some observations on the ice

why so silent, you ask? was it the bustle of the season? was i busy shopping or visiting relatives? or was i taken back in time to before running water, electricity, or phones? . living without such conveniences and using only a kerosene heater to stay warm has not only given me a greater appreciation of modern conveniences – ah, flushing toilets! light bulbs! – but has also given me some much-needed vacation from electronics. psychologists claim that such a break in internet and computer life can beneficial, and although the respite they’re speaking of is of the planned, willing, nature, i can see their point. occasionally i would get the email twitch, but it usually faded quickly - and quicker as time passed. (tips for those unfortunate folks who need a break but didn’t have one forced upon them)

things i’ve observed during the hiatus re: the snowstorm:

1. “power out indefinitely” is not the best newspaper headline to read, and does not restore one’s faith in public utilities.
2. i can still record thoughts relatively efficiently on paper, using a strange wooden object that, when rubbed against paper, creates a mark. imagine the possibilities when the masses discover this amazing tool!
3. never underestimate the advantages of living with an engineer. by the mid-morning on the first day we had a heating system for the whole house using a kerosene heater, tin foil, duct tape, and no electricity (i must admit that having a generator would top that, and would help even the mechanically maladroit stay warm).
4. a little price gouging would be a good thing.
5. trees suck.
6. private enterprise wins again. when i left on sunday, we still had no power (a public cooperative), no telephone (a monopoly), and hadn’t gotten mail (government monopoly) since the first flake fell. however, even during the worst of the storm, our newspaper arrived without fail. we could count on the newark advocate to deliver valuable, and often necessary, information (even if the news said “power out indefinitely” – truth hurts!).

for all this kvetching, i must say i am very grateful to those private individuals and public employees working hard to clear roads and power lines from felled trees. these folks are working as hard as they can. thanks!