Ugh winter

[brigdh]

Jesus Christ, it is cold. It's not, truthfully, as cold as I've seen some people describing- there's no negative windchills here- but I reserve the right to complain because my apartment seems not to be adequately sealed against the weather. This hasn't been much of a problem, since it mostly hasn't been cold enough to matter. But now cold air is coming in through my windows; I've attempted to pull down the blinds and stuff the space between glass and blind with extra sets of sheets and scarves, but it doesn't seem to help.

Last night I had to sleep under five layers of blankets, a giant sweatshirt over pyjamas, and gloves. Gloves! Who the fuck has to wear gloves to bed?

I think I'm going to run away now and spend the day hibernating in warmer coffeeshops.

Comments

[car-jack.livejournal.com]

I understand cold. Right now, where I live in Minnesota, it's -2 for the air temp and -14 for the windchill. Brrrrrr. It's the third day in a row we haven't gotten above zero.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Wow. It's 16 here at the moment which, while not fun, is so very much better than -14.

[p-zeitgeist.livejournal.com]

Sierra Trading Post. Expedition-weight long underwear, the kind that's described as being made for stationary activities (not really an oxymoron; they're talking about things like ice fishing) in extreme cold. It won't fix it, not entirely, but it'll go a long, long way to fixing it: that which allows people to stand around in duck blinds in sub-zero temperatures tends also to be pretty good at allowing one to tolerate reading in drafty apartments.

Seriously, you know I don't hate cold the way you do, but this stuff saved me the year I decided I was just going to keep my apartment at 55 degrees all winter long because it kept my jasmine blooming.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

You are much more dedicated to your flowers than I could be.

But that does sound like an excellent idea, actually. I only wish I had some already, though clearly I should go ahead and order some, or else I'll just be wishing the same thing next time it gets this cold.

I've finished watching both your DVDs, by the way, so any time you want them back, I'm ready.

[p-zeitgeist.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure you could really call it more dedicated. I just wasn't suffering in the same way, so that having the scent all winter long was worth it.

But the serious long underwear really is almost magical in its effects. Forget that nonsense about silk: it's nice and soft and all, but it won't do what the artificial stuff does. Or if you can find wool, which they sometimes have, and you're not allergic, that can do a remarkable job too. If the whole rest of my family didn't ski, and wasn't therefore dedicated to finding things that will keep you warm while you're sitting in a lift for 20 minutes with the wind tossing you around, I'd never have known about this stuff, and really, it changed my life.

[b-hallward.livejournal.com]

My jasmine just suffers.

[p-zeitgeist.livejournal.com]

Mine died, actually. But in the summer, because summer is evil. I still miss it.

[b-hallward.livejournal.com]

What I resent is that I used to really like winter; aesthetically it and fall are my favorite seasons. But my heart always belonged to winter: starkness, minimalism and that purity of line. I just can't handle the cold anymore.

I have somehow, improbably, kept this one massive jasmine alive for years. It's orchids I kill on a regular basis, but I just consider them a long-lasting species of bouquet and buy them anyway.

[vom-marlowe.livejournal.com]

When work went on this weird lower the heat kick (you can sometimes see your breath in my office), my Canadian buddies told me about Cuddle Duds. They're long undies--I get mine at Target. You want the microfiber kind, *not* the cotton kind. I find that getting them fairly fitted makes them warmer. Very reasonably priced. If you're really desperate, try www.title9sports.com
Give them a call and they'll hook you up with major cold-killing gear. REI is good, too.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

God, poor you. I wouldn't be getting any work done if I could see my breath. But long underwear is really an option I should have thought of before; I need some sort of thing to keep me warm, at any rate.

[b-hallward.livejournal.com]

Who the fuck has to wear gloves to bed?

I'd wear a scarf, too, but I worry about somehow strangulating myself in my sleep.

When it gets unreasonably cold I start spending more and more time in bed. (Flannel sheets, two wool blankets, a fuzzy blanket of indeterminate material, down quilt, and an electric blanket set on high. Actually, I've found the electric blanket makes a huge difference, much more than space heaters; and, as an added bonus, you can turn it on a few minutes before you go to bed and then everything's already warm, which makes it so much easier to fall asleep.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

I spent all morning in bed, finishing my course's reading without coming out from under the covers. Which was an excellent idea, as I realized once I finally had to get up and found out how cold it still was, which was what prompted this post.

But man, an electric blanket! That is a genius idea, and I can't believe I didn't think of it earlier; I used to have one when I was little. Clearly I need another.

[chthonicsiren.livejournal.com]

IT IS SO COLD. Thank god they overheat my dorm or I would be DED.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

ISN'T IT? I am jealous of your dorm, then.

[veleda-k.livejournal.com]

Ironically, here in Colorado, this is the first pleasant day we've had in a really long time. I didn't have to wear both a sweatshirt and coat outside, and now that I'm inside, I've put on a t-shirt for the first time in god knows how long.

