What’s on your mind?

[Apple fanboy]

Early cars I had didn’t come with AC. Or even electric windows. Funny how when you mime to someone to open a car window you still do it with the window winder mime!

As kids we drove to the South of France and Italy on holiday. Towed a caravan all the way to Rome once.

I recall it being very hot. Took a few days. The car had the fake leather seats with canvas in the middle (Cortina I think). If you sat with your legs together you could just avoid touching that plastic that was hotter than the sun.
Wasn’t much better in the caravan either. But at least there was the pool or sea to swim in!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Was invited to attend a presentation - as part of a conference - this morning in the local university - at which a friend from Finland gave an excellent and extraordinarily interesting lecture.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Was invited to attend a presentation - as part of a conference - this morning in the local university - at which a friend from Finland gave an excellent and extraordinarily interesting lecture.

I think it’s too hot for me to enjoy anything like that, but glad you had a good time. Not looking forward to my train ride to London tomorrow.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I think it’s too hot for me to enjoy anything like that, but glad you had a good time. Not looking forward to my train ride to London tomorrow.

I blush to admit that the lecture room (in a building that did not exist in my undergrad days, indeed, a building that I hadn't even known existed) came complete with A/C, something for which I was quite pathetically grateful (the lecture was scheduled for 10.10).

We went for a coffee and chat afterwards, then, other sessions at the conference (it was to do with cultural and creative matters - the person whose presentation I attended is a respected concert master and violinist) claimed my host, while I sauntered off at a gentle stroll to other pursuits.

The other thing, of course, was the fact that as this was a formal presentation, I was attired in a smart, lightweight, wool jacket, which was fitting for the setting, but - needless to say - somewhat excessive when we departed from the seminar and lecture rooms into the blistering sunshine after the presentation.

 

[decafjava]

I blush to admit that the lecture room (in a building that did not exist in my undergrad days, indeed, a building that I hadn't even known existed) came complete with A/C, something for which I was quite pathetically grateful (the lecture was scheduled for 10.10).

We went for a coffee and chat afterwards, then, other sessions at the conference (it was to do with cultural and creative matters - the person whose presentation I attended is a respected concert master and violinist) claimed my host, while I sauntered off at a gentle stroll to other pursuits.

The other thing, of course, was the fact that as this was a formal presentation, I was attired in a smart, lightweight, wool jacket, which was fitting for the setting, but - needless to say - somewhat excessive when we departed from the seminar and lecture rooms into the blistering sunshine after the presentation.

Ahh yes how to dress in this sweltering heat especially for these type of events.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I blush to admit that the lecture room (in a building that did not exist in my undergrad days, indeed, a building that I hadn't even known existed) came complete with A/C, something for which I was quite pathetically grateful (the lecture was scheduled for 10.10).

We went for a coffee and chat afterwards, then, other sessions at the conference (it was to do with cultural and creative matters - the person whose presentation I attended is a respected concert master and violinist) claimed my host, while I sauntered off at a gentle stroll to other pursuits.

The other thing, of course, was the fact that as this was a formal presentation, I was attired in a smart, lightweight, wool jacket, which was fitting for the setting, but - needless to say - somewhat excessive when we departed from the seminar and lecture rooms into the blistering sunshine after the presentation.

Well I’m definitely not attired in suitable clothing for such an event. Far from it!

Getting beyond a joke at the moment. Sat inside with the curtains all closed.

I just can’t wait until the heat dome disperses.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Ahh yes how to dress in this sweltering heat especially for these type of events.

Yes, a t-shirt and shorts just won't cut it, in such a setting.

As my wonderful late mother used to say "you have to look the part", and, as I was an invited guest, turning up inappropriately attired would have insulted - or, at the very least, shown a lack of respect to - both the occasion and my friend, who had invited me to attend the event as one of her guests.

While I am not used to this particular dilemma in my domestic environment (we just don't have the climate - or, rather, to be more precise, we used not to have such a climate, but, increasingly, this is no longer the case) - I am, however, quite acquainted with this in other situations, as I have worked abroad in the sort of settings (formal meetings), and in the sort of climate (both meteorologically and politically) that could only be described as exceptionally hot - complete with a punishing suffocating heat - that means I know how to deal with it.

However, I was not expecting to have to deal with it at home.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Well I’m definitely not attired in suitable clothing for such an event. Far from it!

Getting beyond a joke at the moment. Sat inside with the curtains all closed.

I just can’t wait until the heat dome disperses.

