Well I am here in the Ak doing a winter caretaking gig at a fishing lodge. 4 days ago our pipes froze. They sent somebody out to try and thaw them..after 4 hours yesterday and 12 today no luck. Looks like we are SOL until end of April when our contract is up. So no showers, clean dishes, clothes, flushing toliet. I thought the isolation and boredom was bad...now I am REALLY gonna loose it! Any suggestions..stories..encouragement???
2007-03-06 20:52:12 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
have you tried jogging or running up and down stairs?
That makes people a lot warmer..and or just working..doing things to get your mind off of the cold...like rearranging furniture.and carrying it yourself! I get really hot from this type of work, myself!
I used to try to move things that would hurt like crazy..just to see how strong I would be...like lifting the box springs and the mattress of my bed...GOD! DO you realize how heavy both of those things are to lift at the same time?!! I DID like "overheat" from working my arms overtime lifting..(and I don't even lift weights!!!)
also, try looking on the net for fun web sites...I do this all of the time!
also, listen to coastocoastam radio...if you want...with George Noury and Art Bell,and Ian Punnett.
or just do a radio station search..and find wacky radio stations to listen to...and excercise while listening..so that the cold won't bother you that much!!
try dancing...to music..that also gets your heart going in a good way..and makes you liable to warm up better!
write stories..about what it has been like to work in Alaska...or make up a story....
or if you can, take mini hikes around your home area...or water color paint..or sketch....
look online for penpals....
etc, etc...I hope that this helps a bit....
Peace!
2007-03-06 21:45:18 · answer #1 · answered by ladyk 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was in Alaska for 3 years, but down on the southeastern area where it is reasonably mild for AK winters. But, I am familiar with very cold days from there at time-to-time. The winds could blow up to 80-100 mph and the citizens wouldn't really think of it as abnormal. There would be 200 inches of snow & 200 inches of rain per year. It was constantly wet. I kept a journal, wrote poetry, sketched, and kept my mind occupied as best as possible. I would sometimes go outside just to see if I could take the elements. On calm days, I would go outside and search for animal tracks or put on some snowshoes and do some hiking. Don't forget a rifle for protection. As for cleaning up, you can melt snow if you have a fireplace. Most lodges do have fireplaces. If not, I'd go outside and build a fire. I'm sure the lodge didn't leave you empty of firewood, did they? I could tell you some stories, but most would involve alcohol or past drug use so I won't. It may give you wrong ideas. Not everyone can handle isolation. You said "we" so I assume you aren't alone. At least you will have someone to talk to.
2007-03-07 07:04:12 · answer #2 · answered by gone 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there water / snow close by outside?
At least that can be heated for any type of washing.
Bathroom In a bucket, then you can bury It?
No Ice fishing, DVDS, Music?
You're lucky you can use a Computer, so you have those. You can read books on line.
It's suppose to snow, and It's cold here. Brrr
2007-03-07 05:16:26 · answer #3 · answered by elliebear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I live in Anchorage. Our pipes can freeze and sometimes have but at least we have plumbers who will come out and fix them.
I am sorry you are so miserable. They should have warned you about that possibility or at least given you the tools necessary to keep the pipes from freezing.
2007-03-07 16:20:09 · answer #4 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