weather and one-sided arguments
Sep. 30th, 2004 01:29 pmI'm not sure how they did it, but the building I live in is built in such a way that the only reliable way to find out what temperature it is outside is to go outside.
First, both windows in my apartment face south, and most of the weather comes in from the west, so if there's a breeze, it doesn't really come in through the windows much. Second, the eaves extend about two feet beyond the wall, so the windows are in shadow for most of the day. That tends to cool off the air that comes in if the windows are open. Third, the entire building is beige except for the front door, which is darkish blue, and the screen door, which is dark brown. The concrete front stoop is beige too, which means it reflects heat, which means the doors get HOT, which means that the air around the outside side of the door is hot too.
What all that means is, it's entirely possible for it to be cool enough indoors for me to need a sweatshirt and socks, while outdoors it's a short sleeves and sandals sort of day, but I can't tell that until I get most of the way down the sidewalk.
Now for the one-sided argument: This week's composition assignment is to do two outlines on the same topic, one informational and one compare-and-contrast. The topic I decided to deal with is "why Dubya shouldn't get elected", which is just fine for informational purposes, but I'm having a terrible time coming up with a reason why he shouldn't just go away. I've got three hours to come up with at least four reasons, and right now I've got one and a half. I'm going to have to write both of these papers for which I'm writing outlines sometime in the next couple of weeks. Sigh.
On my way back from the ATM in the student center, three separate people asked me if I was registered to vote (which I am). Even though Ohio is a swing state, they don't seem to care about who I'd vote for; they just care that I vote. Finally, a nonpartisan idea. (I think the College Democrats are the ones doing the asking, but they don't advertise that fact, so I'm letting it pass as nonpartisan since I don't know.)
Maybe I'd be able to come up with another two and a half reasons for this outline if I had something more substantial for lunch than coffee and cookies.
I've also figured out why I was going insane yesterday. That deserves its own entry, though.
First, both windows in my apartment face south, and most of the weather comes in from the west, so if there's a breeze, it doesn't really come in through the windows much. Second, the eaves extend about two feet beyond the wall, so the windows are in shadow for most of the day. That tends to cool off the air that comes in if the windows are open. Third, the entire building is beige except for the front door, which is darkish blue, and the screen door, which is dark brown. The concrete front stoop is beige too, which means it reflects heat, which means the doors get HOT, which means that the air around the outside side of the door is hot too.
What all that means is, it's entirely possible for it to be cool enough indoors for me to need a sweatshirt and socks, while outdoors it's a short sleeves and sandals sort of day, but I can't tell that until I get most of the way down the sidewalk.
Now for the one-sided argument: This week's composition assignment is to do two outlines on the same topic, one informational and one compare-and-contrast. The topic I decided to deal with is "why Dubya shouldn't get elected", which is just fine for informational purposes, but I'm having a terrible time coming up with a reason why he shouldn't just go away. I've got three hours to come up with at least four reasons, and right now I've got one and a half. I'm going to have to write both of these papers for which I'm writing outlines sometime in the next couple of weeks. Sigh.
On my way back from the ATM in the student center, three separate people asked me if I was registered to vote (which I am). Even though Ohio is a swing state, they don't seem to care about who I'd vote for; they just care that I vote. Finally, a nonpartisan idea. (I think the College Democrats are the ones doing the asking, but they don't advertise that fact, so I'm letting it pass as nonpartisan since I don't know.)
Maybe I'd be able to come up with another two and a half reasons for this outline if I had something more substantial for lunch than coffee and cookies.
I've also figured out why I was going insane yesterday. That deserves its own entry, though.