08 August 2010

groan, much?

We are so far past "inelegance" that is isn't even remotely amusing.

It is dreadfully, insanely, ridiculously, intolerably hot. It is stifling. Suffocating. Will-zapping. Mind-numbing. It is just. so. HOT! I cannot function. Heat has zapped all possible incentives to do anything but be cooler. Must. find. air.

It's too hot to go out, too hot to do anything. It's hot. Hooooooottttt. The cats are lying around on their backs, not moving all day. It's a little eerie.

And it is loud. A friend told me that there is a noise ordinance in St. P that means you have to be quiet after 10 p.m. This ordinance, apparently, does not apply to cruise-and-party boats on the canal outside my window. The bridges go up at 2 a.m., so the noisy boats cruise up the Neva to see that and then past my window until about 2:45 a.m.

What am I supposed to do? Shut the tiny, little screened window that lets in a breath of air for the fans to blow around? (Even if it were cooler I wouldn't sleep with the big windows open because 1. We're only on the second floor--with climbable roofs below us (Why isn't it rooves?) and 2. Mosquitos--I don't trust the toxic plug-in to defeat the swarms an open window would invite) It would be quieter. But, it would also be hotter.

Lexi's room is a quieter, and we could bring in a multitude of fans, but the bed isn't very comfortable. (I think the answer is sleep there until 3 a.m. and then move to my more comfortable bed. But that takes initiative. We'll try it tonight. Probably.)

Why is it even when it's this hot every living, WARM-blooded creature still wants to snuggle in my bed?

In years past when it got this hot I just showered often, wore little, and changed my sleep to 3 a.m.-11 a.m. and then laid around reading and drinking iced tea all day. That's not really an option anymore.

I. need. sleep. I need it to be cool and quiet.

Then I can get my act together. School starts in a week-and-a-half so I need that act together quickly.

For now, peach juice and frozen strawberries are getting tossed in the blender.

9 comments:

Heidi said...

Sending cool thoughts your way! Enjoying your updates.
And also remembering sleeping by a canal with party boats going by, hot air, one window with no screen at all and waking to no water in the hotel.
That was 3 years ago last week!

votemom said...

i remember the sweltering russian heat. gross. so sorry. thank God your electricity is working.

Tina in CT said...

At least you don't have the toxic smog like Moscow. My daughter and the girls are delaying their trip.

Where are your ocean breezes? Bummer!!!!

I really hope it cools down as I know how miserable you mut be. I can't tolerate any heat and never have been able to. It's been hotter here in CT and my electric bill from the constant running of the central A/C shows it.

Elizabeth said...

Tina, the smog has hit St. P. now.

I closed my windows to keep it out, but I'm dying from the heat. There is no airflow at all! I guess it's either roast to death or die of smoke inhalation. Well, I'm being melodramatic, but it's definitely a difficult time to be in Russia.

Lindy D. said...

You are so clever with your post titles... "grown, much" and "groan, much!"

Can you drag your mattress into Lexi's room? I lived in London without an air conditioner one scorching summer and slept with a damp towel on my body.

I am happy to see the forecast for St. Pete is back into the 70's by Tuesday!! Relief is on its way.

julian said...

OH wait, you don't have air conditioning in your apartment?
Really?
Poor thing! You and the wee one must get a blow up pool and just put it in the middle of the living room!!!
Sending cold thoughts your way!

Matt and Carla Morgan said...

You're back!!!!

I must confess - grown much and groan much made me laugh out loud. Is that wrong?

Hugs to you, my friend.

The adjustment back is proving to be a tough one and darn the heat is a nasty added burden!

Praying for you and Lexi.

cm

Annie said...

I lay with a wet cloth on my head. Or, even put on a wet (on the front only so as not to get the bed damp) gown.

Or, join them on the river?

Elizabeth said...

Annie, your comment made me LOL. I move around so much in my sleep that I cannot imagine strategically wetting part of my pajamas and lying in one position. I wonder what the Russians would say about sleeping in wet clothes. Especially if the window is open.