I HATE Winter (or any winter-like season, i.e., Fall & Spring)

[kentauros]

Why, you may ask?

#1 - It's cold!!1!

#2 - STATIC ELECTRICITY!!1!

At the moment, I'm mostly put out by #2. I'm not talkin' about some little pleasantly crackly kind of shock. I'm talkin' about the kind of arc from fingertip to metal that you can weld with! And if you're in earshot you will hear "FUCK! God damn static!" :P

Give me my hot and humid weather back!

[texanwitch]

1. Well, you can't have it.

It is winter, well Houston's excuse for a winter.

Some of us like it cold, in the 40's.

I still had to cut the damn grass, spring type weeds are growing.

Damn I want two months without cutting grass, I want to wear my winter clothes.

I up got early this mornning, early I say in the rain to work early voting.

:hi: :hug: :pals: :loveya:

I had to walk uphill both ways in the rain to get to the early voting location.

It will be hot and humid again, very soon.

So how was you day, I was on tv today.

[kentauros]

2. It hasn't yet reached teeth-chattering temps yet

but I'll be sure to complain when it does :P

It's mostly the static electricity. I get shocked getting into my car. I get shocked getting out of my car. I get shocked getting the mail. I get shocked trying to open the doors in the freezer section at the grocery. One of these days, smoke is going to waft up out of my computer because my body-charge of static fried everything. And I tend to hesitate shaking someone's hand not because of germs or anything "reasonable" like that, but because I'm afraid I'm going to give them a heart-attack when the arc jumps the gap, and gives me five minutes of numbness in my hand ;)

My day was good. I got my cat back from the vet for boarding over the holidays. He's been "attached" to me since I got him back :D

[texanwitch]

9. Poor kitty.

My dog is the same way when I leave.

That static electicity seems to trying to get you.

It does smart when that happens.

Hope your holiday weekend was good.

I have to get to bed, 5 am starts early.

Stay warm and and hug your kitty.

:hug:

[kentauros]

10. Have a good sleep then

:hug: :)

My kitty has gotten plenty of attention from me today; he can sleep at me feet for now ;)

I think I'll go turn on the oven, cook something and heat up the place :D

[Lethe]

12. yeah and when you reach to pet the cat/dog it shocks them too!

cats hate that!!

[kentauros]

13. My longhair doesn't seem to notice.

If anything, I think he enjoys shocking me :P

[ccinamon]

29. OMG...I thought I was the only one with these problems!

I have so much static electricity that close family and friends are afraid to touch ME in the winter time....I actually got shocked so bad from the exposed screw head on the switch plate, that I had to ck my finger for burn marks...took 10 minutes for the pain to subside.

Every computer (including macs) that I have ever used get the wierdest problems...I think the static jumps from me to the keyboard to the motherboard and gives it little mini-surges that fries parts of the operating system and applications. My husband is always asking me "What did you DO?"...I don't DO anything...electronics of any kind (even those that run on batteries) just don't work long term around me. I haven't been able to wear a watch for more than 3 months in over 30 years....I short out all batteries...even the 3 year guys.

It's a "joke" that is no longer funny.

BTW, I also consider any temperature under about 75 cool, under 70 cold, under 65 very cold, and under 60 extremely cold, and under 55 freezing......even in the dead of summer I take a sweater with me when going into any restaurant since they keep the temp at about 70.

I also like to sit in my car and warm up.....totally understand that. I tell people I'm a lizard: I'm only warm when sitting in the sun!

It's nice to meet someone who has the same type of "issues" that I have!

Here's hoping you have a humid winter so that static will leave you alone!

[kentauros]

31. I remember talking to another woman in Houston some years back

also with weird problems happening to their electronics and computers. Her husband required her to wear a grounding cable around her wrist before touching any of the electronics. She said it worked so maybe that's an option ;)

My pocket watch batteries last about as long as they should, but too often I look at the date and it's weeks off, so I don't know what's going on there. I have had two expensive hard-drive crashes this year and my external terabyte drive is now refusing to let me delete anything from it, after no problems for over a year.

The weather here is pretty humid today since it's been sprinkling off and on all day. Still cold, but not much problem with static at the moment.

Restaurants are ridiculous here. I always take a jacket in, even if I don't wear it about ten percent of the time. Other customers may look at me funny, but I doubt they'd like me asking to have the temps increased to 78F or higher, so they should thank me for wearing a jacket instead ;)

If you can run a wire of any kind to the plumbing or know how to safely connect to the grounding wire in an outlet, try that. May the shocks leave us alone! :7

[ccinamon]

40. I'll have to look into the grounding cables...

the last time I looked (about 10+ years ago) they weren't real conducive, or affordable, for the average person.

