Je hate le Winter...
This weekend I rented a car to go to my parent's house, which is two hours and a half from where I live. I don't usually drive, so I was kind of nervous, but the drive up went well, even though sometimes, when I braked the car kind of slided (slid? sp?) a little bit from side to side. At the time, I thought it was because I was driving a new car and I wasn't used to it, so I drove carefully and I didn't have any problems. However, I happened to drove my mother's car also this weekend and I didn't have this problem, I didn't feel as if I would do a donut every time I braked. I told that to my mom and she said that it's probably because they were 4 seasons wheels, and they didn't have much traction.
When I went back home in Moncton, I got caught in a storm where I could barely see anything, because of that I didn't follow my speed limit, I drove slower, and I noticed that most cars were doing the same thing anyways. I still had to drive very far from the car behind me, because I couldn't brake correctly. And making my stops were hell, because I had to slow down long before, otherwise I would just slide further after braking. At this point, I knew there was something wrong with the car, not just the fact that I'm a unexperienced driver. Anyways, back in the Moncton area, I missed and exit and decided to turn in this residential road, so I could go back. I was driving at 20km/h, very slowly, but the road was going down, so my car drove faster than it should've and when I tried to brake, the car basically did what it wanted and I drove into a snow bank and I got myself jacked up real bad. It took 6 nice men to take it out. I was not hurt physically, just my ego was bruised. But while the gentlemen were pushing and shoveling under the car (I was on the phone with the rental company at this point), they told me that the wheels were really used up and they thought that it shouldn't even be on the road. They managed to get it out and me, stupid me, instead of demanding another car to be sent to me, I just thanked the guys like a thousand times and went back with the car. It was hell driving up to this point because the roads were even worse and I was nervous that something broke on the car. (I checked and didn't see anything wrong, but it's just me).
I'm going to the rental place today to tell them how unhappy I am. I may not be an experienced driver, but I'm not a reckless driver. There really was something wrong with this car! And the fact that I don't usually drive was not a good mix. When I called my mother later on, she was so pissed, she told me that I should demand to not be charged. I said that I would see what I could do, but I'm not sure that's how it works. I don't mind paying the fee, but I brought the car yesterday and I couldn't find the box in which I was supposed to put the keys back in, so I could demand to not be charged another day. I'm so not used to this, but hey, I definitely learned from my mistake.
What about you, any winter horror stories?
I just dont want it to freeze tomorrow on top of the snow we are getting in CT today. I can live with snow but ice makes me scared. The drive in to the train this morning was crappy as no one plowed, just sanded. Hopefully they will be on top of the plowing by the time I get home!
((((Lotus))))) As a person who has recently experienced heater issues - I am sad for you!!! That is no fun. Pipes are supposed to be OK unless it dips below 32 and stays there for a while, but you can drip the water in your sink as a preventative. Crank that space heater!
This morning the ACTUAL physical temperature here was -28. With our 35 mph wind windchill it feels like -51. Although I really think numbers don't matter - when it gets anywhere below zero and it is windy, it is just DAMN COLD.
Did you know if you blow bubbles when it is this cold they rise up a few inches, then freeze, fall, and shatter? Its cool. I did it with my school kids yesterday.
Thanks PP. I have done the water drip thing before, so hopefully I will have water in the morning.
PP, I've always wondered about the numbers. At what temperature do you NOT notice that it is getting colder? You know like, living in SC most of my life, I don't know if I can notice a difference between 20 and 12 degrees. So, what is the difference between -30 and -40? I do understand how the wind makes it worse, but when do you just throw your hands up and say "it's just F****** cold!"
Did you know if you blow bubbles when it is this cold they rise up a few inches, then freeze, fall, and shatter? Its cool. I did it with my school kids yesterday.
Whoa! They just showed video of the weatherman at the CBS affiliate in MN doing that experiment.
In answer to the cold question: its weird what you adjust to. In November when it starts to get cold, 20 feels awful. But in January, I go outside in a sweatshirt when it is 20 above and 30 above feels like shorts weather! -10 is our cutoff for outside recess - anything below that and we stay in. So I would say that anything under -10 is just really painfully cold, especially if the wind is blowing. I just tried to go for a walk and I made it about 6 blocks before my face felt like it was going to fall off, even though its deceptively sunny.
Yeah, the bubble thing is cool, my kids love it! You can also throw a cup of boiling water in the air and it will turn into snow before it hits the ground.
