"How did you ever survive?!"

[spookyevilone]

I had been without power at the house since just before Memorial Day. It's back on as of last night. People keep saying, "How did you ever survive?!" and "I don't know how you can stand that." and other such dribble.

I grew up with grandparents who lived under the poverty level. Their house didn't have electricity, and it only had running water from a gravity pump that would occasionally need hand priming. There was a small ceramic wood/coal stove in the bathroom and that's where hot bathwater came from. By which I mean you'd boil it in a pot and dump it into the tub. They had an outhouse, which is still there and still in use even though the house now has proper indoor plumbing.

My mother was on welfare for a good portion of my childhood, and back then there were no utility subsidies, so we used as little as possible. Lights were on for about an hour in the summer, from 8-9, and then they were out.

So I didn't have lights at night and didn't have my computer or internet access at home for two weeks. So what? Really, that's people's idea of hardship, when there are whole families that are homeless and starving? I have internet access at work, I could bring the laptop to Starbuck's or, hell, McDonald's, if I needed a fix. I used my iPod Touch to read e-books at night until I was tired, or a camping lantern if I just had to read a regular paper book. The hot water heater runs on gas, so I was able to shower just fine, and laundry got done at That Guy's - but if he hadn't offered, I could have gone to a laundromat with no problem.

This is not hardship. It was an annoyance, certainly. It restricted my nighttime activities a bit, but not a lot.

I'm surprised and disgusted that this is considered something dire enough to moan and wail about.

Comments

[pixel39.livejournal.com]

We were living in Eagan during one of those summer power outages. Water heater worked, we just needed to shower by candlelight. The only big problem was that the stove was electric but I could've used the propane stove on the balcony if we really wanted to.

All you *really* need (besides food, of course) is shelter from the elements and a source of clean water. You don't *need* electricity--that's why it used to be referred to as a "modern convenience".

Also, when are you usually home? I'd like to come collect my pressure canner and tomato thingy from you. ;-)

[spookyevilone.livejournal.com]

Yes, I figured if I ever got really desperate, I'd go buy a 50lb propane thing and hook it up to my camping water heater or stove or any of the other gear I have.

I will not be home at any reasonable hour tonight or tomorrow, but will be home Thursday night around 6. I'll make sure it's all clean and sparkly :)

Also? Your fault. WOO.

[pixel39.livejournal.com]

How is it *my* fault?

[spookyevilone.livejournal.com]

You haaaaaaaaaaaaad to go and remind me!

[pixel39.livejournal.com]

Still not my fault.

Thursday I am busy. What are you up to Friday or this weekend?

[spookyevilone.livejournal.com]

Friday night: freaking out and trying to get all things ready for garage sale.
Weekend: Hopefully holding a garage sale. Looking at houses in the evening. I'll be home during the day, though.

[melody-rossiter.livejournal.com]

The only thing I was worried about for you was the water pump and the toilet- just because when I was a kid, that is the thing my dad freaked out about when the power went out.

It's not like people haven't survived for centuries with no electricity to speak of- if anyone can handle it, I believe that would be you.

[neko038.livejournal.com]

I could be ok with all that, but the fridge going bad and not being able to use a microwave would be tough for me.
Crys

[vanderbruegghen.livejournal.com]

It was funny when our neighborhood was without power for a week due to the storm that crushed our house. One of our neighbors went out and bought a generator. He was so happy because it was able to power the TV and a lamp at the same time. I didn't tell him that the generator that I grew up with powered two whole houses and all the electric for the corrals.