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January 08, 2007
We're melting.
First I would like to thank everyone who offered me their condolences and kind words. I truly appreciate your consideration. I am back in the office now and trying to be productive.
Don't you think the weather this weekend was particularly strange, even alarming? I do not recall 72 degree highs in January in the 10 years since I moved here. What I do remember very well, though, is that when I was growing up in Moscow in winter it would be -10 degrees Fahrenheit and we couldn't drive to our country house because the roads would be covered with snow. By the time I was 16, the temperatures seemed to have changed, it would be raining on New Years and summers became unbearably hot. Russia and Europe now have high death tolls every summer because so many people do not have air conditioners and die of heat exposure in their own apartments. It was a little weird to see people being so excited and happy about the weather which was just signaling us that the planet is in trouble as there are no seasons any longer. Today's winters look like springs and I am really not looking forward to another boiling summer in New York.
As I was riding in a cab on Saturday evening wearing just a t-shirt and shorts, I heared a radio host saying he hoped the warm weather would continue as long as possible. I know that there a lot of morons working at radio stations, but still - no one should be excited about wearing t-shirts in the beginning of January! I also remember a few years ago a blackout which lasted 35/40 hours, and how helpless the City was without air conditioners, lights, and food, all because of the strain we have put on our energy grid to cope with a warming climate. I remember standing 5 hours in the line to the Greek bistro to get some disgusting looking gyro, as my whole family was stuck in my apartment in Chelsea. There were lines at the corner stores to get candles and water, and everyday necessities that we take for granted. As people get excited about the warm weather in January, just think about the chance that the next blackout could last a week and people in hospitals and the elderly will suffer from it. When the warm weather arrives when it is supposed to this summer and we experience our hottest summer ever, there will be nothing to get excited about.
Sorry to sound like Al Gore here, but there's just something seriously wrong about the fact that I am not freezing my ass off right now.
Posted by Michael at January 8, 2007 04:35 PM
Comments
Hi Michael:
I don't think the current temperatures are an indication that the sky is falling. When we get an Artic Express cold wave later in January, I know I'll be wishing we could return to 71 degrees.
However, it is imperative that we convert to alternate energy sources. Brazil has converted completely, and is not exactly a more modern country overall than the US. The reason the US has taken virtually no initiative to do so is that the Bush family fortunes depend on oil stocks.
Apart from environmental questions, there is no rational argument in support of our remaining beholden to lunatic Muslim governments or the lunatic government of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela.
Americans are focused right now on Bush and Iraq. Iraq is only one of the ways that Bush is holding us hostage, and guaranteeing a worse future for us, while insuring substantial economic gain for himself and his family.
Everybody should write and/or e-mail, frequently to their representatives, telling them to draw lines in the sand with Bush.
He is a conniving, lying, megalomaniacal enemy of the American and other peoples.
Progress simply can't be made if a stand is not taken against him. And it is we the people who can take that stand. Readers of this blog: Have you let your elected representatives know what you think?
Posted by: Scott Rose at January 8, 2007 05:49 PM
It's the same here in Toronto. We should be freezing our asses...we haven't had any snow yet.
Posted by: Donald in Toronto at January 8, 2007 06:04 PM
My sentiments exactly. We are having like a heatwave here in LA. Is not a good thing. Our eco-system is getting so f*cked up! Make sure you get prepared in case of emergency this time around. And that means everyone reading this.
Posted by: chris at January 8, 2007 06:10 PM
I just came in from an NYC walk late Monday evening.
It is colder than a witch's tit in a brass bra.
Plummeting temperatures; gusty winds.
I hope you are happy.
Global warming my ass.
Posted by: Little Miss Frigid at January 8, 2007 10:48 PM
First of all Mister you shouldnt be wearing shorts or tshirts in the winter period. its with these extreme changes in weather that people get colds and stuff. I live upstate near new paltz and was in the city the other day when we had the warm weather but still had a sweater and jeans on , yes we should be freezing our asses off and I agree with you the hot weather should come when its time to come . and for now we should be snuggled up by the fireplace . I live in the forest and I should be frozen by now and shovelin snow till my back breaks . Anyways Welcome back to the office and dont put to much pressure on your self to be productive just take your time and be yourself . god bless and best wishes always .. George
Posted by: George at January 9, 2007 06:00 AM
Micheal, You are mylove.
Posted by: Pham Ha at January 9, 2007 09:50 AM
Hi Michael,
Read you all the time and most of the time find myself nodding my head in agreement. I guess the Anti-fur activists will have to move on. and hey I was on that line with you at that Greek joint HOURS for slop. You looked fine in your tank.
Posted by: Joe Egan at January 10, 2007 03:21 AM
Oh, Michael! Here is a joke in Moscow , that we are a part of Europe finaly! It's rainy here today and +5° c ... not the best conditions to wear a t-short :), but it's really too warm for russian winter ( think, you know that)...whatever...green grass and rain at this christmas eve were kinda frightful!
But you are not right, we still keep here our great advantage - cold summers...Yeah,it was about +35 c this year in Moscow City...It's pretty cool in comparison with european +40 heat, isn't it?;)
Anyway, the snow ball is rolling, all that we can do now is to watch our mistakes striking back!
We've lost seasons,quite so! It seems like a great chance to learn, a great chance to begin to appreciate all that things we still have!
Love u,boy! Keep posting daily!
Posted by: Ki at January 10, 2007 07:02 AM