Me, shorts and open linen shirt. Fan on and fine spraying myself every now and again with water. I'm considering some advice I heard on the radio this morning; Fill your bath with cold water and simply get in when you feel too hot. Apparently it's a "game changer" 🤔

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

Thankfully where I live it hasn't been hot enough to where I needed to install my AC units in the house yet. I am hoping I am able to get through all summer without needing them, which would be a first. This has been a cooler June compared to previous years.

 

[iPhonNick]

No AC in a car is no fun. I was driving home from a trip yesterday for over four hours. Made it a lot more pleasant.

Heck I’m considering sleeping in the car at this point!

It’s definitely no fun.
Actually, I want to sleep outside, but then I have to deal with Mr. mosquito…
My boss just send me and my colleagues an e-mail: “Tomorrow, you get a day off. We are closing the Office because of the extreme weather forcast.”
So, my office is closed by tomorrow and all schools we fix IT problems for, are closed too.
Our meteorological Institute now has issued a red weather code (alarm, take extreme caution and do not travel. Only go out of you really need to).

 

[BotchQue]

Re: air conditioning in cars.

...Most of my cars had 4/55 Air Conditioning. 4 windows open, 55 miles per hour. Many of these never had AC...

That's what I had too, growing up. Unfortunately that constant wind buffeting gave me two-tone tinnitus in my left ear that I get to live with for the rest of my life. 🤨

 

[adrianlondon]

Once it's really hot, wearing nothing or keeping covered probably doesn't make much difference!

In fact, for a short period, wearing layers and a jacket will help trap some of that lovely air-con'd air as you go outside. Not that I'm going to try it. I'm in shorts and a baggy t-shirt.

A museum here has offered free entry during this heatwave as they have great air-conditioning. I left my bike out in the sun whilst inside ...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Me, shorts and open linen shirt. Fan on and fine spraying myself every now and again with water. I'm considering some advice I heard on the radio this morning; Fill your bath with cold water and simply get in when you feel too hot. Apparently it's a "game changer" 🤔

Since I got back home from the store and showered there has been no shirt (I’ve not been outside since).

 

[Apple fanboy]

As for the bath, we just have a shower. But a cold (well tepid) shower does wonders.

 

[Apple fanboy]

It’s definitely no fun.
Actually, I want to sleep outside, but then I have to deal with Mr. mosquito…
My boss just send me and my colleagues an e-mail: “Tomorrow, you get a day off. We are closing the Office because of the extreme weather forcast.”
So, my office is closed by tomorrow and all schools we fix IT problems for, are closed too.
Our meteorological Institute now has issued a red weather code (alarm, take extreme caution and do not travel. Only go out of you really need to).

Outside isn’t really much cooler until well after I’m in bed!

As for the boss giving time off, not going to happen.

 

[KaliYoni]

That's what I had too, growing up. Unfortunately that constant wind buffeting gave me two-tone tinnitus in my left ear that I get to live with for the rest of my life. 🤨

It's not from the standing in front of bass amps and PA stacks for years and years?
;-)

 

[VisceralRealist]

No AC in a car is no fun. I was driving home from a trip yesterday for over four hours. Made it a lot more pleasant.

Heck I’m considering sleeping in the car at this point!

Speaking of cars with no AC, I'll never forget when, in the summer after high school, my friend and I went on a road trip in his car that lacked AC (the car never had the AC recharged--it was his dad's old car and my friend wasn't willing to pay to have it fixed). It seemed okay at first, as the temperatures outside weren't that high, but that's a lot of sun beating on the car, and with the windows closed on the freeway, by the time we arrived at our first destination, over five hours away, I remember practically being stuck to the seat and having the entire back of my shirt soaked in sweat 😓 (My friend was in the same situation).

Very grateful he winded up getting a new car before our next trip together...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Speaking of cars with no AC, I'll never forget when, in the summer after high school, my friend and I went on a road trip in his car that lacked AC (the car never had the AC recharged--it was his dad's old car and my friend wasn't willing to pay to have it fixed). It seemed okay at first, as the temperatures outside weren't that high, but that's a lot of sun beating on the car, and with the windows closed on the freeway, by the time we arrived at our first destination, over five hours away, I remember practically being stuck to the seat and having the entire back of my shirt soaked in sweat 😓 (My friend was in the same situation).

Very grateful he winded up getting a new car before our next trip together...

So my Mum and her husband went to the south of France in an old classic MG. When you wanted the roof down it had to be taken down and placed in the boot (trunk to you guys). Unfortunately their cases were in the boot so they had to drive all that way with the roof up in a small 2 seater convertible.

 

[BotchQue]

It's not from the standing in front of bass amps and PA stacks for years and years?
;-)

No, that's the right ear. 😁 (and it wasn't the bass amp/PA, it was always the drummer's damn crash cymbal).

