Unsustainable
Not one to really wrap myself up in knots over such things, but yesterday was a day of particularly unsustainable practices around this household. I’m generally pretty conservative — combining trips, putting things off, having a lot of supplies for around-the-house projects on hand. But the sudden need for cool air led me to drive to one store and then another, and then out 10 miles to a third, in search of an air conditioner. I have finally given in to the consideration that, although there are probably about 10 days a year when this house can’t be cooled by conventional means, I spend the sweltering days safely esconced in a climate-controlled office (with a great view of the river), while wife works from the sweltering dining room and the kids set up and take down the slip ‘n’ slide every day in order to keep from melting. So, with even more reluctance than that which accompanied the purchase of a snowblower, I joined the plastic masses of the bourgeoisie and decided to give up not only my soul but also access to one of my windows in order to keep the house cool. It’s supposed to start burning in the 90s around here this weekend, so there seemed no sense in waiting another minute.
But of course, once I found what I wanted, there was the little matter of another trip back to the Home Depot to get the electrical parts I needed. Then back to work. Then home. Then back out to the Home Depot because I changed my plans and decided not to sink the box in the wall and wanted a conduit box that looked right. The only thing I did that was even slightly conserving of gas was to use the ATM for the first time since about 1980. I’ve been traveling around the country for years without even having an ATM card, just reliant on cash and a credit card, but finally gave in. Knowing I had to run to the bank this morning (I write a check and cash it. This is what people used to have to do to get cash), instead I stopped at the branch of my bank next to the Home Depot (which I didn’t even realize was there), and used my ATM card for the first time. I was surprised by how little the machines have advanced — crappy screens, lousy instructions and money still in multiples of $20. But I saved four miles of driving this morning, so I can watch sea levels rise with a clear conscience today.
Until, of course, I get the air conditioner wired.