Blackout
23rd July 2006
UPDATE: Someone reminded me that what we experienced here was not a “rolling black-out” but instead was a rude interruption to services. Since the blackout, my washing machine broke (it doesn’t spin anymore) and one of my microwave oven blew out. So, I could claim compensation from the power company. So, whatdya think?
It has happened before here in California during the anarchical days of the Enron-induced energy crisis. But this time it probably came through a more “natural” means. The heat wave that has sent the mercury topping over one hundred degrees for a couple of weeks probably also caused excessive use of electricity resulting in a strain on the supplies. It hit my area of SoCal yesterday and we were part of the inevitable “rolling blackouts”. We were without power for more than twenty four hours. Can you imagine it?
Have you ever tried to go to bed in near boiling temperatures without any hint of even moving air about? I was not able to get sleep and when I did, it was in fits and start and most of the evening, I was sleeping in a pool of my own sweat. Ewww! That’s right!
To top it off, my wife and I started a regimen of “liver cleansing” program that included a fast! I was not even able to have any water to drink for most of the night. You’d think we were gluttons for punishment. I probably lost twenty pounds over the past day! Seriously!
Plus, my notebook computer lasted barely two hours and then I tried surfing on my new Verizon Wireless XV6700. That lasted only a couple more hours and then it was pitch darkness. Thinking that the power would be restored soon, I ran out both devices’ batteries very quickly and had to do without for most of the rest of the day.
The electric company did not really give any reason for the blackout. They were working on it the whole night long last night and throughout most of today. The power came back on earlier this evening and then went out again for about an hour. It has been on since, and the workmen are gone, so hopefully this is going to last.
Anyway, I have lots to catch up…
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July 24th, 2006 at 12:11 am
sorry to hear bout that. yeah, it really sucks when there’s no electricity or any other alternative source plus sleeping without any ventilation. yup, it’s been really hot these couple of days here in SoCal. here in Redlands, we’ve been averaging about 110 every day and yesterday, it reached 120!
July 24th, 2006 at 8:59 am
We were without power for more than twenty four hours. Can you imagine it?
Yup, I can, having gone through far too many blackouts thanks to Malaysia’s fantastic electric companies. Once, we were without electricity for more than two days.
Have you ever tried to go to bed in near boiling temperatures without any hint of even moving air about?
Yes, emphasis on tried. I don’t know if LA has mosquitoes, but not only do we have boiling temperatures, the local fauna will attack us in our sleep, so sleep? har har. Forget it.
Glad electricity is back for you guys though.
July 24th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
I am not in Cali, however I heard about this on the news last night. That sucks bigtime. Hopefully these will not keep happening to you. I could not imagine my house with out ac, and my temp is nowhere near yours. Hope the rest of your week goes along much smoother.
July 27th, 2006 at 7:23 am
[…] Rolling blackouts. Given the choice of cutting back the AC or having someone else kill all Electrical service to your domicile, guess what has to be done, as reported “… in the outer …“. […]