What's everyone up to right now?

[KichigaiNeko]

No.

Solar powered reverse cycle air conditioning. Set at a very comfortable 23C. Wind is from the ENE with gusts ESE all statements to the effect that this air is coming in straight off the dessert areas.

We have a total fire ban so heat lamps are definitely a no no.

Ah, you have solar - nevermind. I live in one of the few areas of the US where solar isn't terribly viable (our electric rates are quite low and there simply isn't enough sun to justify the capital expense).

Heat lamps? I was speaking of a heat pump, a big ol' box that sits outside the house with a big ass fan in it that moves heat to or fro to heat or cool as needed. Installing one to suppliment my electric forced-air furnace (and replace my traditional A/C unit) knocked hundreds off my electric bill in summer and winter. Paid for itself in a little over two years.

I priced out a solar system but the return on investment just wasn't there. The house is all-electric (no gas service out in the sticks) and it wouldn't help enough in the winter when electric use is highest.

Not familiar with heat pumps (sorry just saw heat generation and freaked out) perhaps the closest I am aware of is evaporative cooling.

In Oz you are more focused on cooling rather than heating.and it naturally follows that solar is the way to go, so much so that our current electricity usage nationally has dropped by about 20%. Electricity companies are crying poor and want government hand outs to stay "viable".

Residential rooftop panels are fantastic and are being installed fast, especially in new dwellings. You get a 40cent/kWh reductions on the amount you feed back into the grid so yes our panels have paid for themselves and we don't sweat turning the aircon on overnight since the worst result in Perth is fatigue (chronic).

[Angrboda]

I still need to figure out what degree I would go for if I went back to school under a vocational rehab grant. I'd like to go for pure math, but I don't know that it would not be viewed with suspicion as a re-employment plan for someone my age. Computers would be an easy sell, but I've been doing computers for 35 years, and all the excitement is gone. My strongest "skill" is my philosophical acumen, but they'd probably laugh if I even suggested it. So what to do. I did pursue an interest in international business when I was younger. Ideally, I'd like a skill that I can sell to vocational rehab here, and once I get my degree, I'll move to Japan, so I'd like something I could also sell there. I figure that I'll minor in East Asian studies, and if I had a degree involving advanced studies in Chinese or Korean, that could be sold in Japan, but again, selling it here to voc rehab might be tough as a main degree. Again, computers would be a natural, but I don't know if I want to return to that fold. So, I'm still trying to come up with a degree plan. (ETA: Maybe an interdisciplinary major involving religious studies and comparative religion. I could combine that with East Asian studies. But is it a salable degree? An interdisciplinary degree in religious studies with a concentration on atheism, humanism, and modern secular movements? Psychology? I'd make a good clinician, except I don't have any interest in it. I think I need to spend some time researching the job, or, the "no jobs", market.)

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

I'm watching "But I'm a Cheerleader." The camp leader has a protest sign that reads "Silly faggot. Dicks are for chicks!" Lolololol.

[Angrboda]

Spaghetti-O's with weenie slices and cola. Listening to Marti Jones' early "Used Guitars" and "Unsophisticated Time" CDs. Brewing a pot of caffeinated Italian roast coffee, because I plan to pull an all-nighter.

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

Damnit. This movie made me cry.

[Angrboda]

Listening to opera and procrastinating getting my work done.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Celebrating my birthday by going out for a walk and having a nice lunch.

[BrokenQuill92]

Damnit. This movie made me cry.

I love that movie it's so cute!

[ElleBelle]

I'm watching "But I'm a Cheerleader." The camp leader has a protest sign that reads "Silly faggot. Dicks are for chicks!" Lolololol.

I tried to watch that movie, but I couldn't really get into it.

[Chas]

I still need to figure out what degree I would go for if I went back to school under a vocational rehab grant. I'd like to go for pure math, but I don't know that it would not be viewed with suspicion as a re-employment plan for someone my age. Computers would be an easy sell, but I've been doing computers for 35 years, and all the excitement is gone. My strongest "skill" is my philosophical acumen, but they'd probably laugh if I even suggested it. So what to do. I did pursue an interest in international business when I was younger. Ideally, I'd like a skill that I can sell to vocational rehab here, and once I get my degree, I'll move to Japan, so I'd like something I could also sell there. I figure that I'll minor in East Asian studies, and if I had a degree involving advanced studies in Chinese or Korean, that could be sold in Japan, but again, selling it here to voc rehab might be tough as a main degree. Again, computers would be a natural, but I don't know if I want to return to that fold. So, I'm still trying to come up with a degree plan. (ETA: Maybe an interdisciplinary major involving religious studies and comparative religion. I could combine that with East Asian studies. But is it a salable degree? An interdisciplinary degree in religious studies with a concentration on atheism, humanism, and modern secular movements? Psychology? I'd make a good clinician, except I don't have any interest in it. I think I need to spend some time researching the job, or, the "no jobs", market.)

You might consider pure math combined with education. This would be fun and useful. The education certification qualifies for rehab, math for subject area and fun. Win-win.