What's the worst thing about the cold?

[SeaCat]

Now many here live in the colder regions of the world. (I did too until I wised up.)

Even here we go through the occasional cold snap, like now.

So what is the absolute worst thing for you with the cold?

For me it's that damned icy toilet seat first thing in the morning. (I can tell you about a toilet seat that would make you hover over it because of the cold but I'm sure you don't want to hear about that one.)

Cat

 

[ole_grouch_1124]

I live in the midwest where the wind chill is easily bringing temperatures down to below zero. Add a little dampness and it goes right down to your bone. There's nothing worse than that.

 

[SeaCat]

I live in the midwest where the wind chill is easily bringing temperatures down to below zero. Add a little dampness and it goes right down to your bone. There's nothing worse than that.

Been there and done that. I grew up on Cape Cod.

Cat

 

[cloudy]

The worst thing is that I grew up in Southern California, and I'm not used to it.

Even here, we get the occasional really cold snap, like now. When I took the youngest son to school this morning, it was 14 degrees. Way, way too cold for Alabama.

 

[YoursSINSerely]

Honesly, my nipples hurt after a while if I'm cold for too long.

 

[ole_grouch_1124]

Cat,

Meant to include your quote. Too quick on the mouse. I grew up on Long Island. I know what that's like, too. Remember that snow storm of 1982? The one where that airliner hit the bridge over the Potomac? Woke up that morning getting ready to go to work. Found snow on my driveway. There should have been a car there.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I live in the midwest where the wind chill is easily bringing temperatures down to below zero. Add a little dampness and it goes right down to your bone. There's nothing worse than that.

The windchill doesn't get that bad in New Jersey, but that is what I would have to say is the worst part.

That and cold rain. The rain isn't as cold as the windchill on the worst days, but the closer water is to the freezing point the more unbearable it is. I hate cold water...

 

[YoursSINSerely]

Cat,

Meant to include your quote. Too quick on the mouse. I grew up on Long Island. I know what that's like, too. Remember that snow storm of 1982? The one where that airliner hit the bridge over the Potomac? Woke up that morning getting ready to go to work. Found snow on my driveway. There should have been a car there.

LOL about the missing car.

I remember that storm. I remember the plane. I didn't work for three days.

 

[ole_grouch_1124]

LOL about the missing car.

I remember that storm. I remember the plane. I didn't work for three days.

Fortunately, the cops found it abandoned a few miles from where I live. When the snow finally melted, there was a kid's bike lying on the front lawn. Turns out whoever stole the bike decided it was snowing too hard and went for the car instead.

 

[TE999]

Cold finds every bone or joint in my bod I ever broke, twisted, tore or sprained. Which is why I live in Florida. It's going down to 29F tonight. Aghhhhh!

 

[SeaCat]

Cat,

Meant to include your quote. Too quick on the mouse. I grew up on Long Island. I know what that's like, too. Remember that snow storm of 1982? The one where that airliner hit the bridge over the Potomac? Woke up that morning getting ready to go to work. Found snow on my driveway. There should have been a car there.

LOLOLOLOL

I well remember that storm. We got a bit of snow on Cape as well.

One of the problems I had with storms during that time was my means of transportation. A little Kaw. 100 Enduro. Riding in the snow was interesting to say the least. (Although I did enjoy the odd looks people gave me as I puttered past in the blowing snow.)

The other problem I had with winter storms at that time was what it did to my work place. When I was in High School I worked on the fishing boats. (Trawlers) It was always a lot of fun dealing with the Ice and Snow while out on the water.

Because of a dive I did almost ten years ago now I can no longer deal with the cold. (One of the many reasons I moved south.) The pain from the frost bite is a hinderence but it doesn't really bother me. The full body cramp from the cold on the other hand is more than a problem.

Cat

 

[ole_grouch_1124]

LOLOLOLOL

I well remember that storm. We got a bit of snow on Cape as well.

