The Power of No Power

Right now I'm in the middle of the "everday magic" experience of not having any power at my house. A very severe windstorm - a combination of the remnants of Hurricane Ike and a cold front - knocked out power to hundreds of thousands in Central Ohio. All the neighborhoods around us got power back within 24 hours but we are still without electricity almost 48 hours later. School is out for the second day but unfortunately my office has power (which is where I am now) so no vacation for me. Some observations:

- No matter how much I know I don't have electricity, I still hit the light switch every time I go in and out of a room.

- It's very liberating to know there's no use taking the computer or any work home because there's no way to do it.

- It's liberating not having to spend the evening doing housework, laundry, etc. There's actually a feeling of boredom at night when we can't do anything else. I haven't felt that in a long time!

- It's also very liberating not to spend time in front of the computer and TV. I miss the computer and internet but can at least access it at work and email by phone. I think I'd really be going crazy if I didn't have that.

- It's interesting to see my kids try to figure out what to do without the computer and TV. Alex, especially, is lost. I didn't realize how dependent they are on those things.

- There are so many things we take for granted that we can't do or have to work around - like remember to take a key to the front door (since we can't get in and out of the garage), not put food down the garbage disposal, can't dry my hair, can't iron (which is getting to be a problem since we iron as we go), can't do laundry.

- We are eating great dinners - all sitting down together -- since we have to use up our food before it spoils and all extracurricular activities are pretty much cancelled.

- I have read an entire book (Prizewinner of Defiance County) by flashlight!

- Apparently the preferred comfort food for Westerville residents without power is Ben & Jerrys! Alex and I decided to get some ice cream for a treat in the dark last night. We had to get a small carton to eat in one shot since there's no way to keep a carton cold. I was all psyched for "Chubby Hubby" but Meijer was all out of most B&J flavors. Haagen Daz in the quart container was plentiful as where other brands - all on sale. B & J was wiped out.

- There is a strange feeling of disconnectedness without access to the Internet and TV. I find myself actually listening to the radio for news and looking forward to getting the paper.

- There is also a strange feeling of disequilibrium. We are not suffering physically or financially in any way right now but there is a strange feeling of the universe being off-balance, and a slight feeling of my world being "rocked."