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July 10, 2005
My First Weekend Alone
My luck ain't that good. Or I dunno, maybe it's fate.
On my first weekend completely alone in my apartment (last weekend a friend was visiting), and I am sick. No big deal - I decided to spend the weekend in bed, enjoying my cable internet and tv and drinking plenty of tea.
Which I was somewhat happily doing until about 9:20pm Saturday night. That's when my electricity went out. Nothing reminds you how alone you are like you're life going dark, your fan turning off, your tv not distracted you with the True Story of how and why Jerry Springer went from normal talk show host to captain of the freaks (it was all about ratings and the threat of cancellation).
Right. So there I was, alone in the dark. I could see that other apts in my building complex were also dark, but I wasn't sure what to do. I figured other ppl were calling the janitor (building super? I'm not sure how to explain the woman who we're supposed to call for all maintenance issues instead of calling the actual landlord). So, I did the obvious thing - I called my sister.
Because, after all, a woman 2,000 miles away in Los Angeles is the perfect person to solve my electrical issues. Actually, mostly I just needed to hear a friendly voice. It gets lonely in the dark. She told me to light candles (most of which I left in Forest Park) and turn on a flashlight. When I pointed out I didn't have a flashlight, she told me to go buy one. Clearly, getting obvious information is the reason to disrupt a woman at a wedding (I didn't actually know she was at a wedding).
So, I went outside and on a lark, checked the trunk of my car. I remembered that I had once bought flashlights (I think when I originally bought the car because my union organizing supervisor had suggested them for long drives). Amazingly, I found one of those three year old flashlights - the biggest one in fact. And it was working. But I didn't want to lose the battery (it wasn't quite as bright as it could've been.) Plus, who wants to sit alone in a darkened apartment?
Some neighbors were in the courtyard and asked me to call the janitor to pressure her to actually do something. Someone from down the street came (after I left messages for both the janitor and the landlord) and explained the problem was happening all along the street. Some folks lost power in only part of their houses (and some ppl in my building had power in a room, but not me...probably b/c my apt is basically one room).
Everyone went back to their apartments and I thought, why do that? So I sat in the courtyard and called my cousin, hoping my reception would work for once in my building. I was able to get caught up a bit on her life, but then the connection started breaking up when I started talkin about my life. (A sign perhaps?) So I thanked her for keeping me company and said goodbye. Went to my apt and got a book and came back to the courtyard (where some of the lights were on). Found out ComEd said the lights would be on by 11pm. And the janitor showed up with her husband because she thought it was a breaker problem, but once she realized it was the whole street she bailed. (I actually didn't realize she didn't live in the building. Good to know.)
I came back to my apt around 10:20pm. I think I was asleep before 11. My obnoxious, drunk ass next door neighbor woke me up at 1am shouting from the courtyard asking why the lights were out. (She then banged her way upstairs and unlocked the other door in my hallway which is how I know she's my dumbass neighbor.) Ug. So the lights still aren't on and now I'm awake. Great. Thanks for nothin.
Went back to sleep. I had left my tv on so I'd know when the electricity came back on. That happened at about 4:10am. Why did I wake up and write this? Mostly b.c I had to go to the bathroom, thanks for asking. Um, and because I'm a dork and like to record memorable moments while they're fresh in my mind. And I sent it as an email before blogging it, since most of my friends can't be bothered to check my blogs (cough, sister, cough).
Oh, and I got online initially to try to figure out what the hell happened. All I could find was a website's blog saying there was a massive power outtage in the Chicagoland area. (Chicagoland being Chicago and its neighboring suburbs.) And that their backup generators kicked it and they were online again. Nothin yet on the Trib's site or any actual news site.
I'm going to try to go back to sleep now. Note to self: buy 4 D batteries (I told you it was a big flashlight). Check trunk for more flashlights (I remember I bought a set and this was the biggest one.)
Looks like I can survive most things on my own...um, as long as I have my cell phone and a Red Ink Press book to distract me. :)
Posted by cj at July 10, 2005 05:00 AM