This Weekend I Installed My Window Air Conditioner
Posted By Kristabella on June 8, 2008
I wanted to let you all know that. Because as much as I complain about having no air conditioning, that is somewhat of a lie. I do own a window A/C unit that I install in my bedroom window. So I am allowed the pleasure of sleeping without my skin sweating so much that I make puddles next to the bed, on which I slip and break my neck each morning as I get out of bed. So there’s that.
But it is only in my bedroom. And I try to only run it in the evenings. Because those damn things use energy like it is going out of style. And my electric bill quadruples in the summer from that, the fans and because I stand most of the evening in front of the open freezer trying to cool my head off.
So today I installed the air conditioner. Since last summer, the stupid side panels that block out some of the hot air and bugs, were torn and beat up. So now I’ve gone 100% white trash style and have installed cardboard box side panels. The classy. I has it.
Thankfully I still have both my cats as well. Seeing as the one I didn’t step on, decided to jump on the windowsill and have a look-see right when there was no screen. She almost fell to her hairbally death. See, I do love them. Some days I probably would have pushed.
In other news, this weekend I went to the Printer’s Row Bookfair in Chicago. I went and met Swishy and Manic there to go see Jen Lancaster and Stephanie Klein speak on a writer’s panel. And I also had the pleasure to meet Trish Ryan, who was speaking at the festival on Sunday. And let me just say, she is AWESOME! The line at the book signing was out of control. The Printer’s Row people were not planning on such a big crowd, apparently. After we got in a line that wasn’t really a line because there was no one there directing people and it was a big old cluterfuck, we were told we wouldn’t be getting in. So Trish, complete with her AUTHOR badge, bullied the idiot security man, flashed her badge, and we got in and got seats. She is my new hero. Go out now and buy her book He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.
The Printer’s Row people actually must have their heads up their asses. I haven’t been to Jen’s appearances at this fest before, so I don’t know the crowds she has drawn in the past. But I do know that the crowds for this book singing were way more than the last book, so maybe that was what the Printer’s Row people based it off of.
But then I realized that Billy Williams was in the same room. Not Billy Dee Williams, otherwise I would have run up to him and been all “Oh Lando, I lurve you. Let’s open up a Colt 45 and get busy.” (Did you know his middle name was December? I seriously just thought it was Dee.) (And when I thought of that Lando Calrissian line, last night when I was sleeping, I about wet myself from laughing so hard. And then I realized it was just all the SWEAT because it was 90 degrees.)
It was Billy Williams, the Hall of Fame ex-Cub. Did they not think people, IN CHICAGO mind you, would come to see him? Why would you stick him in a room with about 60 seats? They must assume Chicagoans don’t read.
Anyway, the panel was pretty interesting. I don’t know much about Stephanie Klein, and what I had heard in the past wasn’t the most pleasant of stuff, but she is funny and seems to be a nice person. I will have to check out her books now.
The rest of the weekend I spent watching libe power doppler radar on my local news website because we had tornadoes and storms and OH MY GOD! I HAVE NO BASEMENT! I LIVE ON THE THIRD FLOOR! HOW WILL I TAKE MY CATS WITH ME?!?!?
So I just watched these raging storms take over Illinois. With the red and yellow and orange and pretty colors on the doppler. And then I watched the rain fall sideways out the window. And then I wondered what will I do if there is a tornado at night? I don’t even wake up during a four-alarm fire! And then I realized I need MORE THINGS TO DO.
So I bought a new blow dryer online and did my laundry. And am now up to date with the latest Real World season in Hollywood. And boy howdy am I glad that asshat Greg is off the show.
And that was my sweaty, sweaty weekend. I know you’re all jealous.
About the author
While you were watching the freaking LIVE doppler, we were freaking DRIVING RIGHT THROUGH THE FUCKING EYE OF THE TIGER OF A STORM! All for the love of Jess Riley! And yeah, in conjuntion with the title of her book, and with the weather, we were pretty much DRIVING SIDEWAYS!!!
Great seeing you Saturday–we looked for you today too! But see you were installing your A/C (I’m now wondering if THAT’S code like STEPPING ON THE CAT?)
Manic Mommy’s last blog post..Choose Life and Literature, Not Necessarily in That Order!
Hey Krista: you can probably find a replacement side panel kit for your A/C window unit at a Home Depot or Menards, or even an ACE or TRUE VALUE hardware store that you can install yourself… Might be worth a check. Sounds like fun at the book fare.
Coast Rat’s last blog post..CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF ANOTHER KIND
I was thinking I would have at least wanted to cover the cardboard in plastic. Especially with sideways rain!
witchypoo’s last blog post..Housewarming Party
Our electric bill has doubled already. GAH! I HATE SUMMER.
Also, I just wanted to say that as a female, you should surely be in love with Greg. If you have any hate for him at all, you MUST BE A PEASANT.
Raven’s last blog post..genius or crap?
You know how they say it’s hot enough to fry an egg on the street? Do you ever think, “Gee, it’s hot enough to fry….” No, no, I won’t finish that horrible thought.
Dingo’s last blog post..98 Degrees and No Nick Lachey
You are becoming an author groupie!
I didn’t know Billy Dee Williams’ middle name was December. That is awesome.
-R-‘s last blog post..Failed Stereotypes
I’m gonna be dealing with hurricanes here in FL. Worst month is in Sept.
