With all the construction going on in our neighborhood, blackouts and downed power lines have become a frequent occurrence. Last night was no exception. Just as we were settling in to write our post and watch a couple TiVo'ed shows, suddenly everything went dark...
With no idea how long it would last, I had to rethink my evening. Luckily I had a stash of candles and a flashlight, a non-cordless land line phone, my iPhone was powered up and my stove is gas. I took a candlelit bath; I read a little bit, squinting in the sputtering light; dinner was a medley of foods that I was worried would spoil quickly without being refrigerated. It reminded me of when I first moved into my apartment. I couldn't coordinate my schedule with that of the Department of Water and Power, so I lived without electricity for a week. My days were dictated by the sun, I bought small amounts of food daily, if I missed a call I assumed that they'd call back. Somehow, even without all the conveniences, there was more time to think and accomplish things. There was no TV watching, so there was plenty of time for talking and I became well-acquainted with the traffic patterns in my apartment. It was a welcome slowing down from the normal frantic pace of life and now I feel truly rested, ready to start the week.
It makes me feel that I should make a habit of living without electricity every once and awhile.
What do you think?
Top photo via Flickr member PlayfulLibrarian licensed under Creative Commons. Second image: Jules Bianchi of JulesCafe.com
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I think making a habit of living without those electronic devices that own your attention would be a refreshing change. For me it's the television!
view casafroggy's profile
I think my problem's the computer...it's always up and running! Perhaps I should make Friday night the lights out night... Turn everything off (well, except the fridge and freezer), and read a good book instead of plopping down in front of the 'puter.
view bfootnovellista's profile
I agree; maybe just turning off all the devices would do the trick. Granted, I understand it's easier when you're forced to do it. I think my biggest vacation this year was when Ike hit last summer. (Though it was a bit stuffy.) How sad is that?
view whytephoenix's profile
I find I sleep better at night (an actually 7 or 8 hours!) when I consciously turn off my TV and unplug the laptop about 1 hour before bed. Then I can read or just play with the pets some and unwind from that constant "ON" of a work day attached to a computer, coming home to a computer with a TV in the background and a cell phone always by my side.
And from the practical side; after growing up in Florida and recently enjoying both Hurricane Ike and a major ice storm in Kentucky, its a reminder to stock up on flashlight batteries (I like those lanterns that have adjustable beams), bottled water and/or iodine pills to treat water, canned and shelf-stable food etc that make up an emergency stash. Oh, and I keep Yahtzee, Scrabble and playing cards in my stash too :)
view Faithbck's profile