One of the problems I had with storms during that time was my means of transportation. A little Kaw. 100 Enduro. Riding in the snow was interesting to say the least. (Although I did enjoy the odd looks people gave me as I puttered past in the blowing snow.)

The other problem I had with winter storms at that time was what it did to my work place. When I was in High School I worked on the fishing boats. (Trawlers) It was always a lot of fun dealing with the Ice and Snow while out on the water.

Because of a dive I did almost ten years ago now I can no longer deal with the cold. (One of the many reasons I moved south.) The pain from the frost bite is a hinderence but it doesn't really bother me. The full body cramp from the cold on the other hand is more than a problem.

Cat

My dad belonged to a fishing club. Used to go after cod in January and February. He said that was the time they were biting best. I remember him coming home pretty damn cold on during those times.

My issue with cold weather is arthritis. Years in the military pounding my knees to nothing has left little to no cartilage. Hurts like hell on the worst days.

 

[OnlyByMoonlight]

Waiting for the truck to warm up and taking the dogs out at 3 am to pee.

 

[_Lynn_]

Here along the lake shore we get some bitter cold winds that cut right through whatever clothing you have on. I have a touch of asthma, and the cold air goes right into my chest, making it hard to breathe.

 

[SeaCat]

The windchill doesn't get that bad in New Jersey, but that is what I would have to say is the worst part.

That and cold rain. The rain isn't as cold as the windchill on the worst days, but the closer water is to the freezing point the more unbearable it is. I hate cold water...

Don't mention Cold Water to me please. It's why I can't deal with the cold any more.

Ten or so years ago in January I received a call from the Harbor Master in Yarmouth. He had a problem. There was a strong Nor'Easter heading for the Cape and they were getting ready to shut down the ferries from Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. This is not uncommon during the winter. Unfortunately that morning a car had slipped it's parking pall and rolled down the pier and ended up in the water, right where the ferry had to dock. They needed to get the car out of the water but they had another problem.

The County Dive Team was busy on the other side of the county doing a rescue. The Harbor Master remembered my father and me diving in the harbor that summer doing some work on boats. He dug through his book until he found our numbers and called us asking if we could help. We agreed as long as we had some concessions. He agreed to our demands and my father and I loaded up our cars and headed there.

When we arrived on scene everything was set. On the pier was a crane big enough to lift the car. Alongside it was a Flatbed. At the end of the pier was an ambulance and a crew of guys including several in Hip Waders.

My father and I geared up. My father had a new Semi-Dry Suit and I had my old 7mm Wetsuit. We climbed into our gear and strapped on harnesses with rope tethers. When we hit the water we both screamed, the water was roughly 35°F. It burned when it hit our skin. We swam over to where the car was and grabbed the cables from the crane and swam down to hook them to the car. It took a few minutes in the low visibility but we got the job done. When we reached the surface again my father swam towards shore and I backed off a bit to keep clear if the cables broke. One of us had to stay in the water just in case and I chose that job. (I was younger even though my father had the better gear.)

They lifted the car out of the water and onto the pier and I headed for the landing. By the time I reached the landing I had been in the water for almost half an hour. To say I was chilled through would be an understatement. I couldn't have stood up if I had tried. INstead the guys we had on shore waded into the water, (hence the Hip Waders) picked me up and put me on a stretcher. I was rolled into the ambulance and they started peeling my wetsuit off me as we rolled to the hospital. My Core Temperature was down around 80°F when we reached the hospital and I spent several days there.

Ever since them when I'm cold for a somewhat extended period of time my body goes into what can only be considered a full body cramp.

Hence my living in Florida.

Cat

 

[TheeGoatPig]

So what is the absolute worst thing for you with the cold?

Don't mention Cold Water to me please. It's why I can't deal with the cold any more.

Don't ask the questions if you can't take the answers

 

[SeaCat]

Don't ask the questions if you can't take the answers

Wise Pig.