Speaking of experiments. If you wanna know what our weather guys are up to. I guess the bubbles are old hat here, because last night the weather man brought a CHICKEN SKIN outside to demonstrate how fast your skin would freeze if you were exposed to this cold for long. He flapped it all around when he started talking and then cut to a commercial and when he came back on, like three minutes later, it was stiff as a board. GROSS.
In answer to the cold question: its weird what you adjust to. In November when it starts to get cold, 20 feels awful. But in January, I go outside in a sweatshirt when it is 20 above and 30 above feels like shorts weather! -10 is our cutoff for outside recess - anything below that and we stay in. So I would say that anything under -10 is just really painfully cold, especially if the wind is blowing. I just tried to go for a walk and I made it about 6 blocks before my face felt like it was going to fall off, even though its deceptively sunny.
Wow. Ha. I never have recess duty since I teach music, but our teachers don't take the kids out if it's like 40F. Ha. But...I will say, on the other hand, the teachers take the kids out in August when it is 100F. So I guess it's just all about what you're used to.
When it gets awesomely cold outside, my only tricks are to dress with many layers of clothing and to never stop moving. And a scarf on your face when it's windy, cuz that wind will just whip up your face real good if you let it. I've been walking to work all week long, and while I know and feel the cold, it doesn't feel as bad as it should. I may have gotten used to the cold without realizing it. ;D
When it gets awesomely cold outside, my only tricks are to dress with many layers of clothing and to never stop moving. And a scarf on your face when it's windy, cuz that wind will just whip up your face real good if you let it. I've been walking to work all week long, and while I know and feel the cold, it doesn't feel as bad as it should. I may have gotten used to the cold without realizing it. ;D
Yes. I think that the weather person sensationalized it a bit. I mean, I know that we can get frostbite and hypothermia if we're not careful and all, but I was freaking out, and when all was said and done, it could have been much, much, much worse. Don't get me wrong, it sucked and was cold.
Feel free to send a little of your winter my way. I'm kind of sick of 87 degree weather in the middle of January.
When it gets awesomely cold outside, my only tricks are to dress with many layers of clothing and to never stop moving. And a scarf on your face when it's windy, cuz that wind will just whip up your face real good if you let it. I've been walking to work all week long, and while I know and feel the cold, it doesn't feel as bad as it should. I may have gotten used to the cold without realizing it. ;D
Yes. I think that the weather person sensationalized it a bit. I mean, I know that we can get frostbite and hypothermia if we're not careful and all, but I was freaking out, and when all was said and done, it could have been much, much, much worse. Don't get me wrong, it sucked and was cold.
Don't get me wrong, I still can't wait to spend one month in Costa Rica to escape from the Winter. It's just that they make such a fuss about it in the media, and, well in my case, it's friggin' Canada, of course of Winters are cold, that's what we are known for!!! Oh well... it's all good I guess.
Feel free to send a little of your winter my way. I'm kind of sick of 87 degree weather in the middle of January.
Take it all, man, my water pipes are frozen and my landlord won't call me back. I don't even know what I'm supposed to do.
Feel free to send a little of your winter my way. I'm kind of sick of 87 degree weather in the middle of January.
(*smile*) i remember one winter while i was still living up in altitude: it was like -17 C with snow & ice about mid-thigh on the ground ...
... as well as going snow skiing in the middle of July; the upper levels kept snow & ice year round. then i came to America. hmm.
still love winter. a real winter.
love summer too.
~ fr
I would like you to know that I'm wearing long underwear underneath my trousers, in addition to the long-sleeved shirt under the uniform shirt under the uniform sweater under the uniform fleece. I'm sitting in my room, with the lights and heating all cranked up, and it is still too cold.
Okay, spring. I think we're ready for you, now.
I love Texas winters. It's in the mid to upper 70's and I"m running around in capris and shorts. :)>>>
I love Texas winters.
they're certainly unpredictable: friday afternoon, being primarily a bike commuter, i enjoyed a great ride in short-sleeve t-shirt & bike shorts; it was almost 80 degrees F ...
... and then saturday morning i wake up and, as i usually do, check the weather as i'm getting ready to ride out; it was now 29 degrees F with the wind chill; a cold front has come back in overnight.
tonight it's supposed to be cold again, then warm up the next day! ha!
~ fr
they're certainly unpredictable: friday afternoon, being primarily a bike commuter, i enjoyed a great ride in short-sleeve t-shirt & bike shorts; it was almost 80 degrees F ...
... and then saturday morning i wake up and, as i usually do, check the weather as i'm getting ready to ride out; it was now 29 degrees F with the wind chill; a cold front has come back in overnight.
It was that temp the other day and we were rejoicing. Sort of kidding, sort of not.
I get your point though.
:)
I want spring to be here!
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