I could only imagine the havoc I would cause if I tried to upgrade any type of hardware in a computer...I leave it to hubby as I wouldn't be surprised if even a grounding cable was enough to protect the computer from the static I carry around!

Is it summer yet?

May the shocks leave you alone for the rest of the year!

[kentauros]

43. Any kind of braided cable should work.

The more expensive would be speaker wire, but there's also wire-cable used for holding up plants or fences, like guy wires. Even just a wire that trails on the floor can sometimes be enough ground. Or install a wire that you grab when you sit at the computer that runs to the ground somewhere :D

My brother was telling us about how there's metal fabric being created now out of wire so fine that it's really like fabric. Maybe they can make clothing for us...

[Odin2005]

48. Holy damn that is freaky!

:wow:

[pitohui]

3. it's cold????

move to where i live, we might have winter once a decade or so...

[kentauros]

5. To my senses, it's cold if it drops below 75F

;)

I also require humidity, or my sinuses will explode. That and the static electricity problems...

[Odin2005]

50. 75F is HOT to me. Humidity kills me.

I like it in the 60s F and low humidity. Then again, I live in Fargo. :)

I am SWEATING when it is 75F unless there is a good breeze.

[kentauros]

52. That's what you're acclimated to.

I'm on the hotter (and wetter) end of the spectrum :)

It's raining now and 50F outside, with the rainwater temp around 49F. My kitchen is a nice 73F, but in here in my study it's still a bit chilly at 69F. So, I'm still in long-sleeves and slippers. If I can get it warmer I can strip off the jacket and slippers. I think I'll make some bread tonight :D

[Odin2005]

54. It's 69F in my apartment and I'm wearing light sweatpants and no shirt.

:)

[kentauros]

57. Then the sweatpants would come in handy for you here

to soak up your sweat ;)

I'm just starting to get comfy and I need it to get warmer for overnight. The furnace unit hasn't worked here in years.

[Blue-Jay]

4. I don't mind the cold, but I hate snow.

Specifically, I hate driving in the snow with a bunch of dumb assholes who don't have any skills.

[kentauros]

6. I don't think Houstonians have driving skills anymore,

other than turn on the ignition and step on the gas. Oh, and never once shut off the phone.

[rebel with a cause]

16. don't mind the snow so much....

it's the ice storms that get me angry. It seems we are destined to have at least one ice storm a year now and that means I have to walk the dogs at least twice a day on ice covered surfaces. And that means that chances are good that I will fall at least once and not be able to get up for about 10 to 20 minutes. I hate ice storms!!!!!!!!!

Static electricity, I have all year round. It gets worse at times but it is always here sneaking around just to surprise me. Give me spring and fall, those are the times of the year where our weather is the most pleasant, when the fuel bills are the cheapest, and when everyone seems in the highest spirits here.

[kentauros]

21. Are there any kind of cleats or spiked shoes you can wear

to prevent falls? I'd get some if I had to put up with that kind of weather and get out in it. That's not good if you're getting hurt so much you can't get up for a while. Maybe get someone to help you walk your dogs when it's icy? :)

[rebel with a cause]

39. There are cleats that you can buy,

just can't find them now that we are getting ice every year. ;)

I have to explain that it does not hurt me so much that I can't get up. It is that my knees and back are so bad that it takes me a little while to recover and figure out a plan to get up. Plus there is the problem of getting my balance again on the ice. The last time I fell, a man that worked next door finally came over and helped me up. Now I just stand in the doorway and tell the dogs they will just have to take care of their business at the end of the leash. Clean up can come after the thaw. ;)

Thanks for your concern. :hug:

[kentauros]

41. Maybe you could make your own.

How about carpet tack strips strapped to your shoes? Sounds like a joke, but it might work :)

I hope things work out for you and your dogs and everyone stays safe :hug:

[Iggo]

7. Preach on, Brother! Preach on!

Also, sweaty skin is prettier than dry skin any day. And people tend to wear far fewer items of clothing.

Give me summer. I mean it. Give it to me NOW.

[Haole Girl]

8. Try to look on the bright side...

it's ok to leave a bottle of water in the car and ...

I'm thinking, I'm thinking...

Who am I kidding? I hate winter, too. :-(

[Archae]

11. I hate winter too.

My feet get cold outside, and when they get cold, they HURT.

[elocs]

28. Living in WI I have learned to endure winters and enjoy them as much as I can.

There are winter days which are beautiful here. My feet generally get cold in November and don't warm up until may, but not this year. December 1st here in La Crosse and the temp is still in the 50s. November was actually nice for a change.