Cat

 

[Liar]

It's -33 C outside and I just got in.

The worst thing about the cold? That I have so squint to prevent my eyeballs from deep freezing.

 

[Boota]

It's -33 C outside and I just got in.

The worst thing about the cold? That I have so squint to prevent my eyeballs from deep freezing.

I used to work in a factory that had a ceramic dryer I had to enter that blew dry 185 degree air when it was on and 125 when it was off. Used to have squint to keep my eyes from drying out. Sometimes I had to wet them at a fountain so I could blink.

The worst thing about the cold is hearing people who have lived in this weather all their lives bitch like it is something new. I work outdoors and I take precautions. It's not pleasant, but it's not the end of the world as some of these people make it out to be.

 

[R. Richard]

For me, the worst thing about several days of sub-freezing temperatures is having to walk on very slippery ice. My work frequently requires me to walk quite a bit, often down alleys where the sun rarely shines. The footing is treacherous and requires a lot of concentration to avoid falling.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Ok... I'll upset some people.

Here in rain country when it gets really cold there is ICE. It's fucking slick. Hundreds of thousands of people have moved here from California, Arizona and New Mexico. Not only have they never seen these conditions, but haven't a clue you drive differently. As a defense the first thing they do is buy a brand new Jeep Cherokee with all the options.

Wrecks everywhere and no reason for them but stupidity.. Peddle to the metal in 4 wheel drive on ice is just a stupid as driving off a cliff in 2 wheel.

 

[jfox6222]

Honesly, my nipples hurt after a while if I'm cold for too long.

Definitely. Mine are pierced so when that metal gets cold, it stays cold and just radiates through. So painful.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Grad school in Winnipeg many years ago. Minus 50 often, and sometimes hit -70 with the windchill. 30 below was usual. (Fahrenheit, then, but at -30 C and F meet). But dry, so dry the snow seldom packed, just blew around and rolled like sand grains. But the worst to me were the few damp days, where we'd get an early morning fog. Of ice crystals. At 50 Below. A deep breath, and you'd sear your lungs.

But then there was "The Frozen Logger"

As I sat down one evening,
'twas in a small cafe,
A forty-year old waitress
to me these words did say:
"I see that you are a logger,
and not just a common bum,
for no one but a logger
stirs his coffee with his thumb.
My lover was a logger,
there's none like him today;
if you poured whiskey on it,
he would eat a bale of hay...
My lover came to see me
upon one freezing day;
he held me in a fond embrace
which broke three vertebrae.
He kissed me so hard when we parted,
that he nearly broke my jaw.
I could not speak to tell him
he forgot his Macinaw.
The weather it tried to freeze him;
it tried its level best.
At a hundred degrees below zero,
he buttoned up his vest.
It froze clear through to China;
it froze to the stars above.
At a thousand degrees below zero,
it froze my logger love...

 

[carrie-on]

COLD IS A RELATIVE THING...TOUGHNESS COUNTS!
*65 above zero:
Floridians turn on the heat.
People in Michigan plant gardens.
*60 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Michigan sunbathe.
*50 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Michigan drive with the windows down..
*40 above zero:
Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
People in Michigan throw on a flannel shirt.
*35 above zero:
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Michigan have the last cookout before it gets cold.
*20 above zero:
People in Miami all die.
Michiganders close the windows.
*Zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico.
People in Michigan get out their winter coats.
*10 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Michigan are selling cookies door to door.
*20 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Michigan let the dogs sleep indoors.
*30 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Michiganders get upset because they can't start the Snowmobile.
*40 below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops.
People in Michigan start saying...'Cold enough fer ya?'
*50 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
Lions win the Super Bowl

 

[carrie-on]

Sorry I got that in an email yesterday and it seemed appropriate to post it here. Honestly though, since I had my eye removed because of cancer, my face on that side gets really cold and it hurts. I guess I never realized how much your eyeball keeps your face warm until it wasn't there anymore.