Wish me luck.
=)
Ashmystir’s last blog post..you know the drill…
I just read Trish Ryan’s book!
I too have a window air conditioner, but my utilities are included. Thank god.
Nic’s last blog post..A very, very, very hot weekend.
I’ve got no A/C, but I do have a complex fan system that required me to install some new screens over the weekend. That was not easy.
Noelle’s last blog post..5. Thai Spice!
I don’t understand how people live without a/c. I know I live in Texas where it is hotter than hell, but I’ve been to Chicago in May. It’s fucking hot.
slynnro’s last blog post..My Dad recently confessed that he enjoys watching The Hills. And it shows.
I have no A/C, and it’s a little late now to buy one before moving to Illinois.
Thus begins my summer tradition of spending as many nights as possible at AS’s house. (He has air.)
Laurel’s last blog post..One Hot Weekend
Rather have seen you with Billy DEE Williams.
girlplease’s last blog post..10 weeks
I hear ya on the window a/c unit. I had one in my apartment in college – the same set-up, just hooked up in my bedroom. I did find out, however, that if I kept it on the “warmest” cool setting and ran it from the time I got home until I went to bed, then turned it down, the power bill was about the same, as it didn’t have to work so hard to cool down my bedroom – plus, I was able to fall asleep more quickly, because the room was cooler.
Also, what type of hair dryer did you buy? The heating element is going out on mine, so I’m in the market. 🙂
The Muse’s last blog post..NYC, Part Deuce
Since we are STILL without the cable, I got to watching Real World on my computer. Will is yummy and I totally want to sop him up with a biscuit, but the rest of ’em are a stinkin mess. How do you go drinking ON THE FIRST NIGHT JOEY COMES HOME FROM REHAB? I know they are not best friends and all, but sheesh.
Jenn’s last blog post..Hi Ho. Hi Ho. It’s Off To WORDPRESS I go!
I just finished Stephanie Klein’s “Straight Up & Dirty” so if you need to save money for your AC, I can mail it to you.
Jenn’s last blog post..You’re The One Who Slept With A Fat Guy for Tiger Woods Tickets
aw man. you forgot to add a spoiler alert. i had to watch four episodes of real world hollywood last night to catch up, too.
i wish greg had been kicked off for something more serious. like spiking joey’s cereal with tequila.
christa’s last blog post..phantom ticks …
What if some robber walks by yopur window….and pushes it in… and well…yea.
ps. if we cuddle we won’t be all sticky now.
Michael Tragic’s last blog post..One night in July, in one of the most haunted places on earth: “Oh no it’s the cops!”
You don’t like waking up in a puddle of sweat and why no ac in 90 degree temperatures? I cry about no AC when it is 70 or 80 but it hardly ever gets to 90 here so I just tell myself to shut up!
Dirty Laundry Diva’s last blog post..People watching is better than TV sometimes!
The thing I’m looking for in apartments – mandatory central a/c AND heat and it would be great if the landlord PAID for it – because, in all seriousness, these electricity bills are taking away from my Shoe Fund and that, in itself, is a tragedy of epic proportions.
Sounds like you had a great weekend. I couldn’t get into RWHollywood. I guess after RWPhilly, I just lost any willpower to watch. Either that or watching too many eps of the Hills/Laguna Beach/Next just to see where a client’s song got placed jaded my love for anything MTV.
Lys’s last blog post..Cha-Cha-ing the Night Away…
In our part of Central Illinois, we got NINE INCHES of rain in less than a week. Had so much rain in our yard, I told Dear Hubby we were going to stock it with catfish and open a Pay Lake! 🙂
We also spent a couple of hours in the basement one evening last week because of the severity of the storms . . . when the tornado sirens went off, we went on down, cats in carriers, flashlight and weather radio handy. BORING way to kill a couple of hours!
Liz J in Central Illinois’s last blog post..Oh, And?
Those window units are SO EXPENSIVE TO RUN! I swear, it costs us and extra 100/month when we run it once a day. And it’s so blasted loud. *shakes fist at stupid window unit*
The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..For all the Moms who read this non-Mom Blog–here is some guidance. Nearly wet myself. Hope you do, too!
Nice VIP moment at the book thing.
Scarlet’s last blog post..Decent Days And Nights
Please stop sending your weather to me? Please?
Ree’s last blog post..Seriously? Me?
I’m a total freak about tornado’s and worry about my kitties as well.
Also, I just nominated you for a blogger’s choice award for Most AWESOMEST FUNNIEST BLOG EVER!
seriously check it out
http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/50261?load=comments
Sarah’s last blog post..Nostalgia Week
Your cats are so cute! I am thinking about getting one.
I hope Simba has recovered from the crush injury.
curlatini, esq.’s last blog post..Vacation!
I always wonder what I’ll do if there’s a tornado in the middle of the night. Except – I wake up to anything, so if it even starts raining I usually end up getting my ass out of bed and checking the doplar online or channel 5 or something to be sure there’s not a tornado coming. Yeah, and then I can’t fall back asleep and then I’m a big ol’ crabby witch the next day ‘cuz I need sleep.
Cathy’s last blog post..How to Successfully Avoid a Messy House
AC is the best, even if it’s a window unit. The tornado? If you sleep through it, it might just be better. I slept through one as a child. I WAS really confused to wake up in the basement though.