea for her) was absolutely lovely, a genuine "lady" and a very decent person.

However, it only recently struck me that this must be emotionally draining and exhausting (if also very rewarding) for someone as dedicated and decent as the carer.

This lady also died at home; the carer wanted me to meet her husband (widower) when he drove her to collect her post, at my house, and I had a lovely chat with him. He told me that his wife had died very peacefully, gently, and she was relaxed, and comfortable and content; pneumonia, I was told, "the old person's friend", although she had dementia, (nowhere nearly as badly as my poor mother) and diabetes, and God knows what else, but, yes, other ailments. However, it all sounded very similar to what had happened with us.

Smiling, he poured praise on the carer (as I did), and she was laughing and blushing; yes, exhausting and draining, but to know that you have made - not just a positive difference to someone's life, and the quality of that person's life - but that you have made such an enormous and positive and significant difference to that person's life, well, to my mind, that means something.

Well sounds like both your mother the next lady the career looked after both got looked after and managed to end their days at home which is more than any of us can hope for.
Goodness knows what will happen to us when we get that old. If Mrs AFB goes before me, I’m not sure I’ll stick around for long. Just get a one way trip to Switzerland.

 

[I7guy]

And get ready for a cold winter and higher energy bill.

FYI for the group. I HATE WINTER! Fwiw.

 

[jav6454]

FYI for the group. I HATE WINTER! Fwiw.

I actually like winter. Although I can do with the snow. I can’t stand the heat of summer.

 

[Rafterman]

Anyone who says they love summer hasn’t tried it with no AC. It’s not too bad today, but the next three days are going to be unbearable. No escaping it either into the pool or whatever. Like most people we don’t have one. Expecting a hosepipe ban soon as well.

Oh, I have AC and I know that. We didn't have it when I was a kid and I remember those hot summer nights, laying in bed with the window wide open, the sounds of the still summer night, and a giant fan whirring directly at me. Not fun. But when I got my own house, AC was finally put in and I am never going back.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Oh, I have AC and I know that. We didn't have it when I was a kid and I remember those hot summer nights, laying in bed with the window wide open, the sounds of the still summer night, and a giant fan whirring directly at me. Not fun. But when I got my own house, AC was finally put in and I am never going back.

Virtually nobody has AC in their home in the UK. Most of the time we don’t really need it. But of course global warming is changing all that. But with the cost of electricity, it would be hard for many to afford to put it on.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Virtually nobody has AC in their home in the UK. Most of the time we don’t really need it. But of course global warming is changing all that. But with the cost of electricity, it would be hard for many to afford to put it on.

I bought a portable A/C unit last year and it's a godsend. A but noisy yes but makes the bedroom seem like a fridge!

 

[AVBeatMan]

This is the one I got;

De'Longhi Pinguino PACN82 Eco | Portable Air Conditioner with Real Feel Technology | 80m³, 9,400 BTU, A Energy Efficiency

The Pinguino PAC N82 Eco Silent air conditioner is easily portable, due to it's durable castor wheels and side-carry handles. Set up takes only minutes, and all parts are included- No tools required. Featuring a stylish and innovative design, The PAC N82 is kind to the environment, whilst providi...

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[Scepticalscribe]

Virtually nobody has AC in their home in the UK. Most of the time we don’t really need it. But of course global warming is changing all that. But with the cost of electricity, it would be hard for many to afford to put it on.

Agreed.

We don't have it, because we don't really need it (cost of electricty notwithtanding).

However, a few years ago, during a very (short, but intense) hot spell, while Mother was still with us, (but bed bound), I invested in a few pretty serious electric fans, and - given that our warm (or hot) spells rarely exceed a few weeks - that sufficed and kept her - and the house - nice and cool.

Now, I'll readily grant that even in the 1980s and 1990s, (and we had some warm spells, then, too), it would never have occurred to me to think to purchase a fan or two, mainly, because we didn't really need them.

AC is fine in countries where the weather is baking hot for months on end - it was necessary in Georgia, for example.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Agreed.

We don't have it, because we don't really need it (cost of electricty notwithtanding).

However, a few years ago, during a very (short, but intense) hot spell, while Mother was still with us, (but bed bound), I invested in a few pretty serious electric fans, and - given that our warm (or hot) spells rarely exceed a few weeks - that sufficed and kept her - and the house - nice and cool.

Now, I'll readily grant that even in the 1980s and 1990s, (and we had some warm spells, then, too), it would never have occurred to me to think to purchase a fan or two, mainly, because we didn't really need them.

AC is fine in countries where the weather is baking hot for months on end - it was necessary in Georgia, for example.

Have fans. Not that they do what is needed. Perhaps I should order an AC unit of Amazon, pay for next day delivery, then return it after a week. I bet plenty do!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Have fans. Not that they do what is needed. Perhaps I should order an AC unit of Amazon, pay for next day delivery, then return it after a week. I bet plenty do!

