Category: Random

how to calculate the heat index

Have you ever wondered what the formula is to determine the heat index? You might be surprised…

Heat Index = -42.379 + 2.04901523T + 10.14333127R – 0.22475541TR – 6.83783×10-3T2 – 5.481717×10-2R2 + 1.22874×10-3T2R + 8.5282×10-4TR2 – 1.99×10-6T2R2

Who knew it was that complicated? If you want a full explanation of all those variables, go here (if you dare): It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity. There are a lot of assumptions built into that equation. Basically, the heat index is different for everyone. That formula is based on an average of someone who is 5’7″ and weighs 147 pounds. The equation even accounts for how much clothes coverage you have — it assumes 84% based on “long trousers and short-sleeved shirt”. Trousers? I don’t wear trousers… I’m not British!

There should be a separate heat index for the South. On the worst of days, we don’t need a number — it should just say “STAY INSIDE!”. Because there’s days where you step out the door and you’re instantly sweating. I don’t know how that’s possible, but it’s a thing. When you can feel your skin start to burn within seconds, it’s just not safe. On those days, just stay inside.

using cookies to make your day better

We all occasionally have days that are meh, blah, or downright bad. That’s just part of life. But there are things we can do to make our day better. Consider this:

If you are having a bad day, have a couple cookies and I bet your day will instantly get better. ~ Chris Lowry

You might think, “Well, duh, of course a cookie makes things better.” Everyone knows that! But when you’re having a bad day, do you actually do something to make your day better? Sometimes we get so busy and/or so stressed that we just go along with it and don’t take a few minutes to improve our day. It doesn’t have to be cookies (although they are effective, as my research has proven*). It could be a text message to a friend who will likely respond with encouragement or humor. It could be listening to your favorite songs instead of whatever happens to be on the radio. It could be turning off the news. Lying down and stretching out, maybe taking a nap. Dancing, reading, writing, walking outside, brewing some sweet tea, etc. Whatever works might vary for you, but think of ways you can improve your day. And even if it’s not a bad day, why not make it a little more awesome?

* I ate cookies.

searching for the best cheeseburger

I heard someone say:

A life spent in the pursuit of the perfect cheeseburger would not be a life wasted. I wonder if the same could be said of milkshakes…

That sounds good, in a way. I’ve pursued the best cheeseburger (and found it on my own grill), and I’ve pursued the best milkshake. One time in high school, my best friend and I had driven to the nearest city, and we decided we’d try milkshakes from all the places we knew about, to see which was the best. Looking back at that now, when I understand more about calories and fat grams, I wouldn’t do it again. At least, not all in one day. I still enjoy milkshakes just as much, but my metabolism is many times slower than it was then, so it’s just not a good strategy to have them often. But in high school, I could do that and not gain any weight. (I sure miss my metabolism!)

But thinking back to that philosophy of chasing the best, it’s not always the ideal mindset. There’s nothing wrong with trying to find a better version of something, and I encourage that to a degree, but I’ve learned that chasing perfection can lead to not enjoying what you have.

You can’t always eat at the best burger joint or the best steakhouse or the best seafood restaurant, and if your mindset ends up being, “This isn’t the best” and that makes you disappointed, that’s unfortunate. Then you have a lot of meals that you aren’t enjoying because they aren’t the best.

I’ve met people who became that way, where they were never satisfied at a restaurant nor with home cooking, because it wasn’t the best it could be. I felt sad for them, because they could be eating really good food that they used to enjoy, yet be disappointed and complaining about it.

I’ve learned to try to enjoy where I am. My meals today probably won’t be the best they can possibly be (although I will try to make them good within reason), but I will still choose to enjoy them.

Your mindset makes a huge difference in how much you enjoy it. Even if the taste is the same, how you think about it — your expectations and your narrative about the experience — play a large role in how you think and feel about it. I’ve seen children talk themselves into not liking chicken strips or spaghetti or mac ‘n cheese, even if it’s the exact same kind they had the week before and really enjoyed. Adults can do that, too. What we tell ourselves matters.

So choose to enjoy today. It won’t be perfect or ideal — it never is — but enjoy it anyway. Where you are right now is your actual life, and you will not pass through this day again. You can choose to make the best of it, or you can complain about it and not enjoy it. It’s your choice. (I recommend trying to enjoy it.)

What are cicadas saying?

The other day I was mowing my yard and heard several cicadas “talking” to each other. I suppose it was talking. It definitely wasn’t singing. It seemed like a lot of noise. And it was LOUD! Just how loud are they when I can hear them over my lawnmower?

I wondered what they were saying to each other. They’re probably calling out for a mate. But what do they have to say? My guess is, “I’M IN THIS TREE!” And then another responds with, “I’M IN THIS TREE!” (Yes, the uppercase yelling is appropriate here, because they are definitely screaming.)