I'm praying we're done with zero degree weather. My space heater has been a lifesaver.

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[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Hee. Lucky you! We should switch places. I'm wearing four layers to go outside. I should get a spaceheater, though b_hallward's suggestion of an electric blanket also sounds marvelous.

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[veleda-k.livejournal.com]

Switch places? No way! I hate being cold.

I used to have an electric blanket, but seeing as how I now sleep in a sleeping bag on top of a mattress (I'm just a little peculiar), that's not an option any more. Space heaters are nice because you don't have to be in bed to use them.

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[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

:p

I have this weird fear of space heaters; it seems like every time I hear about them, it's in the context of a fatal fire. I'm sure they are not at all actually dangerous, given how many people have them, but still. The only urban legends I know about electric blankets involve them causing cancer, which is a much less immediate fear than fires.

[pineapplechild.livejournal.com]

Heh. I also live in Minnesota, and while the winter is pretty, the -14 degree windchill is very chilly. Oddly enough, however, my room is sweltering right now, because it has the lion's share of the radiators. Yay for old houses and uneven heating. :(

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Dude, -14. I can't even imagine. I could not take that kind of weather; y'all think you've seen me whine, but most of this is really just me finding small inconveniences funny to complain about. But if I had to deal with -14? Oh, how I would whine.

Lucky you! I've had a sweltering room for a lot of the winter, but apparently my old building can't quite keep up with this kind of cold.

(Also, I adore your icon.)

[pineapplechild.livejournal.com]

Well, we've had a series of really warm winters, so it's a bit of a shock. But I rather enjoy cold weather (much more then hot), so I'm good. And I love my biking tights. They fit under almost everything, as I am not cool enough to buy long underware.

It's actually kind of annoying- when I got sick a bit ago and had a fever, it was *torture*. I'd rather pile on the blankets and heating pads, not to mention I've a bit of paranoia (result of younger sibs) and dislike leaving my door open.

(Thank you! Alas, it is not mine- it was made by the lovely shukuun)

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

It does seem like more people prefer cold weather to hot, despite these comments sympathizing with me. At least, that's been my general experience of it.

(Ooo, thank you! I think I shall go and look and see if she has any others I like.)

[pineapplechild.livejournal.com]

I think it's 'cause there's only so many layers one can take off in public, while endless layers are possible (in theory) when it's cold out. Or such is my opinion.

(You're welcome. ^_^)

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

That is what everyone says! But I say, realistically, there are only so many layers you can wear before it becomes extremely uncomfortable and you can't bend your arms, while in summer you can get away with wearing very, very little, and that of incredibly light or gauzy fabric. But I'm sure I'm influenced by the fact that I loathe most winter styles and fabrics.

[ravenbell.livejournal.com]

I swear the last two colds I caught were because I didn't blow-dry my hair before going to bed. It's insane.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Hee. I've been afraid to go outside with my hair wet lately; not that I think I'll catch anything, but I don't want it to freeze into half-formed curls.

[kessie.livejournal.com]

Electric blankets are one of the best inventions ever. Seriously. :)

Also, you know how I've been not very subtle bribing you to watch the rest of Utena? Well, a wonderful person has put the entire series up for download on her own server over at anime_downloads.

So. Yeah. This is where I tell you shoo, I suppose. *waves hands in shoo-like movements*

[veleda-k.livejournal.com]

Yes, watch Utena! *shoos also*

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

*is shooed!*

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

I want one so badly, now that people have reminded me of them.

Dude! Easily-downloaded Utena? *is shooed*

[parallactic.livejournal.com]

A lot of people have better advice than I do, and likely, more experience than me. Hm, taking a boiling hot shower/bath before going to bed might help. Although that might only be useful during autumnal cold weather, and not actual winter weather.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Hot baths are an excellent method for getting warm, and one I've been using frequently. I just don't like to do so immediately before bed: I have curly hair, and if I go to bed with my hair wet, it will curl in strange and unusual directions, like straight up off the top of my head.

[rayechu.livejournal.com]

-2 degrees here as well. (That's -15 with the wind chill.) It's been so cold that I have had a hard time sleeping. My trusty electric blanket died when my cat decided to chew through the cord. Not only is it cold, but it is dry as well. My hands are starting to get red and flaky.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

I am so in awe of you people who can deal with these terrible negative numbers. Though you should get a new electric blanket!

I hate the dry weather in winter, too; I always go through so much lotion.

[rayechu.livejournal.com]

I am not a happy camper about the weather right now either. If there are any blankets left in the store (which is unlikely) the going price is probably around $50.00-75.00. I don't have that much money, since I am poor. Instead I just kidnap my dog and stuff her under the covers :p

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Ugh. I don't want to spend that much either, though I do really want an electric blanket. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a cheap one somewhere.