yes, I love summer, but that doesn't mean I want to be fried alive :/

[floatingleaf]

Today was the hottest day so far, this year (and quite possibly this decade, since I don't remember ever feeling THIS hot here in Chicago; the only time I've EVER felt this hot was during my New Orleans trip in 2005). It was... infernal. And of course, I turn the A/C off when I leave in the morning, because I am gone for 10-11 hours each day, and the electric bills this summer are going to be high enough as it is. So when I got back home tonight, it was like walking into a furnace.:/ Within minutes, there were rivulets of sweat trickling down my body. Then I had a brief moment of panic when I thought that my air conditioner wasn't working anymore. It got sort of quiet for a few minutes, blowing air but not cooling it at all. But then, gradually, the air coming out of it started to cool down again. It's not COLD by any description, but it is COOLER then the air within the apartment - and that, for now, is enough. It has to be.:/ I still feel sticky, but it's tolerable. *wipes brow*

Also, the boss told me today that I was approved for a 3.5% raise, starting next week. I wasn't expecting that, so it's a nice surprise. It may not seem like much, but the most I ever got was 4% - and some people in our department get even less (2% is the norm - or so I am told). The news was accompanied by lavish praise for my "achievements" and the successful training of our new hire, as well as a nice letter of appreciation from our CEO. And I don't even feel like I've done anything out of the ordinary. See, that's the thing about my workplace - they may not pay much, but they surely know how to make you feel important.:D

No other news from my half-melted brain tonight - but I have a meme snagged from samtyr:

Say “Hey there, Leaf!” and:
- I’ll respond by asking you five questions so I can get to know you better.
- Update your journal with the answers to the questions.
- Include this explanation in the post and offer to ask other people questions.

Her questions - and my answers - are under the cut.

1. Would you rather spend your vacation at the beach or in the mountains?

Mountains, I think. There's only so much "frying in the sun" I can tolerate - and the current weather makes me long for refreshingly cold mountain springs and plenty of green shade.;)

2. What is the first popular song you remember liking?

I'm not sure, but it MIGHT have been I've Got My Mind Set On You by George Harrison. Or Tell Me Lies by Fleetwood Mac.

3. How many books are on your "must-read" list?

I don't have a "must-read" list. I like to randomly discover new authors, or come back to old favorites, depending on the mood. Right now, I want to read everything by Jacqueline Carey - but who knows, maybe I'll get hooked on something else by the time I'm done.:P

4. If you could have a super-power, what would it be?

Invisibility, probably. Or the ability to teleport. So I could instantly remove myself from any unpleasant situation.;P

5. Do you have a celeb you would like to meet?

Well... duh. His name starts with a V.;D

And I know I sort of met him already... but not really. I never TALKED to him, never made any sort of personal connection... And he's the kind of person I would have loved to meet even if he were not famous at all... if that makes sense. Actually, I wish I could have met him before he was famous, so that he would know that I admire him for who he is, and not for being famous. I mean, all sorts of stupid and/or evil people become "celebrities" for one reason or another, and then others want to meet them just because they're "celebrities". I don't give a flying piece of crap about that. *nods*

Comments

[goddessofchaos.livejournal.com]

That heat does sound crazy =/ The only time I've experienced that type of heat and humidity was in Malta, but it's not quite so bad when you're on holiday and don't have to work or rush about getting things done.

I like that about my job as well - my boss is always good at saying thanks and well done (when he remembers, he's hopelessly absent-minded!). It does make you feel appreciated.

[taelyn-sass.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on your raise and acknowledgements! It's always nice to be recognized for your efforts.

I'm with you on the heat, it's horrible here as well. The humidity certainly doesn't help. Ugh. Stay cool. :-)

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

"Hey there, Leaf!" :)

And btw, I know just what you mean about the heat -- ugh!

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

All right. There you go:

1. What's your favorite color?

2. Have you ever travelled outside of the US, and if so, where to and how did you like it?

3. I know you like scary movies, but can you watch them while you're alone in the house, and then calmly turn off the light and go to sleep?...;)

4. When you first watched LOTR, who did you like better: Aragorn or Legolas?...;P

5. What is your ethnic heritage? (I am assuming you were born in the US, but either your parents or grandparents probably came from somewhere else, and I am always curious about that.:)

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

*IF* you get this, it looks like I will have to try and post my answers over on Dw instead until the DoS is resolved.

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

I am la_samtyr there, btw.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

I haven't created a DW account yet, because I'm still not done re-tagging my old entries here. I want to organize this journal before I back it up. But I will get there, eventually.:)