I decided to go for a walk today. Pretty day. Sun's out. Put a couple books and laptop in my backpack and I was off. Now, I've been walking a lot since we moved to England. It's part of how I've dropped the weight I've lost. So the walking itself is not a big deal. I even bought some cool, new hiking boots. I am entirely to cool to be seen in these things. But I digress.
The one thing I failed to take into consideration is that the temp in Charlotte, North Carolina in August is a wee bit different than Calver, UK. When we left the UK on Tuesday I reckon it was around 60 (anybody know where the degree symbol is on this keyboard?) degrees F/15.5 C. Well here it's just a bit warmer. It's 95F/30C at present.
95 degrees! After having no sunshine or warm weather for 3 months, 95 degrees is hot. Forgive me for being a wimp, but it's really hot. It's Africa hot. Tarzan couldn't handle this heat. And he doesn't even have to wear all these clothes. (Not to worry, my clothes are staying on. I'm just saying. . .)
So I stagger into Caribou Coffee (for my UK mates: think Starbuck's in a hunting lodge) and order a coffee and a large water. Take my backpack off. Go into the Men's room. Look in the mirror and my shirt is soaked. Nice. Now I get to be the guy who everyone else keeps a safe distance from. The girl behind the counter is giving me this look like 'Is it raining outside?' (I'd text my bride and ask her to drive up and bring me another shirt, but my phone doesn't work over here.) So, I've contented myself with making everyone else feel good about themselves, or at least their appearance, just by my being present.
Ah. So good to be back in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Excuse me, but I'm going to walk back home now. Take a shower. Maybe burn my clothes.
Peace.
Yeah, it's hard to tell from the way I wrote it, but it's 60F/15C. (Still haven't found the stinkin degree symbol key.)
Posted by: Ron | August 29, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Glad to hear that I wasnt the only one dying is the US heat this summer!!! I take it math isnt your subject as obviously 15F is -9C. All we all know its never that warm in Calver, blessings bro Jx
Posted by: Jay | August 29, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Hey man, it was good to see you at Dave's this weekend. Hope you have a good visit stateside.
Posted by: Brent | August 13, 2007 at 05:04 AM
I'm just a couple of hours away. Send me an e-mail so we can figure out if we can meet for a little while.
Posted by: Cliff | August 07, 2007 at 02:07 PM
Now, I know you'll not believe this, but it has been considerably warmer over here since you left!! Not that I am linking the two in any way ;o) It'll not last though, our summers only last a week, and that's being optimistic!
Miss you Ron! R x
Posted by: Ruth Horton | August 06, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Oh, for heaven's sake. It's not the heat ... wait. It really is the heat, isn't it? Well do us all a favor and come wring out your shirt on our lawns, okay? The economists must be going crazy because anything with roots at our place is legal tinder.
Posted by: Dave | August 06, 2007 at 12:08 PM
I can't wait to see all of you in a week. And the heat thing...it's only because NC is a bit farther south than the UK. :-)
Of course, you know that! BTW...need to chat about an idea I (and dad) had last night.
Posted by: LeAnn | August 04, 2007 at 01:31 AM
Man wish you could walk out to Ohio! Would love to spend some time with you. Give you a hug! Welcome back stateside. We miss you man!
Posted by: Dean | August 03, 2007 at 09:39 PM