Thursday, February 7, 2008

-40 below

I thought I'd say something since Andrew has been doing most of the posting lately. This post will be utterly unhouse related. It is cold in Fairbanks today, it has been cold for the past week. -44 below at my work. I've lived in Fairbanks for about 8 years now but I'm still surprised when I'm expected to go on with daily functions during this kind of weather. Why doesn't Fairbanks just close down? That's just a rhetorical question as I know that some people have to go to work or we wouldn't have electricity, water, heat, etc. My window faces a Fire station and EMT unit. When it gets to be in the -40 or -50 below weather those guys are in and out of the building all day long. Which tells me that there are significantly more emergencies then any other time of the year.

On a personal level I think the administration of our University should give it's employees and students the option to stay home. But they don't, your expected to be here. If I stay home I have to use my vacation leave. I can't even take leave without pay. So what are my options? Use my precious benefits or come to work. Risk breaking down on the road (which could result in many other problems) or just stay home and use my benefits. Most individuals don't even have the benefit of vacation time. So people who work minimum wage jobs and are without benefits have more pressure to put themselves at risk in these temperatures. They could loose their jobs if they don't go to work. Hmm, this would make an interesting Fairbanks sociological study. Look at the influence of temperature on accidents and then of those accidents what are the individuals involved economic status.

I always find it amazing how much pressure the acquisition of money puts on us. Risk your life at this moment or risk your future. This post may seem a little dramatic and whiney. But sometimes I feel this way. Especially when I'm walking up a hill, at -44 below, because I don't even get to park close to my building.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, at least this way you get a true test of your insulation and energy efficiency measures...

~Jess

Deb and Dan said...

We are note worthy. We bow down to your fortitude. You guys are tough.
Love ya both. Mom and Dad

Deb and Dan said...

Oops I spelled not wrong. Even though we are note worthy. Love Mom

Anonymous said...

You can't use leave without pay? Is that departmental policy? But you work for the health center! HEALTH, people! You should make a complaint that climbing up Taku hill is not at all healthy for your lungs, and therefore the policy is hypocritical. Wait, hypocritical policy at UAF?

Don't forget your woolies :)

Mandy

Andrew said...

Looks like we just finished our longest cold snap in 9 years or so. The house stayed nice and toasty and seemed very reasonable on fuel. We don't get monthly deliveries so its up to me to check the tank, but it looks like we can get by with just one spring fill up a year, when it's often least expensive.

Kara Stenberg said...

Thanks for the reminder on why I don't live there... ;)

I would be interested to find out about any correlations between temperatures, employment, accidents and the like as well. Would be fascinating.