The 56th street windtunnel
In Nebraska, one quickly learns certain laws of nature are just ignored by our dear state. For instance, the rule that says wind only comes from one direction at a time. It doesn't matter which direction I'm going on 56th, to work, from work, when I turn east or west--the wind always blows from whichever direction I'm facing.
That's on a normal day. Yesterday's high temperature was in the sixties; today was in the low twenties. As we all know, wind is generated by a temperature differential between the ground and the air. Warm ground, cold air. Today there were times I was pedaling with all my might just to keep from rolling backwards.
I knew it would be cold, so I wore my Tiffany-made hat that wraps around my neck and is the warmest thing ever. I also wore my new wool Royal Mail sweater vest under my big winter coat. The legs were burning, so thin dress pants weren't a problem. The loose chink in my warmth armor were my hands. Because Fortuna is a crotchety old hag, I haven't been able to find my gloves since it started getting cold.
I will be buying new gloves tomorrow.
This morning I rode to work at the same time other people were arriving, a rare event indeed. A few people recognized me under all my winter gear and no doubt lost all respect for my decision making abilities.
At lunch, I sat at the faculty/staff table, Kyle sat next to me and we made small talk about bicycles. Dr. Russell overheard and said he'd felt guilty today since he'd forsaken his bicycle for a warm ride in his wife's car. "When I got to campus I felt even more guilty because I saw someone riding past the (Everett) Dick Building ... without gloves on!" Dr. Russell said. "That's dedication."
"Uh, that was probably me. I couldn't find my gloves."
It just goes to prove that one person's dedication is another's stupidity.
Tomorrow I need to be at President's Council at 9:00 a.m., so I have to show up to work at the high-profile time again. And since I'm buying gloves tomorrow and not tonight, I'll be on parade with freezing, chapped hands.
Overheard in the hall of my apartment building:
Woman: Wait, I've got to go back for my purse
Man: Oh come on, why do women always got to have a purse?
Woman: Because you never pay the damn bill.
Labels: biking, Scott's an idiot, Union, weather
I suggest mittens.
Posted by
bryant |
11/30/2006 10:49:00 AM
Mittens may be warmer, but I'm concerned they make shifting gears harder.
Posted by
Scott |
12/01/2006 09:24:00 AM
Was wondering if you still had that hat.
Have you looked at Glomitts?? Then you get the best of both. Half gloves, removeable mitten.
Tiff
Posted by
Tiff |
12/11/2006 08:39:00 AM
I ended up getting Thinsulate gloves that are incredibly warm and a matching hat that isn't at warm as the one Tiff made, but is a bit better for occasions when I don't want the tale.
Posted by
Scott |
12/22/2006 06:32:00 PM
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