For the past 6.525 (or something in that ball park) hours, I have sat in a cold and dark apartment due to a power outage on my block.
At first, I was patient. “Things happen, right?” But now my patience is slowly turning into frustration considering half the blocks power is restored but the other half, more specifically my side of the street, isn’t.
And the most aggravating part is, there is no “live person” at Pepco for me to talk to. It’s just an automated service instructing me to push numbers or leave a message.
“I DON’T WANT TO PUSH “1″ OR LEAVE A MESSAGE. I JUST WANT MY POWER BACK ON!”
…Or at the very least an update on what’s going on.
I’m sitting on my bed watching the flame from my candle dance on my ceiling. My flashlight is right beside me and I’m holding firmly to my only source of communication with the world; a cell phone whose battery life is quickly depleting as I continue writing this post… I’m scared, tired and irritated.
But the more upset I become, the more guilty I feel.
My mind starts to wander to parts of the world where societies continue to exist without electricity, running water, and all those other little luxuries I daily take for granted. And than it hits me… this blackout is a good thing (sorta). This is yet another reminder to always be grateful. Even when it’s rainy and gloomy (both literally and figuratively speaking).
So… no I can not believe that I may have to go to bed with no heat tonight! But I’m glad I have a roof over my head, a bed to lay on, and my blanket (+peanut), to keep me warm. That thought is solace enough.
**update: @12:15am 1/18/2010 my power came back on.
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