It’s weird to think about how absolutely fucked we are when it comes to the future climate. I’m lucky, of course, to not live in a place that’s in dire straits quite yet, but earlier this week it snowed, the latest in the year it ever has in Portland. It’s hailed four times this week, which I think is almost certainly the most hail that I, personally, have ever seen. As I started typing this, it seems to have started up again.

My building was built in 1916, as rich person apartments, and so is generally speaking very high quality in terms of the construction. We have functional fireplaces and more radiators than I know what to do with. There is wood in the units, everywhere, because that’s what Portland is about. (When the big earthquake comes, of course, the building will absolutely collapse due to the foundation not being bolted to the building—but that’s a problem for the future.)

But the units don’t have A/C installed—it didn’t exist when they were built and nobody bothered to install it later, despite other significant changes to the building. And of course they didn’t need it when it was built; Portland didn’t get all that hot for all that long, and the units have big windows. (We maxed out in the mid-90s and occasionally the low hundreds when the building was built.) But last year we hit 114, and at this point we’re settled firmly into the high 90s at a minimum, and so today I led a minisplit contractor around to see what it would cost to have A/C installed in three rooms.

I’m going back and forth on whether it’s worth it—it will be a significant investment if I do—but there’s the grim realization that of course it’s not going to get cooler, and it will probably help the value of the house and my own comfort if I get it done. (I was surprised to learn that it can apparently be installed in a day, so, kudos to the HVAC contractors.)

The hail seems to have stopped while I was writing, so, small mercies. I would like for us to go back to some semblance of spring soon so I can at least feel less sulky and grim.

Shit to read

Everything is bad and it’s for stupid reasons.
A tremendous piece from Talia Lavin about what the actual face of grooming looks like.
Cohousing seems like the way.
Turns out legalized pot has in fact not actually helped the people it was supposed to help.
Don’t be more online what is wrong with you.
This comic about the early internet made me cry!
Great interview with an actor in a recent episode of Atlanta.
Hell yeah dysentery guy!
Loved loved loved this piece on how a Thai restaurant became a hit with Latino families in LA.
Also loved loved loved this piece on Black Jews and Seder traditions and holy shit the food looks good.

Shit to eat

Buy some ramen noodles.
Cook those ramen noodles.
Drain them.
Heat up some oil. Toss in minced ginger and chili crisp and a glob of better than bouillon.
Cook it for a second, add in a couple cups of water.
Stir, add soy sauce, add fish sauce, add more fish sauce because you always go too light, and add some green beans and spinach.
Back in go the noodles.
Toss in an egg, let it poach.
Dump it in a bowl.
Dinner.

Shit to watch

Trixie Mattel making fun of Girl Defined.

Shit to buy

I’m kicking it like it’s 2019 and just started ordering Marley Spoon boxes because I’m tired. First one of you to click my referral link gets a free box? Or just look at RetailMeNot to get a code, much like Old Navy it’s hard to pay full price for meal kits.

Emchap's Shit from the Internet

Emchap's Shit from the Internet 04/13/22 🍠