Actually, even when I first worked in Georgia, I must admit that I hated AC - as did my sinuses - and far preferred fans.

Perhaps I'm just old school in such matters.

Moreover, in my experience, some of the buildings where AC has been used (for work purposes) are set at far too cold a temperature; I'm not one for short sleeves when the temperature is 15-16 - my goose pimples/goosebumps are very visible, for one thing.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Actually, even when I first worked in Georgia, I must admit that I hated AC - as did my sinuses - and far preferred fans.

Perhaps I'm just old school in such matters.

Moreover, in my experience, some of the buildings where AC has been used (for work purposes) are set at far too cold a temperature; I'm not one for short sleeves when the temperature is 15-16 - my goose pimples/goosebumps are very visible, for one thing.

I’m the opposite. When we had it at work we always couldn’t run it at a comfortable temperature. One young lady in the office would dictate what the rest of us could do. Of course she would be in some skimpy little dress where as we had to wear shirts and trousers. I was very glad when she left. She was not much of a team player. Then the AC died and we never had it replaced. We only rent the office. So it would cost too much.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I’m the opposite. When we had it at work we always couldn’t run it at a comfortable temperature. One young lady in the office would dictate what the rest of us could do. Of course she would be in some skimpy little dress where as we had to wear shirts and trousers. I was very glad when she left. She was not much of a team player. Then the AC died and we never had it replaced. We only rent the office. So it would cost too much.

Indoors, atttending meetings with AC set at 15-16, I'm the one attired in a formal, (yes, okay, probably lightweight) elegant, wool jacket; almost everyone else would be in short sleeves.

Each to their own, but I feel the cold, (and hate the cold).

 

[AVBeatMan]

Agreed.

We don't have it, because we don't really need it (cost of electricty notwithtanding).

However, a few years ago, during a very (short, but intense) hot spell, while Mother was still with us, (but bed bound), I invested in a few pretty serious electric fans, and - given that our warm (or hot) spells rarely exceed a few weeks - that sufficed and kept her - and the house - nice and cool.

Now, I'll readily grant that even in the 1980s and 1990s, (and we had some warm spells, then, too), it would never have occurred to me to think to purchase a fan or two, mainly, because we didn't really need them.

AC is fine in countries where the weather is baking hot for months on end - it was necessary in Georgia, for example.

I get headaches and very irritable every day that it raises above say 27ºC so could not stand even a few days without some sort of AC. Hot days just make me feel ill. Worse at night. Can't sleep, sweat, noisy fans, windows open, insects, noise from the street etc... Again, I feel like I'm moaning but I really dislike summer....

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

Dark mode is awesome. No blinding screens when getting up at 2AM to fix an on-call problem remotely.

No, Dark Mode and Window Snapping are evils specifically designed by the Bill Gates AI to agravate me to distraction.
I am in a solipsist mood this morning. It's all about me...

 

[HDFan]

Now before you start moaning how that’s nothing etc, etc remember nearly all homes have no AC as well as lots of businesses (including mine).

cool yourself off by fanning with the lower electricity bills ...

People in Britain in 1976 had a heat wave for weeks and weeks and no air con anywhere and didn't close up shop, they just got in with it.

Looks like the highest temperature was 35C. This coming weeks sounds as if it could be 5C hotter, but not last as long. As temperatures rise some areas will reach the point where it is life threatening:

"A sustained wet-bulb temperature exceeding 35 °C (95 °F) is likely to be fatal even to fit and healthy people, unclothed in the shade next to a fan; at this temperature human bodies switch from shedding heat to the environment, to gaining heat from it"

But with the cost of electricity, it would be hard for many to afford to put it on.

Absolutely. Running 3 portables my electric bill is >$500 a month.

I bought a portable A/C unit last year and it's a godsend. A but noisy yes but makes the bedroom seem like a fridge!

Portables aren't that efficient but better with 2 hose units. Have to run continuously if temperatures > 100 degrees to cool down things at night. During day temperatures inside can go up to 80 by the end of the day. Noisy but generally do the job.

Have gone through a lot of portables, settled on a Whynter. It is a heat pump so use for supplemental heat in winter. Most reliable ones I have owned and they have great support. Just had to replace the hoses and issue was handled quickly.

Whynter ARC-14SH 14,000 BTU (9,200 BTU SACC) Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner and Portable Heater with Dehumidifier and Fan for Rooms Up to 500 Square Feet, Platinum/Black, AC Unit + Heater

Stay comfortable with this small portable air conditioner and heater. Designed to align with environmental standards, this heater and air conditioner combo includes CFC-free R-32 refrigerant and lead-free RoHS-compliant components. This indoor heater and air conditioner features auto-drain techno...

www.amazon.com