power outage!

Yesterday while I was at work, my BFFs at Comcast cable came and screwed everything up, as they are so apt to do. I don't know all the details, but it involved breaking the cable that supplied internet and cable tv to both our building and the one next door. I can't decide if this is better or worse than the time they literally cut everyone's cables because they couldn't keep track of who was a paying customer and who wasn't. Or the numerous times they've broken down the door to the messy wire-filled room where the cable is connected, rather than ask the office for the key. But I'm getting off topic.

So I still had internet at work, but I was warned by Jay that there probably wouldn't be any when I came home. Whatever, I didn't have anything pressing. Then, a few hours later (still at work) there is a mini-explosion and all the lights go out. Random things were beeping erratically, and I could barely see. I press the alarm off button, just in case, but the alarm was not an issue. My first instinct was to unplug my laptop, then the company computer. The power tried to come on 3 different times, but failed each time. Then honestly, I stood there in the dark for a few minutes ripping my hair out as things kept beeping.

Then a customer walked in. Luckily when he saw the lights were off, he understood that I couldn't help him. Then another customer walked in. She was new, so I had to explain that the lights being off and my secret door being open (so I could use the daylight to see) were not normal. I hadn't had any customers all day and suddenly I had 2? WTF man? I locked the door.

I called my boss and explained the situation. At the same time, Jay called me and said we had no power at home. (One of the advantages / disadvantages of working a block from home.) I reported back to my boss that no, it wasn't just a blown fuse. He said to unplug everything and go home (2 hours early). So I did. The stoplight was out, and as I watched cops directing traffic because people are idiots and don't know how to handle "situations" I realized that it would take longer for Jay to come get me than if I just walked. So after I did everything I could at work, I set out. Thank goodness it wasn't raining.

None of the businesses I could see had power. Ladies in the salon next door were getting their nails finished up next to the window. A lot of people were wandering aimlessly outside, looking bewildered like alien ships had just flown by or something. I briefly considered stopping by McDonalds to help them get rid of their "food" but then I remembered that McDonalds makes me throw up, so I kept walking.

I got home and it was a little chilly in the apartment - nothing a sweatshirt couldn't take care of. Luckily it was not quite freezing outside because our heat and stove are electric. Since we also didn't have any way of cooking anything, we went to Macaroni Grill* which is apparently on a different power grid. We took our sweet time there, enjoying tasty food and drink and chatting with our waitress. Eventually we went home. We saw some improvement in the power situation, but we were still without. So we did what anyone would do: we curled up on the couch with a blanket draped over us and took a nap.

We woke up about an hour later to the sound of the heat kicking on. Furtive glances showed lights. The tv worked again, and was picking up cable. But the internet was still down. You never notice how much of a habit the internet has become until you realize you're checking it every 5 minutes even though you know it doesn't work. Or you go to check the weather or get a phone number or something. But the important thing was that the power was back on. And that meant it would be back on at work, so I could go there and use the internet! Sweet.

So that was my day.



*The money that paid for our meal was none other than the $40 from Ms. Crazy Pants that expected change back with her necklace. She didn't get any change, btw. If she cant be bothered to break a twenty, then why should I? Especially since I'm the one that changed my policy to accomodate HER.