Skip to main content

Magical Moment 532, "Trapped in the Tower"

There's an old legend at my alma mater, the University of Nebraska, that someone once got locked in the clock tower. The clock tower today is automated, and plays a tune every hour. But they say that back in the old days, there was an organ up there. Well, the organist was trapped inside, so as a call for help, he played "Rescue Me" repeatedly on the organ until someone noticed and found him. (Or something like that, it's been a few years since college folks!)

The lap top is my organ. My bedroom is the clock tower. I've been held hostage in my room for hours, with no release in sight! We've broken a temperature record, with the heat index at 115 F (46 C). My number one complaint about northern NJ (besides the traffic), is the hundred year old buildings that lack any kind of temperature regulation. So we survive the seasons on radiators and window air conditioners (I know, outrageous, right?!). Last year was our first summer here. On June 1st, Eddie and I drove straight to Home Depot and picked up the largest window air conditioner in existence. It cooled our living room and dining room area with ease. This summer, it was doing pretty well. Until today. The hottest day on record.

With no hope of repair until tomorrow, I've had to make due. The flimsy "Window Air Conditioner that Could," in our bedroom is on full blast, with a fan in front to help circulate the air. The door is closed. The lights are off. I've captured Emily the cat and Joy the dog, who are sitting on the bed with me. All 3 of us bored out of our minds. I did the laundry. Made the bed. Dusted the surfaces. Organized my bookshelf. But I just keep thinking about what I should be doing! All those hours of piano practice lost, or vacuuming the living room, or something! And just when I gather the courage to attempt one of those tasks, I open my bedroom door and am confronted with a blast of heat, as if I were standing directly behind the engine of a C-130. I mean, just to go to the bathroom, I had to stick my face in the sink! I should mention that Eddie is gone until midnight and he took my car. Mmmm hmmm. So I really am stuck!

We don't have a TV in the bedroom. My laptop speakers are useless, so TV or movies on the laptop is out of the question. It's too hot to sleep. Way too hot to eat. So what does a girl do when she's out of all entertainment options? Well I noticed something when I cleaned off my bookshelf...BOOKS! Oh my goodness, I never knew I had so many! Strange things, these books. They're made of paper and have words printed on them. The words form some kind of story! 

So I suppose my task for the rest of the day will be to choose a book...one that I've held onto for years thinking, "I bet that's a good book" then forgot all about, and...drum roll please...READ IT! Maybe, just maybe by the time I'm done, my handsome Prince Eddie will return from work and rescue me from this tower...scratch that. Maybe the electrician will come rescue me from this sweltering heat!

What about us?! We can't read!!!!!!!



Comments

Dawn said…
Hehe....oh you're too funny. I don't mean to laugh but you are making it into Quite an adventure!

Read on dear friend...and when Eddie gets back, make him take you out moonlight swimming somewhere;)
(That's what I would do if my prince returned...;)))
Anonymous said…
Man, that's ridiculously hot! I don't think I've experienced heat like that since my travels into Mozambique and Namibia... Enjoy the reading (if you can). I too have been trying to re-train myself to read...
TexWisGirl said…
oh, lordy, elizabeth! i know it must be miserable! at least in texas, we're sort of used to being trapped in the house all day to survive - but worse to be trapped into one room!
Leontien said…
haha yes READING ON A HOT DAY seems like a realy realy good solution!

Hang in there it sould cool down sometime!

Leontien
This is funny but oh so sad! I hope you get out of your bedroom soon!
We normally average 14 days a year with 90 degrees or higher. We've passed that already this year. In fact, today was our 9th consecutive day over ninety; and we hit 100 two days ago, which has happened only 38 times in our history. But...and this is a big BUT...our central air conditioning continues to function. You may have to find a hotel that allows pets and move out until you get that air conditioner running again.
Hilary said…
It's been super hot here too. I feel for you. I hope your A/C is up and running soon.
Unknown said…
THAT is a less than magical moment. Bless your heart!!!
Oh no, I don't do well in heat. Hang in there.

Popular posts from this blog

Magical Moment 620, "Lilac Garden"

Eddie and I visited the Lilac Gardens at Ringwood Manor in New Jersey, a pristine and beautiful state park with 8 species of lilacs and several varieties within. We went on a rainy afternoon, which turned out perfect because the rain stopped for us when we got there, and began again as soon as we left. It also decorated the plants with gorgeous rain drops, adding to their beauty.  And now for a quick game of "Where's Elizabeth?" And "Where's Eddie?" ~~Have a great weekend! ~~

Magical Moment 625, "Thailand - the Elephants"

Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at  Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do  not  endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le

Magical Moment 606, "Thank You Canada!"

After an intense week as a participant in the  Musician's Mentorship Program  with Canada's National Ballet School in Toronto, I am back in the good ol' US of A. The trip was a success, not only did I learn a TON in the program, but I got to see Canada for the first time, increasing my number of countries visited to 3! (Mexico and South Korea, if you're wondering about the other 2). I was surrounded by incredibly talented musicians who didn't hesitate to dish out their best advice, tips, and secrets to me. In addition, I was surrounded by some beautiful scenery and amazing sights. The trip got even better when Eddie flew out to meet me half way through the week, and even BETTER when I was able to meet up with a friend, known only through the blogosphere until now. Yes ladies and gentlemen,  Hilary of The Smitten Image  herself happens to live only minutes from where I resided in Toronto. I admit, it was a little like meeting a celebrity. I first "met" Hi