Humidifier? What for?

Waterview Walk,
Docklands, Victoria, Australia
51.8° F (11° C)

The whole time I was in Singapore, I lovingly complained about how predictably hot and humid the weather can be. Now that I will be spending wonderfully freezing summer months in Melbourne (it's winter down here), I am beginning to reminisce the pleasantly muggy days of Singapore.

Dry weather can be nice at times, but dry and cold can bring on a not so perfect condition when central heater is thrown into the mix; it can get bone dry. I woke up a few times last night with death thirst and about-to-bleed dry nostrils. After gulping down few cups of water, I turned on my half-dazed McGyver impersonation and... created a makeshift humidifier using the following items:

1. large pot
2. kitchen towel
3. empty wine bottle

I filled the pot about 1/3 with water. Then on my way back to bed, I remembered that I needed to increase surface area to enhance evaporation. 'Towel'... but I couldn't just hang it over the side... 'empty bottle... oh... must fill it with water so that it won't float in pot and tip over...' In the end, the makeshift humidifier ended up looking like some hideous erection rising from the pot, but it did the job... well at least I think it did. But I needed a less obscene and better performing solution.... soon.

Just after lunch, while I was waiting for some data to become available, I scowered the Central Business District (lovingly known as the "CBD" which immediately conjured a thought in my head that it might be some sort of STD) for a humidifier. When I asked a coworker for the best place to pick one up, he said "humidifier? What for?" I should have known then. It seems Australians are too rugged to believe in artificially controlling humidity. But for my pampered nose and throat, I needed one desperately... in the end, I returned to the corporate apartment... defeated... without the remedy for awakening dehydration... I shall have to rely on my obscene creation for one more night.