The temperature has been easily in the hundreds daily and I confess, I didn't realize what that would do to my disposition, reasoning ability or my general outlook on life. I mean, I have lived in hot weather before, but I think it's different here because there's no real respite. It's not as though I'm going home or to work and hanging out in AC. It's hanging out in hot rooms and then leaving and walking in hotter weather.
1. Disposition
Cranky. I am cranky. I am "Don't touch me. Don't look at me. What is your problem?" cranky. Here, when the common greeting is a kiss on both cheeks (something I usually love), I revert to a prepubescent child and my internal dialogue begins to whine and stomp its feet. Although I may not vocalize this whine, I think my "pleeeeease don't touch me" face may give me away. But I mean, honestly, I'm sweaty, you're sweaty, this is not fun for anyone and we just don't know each other that well. The "exchange sweat" kind of well. I suppose I could say that I'm getting to know people better, because when you wipe your face sweat on me, and I wipe my face sweat on you, how can we not be instant best friends? The other day I went to the post office to pay my bills and there were about 50 people waiting to do the same. I will summarize this by saying, we did not smell nice. As a collective group, we smelled like a locker room, or something much worse, but I can't quite figure out the appropriate analogy. Sweat poured. The worst part is that in a room of 50 people and in a culture where "lines" don't exist, if you want to get to the front counter, it's by making your way there. This is impossible to do without touching anyone. Cranky. Very cranky.
2. Reasoning Ability
Emotions are high. The other day I went to the store to purchase kontours for my PCV phone and 3 of the stores I went to were closed. I ended up having to trudge around town looking for an open store. While I walked my internal dialogue became one in which "stupid" prefaced everything, "Stupid phone. Stupid day. Stupid sun. Stupid weather! Stupid.....Hey! Don't look at me!" Even though I know I'm whining, and even though it's really only in my head in which I express it (well, and to my friend Dan who gets frequent phone calls from me), it's annoying. I'm annoyed with myself and that is something that's truly awful because I'm stuck with me. If I have a friend or acquaintance that annoys me, I can take a break. If I annoy me, well good luck, because there's no reprieve offered in that relationship. Because my emotions are high, my logic doesn't seem to get nearly enough "air time".....logic breaks in with items such as "Everyone is going through this Crystal, this is not something you alone are experiencing." But frankly, logic is kind of self-righteous and I have no use for her commentary and know-it-all status. She can just take a back seat. She and I are not on "exchange sweat" status at the moment.
3. General Outlook on Life
My general outlook on life consists of fantasizing about when I used to sit in my apartment and freeze. I long for the days when I needed several blankets to sleep and wore a knit hat and felt like my hands would break off at any moment and fall to the floor. Ah yes, the freezing of extremities. The "good-ol days," I like to call 'em. I sit at home in as little clothing as possible and try not to become an exhibitionist. The windows and (balcony) doors are open and it is hot, clothing is not an option, or at least, not a lot of it. This makes for a particularly interesting experience when walking around my house in bikini like apparel. Walk, walk, crouch to avoid window and people looking in, walk walk, crouch to avoid other window, walk, walk, wash plate. Repeat. My general outlook is one which just reflects my annoyance at the heat and thus can be summed up as "annoyed." Talking with people who are as miserable as I am helps (as long as they don't try to touch me). We commiserate together and sweat near each other instead of on each other.
Overall, there are days I feel truly certifiable. I hope you found this post entertaining, because I laughed a little as I wrote it. May your days be filled with popsicles and icy drinks.
Ahhhh Crystal...I remember when my mother took my sister's and I to Baghdad...in August..the hottest month of the year...and I learned that most people did not use deoderant...hot and smelly. At one point we were sitting on a plane waiting to fly back to Lebanon to see out other uncle and the plane was not running so we sat on the tarmack (who knows how long) but there was a lady sitting next to me in her abbaya (sp) sweaty and smelly...I thought I would die right there and I was a 17 year old American girl who wanted to say all kinds of crazy things. Ahhhh thanks for stirring up the memories. Love you Layla
ReplyDeleteThis was just hilarious. I"m sorry Crystal.
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