 

[rm5]

Speaking of cars with no AC, I'll never forget when, in the summer after high school, my friend and I went on a road trip in his car that lacked AC (the car never had the AC recharged--it was his dad's old car and my friend wasn't willing to pay to have it fixed). It seemed okay at first, as the temperatures outside weren't that high, but that's a lot of sun beating on the car, and with the windows closed on the freeway, by the time we arrived at our first destination, over five hours away, I remember practically being stuck to the seat and having the entire back of my shirt soaked in sweat 😓 (My friend was in the same situation).

Very grateful he winded up getting a new car before our next trip together...

Then there's a road trip my family and I took about 10 years ago where, in eastern Oregon of all places, the A/C went out, and it was over 120 degrees. We made the 9-hour drive from northern Idaho to Portland, Oregon with no A/C, and got huge bags of ice at probably every gas station/rest stop available. We spent those 9 hours just eating ice and hoping nothing worse could happen. Thankfully, we made it to Portland and IMMEDIATELY took the car into service to get it fixed.

 

[BotchQue]

Apparently buying a "No Soliciting" sign and posting it prominently on your front door, right next to the doorbell, means absolutely nothing to people. 😡

 

[Apple fanboy]

Then there's a road trip my family and I took about 10 years ago where, in eastern Oregon of all places, the A/C went out, and it was over 120 degrees. We made the 9-hour drive from northern Idaho to Portland, Oregon with no A/C, and got huge bags of ice at probably every gas station/rest stop available. We spent those 9 hours just eating ice and hoping nothing worse could happen. Thankfully, we made it to Portland and IMMEDIATELY took the car into service to get it fixed.

Now imagine EVERY trip was like that and you’ll get the idea of what it was like for us.

That said I’ve just showered and already feel like I need another one. Already 29 degrees in the lounge. It’s only 8am. Not looking forward to the train journey to London.

 

[scubachap]

What is the reason the UK is mostly not with AC? Is this in the remote areas?
My SO visited London and Scotland a few years ago, and she said she recalls AC being prevalent.

If you're visiting - so you're using chain hotels, shops, pubs and hire cars then you'll probably find aircon feels to be everywhere. But away from commercial premises it's still pretty unusual. Up until now to be honest most houses didn't really need it but I guess that's changing.

I've worked from home for longer than I care to remember and 20 or so years ago I bought a portable unit which I only pull out if I need really need it. (It's a bit of an effort to set up, sounds like a jumbo jet and always blows a ton of dust over me on its first yearly use). I can tell how hot the year has been by how often I remember using it. Last year (and I think the year before) I didn't even bother, it stayed in it's alcove - this year it's been pulled out and set up and in use a couple of times already. I suspect it'll be being shoved back into it's sleeping corner Saturday if the forecasts are right...

 

[Apple fanboy]

If you're visiting - so you're using chain hotels, shops, pubs and hire cars then you'll probably find aircon feels to be everywhere. But away from commercial premises it's still pretty unusual. Up until now to be honest most houses didn't really need it but I guess that's changing.

I've worked from home for longer than I care to remember and 20 or so years ago I bought a portable unit which I only pull out if I need really need it. (It's a bit of an effort to set up, sounds like a jumbo jet and always blows a ton of dust over me on its first yearly use). I can tell how hot the year has been by how often I remember using it. Last year (and I think the year before) I didn't even bother, it stayed in it's alcove - this year it's been pulled out and set up and in use a couple of times already. I suspect it'll be being shoved back into it's sleeping corner Saturday if the forecasts are right...

We used to have AC in the office. But it stopped working years ago.
At home I have shade until the afternoon and many fans set up.
Fortunately I only go in once a week now.

Today though I’m getting the train to London with two heavy bags of demo gear for an event tomorrow.

I’m praying for AC at the hotel tonight. Or I might just spend the night in the shower!

 

[scubachap]

We used to have AC in the office. But it stopped working years ago.
At home I have shade until the afternoon and many fans set up.
Fortunately I only go in once a week now.

Today though I’m getting the train to London with two heavy bags of demo gear for an event tomorrow.

I’m praying for AC at the hotel tonight. Or I might just spend the night in the shower!

Can't you just get the boss to buy one of the portable units? You can get them for £300 ish. As mentioned I hardly use mine but oh my goodness on the odd day when I do need it, it becomes essential otherwise I'd just grind to a halt. If they're worrying about the electricity bill you'd probably only use it for a week or two tops each year and compared to being unproductive on those days that's nothing...

I've got to go in to London later today too, I'm not looking forward to it. Trains are normally pretty good with a/c also if it's a Premier inn sort of hotel it's bound to have aircon isn't it?