| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- at the storm's center Emerging after a day-and-a-half without power. No heat or light. We've had the craziest rainstorms here—wind gusts reported up to 65mph, though I think they were "only" 35mph here in our part of town. Strong enough to break off the awning on our side porch. I wanted to replace it anyway, but still. Grateful we didn't lose a tree or car--there are many photos circulating in local social media channels. A giant tree crashed right through the center of an old Victorian home, essentially cleaving it in half. Several people woke up in the morning to find their cars had been impaled. With that in mind, 34 hours without electricity was annoying but not dangerous in any way. We had a fire going, we had blankets and take-out food. We had flashlights, too, though we couldn't find the larger ones or our camping lantern. So, yesterday late afternoon, we got in the car and took a long drive out to a distant big box store so that we could enjoy the heater, charge our phones (we have phone batteries but I was trying to conserve them) and buy some new lanterns. Last night was even kind of nice, with the fire and the lanterns and the pile of blankets. That said, I was glad that the power came on at 9 this morning as I sat in my car, using the phone charger, enjoying the heater and Zooming in via my phone for a department chair meeting. Today we have enjoyed a toasty home and lights and all those other things you tend to take for granted until they're gone. There are many around town who still don't have power and there's a big controversy because the city neglected to open its warming shelters for the unhoused population. Two un-homed people died in the storm. It's a fucking disgrace. The whole experience, and watching the city needlessly neglect its most vulnerable, has made me angry, but also grateful for what I have in a way that I haven't been in a long time. It's still stormy here, but hopefully the worst has passed. 8:23 pm - 28.01.21
sounds: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- previously on ... - next time on ...
baby, all we need is a shot in the arm - 13.03.21 - 8:13 pm in the air - 09.03.21 - 7:11 pm the pandemic wall is real - 03.03.21 - 6:11 pm prelude to a reunion - 26.02.21 - 6:35 pm fruitless complaints - 01.02.21 - 2:26 pm |
||||||