A long, cold 24 hours
I’ve had my coffee and a nice hot shower. Warm food is next.
Just in case you were wondering, where’s Mike?… my family and I have been without good old fashioned ee-lek-tricity for the past 24 hours. It sucked royally, let me share:
Life as we know it comes to a screeching halt without the shock-juice. Thus we haven’t done anything but try to stay warm — it’s well below freezing here. No heat, no water, no toilet, no freakin’ coffee. Tried especially hard, I did, to keep the fingers of my right hand warm mindful of my occasional voyages outside in the icy wind. 
We read for a change, as a way to pass the time — too cold for board games — we also sat in our living room and talked as a family, seeing our breath as puffs of fog while we spoke or exhaled. I had nearly forgotten, but I do have a wife and two teenagers. We waited. Normal, activity, even sex, was out of the question. My son spoke of cutting open the family dog and crawling inside his carcass to stay warm. Joking he was… I’m pretty sure, anyway.
Needless to say, I’m back. The heat is building. I’ve had my coffee and a nice hot shower. Warm food is next. The slice of plain bread I had for breakfast was less than satisfying… Just in case you were wondering.
Martin Neczypor responds:
Posted: February 18th, 2006 at 11:03 pm →
I know how you feel man. I’m in southern Maine and we didn’t have power for around 5 hours last night–I’m glad too, because last time we had large wind gusts (last year I believe) we were without power for 3 days, and it was horrible. Our electricity powers our water pump (water/toilets), and also our stove is electric. We use a wood stove for heat so when the power goes out that isn’t really a problem (luckily!). I’m glad everything is cool though (no pun intended!), and sometimes its great to just have times where you have to talk to your family.
Mike Cherim responds:
Posted: February 19th, 2006 at 9:40 am →
I’ve had a few of those in past winters… those 72 hour deals. If that were the case this time we’ve would’ve tried to find a hotel I think. I remember when I was a kid we had a really bad winter storm and lost power for a week. We stuck that one out, but I remember walking to the river near my hour and breaking through the ice with an axe so we could scoop out 5-gallon buckets of water. Not for drinking, no way, but it’s great for toilet flush water.
Anthony responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2006 at 8:14 am →
Wow, it sounds like a nightmare, Glad it didnt last too long! - I dont feel for you at all because I live in the UK and its always miserable! But not cut dog open miserable! lol!
I went to a gig once and got stranded at a gas station for about seven hours in the snow with the most boring man I have ever met in my life. He was from a small village near MT Snowdon and kept scaring me by jokingly suggesting we should “cuddle to keep warm”, it was funny the first time!
I can think of no better place to be stranded than home with family.