Saturday, August 21, 2010

Don't Just Sweat, Be Smart About the Summer Sizzle

Office people, listen up.  Although I am a college-educated man in his early 30's, who works in what's called a professional industry in that "white collar" sense, I am a guy who must cope through one cantankerous summer season after another.  And this is Texas; it's like this every year.

I sympathize with construction workers, street repair crews, caretakers of lawns and anyone else who must be outside during the hottest parts of the day.  I, too, have to endure the endless heat, the rising temperatures, and the excessive sweating, all while wearing long sleeves, a tie, sometimes a suit coat and wool suit pants.  Even Spider-Man must do it, and he's got crime to fight!

But for all the woes of a weather situation we'd rather not succumb to, there is some bright news.  Take the month of August off!  Make flip flops mandatory during the summer months.  Cart a snow cone machine with you and name the flavors after all your favorite indoor-working friends.

Honestly, you can't do any of those things.  But you can compromise and hydrate yourself thoroughly throughout the day.  Make it a point to cool off often by sitting down in the shade, nearest building with a lobby or car with the cold AC cranked.  For the love of pete, crack your car windows when you're not inside and never ever leave a child or pet inside a car when you have an errand to run.  It's not worth it, even if you're gone for only a minute.

Summertime affords us the opportunity to vacation, enjoy the beautiful rivers and lakes, and take time to get outside and soak up some vitamin D.  But do it wisely and the weather will change before you know it.  (Well, it is Texas, but it's bound to change at some point).

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