Jun 20, 2014

Five Unconventional Ways to Beat the Heat

TGIF. I'm so happy it's Friday. It's been one of those weeks that has just felt long. Not even bad really, just long. This week's Friday Five linkup looks towards the summer time. Summer time means sunshine, lollipops and rainbows everything that's wonderful is what I feel a-when we're together, brighter than a lucky penny... sorry, I broke out into song.

Summer time means heat, or at least here in Virginia it does. So we're going to look at how to beat that heat. Oh sure, we could talk about keeping the sweat back with a Bondi Band or keeping hydrated with Nuun, but where's the fun in that? Let's look at alternative methods to beat the heat. This week's topic is

Five (Unconventional) Ways to Beat the Heat

1. Get a job in a restaurant in the kitchen

But how can a job in a kitchen help me beat the heat, you ask. Well, I'll tell you. From my days as a short order cook I can tell you if you hang over a very large stove, ovens and a fryer long enough, that hot humid air will feel like a relief. The heat is no longer heat. You're welcome.

It also comes with an added job perk: access to a walk in freezer (varies by location). Need to cool down? Even if you've spent several hours in a Frosty the Snowman costume dancing and playing with little kids while Santa gets the easy chair up front, the walk in freezer can be your best friend. I may know this from experience. I may also have pictures of Frosty working behind the bar with a bottle of Captain Morgan. Just saying.

Already gainfully employed and don't want to leave your job to earn minimum wage next to the teenager working the fryer? Don't worry, I have you covered. 

2. Visit the equator for a week

Since we're talking ways to make the heat seem relatively cooler by comparison, and since you're so gainfully employed, why not take a vacation to the equator? Enjoy those scorching temperatures and humidity for a while, come back home and enjoy the just 90 degree temperatures. Ahhh... refreshing.

But you're only talking about methods that make me hotter to feel colder, you say. Do you just want to be cooler, therefore beating the heating?

3. Move to Alaska

Yes Alaska. Also acceptable: northern Canada or Siberia. Why Alaska you may ask? Well, let's just have a look at the average monthly temperatures for Anchorage, shall we? With the average high at a balmy 65°F in July, what better way to beat the heat than change the definition of "heat". You also get two added benefits: some beautiful scenery and late night running still in daylight. Just check out Kristen's adventures over on Run Away With Me for a little sampling of those two.

Beautiful mountaintops
This is what Kristen sees on her runs.
Seriously, she took this picture.

Ok, ok. You don't want a new job, you don't want to take a tropical vacation and for some reason you don't want to move to Alaska. Fine, if you don't want to have any fun, I still have two more ways for you to beat the heat.

4. Swear off AC, wait several years

Will this work for me? Why wait years? Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

Yes it will work, you need to be willing to play the long game, and not at all, they could be carried.

So, here's how it works. Give up all AC. Invest in some ceiling and oscillating fans, drive with your windows down and even find a way to not work in that cushy office with temperature control. Then wait. Or more specifically, live like this for a couple of summer and then bam! The heat won't bother you as much. You'll adjust to the normally unbearable heat, your blood will thin and you'll no longer think about needing to beat the heat. You will be the heat. After that, you can work on being the ball.

Still not satisfied? Well good thing this is the Friday Five and not the Friday Four, because I have one more option for you.

5. Hibernate until winter

It's simple really. Stock up, eat a bunch of ice cream and popsicles then take a nice several month long "nap" until it's winter and you emerge to the cooler temperatures. Hibernation works to avoid the winter cold, so why not do it in reverse? If you work it right, you can even look into a timeshare with a bear, then you don't even need to worry about having someone to wake you up. You and your bear buddy can help each other out. You scratch his back, he mauls yours. 

Linking Up

Looking for more ways to beat the heat? Maybe you want something a little more conventional (read: boring)? Well then why don't you hop on by to the link up and see what others are saying.

Check here for some links out to others sharing, starting with our three lovely hosts: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run, DCCynthia @ You Signed Up for What?! and Mar @ Mar on the Run. Check their blogs. I enjoy them and you may too. I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!

Our hosts:

Mar @ Mar on the Run

Courtney @ Eat Pray Run, DC

Cynthia @ You Signed Up for What?!

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up

Heather @ Divas Run for Bling

M @ RunEatWriteRun

Cristina @ Crazy Mama Runner

25 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks. Glad you enjoyed. It was fun to write. Let out a little of my sarcastic and odd side. Haha.

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  2. Haha omg that's me!!!! I love this! I seriously did move up here partially to escape the heat - and also for the mountains. Also, when it's really sunny out and 65 degrees I'll be running in a tank top and sweating because the sun feels so strong. I think I'm adjusting to the weather up here and I won't be able to live anywhere else ever again! Thank you so much for the mention!

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    1. Yep. You are my shinning example that #3 works! And I enjoy your blog, even if you left the city I love of Philly.

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  3. Ok, too funny. But really, I hate A/C but my husband loves it. I want to "feel" the summer. I don't want to have to have a blanket on in the house because it feels like its 40 degrees in here!

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    1. Yeah. I love windows down for the same reason when I'm driving. At least to a point, as long as the traffic is moving. I love being able to prop open the sliding door and feel a little breeze.

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  4. Ha! This post cracked me up. Happy Friday!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed. Very happy Friday. Perfect weather today.

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  5. In regards to #1, the dishroom works for getting used to the heat. And Mrs. Claus may also enjoy the walk-in. ;-)

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    Replies
    1. The hot water will have that effect as well.

      It's a good way to cool down quickly.

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  6. I'd like to go to Alaska. I'll leave the other ideas for you. ;-)

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    1. You only need one of these wonderful tips to cool down. Haha.

      Sure, Alaska you have to keep warmer in the winter, but we'll worry about the Beat the Cold list later.

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  7. I laughed out loud several times. Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate? Of course I read that line in a British accent lol

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    1. That's the only way to read it. Wasn't sure if people would catch that one or if they would just be really confused. Haha.

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  8. Great solutions! I've already told my husband I want to pack up and move to the North Pole! He didn't agree, but don't worry. I'll work on him till I'm there.

    Needs must, and all that.

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    1. Well, thats the perfect way to do it. Start with the north pole, then moving near the artic circle doesnt seem so far.

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  9. Very funny and witty!! Abide by these tips and World Cup 2018 in Qatar will be no problem :)

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  10. I like #5 (except for the bear). I mostly just stay in the a/c. It's funny because I am almost always cold (I wear multiple layers inside, sometimes hats) but can't stand being too warm, and it bugs my allergies. I have a very narrow comfort zone!

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    1. My wife is the same way about ac for allergies. To and from work I do windows down but when together its almost always ac otherwise her allergies will get bothered.

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  11. Love all of these! I actually grew up in Florida in a house without AC and my first year at UF I lived in a dorm without AC (I think they finally put AC in the following year). And now I'm a spoiled princess who whines that the room is too hot if the temp is over 73! I'm sticking with #5 for the moment with aspirations to #3.

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    1. Yeah. I grew up no ac just ceiling fans. Wasnt until junior year of college with an apartment that I had ac.

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  12. teehee - i laughed out loud at these. hilarious! thanks as always for linking up!

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  13. Soccer World Cup 2018 is the chance to know the unconventional ways to beat the heat in Russia Too!!!! Russia world cup will be during summer season and this ideas can be helpful for me too!

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