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Nshima & Curry

Melvin's  Blog

Nshima & Curry

BLACKOUT LEAVES MANY HOT

The recent power outage in North America deprived 50 million
people of air conditioning, television and other
conveniences for more than a day, leaving many to wonder how
much more suffering they could bear. "I don't mind not being
able to use my microwave," a tearful Cleveland woman said.
"But do you have any idea what it's like to manage without a
hair dryer?"

Told that Iraqis had survived without electricity for months
following the war, the woman looked stunned, then said,
"Well, perhaps American women can learn some important
lessons from Iraqi women, such as how to keep our hair
covered in public."

The blackout froze subways in New York City, sending armies
of commuters into the streets. It was particularly agonizing
for many female office workers, who were forced to trek
several miles in high-heeled shoes. Their cries could be
heard as far away as mainland China.

"My feet are killing me," one woman complained. "I almost
considered going barefoot. But you never know whom you might
run into."

"I know what you mean," added her friend, also wearing
heels. "A guy on the street tried to sell me a pair of
sneakers. But just my luck, they were the wrong brand. What
a horrible day!"

From Toronto to Detroit, Cleveland to New York, millions of
people told similar tales of anguish. Many didn't realize
how dependant they had become on electricity.
"When the food in our refrigerator began to spoil, my wife
gave me a big kiss for stocking up on canned food in our
basement," an Ontario man said. "Then moments later, she
gave me a big kick for buying an electric can opener."

While some had trouble eating, others struggled to exercise.
"I like to jog every morning," a New Jersey man said. "But
without electricity, I can't use my treadmill. I don't know
what to do. I asked my neighbors, but none of them owns a
generator."

Many were upset that their cell phones stopped working, as
transmitter stations lost power. "I can't call anyone," a
New York executive griped. "What am I supposed to do while I
drive?"

Others shared the same empty feeling. "Without my cell
phone, I can't get anything done. I might as well stay in
bed," a 5-year-old Detroit boy said.

The power outage created a number of safety concerns,
including stalled elevators. Emergency personnel were
dispatched to high-rise buildings throughout the region,
partly to rescue people stuck in elevators and partly to
demonstrate to others how to use the stairs. "One man was
very angry and refused to move his feet," a New York
emergency worker reported. "He shouted, 'Why aren't these
stairs moving, like at the airport?' I told him that they
ran on electricity. That seemed to calm him."

Among the biggest victims of the blackout were the scores of
travelers stuck at airports with no air conditioning. One
resourceful man, borrowing a line from a popular song, held
up a sign to passing women: "It's getting hot in here, so
take off all your clothes."

Thousands of government workers were disappointed that the
blackout began shortly after 4 p.m. on a weekday -- right in
the middle of "Oprah." "I just have one question for
whoever's responsible for this: Why didn't you wait for the
weekend?" asked an official from the Department of Homeland
Security.

While many complained about their suffering, an Ohio man
helped put the blackout in perspective. "My grandfather
lived through the Great Depression," he said. "But even he
had electricity. Lucky bum."

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