It was two years ago today. I was on vacation and had stopped at my mom's to help her with her computer when the lights went off. There was some construction taking place a block away, so I assumed it was localized and a result of something happening at that site. I got in my car and drove towards home.
This blackout wasn't localized. I found a talk radio station that had managed to stay on the air and they were taking calls from as far away from New York from people experiencing the same blackout. Immediately, I began thinking it could be an act of terrorism. I remember fearing what could be next.
We were without power for a little over 24 hours and it wasn't easy. James was only a year old and without milk and finding food for everyone was becoming quite the challenge. It also coincided with quite the heat wave and relief from the heat was difficult without the juice. Just when boredom was setting in I remember Steve, Vanessa and Marc walking over to shoot the shit with a cooler of pop. It was a welcome distraction.
Below is my entry from August 15, 2003 at 16:58 EST in it's entirety.
24 hours and 12 minutes. That's how long the power was off at my humble abode.
Of course, the worst black out in North American history had to strike just when our food supply was at its lowest. Already due for a trip to the grocery store, it was quite the challenge putting together enough sustenance to satisfy a growing 18 month old and his two hungry parents. Barbecued fish sticks anyone? The bright side is we had very little to throw away when the power finally returned at 4:23 this afternoon.
I did learn a valuable lessen throughout this ordeal. I learned that we're entirely too dependent on electricity for our day to day lives. Heck, my phone wouldn't even work because it's a cordless. No air conditioning, no stove, no microwave, no street lights, no gas station, no lights, no refrigerator, no tv and no computer. How did we survive over 24 hours? Gotta jet...The Simpsons is starting.
It wasn't terrorism, we survived to fight another day and it's one hell of a story from the summer of '03. Who's complaining now?
