I feel like it has been a long and difficult summer season. I generally feel that way because the outdoor air temperature and humidity gets overwhelming in my town. However, this year it should have been a lot easier since I spent the longest and hottest months in my hometown where there is a relatively cooler climate. In fact, the air temperature is nowhere near the same level of heat and humidity up here. That being said, I realized that there is another important reason why it feels so comfortable to be in this region rather than where I pay rent several states away. You see, in my hometown I know a lot of individuals. That means there are always people around to give me a helping hand. If you have never lived somewhere when you didn’t know a single local, I can tell you that it is very stressful. When I’m back home I can always count on somebody. For instance, when the central heating and cooling system broke down this summer I knew exactly who to call. I have several old heating and cooling contacts thanks to my hometown roots. A lot of the kids that I went to school with wound up attending the local trade school for their heating and cooling certifications. In case of an air quality control emergency, I can simply call one of my old friends and ask for an HVAC favor. When I am back in my foreign city, I do not have this luxury. I’m tired of feeling like I’m stranded without resources for my heating and cooling devices.