They say that global warming will make our winters here more like southern Iowa within the next 50 years and in 100 years it will be like Arkansas without the hot summers. Unfortunately some of our country's coastal areas will be under water.

[EndersDame]

14. I will take a Texas summer over cold weather any day

d

[Blue_In_AK]

15. You're in Houston and you're COLD??!!!

:rofl:

This is cold:

[kentauros]

19. As I said above, below 75F is cold to my senses.

Of course, I have a higher tolerance to heat than most people. I don't start sweating until it gets above 90F. I'll sit in a stifling hot car for minutes with the doors closed and the windows rolled up because it feels so wonderful! :D

You can keep your snow and sub-zero temps. Unless you're making snocones :P

[Blue_In_AK]

22. It's a good thing we don't all like the same climate, huh?

I used to live in Houston many years ago, but once I graduated from college, I was out of there within the week. Way, way too hot for me. I've been in Alaska now since 1975, so anything above about 72 feels really warm. Above 80 and I think I'm going to die. :)

[kentauros]

24. Yes, everyone is different and can take different extremes.

I know a lot of people here love the desert, but it's just too dry for my body, even though the heat is more to my liking.

Interestingly, there are native Texans that are acclimated to a/c "climate" and start to sweat at 80F. They'd never even think of having their indoor temps above 76F :o

[RebelOne]

17. I love winter and I am always affected by static electricity.

But I can deal with it because I love cold weather. Of course, I live in North Georgia, so our winters are rarely bitter cold.

[unpossibles]

18. fall and spring are "winter-like"?

Do you live in Canadia or Florida?

[kentauros]

20. I live in Texas, on the upper Gulf Coast.

I expect heat and humidity. I am acclimated to it. Cold weather makes me grumpy and miserable while hot weather makes me go "Ahhhhh!" Now which version of me do you prefer? ;)

[unpossibles]

26. hot weather, I suppose

I was just being a smart-alec by implying that your winters were either so harsh that your spring and fall were also freezing cold, or that you were acclimated to hot weather. I suppose the latter is more correct. Winters here are bad enough that they make the spring and fall feel pretty good, but all of the seasons are pretty distinctive.

[kentauros]

35. That's okay; I like to complain about weather I don't like

;)

I like to think we only have one season here (Early Summer, HOT, Late Summer, Mild Summer), but we do have a winter of sorts. Most would probably see it more like my first description, at least for those used to true seasonal changes. When I was married, my wife was Canadian and hated our Fall because the trees never changed. We have evergreens here :D

[Rosie1223]

23. I'm with you, my friend

Give me hot and humid any day!

:hi:

[kentauros]

25. I know y'all get humid, but how hot does it get?

:hi:

[Rosie1223]

27. this year was cooler than usual but upper 90s are not uncommon

in the summer. Not too many days over 100 but there are some. I'm moving south when I retire. HATE SNOW.

[kentauros]

30. Our summer temps are like that, too

so you should do fine further south, near the water :)

[bikebloke]

32. I'm with you.

For someone who wanted to immigrate to Sweden for its social democracy, I've evolved into a warm weather creature.

Give me heat and humidity any day.

[kentauros]

36. I figure I'll be living in New Zealand by the middle of the next decade

and the temps aren't Texas-like. Not too bad, but not what I really like. I'll just get used to it. How long did it take you to semi-acclimate to Sweden's climate?

[bikebloke]

59. I was never able to settle legally.

The wrong women offered to marry me. Then I did four years of commie living in Israel, where I acclimatized to the lovely heat.

New Zealand is great. I biked North and South Islands. A friend of a friend was going to marry me so I could stay there and she could go to San Francisco. But then she found a new girlfriend. I doubt we would have passed the muster of officialdom anyway. They check to see if you look like a couple (whatever that looks like). :shrug:

[kentauros]

60. I'm sorry your romantic situations didn't work out

:hug:

I've been told that NZ is one of the easiest countries in which to immigrate. Something like a measely 6-week process. It takes 3 years in Houston to get one's green card, and as much as ten years to become naturalized. Our ICE office covers immigrants in a 30-county area. Yeah, real efficient guys :eyes:

If you have photos of your trips across the NZ islands, I'd love to see them. Maybe post in the Photography group? :D
Or here. The Lounge loves travel pics, too ;)

I do know that if I lived in NZ, I wouldn't be overweight. Those hills will kill you! :P

[bikebloke]

71. I turned my photos into a video.

http://veloroo.blogspot.com

Scroll down to New Zealand or the bungy jumper image(me moments before I died).

Or for a larger and softer image in Flash format.
http://veloroo.blip.tv

[azmouse]

33. I'm enjoying the brief break from the searing heat.

It'll be back all too soon.

