Blackout Blues

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

This is too weak for the pit.

San Diego county had a blackout yesterday. Blackout had some in Southland fuming, others partying

When I was at work, SDG&E (the power company) issued a “flex alert” (asks folks to conserve electricity to prevent brown-outs due to a surge in demand) during the morning. When I left work, everything seemed fine.

When I got home (I live in an apartment) about 45 minutes later, the traffic signals were out. (And naturally, people seem to forget to treat the intersection as a four way stop, leading to snarls and grumpyness.) The power was out all over the suburb (including restaraunts and grocery stores), and I assumed that the power company instituted a “rolling blackout”.

All I could do was try to read some books (by candle light, once the sun went down). Temperatures have been hot this week, and it got to 98 in my apartment. I have no battery operated radio, my phone is thru the internet provider, so I didn’t know how long the blackout was going to last. By 9PM, I began to figure out that this was no mandated power outtage. I went and got the scoop from my nieghbors.

My supper was a peanut butter sandwich (I was out of jelly), and room temperature water. rubs bellyyumm!*

The stuff in my freezer thawed and spoiled. Fortunately, I already disposed of the ice and pop-cicles ahead of time, so there was no mess.

At least the [tap] water service was still operating, and I could use the shower and restroom.

Power was restored to the county in stages, I got mine back by 0215 Friday morning. Sleeping in sweat is difficult, but at least after 0230 my fans were working again, and I got a few hours sleep before I had to get up for work.

I feel so helpless without electricity.

2

Sorry to hear it was so bad for you, but I had an absolutely wonderful time partying on the beach. There was an unprecedented sense of community as everyone actually came out and talked to one another. It was fantastic, and I honestly wish it happened once a month.

3

Thankfully I was already close to home in La Jolla. I was in the village and only had to go through a few intersections. But having to explain to my toddler that the lights and tv were broken upset her but she calmed down and we played blocks by flashlight. I got a really bright led flashlight as a gift two weeks prior so we had good lighting. Had the radio on, my cell phone worked well into the night. I’m not sure if all the food is spoiled. I could see that the lights went on at around 2 am. I’m glad to have the power back on. This is the second city blackout I’ve experienced. I was in one in Toronto 7 years ago or so.

4

Friends and family tell me it was comparatively without major incidents. However, from this development…

…There’s only one thing that utility worker could have said:

“Doh!”

5

I agree about how inconvenient it is. And (not trying to be smart) what about the folk who lived without these comforts- I would have made a very poor pioneer.

6

I can’t help but think power outages are the work of evil Amish imperialists, testing our weakness by getting rid of our electricity. One day, when the streets go dark, they’ll take over in their carriages and raise a barn on our corpses…

7

Evil Amish Imperialists would be a great name for a band.

I feel for anyone losing their electricity. I hate power outages.

Bri2k

8

Can anyone tell me why Mexico was effected? I didn’t think our power grids overlapped.

9

Theirs went out due to an unrelated chili incident

10

I was keeping an eye on the blackout, in case any of it moved north. It was freaking hot, and no power means no air conditioning, which means sitting in the car to keep cool. We are well prepared for lack of power at any other time of they year, but blackouts during the summer just suck. Glad the OP and everybody else made it through ok.