It seems that a big chunk of conversation found in emails and on Facebook deal with the weather. Apparently, few of us are satisfied with the conditions in which we find ourselves. People from the American midwest let the rest of us know about how terrible the ice-covered roads and street-choking blizzards are, while Floridians, well, they have plenty to report about heat, freakish ice storms and hurricanes. Recently, I got an email message from a relative in the heartland that simply reported on the current temperature, which was -17 F (-27C), a record by the way. We love to report on how we endure weather extremes. So, I decided to report on the weather here: 97F (36C), but unfortunately not a record. In both places, people are complaining. We have something in common regardless of the weather: we all have it, and it usually isn't what we really want. From experience, I can predict that many of the same people who hate the winter will also write about how unbearable August is. And if it happens to hit a record 100 F (38 C) in so many consecutive days, even better: We'll have more to write about how terrible it is.
What is it about these extremes we love to hate? Or is it that we feel a bit of pride having endured them, and want to brag a little? I'm pretty sure that's what it is for me. What do you think? (Whew! I had to take four showers today just to cool off!)
1 comment:
I believe you must have the cold to appreciate the warm and vice versa. We have had record breaking snow here in the Midwest, and temps below zero just this week. Nevertheless today it is a toasty 29, and yeah it's not snowing! This will all be but a memory come July!
Post a Comment