[supernova]

34. I'm a warm weather person too

:D

In NC, we have about 9 months of good weather and three months of cold. I can stand when it's about 60ish. Any lower than that and I'm dreaming of tropical places.

Obviously, the time of year I hate is coming up. x( And I'm not looking forward to it.

[justabob]

37. #3 putting cold feet in warm shower

I don't mind cold so much, but the thing that gets me is the searing burn when you put your cold feet into warm water. I have to agree about static... I hate that shit. (I love they way you describe it though! :D )

[kentauros]

42. My description of the static probably isn't as bad as I make it sound.

It just feels that bad. And I have seen a literal half-inch spark jump from my finger to my car door :o

One thing you can do about having cold feet before showering is to wear socks to bed (I'm assuming you're talking about the morning shower in the icy-cold bathrooms...) ;)

[justabob]

44. yes

Thing is though, my feet get super-hot in bed so can't sleep in socks. It is crazy. I do put socks or moccasins on when I get up, and it helps, but never as much as I hope for. Oh well. Winter isn't very long here, so it isn't that bad... not like up north.

ps. I have a very bad relationship with static electricity and have experienced it, almost exactly as you have described in both posts. :)

[kentauros]

45. Maybe you need heated slippers

:P

Too bad there's no way to harness the static. We could charge people's phones and iPods for them

[justabob]

49. haha don't think it hasn't crossed my mind!

My grandad told me once long ago about working out on an oil rig someplace frigid (he worked HVAC)... he had electric socks! I always think about those electric socks when my feet get cold. :)

[kentauros]

53. Here ya go!

http://www.thunderboltsocks.com
http://www.electrichandwarmers.com/slippers.html

:D

[justabob]

58. thank you for that :)

Those socks look like heaven, but a *wee* bit outside the current budget. :cry: The slippers, however, might be do-able.... maybe Santa will bring me some.

[Forkboy]

38. I'm the total opposite.

I can't handle heat at all, but stick me in a blizzard and I feel great. :)

[Blue_Tires]

46. +1000

i'll happily go live someplace hot year-round...

[Odin2005]

47. You've not seen winter until you've been in Fargo in January!

So SUCK IT UP!!!

[kentauros]

51. Well, we were driving into Colorado in 1982 for Christmas

and ran into their 100-year blizzard: http://www.thorntonweather.com/blog/colorado-weather/christmas-eve-blizzard-1982-the-best-of-denver-storms

Oh yeah, no hurricanes in Fargo :P

[Odin2005]

55. But we do have FLOODS!

:scared:

[kentauros]

56. Yeah, I know.

Flooding is no fun no matter where you are :hug:

[Zavulon]

61. I hate hot & humid weather.

I'm absolutely miserable in the summer. Sorry, friend, it's your turn to be miserable while I'm actually comfortable for a few months.

[kentauros]

63. But, you're in Maryland!

How hot can it get?!?!?!

[Zavulon]

70. In the summer we get fairly consistent high 80's, not uncommon low 90s.

I have a childlike tolerance for heat and have collapsed in summer heat eleven times since 2003. The sort of weather you like is actually hazardous to my health, and I spend $600 a month on A/C.

I actually spend most of my time in Alexandria, Virginia, at my girlfriend's place, and we use my Maryland place for storage and housing guests when there are too many for her place. She hates the way I cool off her place in the summer, but she's visited me in / driven me home from / had to take me to the hospital enough to know that it's a necessity for me, not an option.

I'm not kidding, I'd take a job on the North Pole if she'd go with me.

[Bombero1956]

62. winter sucks donkey ass

For the life of me I can't think of a more useless season. I'm going into my 54th winter and the older I get the more I dread the time between now and next April. Every year I have to put up with those folks who forget how to drive in the snow and attempt to drive faster than conditions warrant. The salt and sand that slowly eats your car, the constant delays in just getting to work and my all time favorite, having your sidewalk get covered over by the plow driver just as you finish clearing them. I've heard some say that it isn't Christmas without snow, to that I say bullshit. It's Christmas in places where it never snows and in Australia Christmas falls during their summer. As far as I'm concerned the only people who like winter are skiers and kids. Never have so many suffered so a few can slide down a hill. Do I sound crabby?

[kentauros]

64. No, like a realist

:D

My gf lives in NZ. I'm going to have to ask her what it's like having Christmas in the summer :)

[Starbucks Anarchist]

65. It's 45 degrees here and I love it.

[kentauros]

66. Including the static shocks?

:P

[Starbucks Anarchist]

67. I only have tile floors.

:P

[EndersDame]

68. I for one hate it.It is cold and rainy and depressing in Austin

[Starbucks Anarchist]

69. I love rain, too.

:rofl: