Packing a U-haul in this heat. On my way to a friend’s apartment yesterday I drove past a bank sign that said 101 degrees and I almost turned back toward home. Of course, I try to be a good friend and by the time I arrived they had most of the heavy furniture already loaded into the moving van. But carrying crates of books from an un-air conditioned apartment down three flights of stairs to a van parked round the corner? Not so much fun. My girlfirend was helping her sister move, my best friend was helping her boyfriend move into his new aparmtent, and I was helping a friend pack up to move to Boston. I have never been so sweat soaked in all my life. Today I plan on spending a full eight hours in air conditioning and for all those who spent yesterday outside in the heat, I raise a glass of iced tea in commiseration.