Comments TheAnalyst has made

  • Pets

    I have to and disagree with some of the pet comments above.  While yes, many pets will be fine with just a bowl of water, it isn't always as simple as that.  There are factors that have to be taken into consideration: age of the pet (older pets cannot tolerate heat as well), the temperature outside and inside, and the humidity.  On of the two cats I have (a rescue) does not tolerate fluctuations in temperature well.  I find that when the temp changes significantly, including with the seasons, she becomes sick.  Of course on a day where the temperature is 78 and the humidity is low, no the AC does not need to be on for pets.  On a day that it is 90 and the humidity is high, it would be cruel to just assume a pet is comfortable.  Remember, pets are "pets."  Many pets adapt to living indoors.  Even my rescue cat, who was a stray for a couple years, has now adapted to living indoors and I don't think she would tolerate being outside as much as she had in the past.  

    But as some have stated, pets take up energy.  Is it a burden you are willing to deal with?  If no, then don't have a pet.On Umbra on fans versus AC posted 1 year, 4 months ago 19 Responses

  • AC is just needed sometimes

    While it is nice to say we should use fans over ACs, sometimes that is just not realistic.  Come on people, no matter how green you are, I know you cannot not honestly tell me on a day when it is 90+ degrees and humid, you would just "chill" in your house with a fan and feet in a bucket of water.

    Umbra faild to discuss programmable AC units.  On days mentioned above I need my AC especially after gardening outside and to relieve my allergies (or I could suffer with a constant headache from the humidity).  When the AC is on, I always have it programmed to control itself at the highest temperature I can comfortably stand.

    For someone who mentioned fans to be used to bring cool air from a basement, I'm sorry to say but that is impossible.  Heat rises, and as my bedroom is on the second floor I can tell you there is no cool air moving up my stairs.

    As far as the pets, if it is hot and you are uncomfortable, I'm sure they are since they are most likely covered in fur.  I too keep the air on for my pets on very hot days (and it is programmed).On Umbra on fans versus AC posted 1 year, 4 months ago 19 Responses

  • Green Colleges

    Another area you may be interested in looking into is "green universities."  Sierra Club recently published a list of the top green schools in the US, meaning schools who have good green practices.  You may want to compare the schools they have choosen to the schools you are looking into.  I remember Penn State was one of them, which stands out to me since I'm an alum.On Umbra on choosing a college posted 1 year, 10 months ago 21 Responses

  • Alternatives to reheating (eww)

    I like to consider myself a coffee connoisseur sometimes, just for kicks.  Anyway, reheating coffee is usually gross.  By the time the coffee gets cold it becomes bitter and if you reheat it, it still has the bitter rank taste.  Here are my two suggestions.  First, as other suggested try a well insulted thermos.  I usually bring a travel mug with me, and I've even found one at Starbucks which holds the heat very well.  Secondly, there are some really nice single serve coffee makers out there.  At home, I have my regular coffee pot maker and a single serve.  The single serve is great, b/c you can make just one cup at a time, and they are usually small enough to keep at a desk.  If you go this route, I recommend purchasing one that has a resuable filter, and doesn't use "pods."  If you buy one that uses coffee pods, then you are limited to the brands of coffee you can use.  I hope these ideas help!

    SarahOn Umbra on reheating coffee posted 2 years ago 20 Responses