Something I never think about is how dark it is in the world without any lights on. Most people, I think, never notice. This morning, we were up at 530 and Em was straight out the door so she could get a shower at her sisters house before going to work. We have one working light, a portable lantern which doesn’t throw much light. So we stumble around and try to brush our teeth and do the usual while not being able to see anything. I hate PG&E.
My rechargeable flashlight is dead. I managed to make my breakfast and eat in near darkness, I have the lantern, but everything takes longer when you can’t see it. I did get a generator after the last outage. I have that set up and my fridge and freezer are working. I get some light when I open it. That is a help.
I have a 7am workout this morning which I was late for since the outage eats time. Also forgot my gym key, it’s sitting in the dark at home. Called the trainer to let me in. I’m glad she is paying attention. Her power is shut off too. This is so much fun.
I am really not in the mood for a workout, I’m tired and the lights are out and my knee is still sore from Tuesday’s workout. I think that’s the time to go workout, when all is against it. Either way, I worked out. The trainer gave me an easier set of exercises to avoid my knee and still get it done. I’m exhausted but that could be lack of coffee. This is day 2 no coffee. I am going to get some decaf either way. It’s comforting.
So you can understand, dear reader, it’s now Saturday night. The power outage has put me in a mood. A mood to forget to blog anything. For that I am sorry.
I can kinda catch you up. Only kinda cuz my memory is only kinda functional.
The power returned Thursday evening around 5 to 6. I have noticed the assholes turn on and off at about that time each shut off. I don’t know why and they don’t say. The only things they say are in defense of their behavior. There is no defense for their behavior.
With power in we had a normal evening. I did receive a text from the assholes later that evening telling me the power was likely to be shut off on Saturday. Which means, in assholese, the power will be shut off in Saturday for an extended period. And, I will add, 528pm Saturday night it went off.
Emily spent her Thursday eve getting ready to go to Vegas. She, sister Dee, cousin Candace and aunt Joann are going to see Lady Gaga on Saturday night in Vegas. Should be a blast for them. I will stay home I am sure sitting in the dark. Night quite a concert.
So she packed. Surprisingly light as well. I even commented on it. Not sure what got into her.
Friday morning, up at 530 with a shower in our own house. Nice. Everything the same as usual. Kicked Emily out at 630. She goes to the airport directly after school. Won’t see her till Sunday depending on when she gets back. Marika and I go camping, leaving on Sunday afternoon. So we could miss her.
Since I am sure you have not heard, I am on a no coffee diet as of lat Tuesday. My doc thinks it might ease my intestinal distress which has been constant the last three months. As explained, you can develop a sensitivity to caffeine even after many years of consumption. This does not make me happy. I have to get by on decaf. That’s a much weaker 2nd cousin to real coffee. But I do what the dr says. I am off for two weeks and then we reevaluate. So, I stopped for decaf on the way to work. I don’t have any in my house.
I went by the speed shop on my way in. The parts, all of the missing ones, finally arrived today. Guess what? No one was available to install the parts. All were working elsewhere on a race car. F***. I wanted the car to pull the trailer this Sunday for camping. Car will be ready Monday. I will be in Mojave on Monday.
I was so upset I forgot to get all the trailer keys out of the car so those are spending the week in the shop with the car. I tell you this now on Friday. It’s a huge problem for the trip.
Today work was passable. I had one appointment. Finished his two tax returns. A big positive. He was happy. I also managed to finish a couple more after that. That’s really a productive day. The balance of the time was the usual crap – calls, emails, paper pushing. I left for home not to late. About 6. Still light outside and about 80. A great day for top down driving.
The evening was spent on getting ready for the power shutoff on Saturday. I did get my big gas van filled. The generator is important and it kinda needs fuel. Don’t burn much but does burn enough. Marika got home early enough we had dinner together. That’s nice. Best part is she wants to have dinner together. She tries though she does have important things to do so I can’t count on it.
I went to bed not long after dinner. I did wait for the final out of the World Series game. Some things seem important.
Saturday morning. Marika has decided we should make waffles and pancakes on Saturday. Neither has been in our menu since we left Silveyville. So I got up quite early, went to town and got buttermilk, a decaf, and gasoline. Had to top off the generator.
Upon my return we commenced. When we were done, the kitchen was a complete mess. And I had a waffle and a couple of pancakes soaked in pure Maine maple syrup. Probably worth it. Marika has to go to work so I was left to do dishes and pick up the food for the freezer. I drained the entire water heater. That’s a lot of dishes. The pancakes and waffles were a huge pile too.
I showered, once hot recharged, dressed and went out. Had to finally wash the car. It’s been a couple weeks. I’ve been too sidetracked to wash her. And she needs it considering she has been an every day car since the Fit went into the speed shop.
After the wash, go into town. Picked up more shut down supplies. Buckets to fill with water which are how we “flush” the toilet. Paper towels, for the house. Propane canister for the camping trip. Funny, all hardware and camping stores are out of propane. I ran across it in the grocers. On sale! 30% off. And they had a lot. Bought matches and a lighter too. Stopped by the butchers. Picked up two small steaks. Marika may have time tonight for dinner before she heads out to a party later.
Came home and finished the power out set up. Then I cleaned out the fridge and freezer. Power went out at 528, no timely warnings. In the middle of cleaning the freezer. Marika walked in at 529, excellent timing. For what I don’t know.
She was leaving at 645 so we set about getting dinner ready. I lit the Q since the power is off. Duh. Marikas contribution was a salad. I was doing steaks.
I for got to mention, or intimated, the keys to the trailer are in the Fit which is in the shop and unavailable. So, the locksmith showed up at about a quarter to six to unlock it. I was making old fashioneds at the time. None for Lockie. But he did unlock it at an exorbitant rate since it’s a weekend. My fault for forgetting the keys. But still, highway robbery.
We got rid of the locksmith. Finished making dinner. And ate at about 630. Steak and salad. A fine meal.
Marika left for the costume party, almost Halloween you know. Her costume was dressing as her good friend. Seems he never changes what he wears. Very consistent. So everyone should know who she is. When I was 28 I went as a cook at my work. He did not find it funny. Paying homage is an honor. And hilarious.
I am in bed now. A little blog. A little book. Tomorrow a big day. Pack gear and food. Looking forward to it. A week off.