Friday, November 21, 2008

Where is our global warming damn it!?!

Everyone is talking about their unusually warm weather while here in Belgium it has been cold, rainy and incredibly windy. I rode for 3 hours today and came home drenched, frozen so badly my fingers tingled, and with a kink in my neck from riding sideways the whole time thanks to the hurricaine-level winds. Wind is fine, as long as it's predictable. But this wind whips around every which way, perpetually keeping me wondering at what moment i will be thrown off my bike.

The next days are supposed to be even worse, hovering at the 3°C mark during the day. We are even expecting snow. I have only seen snow twice in all the time i've spent here.

The last days Jonas has been threatening to switch his pump toiletries to spray can style, take them all outside and go ape-shit in an effort to help bring a bit of global warming our way. Sure, it's not politically correct but it's a nice thought nonetheless.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Be patient. Global warming will come.

Velopix said...

Fear not-it's snowing in Holland tonight.

bikesgonewild said...

...if we ARE gonna have a down-side, we might as well figure out how to enjoy it, ya ???...

PEANUT said...

katie - I will mississippi the time away.
Velopix - mysery loves company they say, but i'd still prefer that others enjoy nicer weather so at least i will have them to live vicariously through.
BGW - Welcome BACK!!! Enjoy your lovely windless day - from what i've heard.

Anonymous said...

Yup... wind howling here too! Snow on teh way tomorrow, or so they say:)

I've have heard what you describe referred to as a 'Belgian Wind' directionless. I don't think that is a slur on the Belgian people just that which ever way you turn the wind is a headwind.

Me? I'm gonna stay in side in the warm, maybe with a hot toddy, fighting the damn flu.

henry_j said...

When it comes to global warming debates, scientists are usually not as loud as politicians/film makers. Take a moment to read this recent bit of news here, for example: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081112-ice-age-global-warming.html
and then decide for yourself to spray or not to spray.

Anonymous said...

How bout riding that fancy indoor trainer you've got and not riding outside in the $hit weather, so as you don't get sick for that World Cup on the 30th.

GCDavid said...

Below 0C here in Boston. Should be just wonderful embrocation weather for this weekend's race. At least the temperature is always mild in the pool.

Rickie Rainwater said...

It was 25 degrees this morning or minus 3.88 in your language and didn't get above 37 or 2.7 C today. Yesterday's ride was cold with the cold front blasting in from the north, but I was deep in the trees and hills and wasn't affected much. Either you are sharing some ozark weather, or we are enjoying some Belgium weather, but it still makes a cup of coe coe that much more enjoyable. Good excuse for you kids to snuggle under a warm blanket. My B.S. in earth science hasn't made me a fan of global warming when I know earth geological history and the affect of volcanoes, solar activity, and earth positioning on the atmosphere. We had a little ice age only about a few centuries ago which is referred to the three minima around 1650, 1770, and 1850. And starting around the 1300s and ending somewhere around the 19th century. We don't have that many good records over a long period. Yeah scientist are smart, but thories get changed when people take in more data. There are far greater forces acting on our air than just us polluting humans. One volcanoe can change an entire decade. Anyway, here is a link to some crummy weather statistics for snuggling time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Ice_Age

Nemo is warm under her blanky in the kitchen, dreaming of the next time I get my lazy butt off the couch and take her for a spin.
rickie

Rickie Rainwater said...

Hey Christine,
Didn't want anyone to think a random deer ran me over up on the hill. Here is a link to my latest entry.
http://rickierainwater.blogspot.com/2008/11/rough-ride.html

PEANUT said...

hey chr - feel better SOON!
henry - thanks for the info. But i am even more thankful for your hilarious comment-ender "and then decide for yourself to spray or not to spray." Love it!
Thanks MT. i have been spending time on the trainer too. for instance, warmup and cooldown for today's Motorpacing in below 0°C temps with hail pellets and snow were spent on the trainer. aS will my PM workout today. Ugh.
Good luck this weekend GC. I gues that is the benefit of being a swimmer too - you always ahve semi-warm weather in the water. And you win the cold weather contest!
Hey rickie - do you give nemo hot chocolate while in the kitchen? Thanks for the earth science info - interesting.

Rickie Rainwater said...

Nemo is addicted to chocolate like her owner and I have to watch her closely.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Christine

Richard said...

Wow. It was 27 this morning when I went out and I thought that was bad.

PEANUT said...

0°CELCIUS richard! Yours is slightly worse!

Anonymous said...

I left Buffalo, NY and found summer all year round in Mill Valley, CA!

Don't you just hate me?

65 sunny, no clouds! Some wind from the west great for a return trip from Pt Reyes station.
D:))

I have gone soft. You guys all deserve Hot chocolate with a nip in it.

Amy said...

Stefaan and I were thinking about you this weekend, wondering if you were going to be doing some cold and mucky racing!

PEANUT said...

Hey don
Dont feel sorry for me. My house is warmer inside than yours. haha.
Hey amy
No race this weekend - just a lot of hard fun on the bike in preparation for Koksijde world cup this saturday. thanks for thinking of me though! Hope all is well on your end. Jonas says hi to you both!

Anonymous said...

Yes! It is still the coolest home in Mill Valley.... I sure could use some soup! It did get down to 40F last night. Mnn makes me think of wintering in Belgium, House swap? LOL
D;)