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a trio of heaters

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Kokubunji, 2020.12.20

Today I bought three heaters. Our house^ is effectively uninsulated, as was the style in Japan in the 20th Century when energy prices were low and we still scoffed at climate change*. In fact, Mari discovered while vacuuming that she could see through a crack between the wall and floor - there was light coming in from the outside! No wonder I've occasionally smelled cigarette smoke in our living room.

So I bought three heaters. The first is a smalllish electric oil heater for an 8-10 tatami room such as ours - where we'll have the eventual guest or two. It'll supplement the A/C unit in the ceiling of our first floor dining/living room, which is adjacent to that tatami room but kept separate by sliding doors.

The second is a much smaller, portable ceramic electric jobby with a fan that blasts constantly no matter what buttons I press. We've found it very handy for its intended purpose - keeping the bathroom warm while we're bathing. I don't understand why the bathroom has no heat! The third was a small mat suitable for Mari's chair. She's been bundled up against the cold and immediately enjoyed the respite from the mat being on the chair.

^It's taking me a while to warm up to this new home of ours. (Tee hee, warm up.)

*Man, the 20th Century. Such a mixed bag.

rand()m quote

...and when you try to get some, it surely can be hard. There's always trouble waiting, when you leave your own back yard.

—Motorhead, Lost Johnny (lyrics by Mick Farren)